Auburn University Retiree Association

Current November 2015

ARTICLE I.  Name

The name of this Association shall be the Auburn University Retiree Association (AURA).

ARTICLE II.  Purposes

AURA is organized for the following purposes:

1. To promote continuing contributions and other support by members, alumni, and friends of the Universities to help enhance the scholarly and other professional objectives of the institution so that it is able to serve more effectively the students and citizens of the state and nation in the years ahead;
2. To communicate on behalf of retired Auburn University and Auburn University Montgomery personnel with representatives of the universities, government, and other groups relative to the welfare of retired persons;
3. To cooperate with lifelong learning institutes in sponsoring and promoting educational programs relating to needs and opportunities for retired persons; and
4. To educate the public about the problems and needs of retired persons.

 ARTICLE III.  Membership and Dues

1. Membership:
   Persons eligible for membership include:
   1. Retired members of the universities faculty and staff, and spouses, widows, and widowers of such persons; and
   2. On the application to and approval by the Board of Directors, persons who once served on the faculty or staff and are now retired, and spouses, widows, and widowers of such persons.
2. Dues:
   1. Annual dues shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the By-Laws.

 ARTICLE IV.  Board of Directors, Officers and Committees

1. Board of Directors:
   The Board shall be composed of the number of members specified in the By-Laws and shall be responsible for governing of the Association.
   1. Eligibility for Membership. All members whose dues are paid are eligible for membership on the Board. To the extent possible, the Board shall be representative of the several constituencies of the universities and the nominating committee shall seek this balance.
   2. Term of Office. Elected members of the Board shall serve for a term of three (3) years, and shall not be eligible to serve consecutive terms. One third of these members shall be elected annually. Except when a vacancy occurs while the nominating committee is at work nominating individuals for the coming year, any vacancy on the Board during the year shall be filled by the Board, and such a member may then be eligible for a full term, if the individual has not served at least two (2) years.
   3. Elections. The elected members of the Board shall be chosen by written ballot distributed to all members at least one (1) month before the annual meeting. Election shall be by plurality of votes cast. Newly elected members of the Board shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
   4. Nominations. The Board shall appoint a nominating committee of at least three (3) persons each year. The committee shall invite suggestions from the members and prepare a slate with at least one (1) candidate for each vacancy on the Board. The slate shall be completed and reported to the Board in time for appropriate communication to the membership.
   5. Electors.  Each member whose dues are paid is entitled to vote.
   6. Balloting.  Ballots must be received by the Membership Committee at least one (1) week before the annual meeting to be eligible to be counted. The Membership committee shall count the ballots under the supervision of the chairperson who shall certify the results and report them to the President.
   7. Ex Officio Members. All AURA officers who are not already elected Board members shall ex-officio be voting members of the Board of Directors. The immediate past president shall ex-officio be a voting Board member.
2. Officers:
   The officers of AURA, selected by the Board of Directors, shall be: a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. They shall perform the duties customary for their respective offices. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall serve a one (1) year term. The person selected Vice President shall serve a two (2) year term, the first as Vice President and the second as President. All officers may serve multiple terms. The officers, who may or may not be serving as elected members of the Board of Directors at the time of their selection, shall be chosen at a meeting of the Board of Directors preceding the annual meeting, and shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the annual meeting. Vacancies that may occur shall be filled by the Board for the remainder of the unexpired term.

ARTICLE  V.  Amendments

1. Notice:
   Written notice of proposed amendments to the constitution must be sent to the membership one (1) month before the annual meeting at which time they are to be acted upon. Should the Board decide to submit proposed amendments by mail ballot, a period of one (1) month must be allowed for the receipt of valid ballots. Amendments may be proposed by any member of AURA.
2. Vote Requirement:
   The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting or by a majority vote of members who return ballots in a written poll of the membership.