Alumni Constitution
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007CONSTITUTION
MOHAWK COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Table of Contents:
- ARTICLE ONE: Name and Interpretation
- ARTICLE TWO: Location of Head Office of the Association
- ARTICLE THREE: Mission of the Alumni Association
- ARTICLE FOUR: Membership
- ARTICLE FIVE: Alumni Council
ARTICLE SIX: Officers of the Association - ARTICLE SEVEN: Annual and Special General Meetings
- ARTICLE EIGHT: Elections
- ARTICLE NINE: Relationship to the Mohawk College Alumni Association Council and Mohawk College
- ARTICLE TEN: Program Alumni Groups and Chapters
- ARTICLE ELEVEN: Alumni Logo
- ARTICLE TWELVE: Constitutional Amendments
- Alumni Constitution Revision History
ARTICLE ONE
Name and Interpretation
1.01 Name:
The name of the organization shall be the Mohawk College Alumni Association.
1.02 Definitions:
a.) “Association” refers to the Mohawk College Alumni Association.
b.) “Bylaw” refers to any Bylaw of the Association in force and effect.
c.) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Association.
d.) “College” refers to Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology.
e.) “Alumni” includes alumnus and alumna.
f.) “MSA” refers to the Mohawk Students’ Association
g.) “Council” refers to the Mohawk College Alumni Association Council
h.) “Council Appointee”
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The name of the organization shall be the Mohawk College Alumni Association.
1.02 Definitions:
a.) “Association” refers to the Mohawk College Alumni Association.
b.) “Bylaw” refers to any Bylaw of the Association in force and effect.
c.) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Association.
d.) “College” refers to Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology.
e.) “Alumni” includes alumnus and alumna.
f.) “MSA” refers to the Mohawk Students’ Association
g.) “Council” refers to the Mohawk College Alumni Association Council
h.) “Council Appointee”
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ARTICLE TWO
Location of Head Office of the Association
2.01 Head Office:
The head office of the Association shall be located at Alumni House on the Fennell
Campus of Mohawk College in Hamilton.
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The head office of the Association shall be located at Alumni House on the Fennell
Campus of Mohawk College in Hamilton.
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ARTICLE THREE
Mission of the Alumni Association
3.01 Mission:
The Mohawk College Alumni Association is the catalyst for a life long relationship
between Mohawk College and its Alumni.
3.02 Vision:
Mohawk College Alumni Association is the most successful Alumni Association in
Canada.
3.03 Values Statement:
We treat all people with respect
We are loyal to and supportive of our Mohawk community
We are proactive in our thoughts and actions
We are accountable in all we do
We take pride in our achievements
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
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3.01 Mission:
The Mohawk College Alumni Association is the catalyst for a life long relationship
between Mohawk College and its Alumni.
3.02 Vision:
Mohawk College Alumni Association is the most successful Alumni Association in
Canada.
3.03 Values Statement:
We treat all people with respect
We are loyal to and supportive of our Mohawk community
We are proactive in our thoughts and actions
We are accountable in all we do
We take pride in our achievements
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
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ARTICLE FOUR
Membership
4.01 Members:
Membership in the Association shall consist of Regular, Associate and Honourary
members.
4.02 Regular Members:
members.
4.02 Regular Members:
a) Any person who has successfully completed a post-secondary diploma or
certificate program from Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions.
b) Any person who has successfully completed a postsecondary or graduate
certificate or diploma program, apprenticeship program or collaborative
degree programfrom Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions, and
pays the membership fee determined by the Council.
certificate program from Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions.
b) Any person who has successfully completed a postsecondary or graduate
certificate or diploma program, apprenticeship program or collaborative
degree programfrom Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions, and
pays the membership fee determined by the Council.
A regular Member has voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting and Special
General Meetings.
4.03 Associate Members:
a) Any past or present staff members of Mohawk College or its predecessor
institutions, the HamiltonInstituteof Technology or Provincial Instituteof Textiles.
General Meetings.
4.03 Associate Members:
a) Any past or present staff members of Mohawk College or its predecessor
institutions, the HamiltonInstituteof Technology or Provincial Instituteof Textiles.
b) Any friend of the College who has contributed significantly in any way to the
welfare of the Association or the College and is so elected by theCouncil.
