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Constitution

Enacted:  February 11, 2000

ARTICLE I.  NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Arts and Sciences Graduate Alumni Association at Dartmouth; hereinafter referred to as the Association or ASGAAD.

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be to work with the Graduate Studies Office to develop a lasting connection between Dartmouth Arts and Sciences Graduate Alumni, each other, current Arts and Sciences Graduate Students and Dartmouth College in order to further the interests, welfare, and educational purposes of the Graduate Studies Office at Dartmouth College .

In particular, the Association shall: 

• Sponsor events and create resources to help Alumni and current Graduate Students network, develop professionally, and have fun.
• Improve representation and recognition of Graduate Students, their achievements and goals, and the Graduate Programs at the College, as well as in the National and International communities-at-large.
• Strengthen and further the intellectual, cultural, social, and educational well being of its diverse population of Dartmouth Arts and  Sciences Graduate Alumni and Graduate Students at the College by fostering an atmosphere that promotes lifelong learning and understanding.
• Provide the College and the College Community with active support of the Dartmouth Arts and Sciences Graduate Alumni in matters of mutual concern (i.e. scholarships, mentoring programs, employment opportunities, physical space, and other resources).

ARTICLE III.  OFFICERS

1.  The officers of this Association shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

2.  In order to be eligible to hold the position of President or Vice President, a person must have been a Member of  of the ASGAAD Board for at least one year.

3.  The term length for President or Vice President shall be 2 years.  No person shall serve more than 4 consecutive years, as either  President or Vice President, without a 1-year period out of office.

4.  The President shall:

• Impartially enforce the Constitution of the Association.
• Maintain an up-to-date compilation of the Constitution.
• Act as the liaison between the Association and the Graduate Studies Office.
• Arrange and preside over all meetings of the Association and of the ASGAAD Board.
• Respond to requests for special meetings of the Association or Board.
• Appoint all committees, name their chairpersons, and ensure the proper performance of their functions.
• Assist, oversee, and direct all Board Members of the Association.
• Respond to requests from outside the Association for information.
• Approve all releases to the media (i.e. public sources of information).
• Respond to any complaints from outside of the Association.
• Act as the liaison between the Association and other organizations, as appropriate.
• Perform such other duties as the Board may require of her/him and as usual appertain to the office of the President.

5.  If the President resigns, or becomes physically unable to perform the duties of office before the end of her/his term, the Vice President shall serve as Acting President for the remainder of that term.  The Acting President shall then appoint an Acting Vice President for the remainder of that term.

6.  The Vice President shall:

• In the President's absence, preside at all meetings of the Association and of the ASGAAD Board.
• Perform such other duties as the Board may require of her/him and as usual appertain to the office of the Vice President.

7.  If the Vice President resigns, or becomes physically unable to perform the duties of office before the end of her/his term, the President shall appoint an Acting Vice President for the remainder of that term.

8.  The Treasurer shall:

• Keep a record of all Association revenues and expenses.
• Render a statement of financial standing at each Board Meeting.
• Assist the Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Affairs in the coordination of the annual fund drive.
• Act as the liaison between the Association and the Graduate Studies Office with regard to financial matters.
• Perform such other duties as the Board may require of her/him and as usual appertain to the office of the Treasurer.

9.  The Secretary shall:

• Give notice of all meetings of the Association and Board.
• Take minutes of all meetings of the Association and Board.
• Keep the roll of current members.
• Conduct correspondence of the Association, as directed by the President or the Board.
• Maintain all records of the Association.
• Inform the Board as to all significant correspondence with and information for the College, and shall perform such other duties as the President or the Board shall require of her/him.
• Perform such other duties as the Board may require of her/him and as usual appertain to the office of the Secretary.

10. If the Secretary is unable to attend any meeting of the Association or the Board, s/he shall secure a delegate to perform her/his duties and ensure that the delegate is properly informed and prepared including having any necessary correspondence or other written material.

11. The same person may hold the offices of Treasurer and Secretary.  Treasurer will work closely with the Graduate Studies Office to allocate funds and financial planning for ASGAAD events.  

12. All officers shall submit to the President, and to the Graduate Studies Office, all necessary written reports of the activities of their office at or near the end of each year or upon completion of a special assignment.

ARTICLE IV.  ASGAAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1.  The ASGAAD Board of Directors shall consist of 12 Members: 

• 5 Members elected by the Association.
• 4 Members appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
• 1 Member, appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies or his/her designee, who will also act as the Arts and Sciences Graduate Alumni Representative on the Dartmouth College Alumni Council.
• 2 Ex-Officio Members - the Dean of Graduate Studies and a member of the Graduate Studies Administrative team.

