Stockton University Retirees Association (SURA)

Stockton University Retirees Association Bylaws

Article 1: Establishment of the Stockton Retirees Association

1.1 The name of the organization shall be the Stockton University Retirees Association hereinafter referred to as the Association. The Association is established by authority of the University President who has confirmed the Association’s Bylaws.

1.2 The purpose of the Association is to create a strong organization of Stockton University retirees, to encourage maintaining a continuing relationship of mutual support between the University and its retirees, and to promote the University and its programs. We are governed by respect for learning, intellectual integrity and academic freedom, the importance of human rights and human progress, and as an independent organization seek to defend and advance the mission of Stockton University

Article 2: Membership

2.1 The membership of the Association shall be open to all retired University employees. Perspective members shall complete the membership form. Associate membership in the Association shall also be extended to the spouses or domestic partners of members.

Article 3: Meetings

3.1 The annual meeting of the Association shall be scheduled in the month of June for the purpose of recognizing new retirees. Regular Association meetings will be scheduled by the Executive Committee. Notice of the time, place and agenda for the annual meeting and regular meetings will be published in University/Association publications distributed to the Association's members and/or will be distributed by email.

3.2 Special meetings of the Association may be called by a majority of the Association's Executive Committee. Adequate notice of the time, place and agenda for special meetings must be provided to the membership.

Article 4: Officers

4.1 The chair shall, when present, preside at all meetings and shall present a verbal report of previous actions and activities to the membership at the annual and regular meetings.

4.2 The vice chair shall, in the absence of the chair, exercise the duties of the chair.

4.3 The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the general membership and of the executive committee.

4.4 The treasurer shall handle all financial matters of the Association.

4.5 The web master shall manage the Association's home page on the Stockton University web site in accordance with protocols established by the University’s Office of Computer Services.

4.6 Stockton University's Liaison for retiree association activities is selected by the University.

4.7 All officers shall be full members and shall be elected for a one-year term. Replacement for offices which should become vacant before the expiration of terms shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

Article 5: Executive Committee

5.1 The Executive Committee shall be composed of the chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, web master and standing committee chairpersons. The University's Liaison for retiree relations shall be an ex-officio member of the executive committee and will assist in the facilitation of the Association's activities.

5.2 The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Association, recommend policies for the Association, make appointments to the standing committees and establish ad hoc committees and their membership. Decisions made by the Executive Committee shall be made by a majority vote of the members present. Executive Committee meetings shall be called by the chair or by a majority of the Executive Committee members.

Article 6: Committees

6.1 The standing committees of the Association shall be the:

  • Activities: Overseeing meeting programming, community engagement activities, and social activities.
  • Nominations: The chair is the immediate past chair who nominates the incoming vice chair, secretary and web master.
  • Public Relations: Directing publicity and communications with the Stockton retiree community.

6.2 Other standing as well as ad hoc committees may be created by the Executive Committee.

6.3 Ad hoc committee members shall have terms of no more than one year.

6.4 Chairpersons and members of all committees shall be appointed for one-year terms by the chair with the consent of the Executive Committee. Consecutive re-appointments are permissible.

6.5 The duties of all committees shall be defined and approved by the Executive Committee.

Article 7: Dues

7.1 The Executive Committee shall decide on the institution of membership dues.

Article 8: Elections

8.1 The Nominations Committee shall present a slate of officers at the annual meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor. A majority of those voting at the annual meeting shall constitute an election.

Article 9: Amendments

9.1 These bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting by a majority of those voting at the meetings. Approved amendments shall become effective immediately

Nomination Procedure

  1. Only SURA Regular members may run for office.
  2. The Nominating Committee will, one month prior to the general meeting, seek candidates for office via mail/email.
  3. The Nominating Committee will announce their slate of candidates at the annual general meeting.
  4. Nominations from the floor will also be taken at this time.
  5. All candidates who are nominated must agree to serve if elected.
  6. If a members name is placed in nomination and, after the nominations cease, that person withdraws his or her name, the nominations from the floor will be reopened for that position only.

Officer Position Profiles

Officers. The officers of this Association shall be: Chair, Vice Chair, and SecretaryTreasurer. All officers must be Regular SURA members in good standing.

Terms of Office. The term of office for the Chair shall be one (1) year. The term of office for the Vice Chair and Secretary-Treasurer shall be two (2) years.

Duties of Officers.

The Chair: Preside over all meetings, act on behalf of the Association and carry out all duties as directed by the Board of Directors. The Chair may vote on any measure pending before the Board of Directors, or any duly authorized Committee, in order to break a tie. The Chair may create and appoint Chairpersons of committees within the Association with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees. The Chair shall be a co-signatory on all Association contracts, checks, drafts, and/or notes as required.

Vice Chair: Act in the absence of the Chair and perform such duties as required of the Chair and by the Board of Directors. The Vice Chair shall be co-signatory on all Association contracts, checks, drafts and /or notes, when required.

Secretary-Treasurer: Record the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, keep records of all the correspondence of the Association, receive all applications for membership, oversee the preparation of any ballots and perform any such other duties as directed by the Chair or Board of Directors. Oversee the accounts of the Association, receive all funds and dues, distribute all monies as directed by the Board of Directors and perform such other duties as directed by the Chair or Board of Directors. All checks, notes and drafts of the Association shall be signed by the Secretary-Treasurer and countersigned by the Chair and Vice Chair.