BYLAWS
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY WOMEN
Approved on April 16 at the 2024 Spring Membership Meeting at Binghamton University
ARTICLE I – Name
The name of this organization shall be "Binghamton University Women." The organization
is affiliated with Binghamton University (State University of New York).
ARTICLE II – Purpose
Founded in 1947 by Wanda Bartle, wife of the University's first president, the organization
brings together women from across the University - staff, faculty, retirees, spouses,
and partners, and women involved in the University's leading volunteer activities
– for fellowship and service. Service includes a focus on raising funds to support
scholarships for female students. Members support the entire life-cycle of University
women through activities and projects that build community at the campus and beyond.
ARTICLE III – Membership
Section 1. Binghamton University Women is a dues-paying, membership organization for individuals identifying as women. Women eligible for membership in this organization shall be on the faculty and staff of Binghamton University, leaders of its volunteer organizations including but not limited to the Binghamton University Council, Binghamton University Foundation, Binghamton University Alumni Association and/or school-based advocacy boards; retirees from all of the above; or wives/partners/significant others of faculty and staff. Members may join from any bargaining unit or campus employer. Adult daughters of those in eligible categories are eligible for membership. Visiting women staff and faculty and wives/partners/significant others of visiting staff/faculty are eligible for membership. Eligibility, once established, shall be unaltered by a change in status, either professional or marital.
Section 2. To be considered a member in good standing, an individual must be up-to-date with her membership dues. The annual term of membership is September 1 to August 31 to coincide with the academic year.
Section 3. Members admitted in the past who do not meet these requirements shall remain members in good standing as long as they continue to pay their dues, but no new such members will be admitted from the date these bylaws are approved.
Section 4. The Executive Board will set the annual dues amount, payable by November 1. FAilure to pay dues by these deadline gives the member a designation of "lapsed" until such time as she renews membership with the dues payment. New members are welcome to join with their dues payment at any time. Dues, when paid, activate membership for those eligible as described above.
ARTICLE IV – Officers
Section 1. The duties of the officers shall be those described by the Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Section 2. The officers of the organization shall be a President, a Vice President/President Elect, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Section 3. The President will preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee, and have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of the President. The President will also appoint all standing and special committees, with such exceptions as are provided in these bylaws. The President is responsible for arranging for an annual review of the financial records by an individual other than the Treasurer and presenting the results to the Executive Board. The President shall serve a one-year term.
Section 4. The Vice President/President-Elect shall act in place of the President whenever necessary and serve to assist the President in all functions of the organization. The Vice President shall be responsible for scheduling and coordinating the program for Fall and Spring Meetings. The Vice President will serve a one-year term.
Section 5. The Secretary shall record the minutes of business and Executive Board meetings and maintain files of all reports. She also shall be responsible for all correspondence on behalf of the organization. The Secretary shall serve a two-year term.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall collect the dues and send out renewal notices. She shall maintain a complete ledger and an up-to-date list of active, dues-paying members in coordination with the Director of Membership. The Treasurer will cooperate with the yearly financial audit arranged by the President. The Treasurer shall serve a two-year term.
Section 7. For continuity in the board's leadership of the organization, the terms
of the officers are to be staggered. At the end of her term, each officer shall submit
a written report in duplicate, one copy for the President and one for her own successor.
ARTICLE V – Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall manage the business and property of the organization.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers, the elected Directors for Interest Groups, Communications, Membership, and one elected Member-at-Large. The elected Directors and Member-at-Large shall serve two-year terms in their positions. The immediate past President shall be a member ex-officio for one semester only.
Section 3. The Director for Interest Groups shall receive the names of the individuals who volunteer to chair each interest group, and shall coordinate the flow of relevant information with them. She also will obtain regular news items from each interest group for Binghamton University Women communications, and provide a list of interest group members from each chair to the Director of Membership by November 5.
Section 4. The Director for Communications oversees the management and production of content for all communications, including the Binghamton University Women webpage, social media, and any publications.
Section 5. The Director for Membership shall coordinate the collection of dues with the Treasurer, maintain an up-to-date directory of the active membership, and oversee outreach to prospective members and welcoming of new members.
Section 6. The Member-at-Large shall represent the general concerns of the membership.
Section 7. The President shall call a minimum of two meetings of the Executive Board annually. Additional meetings may be called by the President or upon the written request of two Executive Board members.
Section 8. There shall be a joint meeting of the old and newly elected officers before May 31. All books, records, and reports shall be exchanged at this joint meeting.
Section 9. Absence from three consecutive Executive Board meetings by any officer, director, or Member-at-Large without a valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.
Section 10. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of five Executive
Board members including at least two officers and two directors.
ARTICLE VI – Elections
Section 1. The annual election of officers and Executive Board members shall occur at the last meeting held each spring semester. If it is impractical to hold the election, then special arrangements shall be made by the Executive Board. The tenure of the new board begins on June 1 and ends May 31 of the following year.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall submit a slate of one nominee for each office and for each position on the Executive Board. Because the Vice President will succeed to the presidency the following year, she is also designated President-Elect. The Nominating Committee shall also include on the slate nominees for the chair and a minimum of two additional members of the next Nominating Committee. The complete slate shall be presented to the membership 14 days before the election. Additional nominations for each office may also be presented at the time of the election.
Section 3. Elections will be confirmed by a majority of the active members present at the Spring Meeting.
Section 4. In the case of a vacancy created by the death or resignation of an officer,
an Executive Board member, or a member of the nominating committee, the President,
with the consent of the Executive Board, shall fill such vacancy and notify the membership
at the next regular meeting.
ARTICLE VII – Meetings
Section 1. There shall be a minimum of two meetings a year of the general membership, one of which shall be in the spring for elections.
Section 2. Additional meetings may be scheduled by the Executive Board.
Section 3. Special meetings may be held at the call of the President or at the call
of five active members.
ARTICLE VIII – Standing Committees
Section 1. Standing committees shall perform the continuing work of the organization and report to the Executive Board. Standing committees shall include but are not limited to Communications, Membership, Nominations, and Wanda Bartle/Barnes and Noble book awards.
Section 2. The Communications Committee shall use communications and marketing to
build community and promote the benefits of active participation in Binghamton University
Women. Committee members include volunteer managers of the webpage, social media,
listserv, publications, and mailings.
Section 3. The Membership Committee, including the Director for Membership and the Treasurer, shall be responsible for activities involved in recruiting and welcoming newcomers, both permanent and visiting, to the University community and for maintaining an up-to-date directory of the membership.
Section 4. The Nominating Committee (see Article VI. Section 2).
Section 5. The Wanda Bartle/Barnes and Noble Book Award Committee is responsible for publicizing the award to Binghamton University students, selecting the recipients, and coordinating the award with the Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
Section 6. The President shall appoint other committees, standing or special, and
shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The
Vice President/President-Elect shall be an ex-officio member of the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE IX – Interest Groups
Section 1. Membership in each interest group shall be open to all members in good standing of the organization.
Section 2. In the event an interest group desires to earn money for a specific purpose
in the name of the group or the organization, it must have its purpose and fundraising
methods approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE X – Liability of Members
Section 1. No officer or member shall be personally liable for any bills or obligations of the organization, past or present, except for the payment of her own dues.
Section 2. No person shall use the names and contact information of those on the membership
list of the organization for any purpose without the authorization of the Executive
Board.
ARTICLE XI – Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which
they are not inconsistent with the bylaws.
ARTICLE XII – Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members present, provided that copies of the proposed changes have been sent to the active membership 14 days prior to such meeting.
