Constitution

Section 1. Absences from more than three consecutive board meetings, by a member of the Board of Directors, without good or just cause shall result in his or her removal from the board. Said removal shall be announced and made official at the next regular board meeting.

Section 2. Should the Association officers or Board of Directors determine that a member of the Board of Directors has not fulfilled his or her responsibilities, he or she may be removed by a majority vote of the officers and directors at a regular or special call meeting.

Section 3. Such member who has been removed from the Board pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 shall not be eligible for re-nomination or re-election within the 3 years following his or her removal.

Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be a Director General, President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretarys, Sgt at Arms (Parliamentarian), Director Emeritus, Immediate Past President.

Section 2. All Officers shall be elected every two years and shall hold office for two years, or until their successors have been nominated and their nomination officially announced. All officers must serve a minimum of one (1) year as a member of the Board of Directors to be eligible for an Officer position. The Secretary may be appointed by the in-coming President.

Section 3. The Director, President, Immediate Past President, the Vice President, Treasurer and the Secretary shall perform such duties as usually devolve upon such officers. The President, Treasurer, and the Secretary shall report in detail to the Board of Directors at each meeting of the Board.

The President is the chief administrative officer of the Alumni Association and is responsible for directing its program, coordinating all phases of its operation, and coordinating its services. The President shall: Provide leadership and make final executive decisions on all matters of administration not inconsistent with the policy of the Board of Directors; Preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association; Carry out the aims and purposes of this Association and through the other officers and designated committees.

The Director General supervises activities in the best interest of the alumni and shall be responsible for leading and generating fundraising. Director shall preside in the absence of the President. The Director General is appointed by the outgoing Director General with the advice and consent of the Board.

Section 1. There shall be a Board of Directors, which shall consist of the officers of the Association, the immediate past president, Director General, and Director General Emeritus. No compensation or remuneration shall be paid to members for service on the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Directors shall be elected for a term of two years and will hold office until their successor has been elected, and their election officially announced.

Section 3. The board of Directors shall hold at least five meetings or as necessary in the odd-numbered years of the bi-annual banquet. The meetings shall be the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm via conference call or zoom. The quorum for such meetings shall be a simple majority of the elected directors and officers. The meetings shall be announced or noticed at least two weeks prior.

Section 4. The duties of the Board of Directors shall include the following: (a) Establish policies and give guidance to the officers of HSMAA.
(b) Receive the reports of the officers, and of the committees.
(c) Implement a bi-annual Reunion banquet to assist in fundraising for scholarship fund and to finance the operations of the association.
(d) Pre-approving all expenditures and indebtedness and administering the budget of the Association.
(e) Coordinating events and activities of the association.
(f) Attend all HSMAA meetings and support its activities.
(g) Coordinate the funding of, selection of recipients, and presentation of annual scholarships.

Section 1. Absences from more than three consecutive board meetings, by a member of the Board of Directors, without good or just cause shall result in his or her removal from the board. Said removal shall be announced and made official at the next regular board meeting.

Section 2. Should the Association officers or Board of Directors determine that a member of the Board of Directors has not fulfilled his or her responsibilities, he or she may be removed by a majority vote of the officers and directors at a regular or special call meeting.

Section 3. Such member who has been removed from the Board pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 shall not be eligible for re-nomination or re-election within the 3 years following his or her removal.

Section 1. Appointment of Committees. The Board of Directors may create regular or special committees as it deems appropriate. The officers of the Board of Directors may serve as chairpersons of any regular or special committees and the members of the committees shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.

Section 2. Standing committees shall include:

(1) Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the execution of matters referred to the Committee by the Board of Directors and shall report all action to the Board at its next meeting. It shall also have power to make recommendations to the Board and to act for the Board on all matters which arise between Board meetings, such action subject to ratification by the Board at its next meeting. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association.

Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President of the Association or the Director –General.

(2) Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying candidates for election to the Board under provisions outlined earlier. It shall consist of at least three members, including at least one officer of the Board. The committee shall be appointed at least two months prior to election. It shall accept all written nominations and advise membership of the process in a timely manner, maintain voting records and transfer records to secretary when complete.

(3) Reunion Committee. The Reunion Committee shall be responsible for planning alumni events for the bi-annual reunions and any events as deemed necessary for furtherance of its stated goals.

(4) Scholarship Committee. The Scholarship Committee is responsible for determining the recipients of scholarships which are awarded by the HSMAA. This includes publishing the application, coordinating with the current high school counselors, interviewing and selecting the recipients. Then preparing acceptance communications and presenting award at the local scholarship awards ceremony early May.

(5) Alumni Network Committee. The Alumni Network Committee shall recruit and assist community alumni and volunteers networking in developing alumni activities and networking events.

(6) Student Mentor Committee. The Student Mentor Committee shall develop programs and projects which will help current students to better understand the importance of HSMAA and African American Culture and Heritage and to prepare them for their role as potential alumni and help in general recruitment.

Section 3. Special and ad hoc committees may be appointed as needed.

Section 4. Non-Board members may be appointed to standing and special committees, except to the Executive Committee. However, a Board member must always constitute a part of the members on all committees.