Associate members are non-voting.
4.04 Honourary Members:
Any person upon whom theCouncil confers Honourary Membership in recognition
of outstanding and/or meritorious contributions to the College and/or the Association.
Honourary Members are non-voting.
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welfare of the Association or the College and is so elected by theCouncil.
Associate members are non-voting.
4.04 Honourary Members:
Any person upon whom theCouncil confers Honourary Membership in recognition
of outstanding and/or meritorious contributions to the College and/or the Association.
Honourary Members are non-voting.
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ARTICLE FIVE
Alumni Council
5.01 Association Governance:
The Council shall govern the affairs of the Association.
5.02 Composition:
a) The Councilshall consist of a total of 9 –12 members of which a minimum of
2/3 should be external community membersand not employees of the college.
The Council shall seek to have a balanced ex-officer representation over time
from the various schools at Mohawk College and years of graduation from
Mohawk College.
b) There shall additionally, be representation from the Mohawk Students’
Association (President and/or Vice President Executive or designate).
Mohawk College Association of Continuing Education Students (President
and/or Vice President or designate), the President of Mohawk College (or
their designate). These areex-officio, non-voting members of the Council and
are to be selected by their respective Associations. These positions shall be
deemed as “College Appointees”.
c) The Manager, Alumni Relations shall sit on the Council inanex-officio, non-
voting capacity.
d) Any member of the Association may attend any meetings of the Mohawk
College Alumni Association Council as non-voting observers, except for in-
camera sessions unless so invited by theCouncil.
e) Guests may be permitted at a meeting of the Council at the invitation of any
member of the Council or the Manager, Alumni Relations.
5.03 Quorum:
Sixty percent (60%), plus one of filled membershipsof the Council shall constitute a
quorum and must include one of the President;or the Vice-President.
5.04 Qualifications:
a) All voting members of the Council shall be regular members of the
Association.
b) The members of the Council shall be elected by the Regular Members of the
Association at Annual General Meetings or by electronic voting.
5.05 Terms of Office:
a) The term for members shall be 2 years, renewable twice consecutively; for a
total of 6 years maximum.
b) Any member who has completed 4 consecutive years of service must wait a
period of 2 years before they can run again.
c) The term for the Vice-Chair is one year and can be renewed once. The
incumbent may notbe a “Council Appointee”.
d) The term for the Chair is two years and can be renewed once for one year.
The incumbent may not be a “Council Appointee”.
e) All outgoing Chairs serve as Past Chair for the Chair term following his/her
Chair term.
5.06 Vacancies:
Vacancies on the Council may be filled by the Council from Regular Members of the
Association, as per the Alumni Association Policies and Procedures.
5.07 Meetings of the Council:
The Council will meet at dates, times and places to be determined by the Council.
Additional meetings as required may be held at the call of the Chair or quorum of the
Council. Notice of every meeting shall be delivered to all Council members. The
Council shall meet quarterly throughout the year, at a minimum.
Only the voting members of the Council or those so invited by the Council, may
attend in-camera sessions of any meeting of the Council.
5.08 Committees
The Council shall establish or dissolve by resolution any ad-hoc committees it deems
necessary to carry out the affairs of the Association.
5.09 Indemnity of Members:
Every Member of the Council, and his or her heirs, or assigns, will at all times be
indemnified by the College from loss, and against all costs or charges whatsoever that
a Member sustains or incurs during the execution or non-execution of the duties of
office except those arising by his or her own wilful neglect or default.
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5.01 Association Governance:
The Council shall govern the affairs of the Association.
5.02 Composition:
a) The Councilshall consist of a total of 9 –12 members of which a minimum of
2/3 should be external community membersand not employees of the college.
The Council shall seek to have a balanced ex-officer representation over time
from the various schools at Mohawk College and years of graduation from
Mohawk College.
b) There shall additionally, be representation from the Mohawk Students’
Association (President and/or Vice President Executive or designate).
