By-Laws & Constituition

Constitution and By-Laws: Rutgers University Muslim Alumni Association

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Rutgers University Muslim Alumni Association, hereafter referred to as RUMAA.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be

To develop and maintain a network of professional and social ties between Muslim alumni of Rutgers University.
To contribute to Muslim life on campus and to the Rutgers University community at large.

Article III: Affiliations

This organization is affiliated with the Rutgers Alumni Association as a chartered member.

Article IV: Membership

Membership in RUMAA is open to all persons who have earned a degree at Rutgers University, upon graduation. All members shall be eligible to serve on the Board of RUMAA or its Board committees.

Article V: Governance

Section 1: The governance of RUMAA is vested in its elected Board.

Section 2: The Board of RUMAA shall comprise no fewer than five (5) and no more than nine (9) members, elected through a mail-in ballot or a secure online ballot. The term of each seat shall be three years. The Board will select a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer from amongst itself.

Section 3: DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS.

A. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Board. S/he will appoint committee chairs and is an ex-officio member of each committee.

B. The Vice-Chair shall preside in the absence of the Chair.

C. The Secretary shall prepare minutes and maintain records of all meetings. S/he shall also maintain the official record of RUMAA membership and will conduct nominations and elections for open Board seats.

D. The Treasurer shall expedite all expenditures of funds, maintain records of finances and prepare periodic financial reports.

E. The remaining Board members shall each preside over a RUMAA committee.

Section 4: REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS.

A. Board members who fail to attend at least half of the Board meetings, including one of the physical meetings, are subject to removal from the Board if agreed to by two-thirds (2/3) of the other Board members.

B. A Board member may be removed for cause by unanimous vote of all other Board members at a meeting called for that purpose, at which meeting such Board member shall be entitled to answer charges of cause for removal.

C. In the case of an open Board seat, a call for nominations for 10 to 14 days will be sent to the RUMAA membership. The remaining Board members will select a replacement from amongst the nominees to complete the term of the open seat.

Article VI: Board Committees

Section 1: STANDING COMMITTEES. Standing committees shall be chaired by a member of the Board. There shall be the following standing committees:

An Undergraduate Committee which shall be responsible for serving Muslim students on campus by providing opportunities for mentoring and scholarships.
An Alumni Relations Committee which shall be responsible for fostering and growing the RUMAA network through events and programs.
An Events and Programs Committee which shall be responsible for planning and executing RUMAA social events and reunions.
A Communications and Marketing Committee which shall be responsible for sending RUMAA announcements to its members, maintaining the RUMAA website and soliciting new members.
An Outreach and Public Relations Committee which shall be responsible for fostering cooperative ties with other groups within the University and with maintaining media contacts.

Section 2: ADDITIONAL COMITTEES. The Board may establish additional committees from time to time in order to achieve the objectives of RUMAA.

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1: ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the entire RUMAA membership shall be held at Rutgers each academic year.

Section 2: BOARD MEETINGS. RUMAA Board meetings shall be held monthly with at least two meetings a year to be physical meetings held at Rutgers.

Section 3: NOTICE OF MEETINGS. The time and place of all physical meetings of the Board and an agenda shall be determined by the Chair, and the Secretary shall give due notice thereof at least ten (10) days in advance of the date of the meeting by electronic mail to members of the Board. For virtual meetings, at least five (5) days notice will be given to members of the Board.

Section 4: QUORUM. At Board meetings, four (4) members present shall constitute a quorum.

Article VIII: Elections

Section 1: ELECTIONS. The elections of the Board will be held in August upon the expiration of any Board member’s term. The window for submitting ballots will be between ten (10) and fourteen (14) days. Election results will be by plurality voting. The Board Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary will oversee elections.

Section 2: NOMINATIONS. Nominations will be solicited and accepted during July leading up to the elections. The window for submitting nominations will be between ten (10) and fourteen (14) days. Nominees will be required to submit a brief biography for voting members.

Article IX: Amendments to Constitution and By-laws

Section 1: Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws shall be submitted in writing one week prior to their consideration to the Board Chair.

Section 2: These amendments will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting of the Board.

Section 3: All amendments will require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the full Board for passage.

Date Ratified – October 3rd, 2010