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Bylaws

The Georgia Southern University Retirees Association

View/download the bylaws for the Georgia Southern University Retirees Association here

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the association shall be “The Georgia Southern University Retirees Association,” also known as GSURA, and herein referred to as the Association.

ARTICLE II: OBJECT

The object of the Association shall be to advocate for and provide support for retirees of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University by facilitating communication among the Association, Georgia Southern University, herein referred to as the University, and the University System of Georgia, also known as USG.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to all retired employees from Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University. Spouses/domestic partners and surviving spouses/domestic partners of retirees may be members without voting privileges.

ARTICLE IV: FINANCES

Section 1. Fiscal Year

  1. The fiscal year of the Association shall be July 1 through June 30.

Section 2. Dues

  1. No dues shall be required.

Section 3. Special Fees

  1. The Executive Committee may suggest a special fee for members’ participation in a conference, workshop, or special event sponsored by the Association.
  2. The amount of such a fee shall be approved by the Retirees Council, herein referred to as the Council.
  3. The Council shall approve reimbursement for expenses of members representing the Association at events sponsored by other organizations, particularly those to which the Association has a representative.

Section 4. Budget

  1. A budget for each fiscal year shall be developed by the secretary-treasurer in consultation with other members of the Executive Committee.
  2. The budget shall be approved by the Council.

Section 5. Association Account

  1. The Association shall maintain an account with the Georgia Southern Foundation, hereinafter referred to as the Foundation.
  2. Contributions to the Georgia Southern University Retirees Association account may be made to the Foundation.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section 1. General Powers

  1. The officers of the Association shall be president, vice president, past president, and secretary-treasurer.
  2. The officers of the Association shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Association.

Section 2. Duties of Officers

  1. President
    1. The president shall be the principal executive officer of the Association and shall in general supervise all of the business and affairs of the Association.
    2. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Association, including those of the Council.
    3. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
  2. Vice President
    1. In the absence of the president or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president. When so acting, the vice president shall have all of the powers of the president and shall be subject to all the restrictions of the president.
    2. The vice president shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the president.
    3. The vice president shall succeed to the office of president upon the completion of his or her term of office as vice president.
    4. The vice president shall chair the Bylaws Committee.
  3. Past President
    1. The past president shall chair the Nominations and Elections Committee.
    2. The past president shall chair the Awards Committee.
    3. The past president shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the president.
  4. Secretary-Treasurer
    1. The secretary-treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Council and shall prepare reports of such meetings for the Council members.
    2. The secretary-treasurer shall prepare appropriate reports of such meetings for the membership.
    3. The secretary-treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Council and shall prepare reports of such meetings for the Council members.
    4. The secretary-treasurer shall maintain contact with the Foundation in overseeing the financial management of the Association.
    5. The secretary-treasurer shall serve on the Communications Committee and shall notify the membership through electronic communications (or through the Association contact in the Human Resources office) of any information added to the Association webpage.
    6. The secretary-treasurer shall perform other related duties as assigned by the president.

Section 3. Election and Term of Office

  1. The officers of the Council shall be elected by the members of the Association attending the Annual Meeting. A positive vote of fifty percent plus one (50% + 1) of the members present at the meeting shall be needed for election to the Council.
  2. With the exception of president, vice president, and past president, the Council members shall serve for three (3) years with re-election permissible.
  3. The offices of president, vice president, and past president serve in each of these three positions for one (1) year.
  4. If the incoming vice president is elected from among current Council members, that person begins a new term of three (3) years on the Council, one (1) year in each position (vice president, president, past president).
  5. No two offices may be held by the same person at the same time except in extenuating circumstances identified and approved by the Council.
  6. Every effort shall be made to alternate between retired faculty and retired staff for the election of the incoming vice president.
  7. Council members shall assume responsibility on July 1.

Section 4. Removal from Office

  1. An officer may be removed from office by the members of the Council when the best interests of the Association would be served.
  2. A positive vote of fifty percent plus one (50% + 1) of the members of the Council shall be needed for removal from office.