Mohawk College Association of Continuing Education Students (President
and/or Vice President or designate), the President of Mohawk College (or
their designate). These areex-officio, non-voting members of the Council and
are to be selected by their respective Associations. These positions shall be
deemed as “College Appointees”.
c) The Manager, Alumni Relations shall sit on the Council inanex-officio, non-
voting capacity.
d) Any member of the Association may attend any meetings of the Mohawk
College Alumni Association Council as non-voting observers, except for in-
camera sessions unless so invited by theCouncil.
e) Guests may be permitted at a meeting of the Council at the invitation of any
member of the Council or the Manager, Alumni Relations.
5.03 Quorum:
Sixty percent (60%), plus one of filled membershipsof the Council shall constitute a
quorum and must include one of the President;or the Vice-President.
5.04 Qualifications:
a) All voting members of the Council shall be regular members of the
Association.
b) The members of the Council shall be elected by the Regular Members of the
Association at Annual General Meetings or by electronic voting.
5.05 Terms of Office:
a) The term for members shall be 2 years, renewable twice consecutively; for a
total of 6 years maximum.
b) Any member who has completed 4 consecutive years of service must wait a
period of 2 years before they can run again.
c) The term for the Vice-Chair is one year and can be renewed once. The
incumbent may notbe a “Council Appointee”.
d) The term for the Chair is two years and can be renewed once for one year.
The incumbent may not be a “Council Appointee”.
e) All outgoing Chairs serve as Past Chair for the Chair term following his/her
Chair term.
5.06 Vacancies:
Vacancies on the Council may be filled by the Council from Regular Members of the
Association, as per the Alumni Association Policies and Procedures.
5.07 Meetings of the Council:
The Council will meet at dates, times and places to be determined by the Council.
Additional meetings as required may be held at the call of the Chair or quorum of the
Council. Notice of every meeting shall be delivered to all Council members. The
Council shall meet quarterly throughout the year, at a minimum.
Only the voting members of the Council or those so invited by the Council, may
attend in-camera sessions of any meeting of the Council.
5.08 Committees
The Council shall establish or dissolve by resolution any ad-hoc committees it deems
necessary to carry out the affairs of the Association.
5.09 Indemnity of Members:
Every Member of the Council, and his or her heirs, or assigns, will at all times be
indemnified by the College from loss, and against all costs or charges whatsoever that
a Member sustains or incurs during the execution or non-execution of the duties of
office except those arising by his or her own wilful neglect or default.
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ARTICLE SIX
Officers of the Association
6.01 Officers:
The Officers of the Association Council are the Council Members and the Manager,
Alumni Relations.
6.02 Manager, Alumni Relations:
Appointment of the Manager, Alumni Relations by the College, shall be made in
consultation with the Association Council.
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6.01 Officers:
The Officers of the Association Council are the Council Members and the Manager,
Alumni Relations.
6.02 Manager, Alumni Relations:
Appointment of the Manager, Alumni Relations by the College, shall be made in
consultation with the Association Council.
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ARTICLE SEVEN
Annual and Special General Meetings
7.01 Annual Meeting:
The Annual General Meeting will be held once per calendar year at a time and place
as selected by the Council to receive theannual and other reports, elect new members
and conduct any other business brought before the meeting. The meeting shall be
chaired by theChair, or a designated Vice-Chair.
The Annual General Meeting will be held once per calendar year at a time and place
as selected by the Council to receive theannual and other reports, elect new members
and conduct any other business brought before the meeting. The meeting shall be
chaired by theChair, or a designated Vice-Chair.
7.02 Special General Meeting
A Special General Meeting of Members may be called by the Council.
a) Provided such a meeting is required and passed by a vote of 2/3 of the
Council.
OR
b) With a written request by a minimum of 50 regular Alumnaemembers sent to the
Manager, Alumni Relations and/or the Chair of the Alumni Association Council
stating the proposed business to be conducted.
7.03 Notice of Meeting:
Notice of the Annual or Special General meeting will be published in advance as per
the Alumni Association’sPolicies and Procedures, stating the time, date and place. In
the case of a Special General Meeting the purpose is also specified.
