Bylaws Class of 1985

Article I: Name

The name of this organization will be the Class of 1985 of Mount Holyoke College.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose will be: (1) to promote sustained interest in and support of the college; (2) to preserve the unity and fellowship of the Class; (3) to function as a sub-group of the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College and to aid in its mission and goals to support the College and connect alumnae with one another and the College.

Article III: Membership

Section 1. Members.  Any graduate (or matriculate who attended the College for at least one year, and others on written request to the Alumnae Association) of the class year, whose name and address are on record, is a member unless she notifies the class president to the contrary.

Section 2. Honorary Members.  Honorary members of the class elected before graduation will continue as honorary members.  Other honorary members may be elected at a class meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting.

Section 3. Dues.  Dues may be levied by a vote of the class.  If dues are voted in, then they will be voluntary and will not affect the status of an alumna with the class in regard to mailings and notices.  Dues will be established every five years for that period.  For example, if an amount of five dollars per year per alumna is established, then an alumna who pays $25.00 in 2001 owes nothing until the year 2006 when the dues will be reassessed for the following five years.  Dues may be paid in increments if an alumna does not wish to pay the full amount at one time.  Dues are to be used for class purposes only.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1. Officers.  The officers will be the president, vice president, treasurer, social chair, secretary, head class agent, web coordinator (pending amendment), and such others the class votes to include. These officers will be known as the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Elections.  The officers will be elected at each reunion meeting and will serve through the next reunion meeting.

Section 3. Resignation.  The President may resign by written notice to the Executive Committee.  Any other officer may resign with written notice to the President.

Section 4. Removal.  Any officer may be removed from office, for cause, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members of the Executive Committee, provided that the officer shall have an opportunity to be heard at the meeting of the Executive Committee at which the motion on removal is made.

Section 5. Duties.

President – The duties of the President include, but are not limited to:

1.      Presiding over all class and officer meetings.

2.      Calling any special meetings

3.      Acting as the official voice of the class in accordance with the procedures and systems contained in these By Laws.

4.      Keeping herself informed of activities of the College and the Alumnae Association and communicate such information to the membership where appropriate.  Reciprocally, she will keep the Alumnae Association informed of class activities.  The president will be a member ex officio of all committees except the nominating committee.

5.      Performing other duties as appropriate to the position as needed.

Vice President – The duties of the Vice President include, but are not limited to:

1.      In the event of the disability of the president and until the question of her disability is resolved, the vice president will perform the duties of the president.  If for any reason the office of president becomes vacant, the vice president will become president of the class for the unexpired term.

2.      Performing other duties as appropriate to the position as needed.

Treasurer – The duties of the Treasurer include, but are not limited to:

1.      Maintaining all class funds and collects dues and other monies owed the class.

2.      Disbursing class funds with the authorization of the president and at least one other member of the Executive Committee.

3.      Submitting yearly reports to the Alumnae Association and class president and a summary report to the class at each reunion.

4.      Preparing budgets for Reunion year.

5.      Performing other duties as appropriate to the position as needed.

Social Chair – The duties of the Social Chair include, but are not limited to:

1.      Planning and implementing all aspects of class social events.  This includes serving as Reunion Chair during a Reunion year.

2.      Performing other duties as appropriate to the position as needed.

Scribe – The duties of the Scribe include, but are not limited to:

1.      Keeping permanent records of the class, take minutes of all class and officer meetings, and maintain records of all class members.

2.      Gathering and preparing news items for the Alumnae Quarterly.

3.      Performing other duties as appropriate to the position as needed.

Head Class Agent – The duties of the Head Class Agent, but are not limited to:

1.      Being  the financial liaison between the Development Office and members of the class.

2.      Performing other duties as appropriate to the position as needed.

(pending amendment)

Web Coordinator – The duties of the Web Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

1.      Overseeing the construction and maintenance of the Class website.

2.      Engaging the Class in social networking forums such as Facebook.

3.      Submitting material to the Alumnae Association for email broadcasting.

4.      Provide assistance for posting of material and photos to the Class website.

5.      Coordinate with the Class Scribe for sending Class Notes electronically.

6.      Perform additional tasks related to online communications at the discretion of the President and Class Officers. (Amendment pending approval)

Article V: Boards and Committees

Section 1. Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee will consist of the officers, and will act on the affairs of the organization between meetings.  A majority will constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee will consist of five members: three elected by the class and two appointed by the president, who will also appoint one member as chair (preferably from the three elected).  They will prepare the slate of nominees for each reunion.

Section 3. Reunion Committee.  The Reunion chair will be nominated/elected at the Reunion class meeting and will in turn appoint her own Reunion committee chairs.

Section 4. Other Committees.  Other committees may be established by vote of the class, which will also designate their composition.

Section 5. Vacancies.  The president, with the approval of the Executive Committee, may fill any vacancies.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings.  A regular meeting will be held at every reunion of the class.  The number present at any regular class meeting will constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Additional Meetings.  Questions initiated by the Executive Committee may be voted on by mail, e-mail, online survey or similar means.  The members must be notified of the voting vehicle and the purpose of the vote one month prior to the event.  The number of ballots returned within the time indicated will constitute a quorum.

Article VII: Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised

“Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised” will be the parliamentary authority.


Article VIII: Dissolution

Upon dissolution of this organization or the completion of its affairs, the assets will be distributed exclusively to (a) the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College, located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, for its general purposes, or (b) if said Association for any reason does not qualify under the provisions of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then to the trustees of Mount Holyoke College, a Massachusetts educational corporation located in South Hadley for its general purpose, or (c) if said trustees of Mount Holyoke College for any reason do not then qualify under the provisions of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then to any charitable, religious, scientific, literary or educational organization which would qualify under the provisions of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they hereafter be amended.

Article IX: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided the proposed changes have been included in the notice of said meeting.