ARTICLE I.               Name

The name of this association shall be the University of Alabama in Huntsville Retirees Association (UAHRA).

ARTICLE II.              Purposes

          UAHRA is organized for the following purposes.

1.      To promote continuing support by members, alumni, and friends of the University 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 University of Alabama in Huntsville personnel with representatives of the University, government, and other groups relative to the welfare of retired persons;

3.      To cooperate with University of Alabama in Huntsville Retires in sponsoring and promoting educational programs relating to needs and opportunities for retired persons; and

4.      To educate the public about the issues and concerns of retired persons.

ARTICLE III.            Membership and Dues

Section 1.         Membership:

Persons eligible for membership include:

1.      Retired members of the University faculty and staff, and spouses, widows, and widowers of such persons; and

2.      On the application and approval of 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.

Section 2.         Dues:

Annual dues shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE IV.            Board of Directors, Officers and Committees

Section 1.         Board of Directors:

The Board shall be composed of the number of members specified in the By-Laws and shall be responsible for the governing of the Association.

1.      Eligibility of Membership. All members, except Associate 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 University 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. With one exception, a vacancy on the Board during the year shall be filled by the Board, and the appointee may be eligible for a full term, if the appointee has not served at least (2) years. Only when the vacancy occurs during the year when the Nominating Committee is at work nominating individuals for the coming year shall the Board not fill the vacancy.

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.      Electors.  Each member, except Associate Members, whose dues are paid is entitled to vote.

5.      Balloting. The Membership Committee must receive ballots 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.

Section 2.         Officers:

The officers of the UAHRA shall be: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They shall perform the duties customary for their respective offices. The officers shall be chosen by the Board from among its elected members and shall serve for a one (1) year term, but may not be reelected. The officers shall be chosen at a meeting of the new Board preceding the annual meeting, and shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the annual meeting. Vacancies shall be filled by action of the Board and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired terms.

Section 3.         Committees:

The Board shall have the authority to establish such standing and ad hoc committees, as it deems desirable, as indicated in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE IV.                        Amendments

Section 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. Any member of UAHRA may propose amendments.

Section 2.         Vote Requirement:

The Constitution may be amended at a meeting by a majority vote of the members present, provided the required notice has been given, at least one officer is present, and either twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership or fifteen (15) members are present. The Constitution may also be amended by a majority vote of the ballots returned in a written poll of the membership, provided either twenty-five percent (25%) or fifteen (15) of the ballots are returned.