7.04 Proxies:
a) Every Regular Member is entitled to one vote at a meeting of Members, and if
they are unable to attend, they may vote by proxy.
b) Any Voting Member attending may bear only one (1) proxy and vote only one
(1) proxy in addition to his or her own vote.
c) At any meeting of the Members, every question shall be decided by the
majority vote. Voting will be by a show of hands unless a ballot vote is
requested by a Voting Member. In the event of a tie vote, the Chair shall have
the deciding vote.
a) Provided such a meeting is required and passed by a vote of 2/3 of the
Council.
OR
b) With a written request by a minimum of 50 regular Alumnaemembers sent to the
Manager, Alumni Relations and/or the Chair of the Alumni Association Council
stating the proposed business to be conducted.
7.03 Notice of Meeting:
Notice of the Annual or Special General meeting will be published in advance as per
the Alumni Association’sPolicies and Procedures, stating the time, date and place. In
the case of a Special General Meeting the purpose is also specified.
7.04 Proxies:
a) Every Regular Member is entitled to one vote at a meeting of Members, and if
they are unable to attend, they may vote by proxy.
b) Any Voting Member attending may bear only one (1) proxy and vote only one
(1) proxy in addition to his or her own vote.
c) At any meeting of the Members, every question shall be decided by the
majority vote. Voting will be by a show of hands unless a ballot vote is
requested by a Voting Member. In the event of a tie vote, the Chair shall have
the deciding vote.
7.05 Elections:
The procedure for nominations and elections is outlined in Article 8 hereof.
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The procedure for nominations and elections is outlined in Article 8 hereof.
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ARTICLE EIGHT
Elections
8.01 Eligibility:
A nominee, at the time of application for nomination, must be a regular Member of
the Association as set out in Article 4.01of the Constitution.
8.02 Nominations:
Nominations from the Association membership are required in advance of the Annual
General Meeting.
8.03 Chief Returning Officer:
The Manager, Alumni Relations shall act in all respects as the Chief Returning
Officer.
8.04 Nominating Committee:
The Nominating Committee shall make recommendations regarding election
procedures which will be approved by theCouncil. The Nominating Committee will
also be responsible for conducting elections under the direction of the Chief
Returning Officer.
8.05 Other:
The balance of the election procedures are covered by Policies and Procedures.
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ARTICLE NINE
Relationship to the Mohawk College Alumni Association Council and Mohawk College:
The Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Alumni Relations Department and its Manager, The Manager reports to the President of Mohawk College or their designate. The purpose of the Council is to provide direction, advice and support to the Alumni Relations Department. The council exists to ensure the primary focus of activities of the Alumni Relations Department is directed towards the Mission of the Association Council. The Alumni Relations Department receives its operating budget from the Mohawk College Alumni Fee, which is approved by the MSA, from Mohawk College and from activities that generage revenue. The budget must be reviewed and recommended by the Council and approved by the College. The Manager, Alumni Relations reports to the President or their designate of Mohawk College. Both act as resource persons to the Alumni Association. The Alumni Relations Department of Mohawk College receives advice and recommendations regarding use of
Alumni Association operating budgets, and revenues from events and retail sales, from the Alumni Association Council.
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Alumni Association operating budgets, and revenues from events and retail sales, from the Alumni Association Council.
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ARTICLE TEN
Program Alumni Groups and Chapters
10.01 Recognition:
The Council may approve Alumni Groups and Chapters for regular members.
The operation of Alumni Groups and Chapters will be governed by the Alumni
Association Policies and Procedures.
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10.01 Recognition:
The Council may approve Alumni Groups and Chapters for regular members.
The operation of Alumni Groups and Chapters will be governed by the Alumni
Association Policies and Procedures.
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ARTICLE ELEVEN
Alumni Logo
The use of the official Alumni Association logo is governed by the Alumni Association
Policies and Procedures.