2.  In order to be eligible to hold the position of Board Member a person must be a Regular member of the Association or an Ex-Officio Member, as defined under Membership, Article VI, paragraphs 1 and 2.

3.  The term length for a Board Member shall be 3 years.  No person shall serve more than 9 consecutive years as a Board Member without a 1-year period out of office.  Approved exceptions to the 1 year period out of office can be approved by the Board.  

4.  Each Board Member shall:

•  Impartially enforce the Constitution of the Association
•  Conduct the ordinary business of the Association.
•  Participate in at least one major project per year.
• Constitute the policy-making body of the Association and act on its behalf concerning the Association and its affairs.
• Participate in at least one major project per year.
• Attend quarterly Board meetings.
• Perform such other duties as the members of the Association may require of her/him and as usual appertain to Members of the Board.

5. If a Board Member resigns,  or becomes physically unable to perform the duties of office before the end of her/his term, the vacant Board position shall be filled in a manner appropriate to the position until the end of the term.  If it is a Dean appointed position, the Dean shall appoint an appropriate member to fill the vacancy.  If it is a member elected position, the President shall then open nominations to fill the vacancy.

6.  The Board shall have the power at any time to remove from office any Officer or Board Member who, in the opinion of two-thirds of the Board, is not serving the best interests of the Association or the College.

ARTICLE V.  NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

1.  Nominations and elections of the Officers and Board Members shall be held in the following order:

• President.
• Vice President.
• Remaining Board Members.

2.  Nominations shall be declared open 3 months before the Annual Meeting.  Members of the Association may nominate other members of the Association who are eligible for the nominated position.

3.  Elections shall be held at the Annual Meeting. 

4.  Each Officer-elect or Board Member-elect shall be chosen by a plurality vote.

ARTICLE VI.  MEMBERSHIP

1.  Any person who has received a graduate degree from the Arts and Sciences Programs at Dartmouth College shall become a Regular member for life on the date her or his degree is received.

2.  The Dean of Graduate Studies and the Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Affairs shall serve as Ex-Officio Members of the Board with all rights and voting privileges of any other Board Member.

3.  Any person who has received an honorary graduate degree from Dartmouth College shall become an Honorary Member on the date her or his degree is received, or if s/he has been voted an Honorary Member at an annual meeting of the Association.  Honorary Members shall be non-voting members of the Association.

ARTICLE VII.  MEETINGS

1. Six Members of the Board, present in person or by telephone, or participating in a specific vote by means of any other correspondence, including but not limited to letter, e-mail or fax, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting or vote of the Board.

2.  There shall be quarterly Board Meetings, one of which shall occur during Homecoming Weekend.

3.  There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Association no more than 4 weeks before Homecoming Weekend.

4.  Other meetings of the Association may be called at any time by the President, the Board, or upon the written request of 2%, or not less than 40, of the members of the Association qualified to vote.

5. 1% or not less than 25 of the members of the Association shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII.  SUFFRAGE

1.  All members as defined under Article VI, paragraphs 1 and 2, shall be entitled to vote at all meetings.

ARTICLE IX.  ELEGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE

1.  All members of the Association qualified to vote under Articles VI and VIII shall be eligible for election to any office in this Association.

ARTICLE X.  THE ASSOCIATION YEAR

1.  The year of the Association shall be from July 1 of one year to June 30th of the next.  Unless otherwise determined, the annual activities and reports of the Association shall conform to that period of time.

ARTICLE XI.  DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

1.  Association Dues may be levied upon or requested from each member of the Association as decided by a vote of the Board.

ARTICLE XII.  PRIVATE INUREMENT

1.  No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, any Association member, officer, or any other private person or individual.  All of the assets and net earnings of the Association shall be used to further its educational and charitable purposes.

ARTICLE XIII.  POLITICAL ACTIVITY

1.  No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.  The Association shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE XIV.  DISSOLUTION

1.  The Association shall be deemed dissolved at such time as there is no activity, or if the number of Association members becomes so few, such that it is impractical to continue the Association's existence.  Upon dissolution, all of the assets and property of the Association shall, after the payment of any lawful debts, be given to the College to be used for the purposes of recruiting and providing financial aid to Dartmouth Arts and Sciences Graduate students.

ARTICLE XV.  AMENDMENTS

1. In order to amend to this Constitution a notice must be given one month prior to the meeting when the amendment shall be voted upon.

2.  Two-thirds of those members of the Association who are voting at any Association meeting shall be necessary to incorporate amendments into this Constitution.