Graduates of the Last Decade Board Bylaws
October 2022 Version
Mission Statement
Enhance the relationship between the College of Engineering and Applied Science (“CEAS”) and its recent graduates in a way that encourages alumni to maintain their close connections
with the college and university at large, while simultaneously adding value to the reputation and contributions of the college.
Membership
The GOLD Board is comprised of alumni that have graduated within the last decade from CEAS. If a member has multiple degrees from CEAS, their eligibility is based on the last degree they received from CEAS. The board will consist of 10 to 20 active members.
Board Member Expectations
Involvement
- Networking: Attend events in your region and connect with alumni
- Outreach & Marketing: Reach out to alumni and encourage them to participate in engagement opportunities (events, volunteer opportunities, etc.) and promote them through your social media channels
- Volunteering: Participate in at least one volunteer opportunity for CEAS a year. Additional volunteer involvement with the college is highly encouraged. Examples include: Mentoring current students, sitting on a panel, speaking to a class, participating as a judge for the engineering design expo, etc.
- Feedback: Provide feedback and ideas to the CEAS engagement team for consideration of future initiatives
Awards
Help identify and curate nominees for the Recent Alumni Award (“RAA”). Promote and bring awareness to the awards nomination process. At least one member of the GOLD board will serve on the selection committee
Philanthropy
Make a contribution of any size to the Engineering Dean’s Fund for Excellence or another engineering fund of your choice each year
Meeting Attendance
Attend both the spring and fall board meetings, either in person or virtually. If you are unable to attend a meeting, prior communication and approval from the alumni engagement team is required
Communication
You are expected to promptly reply to all GOLD Board related communications
Agile Participation
Participate in at least one agile working group a year
Board Schedule
The board will operate on an academic year calendar, with fall representing the beginning of anew term. There will be two in-person board meetings a year. The first meeting will coincide with Homecoming weekend, while the second will typically coincide with the Distinguished Engineers Alumni and Recent Alumni Awards banquet during the spring semester. Outside of the formal meetings and throughout the summer, the alumni engagement team will provide the board with updates and requests for feedback.
Bylaw Revisions and Voting
Board members looking to revise the preexisting bylaws document can make recommendations at any point by proposing their changes to the co-chairs. The board will vote on all revision recommendations before they are enacted. Discussion of bylaw revisions and voting will take place once a year during an official board meeting. In order to vote on a measure, two-thirds or the voting body must be present. Majority rules.
Membership Eligibility
- Board member terms are two years long and each member can serve up to three terms
- Must have graduated from CEAS with their most recent degree conferred in the last 10 years
Electing New Members
The application window for new GOLD Board members will open during the spring semester each year. Applications will be reviewed and vetted by the alumni engagement team and current board members before the start of board member terms on July 1. After interviewing each of the candidates and gauging their interest in joining the GOLD Board, the alumni engagement team or designated board member will present the rest of the board with the pool of nominations. A majority vote is required for the confirmation of all new board members. The number of newly elected members will be dependent upon the number of board vacancies. Newly elected members will begin their term on July 1 of each year.
Leadership
- Co-chairs: The co-chairs work together to motivate and guide the CEAS GOLD Board by providing vision in alignment with the Board’s chartered mission of working closely with the CEAS alumni engagement staff. Specific duties include setting and leading the semi-annual board meetings, conflict resolution, board member self-assessments and thought-leadership. The chair will serve a single two year term.
- Co-chair Election: Co-chairs serve two-year terms, and their terms are staggered to ensure continuity. Every year the board will vote on one new co-chair to replace the board member at the end of their term. Nominations and the vote for the new co-chair will take place immediately after the spring board meeting. Co-chair nominations and self-nominations are encouraged. The new co-chair’s term will begin on July 1.
Agile Working Groups
Each semester, the Alumni Engagement team will identify areas or tasks which require input and support from the board. The tasks are aligned with the mission of the board. Per the requirements above, board members must participate in at least one working group a year. Time commitments and required task for each working group vary depending of the needs of the alumni team.