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ARTICLE TWELVE
Constitutional Amendments
12.01 Procedure:
a) Proposed constitutional amendments must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority of the Voting Members of the Council before being brought forward
to the Alumni Annual General Meeting. Constitutional amendments proposed
by the membership at large must be submitted in writing by (20) Regular
Members bearing the signature of each Regular Member and in a form the
Council may accept as sufficient. The proposal(s) must be submitted to the
Manager, Alumni Relations and the Chair of the Alumni Association Council
at least 90 days in advance of the Alumni General Meeting at which the
proposal amendments are to be presented.
b) All proposed amendments must be publicized or made available to Regular
Members in conjunction with the announcement of Annual General or Special
General meeting.
c) All proposed amendments must be approved by a majority of the Regular
Members present at an Annual General Meeting or a SpecialGeneral Meeting
called for the purpose of considering said amendment (s).
d) All proposed amendments which deal withthe relationship of the Association
to the College must be approved by the Mohawk College Alumni Association
Council.
e) All proposed amendments which deal with the relationship between the
Association and the individual program Alumni Groups or Chapters shall be
circulated to the governing bodies of the Groups or Chapters prior to
consideration of the proposed amendments by the Regular Members of the
Association.
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Alumni Constitution Revision History:
November 1985 -Original text created and approved by SUC.
December 1985 -Approval obtained from Board of Governors.
June 1987 -Revisions to include gender neutrality, Board of Director qualifications, include the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in the reporting structure.
October 1989 -Revisions to clarify text and put into a form more readable (plain language).
October 1991 -Changes to terms of offices from one to two years, include reporting to Director of Community Relations, addition of articles and by-laws for publications and finances, clarification or Board qualifications and vacancies.
October 1992 -Returned Past President to a voting Board position.
September 1994 -Changed composition of board to constituency based directors. Changed title of Executive Vice-President to Executive Vice-President, Finance and Development. Corrected President’s term of office from one to two two-year terms. Moved a number of items to Bylaws, Policies and Procedures or the Chapter Handbook to reduce procedural content from the Constitution.
September 1995 -membership expanded to include persons graduating from post-secondary certificate programs. Optional memberships granted to persons who pay the fees as outlined by the Alumni Association.
October 1996 -Changed reporting relationship from Community Relations to Partnerships and Marketing.
September 1998
March 2007 Changed structure of the Board to a Council.
1.02 Definitions:
ASUC@ refers to the Mohawk College Student’s Union Corporation
Change to:
AMSA@ refers to Mohawk Students’ Association
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
Regular Members:
(b) Any person who has successfully completed a non-post-secondary certificate program
from Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions, and pays the membership fee
determinedby the Board.
Change to:
(b) Any Person who has successfully completed a non post-secondary certificate or
apprenticeship program from Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions, and
pays the membership fee determined by the Board.
5.02 Composition:
(a) The Board shall be composed of 16 Directors consisting of a President; Past
President; Executive Vice-President, Finance and Development; Vice-President,
Programs and Services; two Directors-at-Large; two Applied Arts Directors; two
Business Directors; two Health Science Directors; two technology Directors; and two
Brantford Directors, all of whom shall be Voting Members.
Change to:
(a) The Board shall be composed of nine to seventeen Directors, consisting of a
President; Past President; Vice-President, Finance and Development; Vice-President,
Programs and Services; Vice-President, Marketing and Communications; and four to
twelve Directors-at-large, all of whom shall be Voting Members.
5.02 Composition:
(b) The Manager, Alumni Relations and the Director of Partnerships and Training shall
sit on the Board as ex-officio, non-voting members.
Change to:
(b) The Manager, Alumni Relations, and the Director of Marketing and Public Relations
shall sit on the Board as ex-officio, non-voting members.
5.02 Composition:
(d) The Students’ Representative Council shall select from among its Board members a
student representative to sit on the Board as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
Change to:
(d) Mohawk Students’ Association shall select from among its Board members a student
representative to sit on the Board as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
5.03 Quorum:
Fifty percent (50%), plus one (1) of the occupied Directorships of the Board shall constitute a
quorum and must include one of the President; the Executive Vice-President, Finance and
Development; or the Vice-President, Programs and Services.
Change to:
Fifty percent (50%), plus one (1) of the occupied Directorships of the Board shall constitute a
quorum and must include one of the President, the Vice-President, Finance and
Development; the Vice-President, Programs and Services or the Vice-President, Marketing
and Communications.
5.08 Committee:
The Board shall establish or dissolve by resolution any committees it deems necessary to
carry out the affairs of the Association.