Section 5. Vacancies

  1. A vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by the vice president.
  2. Should a vacancy in the office of vice president occur, the Executive Committee with Council approval shall select a Council member to fill the unexpired portion of that term of office.

ARTICLE VI: COUNCIL

Section 1. Governing Body

  1. The governing body of the Association shall be the Council.
  2. The Council shall facilitate communication among retirees and shall plan and promote activities and programs for Association members.
  3. Members of the Council shall consist of the four (4) officers, chairs of standing committees, Association Representatives, and all other members elected to the Council.
  4. The Executive Committee may request that additional Association members and other individuals attend Council meetings with the privilege of speaking but not voting.
  5. Should a member of the Council become unable or unwilling to fulfill the term of service, the Executive Committee with Council approval shall appoint a retiree to complete the departing member’s term.
  6. Council members shall serve a three-year term.
  7. Council member terms shall be staggered so that approximately one-third (1/3) of the Council members are elected each year.
  8. Every effort shall be made to include members from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University on the Council.
  9. Every effort shall be made to include both retired staff members and retired faculty members on the Council.

Section 2. Regular Council Meetings

  1. Regular meetings of the Council shall be held quarterly. Additional meetings of the Council shall be held as needed.
  2. The president of the Association shall call meetings of the Council and give due notice of such meetings.
  3. For a business meeting of the Council where a vote will be taken, fifty percent plus one (50% + 1) of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
  4. A summary of Council meeting minutes and a report of other events attended by or participated in by Association Representatives shall be sent through electronic communications to the Council members.
  5. Council meetings shall be open to Association members unless otherwise stated.

Section 3. Vacancies.

  1. A vacancy on the Council may be filled by the Executive Committee with approval by the Council.
  2. When a Council member becomes vice president, that Council position may be filled with an appointment by the Executive Committee with approval of the Council.

ARTICLE VII: ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meeting

  1. The Annual Meeting shall include the election of Council members and the transaction of such other business as may come before the membership.
  2. The meeting shall be held once each year, preferably at the end of spring semester.
  3. The date, time, and location of the meeting shall be determined by the Retirees Council.
  4. A copy of the meeting minutes shall be posted on the GSURA website.

Section 2. Benefits Meeting

  1. At least one (1) meeting focusing on benefits shall take place in the fall of each year.
  2. The date, time, and location of the meeting(s) shall be identified by the Benefits Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.
  3. The Benefits Committee shall coordinate elements of these meeting(s) with appropriate campus units.
  4. Every effort shall be made to hold one (1) meeting at both the Statesboro campus and the Armstrong campus.

Section 3. Special Meetings and Events

  1. Business meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting may be scheduled at the discretion of the Council.
  2. Online meetings, seminars, and special events may be scheduled at the discretion of the Council.

Section 4. Notice of Meeting

  1. A notice stating the place, day, and hour of any meeting of members shall be delivered electronically or via postal mail to members not less than fifteen (15) nor more than fifty (50) days before the date of such meeting, by or at the direction of the president, the secretary, the officers, or by person(s) calling the meeting.
  2. In the case of a special meeting or when required by statute or these bylaws, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the meeting notice.

Section 5. Quorum

  1. For a business meeting where a vote will be taken, ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum.
  2. Should a quorum not be present, no business requiring a vote may be taken.
  3. Informational meetings at which votes will not be taken need not have a quorum to conduct a meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee

  1. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the president.
  2. The Executive Committee shall include the president, vice president, past president, and secretary-treasurer.
  3. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for implementing the will of the Council, following appropriate input from the Council before final decisions are presented for approval.
  4. The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Council in emergency situations when calling a Council meeting is not feasible.
  5. The Executive Committee reports to the Council.
  6. The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly, preferably before each Council meeting.
  7. The Executive Committee shall assist the president with setting the agenda for Council meetings.

