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Constitution of the Alumni/ae Association of

The Lancaster Theological Seminary of the

United Church of Christ

 

Article I - Name

 

This organization shall be known as the Alumni/ae Association of The Lancaster Theological Seminary of the United Church of Christ.

 

Article II - Purpose

 

The purpose of the Association shall be to promote the interests, financial support, and welfare of The Lancaster Theological Seminary, to encourage fellowship among the alumni/ae, and to foster continuing education among Association members.  The Association shall also assist in recruitment of students, relate to and support current students, and recognize faithfulness and excellence in ministry by alumni/ae.

 

Article III - The Association

 

Section 1.  The alumni/ae Association shall meet a least annually.

 

Section 2.  The officers of the Alumni/ae Council shall serve as the officers of the Association.

 

Article IV - Membership

 

All persons who are graduates of The Lancaster Theological Seminary or have attended for a period of one year or the equivalent thereof, excepting those students currently enrolled in full time Seminary work at The Lancaster Theological Seminary, are members of the Association.

 

Article V - Alumni/ae Council

 

Section 1.  The general and administrative affairs of the association shall be vested in an Alumni/ae Council consisting

of  fifteen members.  Members shall be elected for a term of three years, and may serve no more than two full      terms consecutively.  Five members shall be elected annually.  A quorum shall consist of five members of the Council.

 

Section 2.  The Council shall manage the affairs of the association, receive the reports of the Committees, make all

                   arrangements for the annual Association Meeting, and direct such other affairs as the Council may determine.

 

Section 3.  The Council shall hold at least two stated meetings each year.  In addition, special meetings of the Council

   shall be held at the call of the President of the Council or at the written request of any five members of

   the Council.

 

Section 4.  A slate of Officers of the Council shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee at the regularly stated

spring meeting of the Council.  Drawing from the membership of the Council, Committee Chairs shall be   appointed by the President, in consultation with the appropriate Seminary staff person.  If vacancies in these offices or committee chair positions occur, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to fill them by appointment.

 

Section 5.  The Council shall oversee the functioning of all committees which include but are not necessarily limited

    to:  Hospitality, Advancement, Continuing Education, Nominating, Faithfulness in Ministry and Worship.

 

Section 6.  Officers of the Council shall consist of a President, a Vice President and a Secretary.  They shall be elected

   annually by the Council at the first meeting following the election of new members of the Council.

 

a.         Office of President: The President of the Alumni/ae Council shall preside at all meetings of the Council and its Executive Committee, shall represent concerns of the Alumni/ae Council at meetings of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, shall (in agreement with the Executive Committee) appoint committees of the Council as shall be necessary to fulfill its constitutional mandates, and shall in whatever manner needed foster the concerns of the Alumni/ae of The Lancaster Theological Seminary of the United Church of Christ.

 

b.       Office of the Vice President: The Vice President of the Alumni/ae Council shall preside at meetings of the Council and its Executive Committee in the absence of the President, will attend Board of Trustees Meetings

at the discretion of the President, will share administrative responsibilities with the President upon request.  In the event of a vacancy in the office of President the Vice President will automatically assume the position of President.  The Vice President or another appointed council member shall work with the staff of the Office of Advancement in planning the Spring Alumni/ae Banquet.

 

c.        Office of Secretary:  The Secretary shall take minutes of all meetings of the Alumni/ae Council and its Executive Committee and shall provide for their publication and distribution to the Council members, and shall serve as corresponding secretary at the request of the President in regard to those matters determined to be needed on behalf of the Council and its Executive Committee.

 

Section 7.  The officers of the Council shall comprise the Executive Committee of the Council.  The chairpersons of the

   Hospitality, Advancement, Faithfulness in Ministry and Continuing Education committees will also serve on

   the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee shall meet at least two times a year and act for the

   Council between the stated meetings of the Council.

 

Section 8.  Nominations to the Council from the Association membership shall be made by the Nominating Committee.

The Nominating Committee will be appointed by the Executive Committee and will report to the Executive     Committee, which shall authorize the distribution of mail ballots to the members of the Association not later

than sixty days before the Association’s annual meeting.

 

Section 9.  The Council shall fill any vacancy which may occur in the Council through resignation or death.  Persons

                   appointed by the Council to fill any vacancy shall serve the unexpired term to which they were appointed. 

All Council members are expected to attend all Council meetings.  If an absence is necessary, the Council members are expected to contact the President of the Council or the appropriate Seminary staff person to explain why they are not able to attend.  More than one unexcused absence may be interpreted as a withdrawal from the Council and the Nominating Committee will be asked to fill the unexpired term by appointment.

 

Article VI - Amendments

 

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all mail ballots cast for said amendment, provided said proposal has been approved by the Council.

 

Article VII - Adoption

 

This Constitution shall be declared adopted when it has been approved by the Council of the Association for submission by mail to the members of the Association, and approved by two-thirds of the members voting.

 

 

ODC 1/29/81, Amended 5/16/86, Amended 5/15/92, Amended 5/12/95, Amended 5/10/07