Change to:
The Board shall establish or dissolve by resolution any ad-hoc committees it deems
necessary to carry out the affairs of the Association.
5.09 Indemnity of Directors:
Every Member of the Board of Directors, and his or her heirs, or assigns, will at all
times be indemnified by the SUC from loss, and against all costs or changes
whatsoever that the Director sustains or incurs during the execution or non-execution
of the duties of office except those arising by his or her own wilful neglect or default.
Change to:
Every member of the Board of Directors, and his or hers heirs, or assigns, will at all
times be indemnified by the MSA from loss, and against all costs or changes
whatsoever that a Director sustains or incurs during the execution or non-execution of
the duties of office except those arising by his or her own wilful neglect or default.
Annual and Special General Meetings
7.01 Annual Meeting:
The Annual General Meeting will be held once per calendar year at a time and place
as selectedby the Board to receive the annual and other reports, elect new Directors
and conduct any other business brought before the meeting.
Change to:
The Annual General Meeting will be held once per calendar year at a time and place
as selected by the Board to receive the annual and other reports, elect new Directors
and conduct any other business brought before the meeting. The meeting shall be
chaired by the President, or a designated Vice-President.
7.03 Notice of Meeting:
Notice of the Annual or Special Meeting will be published in advance, stating the
time, date and place. In the case of a Special General Meeting, the purpose must also
be specified.
Change to:
Notice of the Annual or Special General Meeting will be published in advance, as per
the AlumniAssociations Policies and Procedures, stating the time, date and place. In
the case of a Special General Meeting the purpose is also specified.
9.01 Reporting Structure
Relationship to the Students’ Union Corporation and Mohawk College:
The Association reports directly to the SUC, via the President or designated executive
Board member who sits ex-officio on the SUC Board of Directors. The Association
receives its budget from the SUC thereforeit is accountable to the SUC for all its
expenditures.
Change to:
9.01 Organizational Structure
Relationship to the Mohawk Students’ Association and Mohawk College:
The Association is a subsidiary of the Mohawk Students’ Association. The Vice-
President, Finance and Development plus two (2) other Directors as elected bythe
Board, shall sit as full voting Alumni Representatives on the MSA Board of
Directors.
The Association receives its operating budget from the Alumni Fee, and its budget must be
approved by the MSA. The Manager, Alumni Relations reports to the Director of Marketing and
Public Relations of Mohawk College. Both act as resource persons to the Alumni Association.
The Alumni Relations Department of Mohawk College receives its direction regarding use of Alumni
Association operating budgets, and revenues from event and retail sales, from the Alumni
Association Board of Directors.
The Association may hire staff to assist in its operation. The Association’s staff will be
accountable to the Board.
Program Alumni Groups and Chapters
10.01 Recognition:
The Board may grant formal recognition to Alumni Groups and Chapters for
graduates of any post-secondary diploma program of studies at the College or those
who reside in a specific geographic location provided said groups are established by
the Board.
10.02 Policies and Procedures:
The operation of Alumni Groups and Chapters will be governed by Bylaws and
detailed in the Alumni Chapter Handbook.
Change to:
10.01 Recognition:
The Board may approve Alumni Groups and Chapters for Regular Members.
The operation of Alumni Groups and Chapters will be governed by the Alumni
Association Policies and Procedures.
Constitutional Amendments
11.01 Procedure:
a) Amendments proposed by the Board must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority of the Voting Members of the Board.
OR
Amendments proposed by the membership at large must be submitted in
writing by (20) Regular Members bearing the signature of each Regular
Member and in a form the Board of Directors may accept as sufficient. The
proposal (s) must be submitted to theManager, Alumni Relations and the
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
President of the Alumni Association at least 28 days in advance of the
meeting at which the proposed amendments are to be presented.
Change to:
Constitutional Amendments
12.01 Procedure:
a) Proposed constitutional amendments must be approved by the two-thirds (2/3)
majority of the Voting Members of the Board before being brought forward to
the Alumni Annual General Meeting.