Section 2. Nominations and Elections Committee

  1. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall be chaired by the past president.
  2. In addition to the committee chair, the president shall appoint one (1) Council member from retired staff, one (1) Council member from retired faculty to serve on the committee. Additional members may include a maximum of three (3) Association retirees.
  3. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University.
  4. Nominations shall be solicited from Association members early during spring semester.
  5. When possible, the nomination to the position of Association vice president (to succeed as president) shall alternate between a retired faculty member and a retired staff member.
  6. The slate of nominees shall include one (1) individual for each upcoming Council vacancy.
  7. A slate of nominees shall be presented to the Council for approval at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the annual meeting.
  8. A slate of nominees shall be presented to all Association members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the annual meeting.
  9. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at the Annual Meeting.
  10. Election of Council members shall take place by voice vote at the Annual Meeting unless the ballot includes more than one (1) nominee per position, in which case a written ballot will be used.
  11. Election results shall be placed on the website within thirty (30) days following the Annual Meeting.

Section 3. Bylaws Review Committee

  1. The Association bylaws shall be reviewed each year.
  2. The Association’s vice president shall chair the Bylaws Review Committee.
  3. The past president shall serve on the committee.
  4. The Association president shall appoint three (3) to five (5) additional Council members to serve on the Bylaws Review Committee.
  5. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University.
  6. Every effort shall be made to include members from both retired faculty and retired staff.
  7. Early in the calendar year recommendations from the committee for amendments to the bylaws shall be presented first to the Executive Committee and then to the Council
  8. Following the Council’s approval of any amendments to the Bylaws, changes shall go before the Association at least fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual Meeting at which a vote will be conducted.
  9. Approval for bylaws amendments requires a two-thirds (2/3) positive vote of the Association members present at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Communications Committee

  1. The president shall appoint a committee chair.
  2. The secretary-treasurer shall serve as a member of the committee.
  3. The president shall appoint two (2) additional members to serve on the Communications Committee.
  4. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University.
  5. Every effort shall be made to include both retired staff and retired faculty committee members.
  6. The committee shall explore a variety of means to communicate with all retirees, including face-to-face events, postings on the website, postal mail, and use of an electronic distribution list.
  7. The committee shall be responsible for working with the Association’s webmaster to be certain appropriate information is available on the website.
  8. The committee shall be responsible for working with Human Resources in distributing appropriate information through electronic or postal mail to retirees.

Section 5. Annual Meeting Committee

  1. The Annual Meeting Committee shall be chaired by the Association president.
  2. The vice president shall serve on the committee.
  3. The president shall appoint an additional three (3) to five (5) retirees to serve on the committee.
  4. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University.
  5. Every effort shall be made to include members from both retired faculty and retired staff.

Section 6. Benefits Committee

  1. The Benefits Committee chair shall be selected from among Council members.
  2. The president shall appoint three (3) to five (5) retirees to serve on the Benefits Committee.
  3. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University.
  4. Every effort shall be made to include members from both retired faculty and retired staff.
  5. The committee shall inform the membership about updates and changes in policies related to benefits available to the retirees through the University and the University System of Georgia.
  6. The committee shall work with the Communications Committee in providing appropriate information for posting on the website and/or for communicating through electronic or postal mail.
  7. The committee shall plan at least one (1) meeting of retirees in the fall to share information about using the health benefits service provider identified by the University System Board of Regents.
  8. Every effort shall be made to hold one (1) meeting about benefits for both the Georgia Southern University retirees and one (1) meeting for the Armstrong State University retirees.

Section 7. Awards Committee

  1. The Awards Committee shall be chaired by the past president.
  2. The committee shall be composed of the Executive Committee members plus at least two (2) other retirees.
  3. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University.
  4. Every effort shall be made to include members from both retired faculty and retired staff.
  5. The committee shall present nominations for retiree awards to the Council for selection.
  6. The Council shall approve the type and number of awards given during each year.
  7. Awards shall be presented at the Annual Meeting.

