Class ByLaws

CLASS of 1976 –  BYLAWS – updated May 2021

Article I: Name 

The name of this organization will be the Class of 1976 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 the person 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.  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 $45.00 in  2021 owes nothing until the year 2026 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, social chair or vice president/reunion chair, secretary, scribe, treasurer, head class agent, communications director and such others the class votes to include. Any office may be held by two co-officers who will share the functions of the office. References to any office held by co-officers includes both co-officers.  Collectively, the Officers comprise the Board of the Class of 1976.

Section 2. Elections.

  1. The officers will be elected in their senior year to serve through the fifth reunionmeeting. Elections will be held at each subsequent reunion meeting beginning with the fifth-year reunion.
  2. Elections may also be held by electronic vote to enable members who cannot be present at the reunion meeting to participate in class decisions. If electronic voting is used, a deadline for voting will be announced when the ballot is released.  The Board will work to ensure the integrity of electronic voting by using a system that limits each member of the Class of 1976 to a single vote.

Section 3. Resignation.  The President may resign by written notice to the Board.  Any other officer may resign by 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 Board, provided that the officer shall have an opportunity to be heard at the meeting of the Board at which the motion on removal is made.

Section 5. Duties.  In addition to the usual duties pertaining to the above offices, the following special duties will pertain: 

  1. The president will be informed of the activities of the College and the Alumnae Association and communicate such information to the membership. Reciprocally, the president will keep the Alumnae Association informed of class activities. The president will be a member ex officio of all committees except the nominating committee. 
  2. In the event of the incapacity of the president to perform the duties of office and until the question of the president’s incapacity is resolved, the vice president will perform the duties of the president, and if the office of the president becomes vacant, the vice president will become president of the class for the unexpired term. If the office of the president is held by co-presidents, one co-president shall serve as president in the event of the other’s incapacity.
  3. The secretary will keep the permanent records of the class, take minutes of all meetings, and maintain records of all class members. 
  4. The scribe will gather and prepare news items for the Alumnae Quarterly. 
  5. The treasurer will have custody of all class funds and will collect dues and other monies owed the class. The treasurer will disburse those funds with the authorization of the president or a member of the executive committee. The treasurer will submit yearly reports to the Alumnae Association and class president and a summary report to the class at each reunion. 
  6. The head class agent will be the financial liaison between the Development Office and the members of the class. 

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 a slate of nominees beginning with the fifth reunion. 

Section 3. Reunion Committees.  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. “Meetings by Mail.”  Questions initiated by the Executive Committee may be voted on by paper or electronic mail. The number of ballots returned within the time indicated on the ballot 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. 

 

Date Approved:  May 29 2021 Class Meeting conducted remotely via ZOOM