OR
Constitutional amendments proposed by the membership at large must be
submitted in writing by (20) Regular Members bearing the signature of each
Regular Member and in a form the Board of Directors may accept as
sufficient. The proposal (s) must be submitted to the Manager, Alumni
Relations and the President of the Alumni Association at least 90 days in
advance of the Annual General Meeting at which the proposed amendments
are to be presented.
Constitutional Amendments
b) All proposed amendments which deal with the relationship of the Association
to the College must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Student’s
Union Corporation.
Change to:
All proposed amendments which deal with the relationship of the Association
to the College must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Mohawk
Students’ Association.
New Article 11 to be Added:
Alumni Logo:
The use of the official Alumni Association logo is governed by Alumni
Association Policies and Procedures.
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December 1985 -Approval obtained from Board of Governors.
June 1987 -Revisions to include gender neutrality, Board of Director qualifications, include the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in the reporting structure.
October 1989 -Revisions to clarify text and put into a form more readable (plain language).
October 1991 -Changes to terms of offices from one to two years, include reporting to Director of Community Relations, addition of articles and by-laws for publications and finances, clarification or Board qualifications and vacancies.
October 1992 -Returned Past President to a voting Board position.
September 1994 -Changed composition of board to constituency based directors. Changed title of Executive Vice-President to Executive Vice-President, Finance and Development. Corrected President’s term of office from one to two two-year terms. Moved a number of items to Bylaws, Policies and Procedures or the Chapter Handbook to reduce procedural content from the Constitution.
September 1995 -membership expanded to include persons graduating from post-secondary certificate programs. Optional memberships granted to persons who pay the fees as outlined by the Alumni Association.
October 1996 -Changed reporting relationship from Community Relations to Partnerships and Marketing.
September 1998
March 2007 Changed structure of the Board to a Council.
1.02 Definitions:
ASUC@ refers to the Mohawk College Student’s Union Corporation
Change to:
AMSA@ refers to Mohawk Students’ Association
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
Regular Members:
(b) Any person who has successfully completed a non-post-secondary certificate program
from Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions, and pays the membership fee
determinedby the Board.
Change to:
(b) Any Person who has successfully completed a non post-secondary certificate or
apprenticeship program from Mohawk College or its predecessor institutions, and
pays the membership fee determined by the Board.
5.02 Composition:
(a) The Board shall be composed of 16 Directors consisting of a President; Past
President; Executive Vice-President, Finance and Development; Vice-President,
Programs and Services; two Directors-at-Large; two Applied Arts Directors; two
Business Directors; two Health Science Directors; two technology Directors; and two
Brantford Directors, all of whom shall be Voting Members.
Change to:
(a) The Board shall be composed of nine to seventeen Directors, consisting of a
President; Past President; Vice-President, Finance and Development; Vice-President,
Programs and Services; Vice-President, Marketing and Communications; and four to
twelve Directors-at-large, all of whom shall be Voting Members.
5.02 Composition:
(b) The Manager, Alumni Relations and the Director of Partnerships and Training shall
sit on the Board as ex-officio, non-voting members.
Change to:
(b) The Manager, Alumni Relations, and the Director of Marketing and Public Relations
shall sit on the Board as ex-officio, non-voting members.
5.02 Composition:
(d) The Students’ Representative Council shall select from among its Board members a
student representative to sit on the Board as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
Change to:
(d) Mohawk Students’ Association shall select from among its Board members a student
representative to sit on the Board as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
5.03 Quorum:
Fifty percent (50%), plus one (1) of the occupied Directorships of the Board shall constitute a
quorum and must include one of the President; the Executive Vice-President, Finance and
Development; or the Vice-President, Programs and Services.
Change to:
Fifty percent (50%), plus one (1) of the occupied Directorships of the Board shall constitute a
quorum and must include one of the President, the Vice-President, Finance and
Development; the Vice-President, Programs and Services or the Vice-President, Marketing
and Communications.
5.08 Committee:
The Board shall establish or dissolve by resolution any committees it deems necessary to
carry out the affairs of the Association.
Change to:
The Board shall establish or dissolve by resolution any ad-hoc committees it deems
necessary to carry out the affairs of the Association.