Section 8. Special Committees and Representatives

  1. Special committees, ad hoc committees, or representatives may be appointed at any time by the president of the Association.
  2. Every effort shall be made to include at least one (1) committee member from both Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University on these committees.
  3. Every effort shall be made to include both faculty and staff retirees on special committees, as appropriate for the task.
  4. Committee chairs shall be members of the Association and may or may not be members of the Council.
  5. Georgia Southern University Cares Grants Representative
    1. The Association president, in consultation with the Executive Committee shall recommend to the Council for approval the name of an Association representative to Georgia Southern University Cares Grants, hereinafter referred to as GS-Cares.
    2. The GS-Cares representative shall take office July 1.
    3. The term of office shall be three (3) years.
    4. The GS-Cares representative shall work with GS-Cares on campus in representing the interests of the Association.

Section 9. Committee Membership

  1. All members of the Association are eligible to serve on all standing and special committees with the exception of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IX: REPRESENTATIVES TO RETIREE ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1. University System of Georgia Retiree Council (USGRC)

  1. The representative to USGRC shall be selected from among Council members.
  2. An alternate representative to USGRC shall be selected from among Council members.
  3. The representative and alternate representative to USGRC shall take office July 1.
  4. The term of office shall be one (1) year.
  5. The representative and alternate representative may serve consecutive terms of office.

Section 2. Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE)

  1. The representative to AROHE shall be selected from among Council members.
  2. An alternate representative to AROHE shall be selected from among Council members.
  3. The representative and alternate representative to AROHE shall take office July 1.
  4. The term of office shall be one (1) year.
  5. The representative and alternate representative may serve consecutive terms of office.

Section 3. Georgia Association of Higher Education Retiree Organizations (GA-HERO)

  1. The representative to GA-HERO shall be selected from among Council members.
  2. An alternate representative to GA-HERO shall be selected from among Council members.
  3. The representative and alternate representative to GA-HERO shall take office July 1.
  4. The term of office shall be one (1) year.
  5. The representative and alternate representative may serve consecutive terms of office.

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Resolution to Dissolve

  1. The Retirees Council may present a “Resolution for Dissolution” of the Association to the membership at any time.
  2. A copy of such resolution must be provided in writing to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to a vote to dissolve the Association.

Section 2. Approval to Dissolve

  1. Approval to dissolve the Association requires two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting to approve the dissolution.
  2. Ballots and any related documents must be postmarked or electronic date-identified mail within ten (10) days following the mailing of the ballot.

Section 3. Notification of Dissolution

  1. Retirees shall be notified of the outcome of the vote to dissolve the Association within ten (10) days following the vote.

Section 4. Association Funds

  1. Any Association funds in the Georgia Southern University Foundation account shall revert to the Builders of the University Plaza Endowment.

ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases in which they are applicable and are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Proposed Amendments

  1. Any member of the Association may propose amendments to the bylaws for consideration by the Bylaws Review Committee.
  2. Proposed amendments must be approved by the Council prior to a vote by the Association membership.
  3. Retirees must be notified of the proposed amendment(s) at least fifteen (15) days in advance of a vote.
  4. Voting shall take place at the Annual Meeting.

Section 2. Bylaws Amendments

  1. The bylaws may be amended by a vote through postal or electronic mail, provided two-thirds (2/3) of the returned ballots favor the amendment(s).
  2. Retirees shall be notified of the outcome of the vote on amendments within ten (10) days following the vote.
  3. A copy of the amended Bylaws shall be placed on the website within thirty (30) days of approval of the amended document.
  4. Amendments to the bylaws shall take effect at the beginning of the upcoming operational year.

Approved April 14, 2016
Amended July 18, 2017
Amended June 16, 2020

View/download the bylaws for the Georgia Southern University Retirees Association here

Last updated: 3/28/2022

Georgia Southern University Retirees Association • P.O. Box 8104 Statesboro, GA 30460 • 912-531-0593 • zandra@georgiasouthern.edu