Fort Hamilton High School Alumni Association

 

Constitution

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Revisions through February 2010

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Article I- Name

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The name of this non-profit civic organization is the Fort Hamilton High School Alumni Association.

It shall hereafter be called the Alumni Association in this constitution.

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Article II - Purpose

 

Section 1 - The primary purpose of the Alumni Association is to aid the education of the student attending Fort Hamilton High School. Thias aid will be in the form of direct aid to the students and in material aid to the school.

 

Aid to the student shall be in the following forms:

 

a) Monetary awards to deserving students. The recipients of these awards shall be chosen by the school's Awards Committee - which operates under guidelines set down by the New York City Department of Education.

 

b) Providing guest speakers to discuss various educational and career opportunities with Fort Hamilton High School Students.

 

c) Providing students at Fort Hamilton High School with opportunities to visit educational facilities and businesses with which our members are associated.

 

Aid to students shall be in the following form of purchase of educational equipment for the school.

 

 

Section 2  - A secondary purpose of the Alumni Association is to help keep members informed of continuing activities and progress at Fort Hamilton High School. This will enable the Alumni Association to aid in articulation between the school and community.

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Article III - Membership

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Section 1 - Membership shall be open to any former student of Fort Hamilton High School or any person or group approved by at least a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

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Section 2 - Membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Board.

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Article IV  - Officers

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Section 1 - The organization shall have the following officers:

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President

Vice President

Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

Treasurer

School Liaison

Founder

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Section 2 - The powers and responsibilities of the officers shall be as follows:

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a) The President shall preside at all general and executive board meetings; appoint committee members and chairpersons with the approval of a majority of the other officers: sign all contracts and letters on behalf of the Alumni Association; be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee: be empowered to sign checks; carry out the will of the executive board and membership; be empowered to spend up to $200 on emergency expenses not provided for in the budget.

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b). The Vice President shall act as President in the absence of the President; assume the office of President in the event it becomes vacant; assume such duties as assigned by the President.

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c) The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of the general meetings of the organization; of any special meeting; of the executive board meetings.

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d) The Corresponding Secretary shall mail notices of all executive board meetings (regular and special meetings deleted-done by newsletters).

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e) The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Alumni Association; shall report periodically to the Alumni Association on the Treasury: shall collect all monies due to the Alumni Association; shall be empowered to be one of the signatories on the checks of the Alumni Association; shall arrange for an annual independent audit of the Alumni Association's funds and financial records.

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f)  The School Liaison shall be a member of the staff appointed by the principal; shall assist in meetings of all administrative functions of the Alumni Association; shall advise the Alumni Association on all matters involving regulations of the school and of the New York City Department of Education.

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g) David Whitebook shall be known as the Founder of the Alumni Association and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

 

Article V - Election of Officers

 

Section 1 - The Nominating Committee shall consist of a chairperson and three members of the Alumni Association appointed by the President in accordance with the rules specified in Article IV section 2a. 

 

Section 2- At the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall present one slate for the offices of President, Vice- President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. The Nominating Committee shall also present one slate for At- Large positions on the Executive Board. At Least 9, but a number more than 1% of the membership, shall be nominated for At- Large positions. Nominations from the floor shall be in order. If there are any nominations from the floor for any office, an election shall be held for that office at Annual Meeting. If no nominations from the floor are offered, the Recording Secretary shall cast one vote for the entire slate, which shall be elected. 

 

Section 3- Vacancies on the Executive Board or for any office other than President shall be filled by the Executive Board. 

 

Section 4- The term of office for all officers and Executive Board members shall be one year. No person shall be eligible to hold the office of President or Vice President for more than four consecutive terms 

 

Article VI- Executive Board 

 

Section 1- The Executive Board shall consist of the officers and At Large members, as described in Articles IV and V. 

 

Section 2- The immediate past president shall be a voting member of the Executive Board. 

 

Section 3- Committee Chairpersons and representatives of special committees appointed during a given term shall be non- voting members of the Executive Board. 

 

Section 4- The Executive Board shall have the power to authorize the expenditure of funds of the Alumni Association and to provide the general supervision of the Alumni Association. Nine members of the Executive Board shall comprise a quorum. 

 

Section 5- The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of three times during the year. Meetings may be called by the President or at the request of five members of the Executive Board. 

 

Section 6- In emergency situations, the Executive Board shall act on behalf of the Alumni Association. 

 

Article VII- Committees

 

The Alumni Association shall have the following committees: 

Constitution 

Finance and Audit 

Membership 

Class Reunions 

Publicity 

Special Committees 

Newsletter 

Web Site

 

Committees shall report back to the Executive Board and general membership for action on their recommendations. 

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Article VIII- Meetings 

 

Section 1- The Alumni Association shall have its Annual Meeting on a date within the school year to be determined by the Executive Board. 

 

Section 2- Dates for other meetings will be set by the Executive Board. 

 

Section 3- Notices of meetings must be mailed to all active members at least three weeks in advance of the meeting. 

 

Article IX- Things Not Covered and Rules of Order

 

Unless otherwise specified in this constitution, the rules of order which shall govern the proceedings of the Alumni Association shall be the common parliamentary law as laid down in Robert's RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED. 

 

Article X- Amendments

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Section 1- Amendments may be proposed at any general meeting of the Alumni Association. 

 

Section 2- Amendments shall be adopted if approved by two- thirds of active Members present at the general and those absentee ballots which have been received by the specified date. Meeting subsequent to the one at which they are proposed. Notice of the content of the amendment and the fact that it will be voted upon must have been included in the mailed notice of the general meeting. 

 

Article XI- Dissolution Clause 

 

In the event of the dissolution of the Fort Hamilton High School Alumni Association, all assets will be turned over to one or more non-profit organizations exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code.

 

Article XII- Non- Profit to Any Individual 

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No part of the net earnings of the Alumni Association shall insure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director or officer of the Alumni Association, or to any private individual ( except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to the Alumni Association.) No member, trustee or officer of the Alumni Association or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets of the Alumni Association on the dissolution of the Alumni Association. 

 

Article XIII- Non Partisan Nature 

 

No substantial part of the activities of the Alumni Association shall be carrying on the propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by the Internal Revenue Code section 501 (h) or participating in or intervening ( including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. 

 

Article XIV- Adherence to Internal Revenue Code 

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Alumni Association is organized exclusively for educational purposes, as specified in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 

 

Revised: February 2010.