Chapters Handbook

Sample Chapter Bylaws

Article 1 – Name

The name of the organization shall be the KU Alumni Association ___________ Chapter, hereinafter referred to as the Chapter.

Article 2 – Purpose

The purpose of the Chapter shall be to foster a spirit of loyalty and friendship among alumni and friends of the University, through the coordination of educational, student recruiting, cultural, and social activities, in an effort to advance the best interests of the University of Kansas and its constituents.

Article 3 – Membership

Membership shall consist of those alumni and friends of the University who reside and/or receive mail in the __________ area. Only current paid members of the Alumni Association of the University of Kansas are assured of receiving all notifications of activities in that area.

Article 4 – Alumni Association Staff

The appropriate members of the Alumni Association staff shall serve the Chapter’s Leader/President as: advisors and consultants, providing recommendations to the chapter on past, present and future activities; and as executors, by accepting responsibility for the timely production and distribution (within the control of the Association) of all promotional materials.

Article 5 – Board of Officers/Committee

Section 1.  The business of the chapter shall be managed by its Officers/Committee in accordance with the bylaws of the KU Alumni Association.

Section 2.  Nominations for the Officers/Committee shall be made by an appointed subcommittee and by self-nominations from members. The subcommittee shall reduce the candidates to a workable number. Elections shall be by majority vote of the chapter members present at the chapter event.

Section 3.  Ex officio Officers/Committee Members shall consist of the two most immediate past presidents and other representatives as designated by the President. Term of office shall be ______ years.  The board shall not exceed__________members or seat less than __________members at any time.  If a KU Alumni Association national board member resides in the ______________chapter, they shall receive an automatic seat on the chapter board. 

Section 4. Vacancies on the Board/Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board/Committee at the next meeting.

Section 5.  Meetings of the Board/Committee times and locations will be determined by the Board/Committee upon reasonable notice.

Article 6 – Finances

No local dues for membership in the Chapter shall be charged. All chapter activities shall be self-supporting. When this is not possible, prior approval by the University of Kansas Alumni Association must be obtained. Financial security of each activity shall be a major consideration of the Board.

Article 7 – Chapter Communications

All chapter correspondence must be approved and delivered through the KU Alumni Association.  This includes paper and electronic communications.  Chapter e-mail addresses shall be housed at the KU Alumni Association

Article 8 – Amendments

The Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter may be amended by approval of three-fourths of the total membership of the Board present at the announced meeting.