BYLAWS - THE VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY RETIREES ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the organization shall be “The Valdosta State University Retirees Association.”

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE

The objective of the organization shall be to provide ongoing communication between Valdosta State University and its retirees, with expressed needs and opportunities coming from retirees and from the University.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Full Membership. All faculty and staff retirees of the University shall be eligible for full membership, contingent upon the paying of annual or life-membership dues.

Section 2. Associate Membership. Spouses or former spouses of deceased faculty and staff members of the University shall be eligible for associate membership, contingent upon the paying of annual or life-membership dues. All faculty and staff who have retired and who have been employed at Valdosta State University or any other University System of Georgia institution shall also be eligible for associate membership, contingent upon the paying of annual or life-membership dues.  

ARTICLE IV – COUNCIL

Section 1. The governing body of the Association shall be the Valdosta State University Retirees Council. The Council shall consist of nine elected plus ex-officio members.

Section 2. Non-voting ex-officio members will represent the University President, the Faculty Senate, the Council on Staff Affairs, the Division of University Advancement, and other areas when desirable, as decided by two-thirds vote of the Council.

Section 3. Three members of the Council will be elected in the Fall semester for three-year terms running from January 1 to December 31 of the respective years by the voting full members of the Association. Nominations for Council membership shall be solicited from Association members. From those names suggested, the Council will prepare a slate of up to three names for each upcoming vacancy. A ballot will be mailed or emailed to each full member of the Association, and election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. If a Council position falls vacant, the Council will select the person with the next highest vote on the most recent ballot who agrees to fill the unexpired term.

Section 4. The officers of the Council shall be the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer, and shall be elected in the Spring semester for one-year terms running July 1 to June 30 by the Council from among the elected members of the Council. The position of Chair will alternate, when possible, between a retired faculty member and a retired staff member. If the Chair is a retired faculty member, the Vice Chair shall be a retired staff member, and vice versa.

Section 5. Before March 1 of each year, the Council shall elect a representative and an alternate to the USG Retiree Council to take office July 1.

Section 6. The Council shall plan and promote activities, programs and services for Association members.

Section 7. Committees may be formed by the Council or by the Chair when needed. Committees may include Association members who are not Council members.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1. The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held in conjunction with the Benefits Fair during the benefits open enrollment period. Other meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Council.

Section 2. The Council shall meet at least semi-annually, including in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Association. Other meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Council or, when circumstances warrant, at the call of the Chair.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws can be amended by mail or email ballot sent to members of the Association, provided that two-thirds of the returned ballots favor the amendment.

Approved October 30, 2012.
Amended November 3, 2015, October 27, 2016, November 1, 2017.