5.09 Indemnity of Directors:
Every Member of the Board of Directors, and his or her heirs, or assigns, will at all
times be indemnified by the SUC from loss, and against all costs or changes
whatsoever that the Director sustains or incurs during the execution or non-execution
of the duties of office except those arising by his or her own wilful neglect or default.
Change to:
Every member of the Board of Directors, and his or hers heirs, or assigns, will at all
times be indemnified by the MSA from loss, and against all costs or changes
whatsoever that a Director sustains or incurs during the execution or non-execution of
the duties of office except those arising by his or her own wilful neglect or default.
Annual and Special General Meetings
7.01 Annual Meeting:
The Annual General Meeting will be held once per calendar year at a time and place
as selectedby the Board to receive the annual and other reports, elect new Directors
and conduct any other business brought before the meeting.
Change to:
The Annual General Meeting will be held once per calendar year at a time and place
as selected by the Board to receive the annual and other reports, elect new Directors
and conduct any other business brought before the meeting. The meeting shall be
chaired by the President, or a designated Vice-President.
7.03 Notice of Meeting:
Notice of the Annual or Special Meeting will be published in advance, stating the
time, date and place. In the case of a Special General Meeting, the purpose must also
be specified.
Change to:
Notice of the Annual or Special General Meeting will be published in advance, as per
the AlumniAssociations Policies and Procedures, stating the time, date and place. In
the case of a Special General Meeting the purpose is also specified.
9.01 Reporting Structure
Relationship to the Students’ Union Corporation and Mohawk College:
The Association reports directly to the SUC, via the President or designated executive
Board member who sits ex-officio on the SUC Board of Directors. The Association
receives its budget from the SUC thereforeit is accountable to the SUC for all its
expenditures.
Change to:
9.01 Organizational Structure
Relationship to the Mohawk Students’ Association and Mohawk College:
The Association is a subsidiary of the Mohawk Students’ Association. The Vice-
President, Finance and Development plus two (2) other Directors as elected bythe
Board, shall sit as full voting Alumni Representatives on the MSA Board of
Directors.
The Association receives its operating budget from the Alumni Fee, and its budget must be
approved by the MSA. The Manager, Alumni Relations reports to the Director of Marketing and
Public Relations of Mohawk College. Both act as resource persons to the Alumni Association.
The Alumni Relations Department of Mohawk College receives its direction regarding use of Alumni
Association operating budgets, and revenues from event and retail sales, from the Alumni
Association Board of Directors.
The Association may hire staff to assist in its operation. The Association’s staff will be
accountable to the Board.
Program Alumni Groups and Chapters
10.01 Recognition:
The Board may grant formal recognition to Alumni Groups and Chapters for
graduates of any post-secondary diploma program of studies at the College or those
who reside in a specific geographic location provided said groups are established by
the Board.
10.02 Policies and Procedures:
The operation of Alumni Groups and Chapters will be governed by Bylaws and
detailed in the Alumni Chapter Handbook.
Change to:
10.01 Recognition:
The Board may approve Alumni Groups and Chapters for Regular Members.
The operation of Alumni Groups and Chapters will be governed by the Alumni
Association Policies and Procedures.
Constitutional Amendments
11.01 Procedure:
a) Amendments proposed by the Board must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority of the Voting Members of the Board.
OR
Amendments proposed by the membership at large must be submitted in
writing by (20) Regular Members bearing the signature of each Regular
Member and in a form the Board of Directors may accept as sufficient. The
proposal (s) must be submitted to theManager, Alumni Relations and the
Mohawk College Alumni Association Constitution –March 2007
President of the Alumni Association at least 28 days in advance of the
meeting at which the proposed amendments are to be presented.
Change to:
Constitutional Amendments
12.01 Procedure:
a) Proposed constitutional amendments must be approved by the two-thirds (2/3)
majority of the Voting Members of the Board before being brought forward to
the Alumni Annual General Meeting.
OR
Constitutional amendments proposed by the membership at large must be
submitted in writing by (20) Regular Members bearing the signature of each
Regular Member and in a form the Board of Directors may accept as
sufficient. The proposal (s) must be submitted to the Manager, Alumni
Relations and the President of the Alumni Association at least 90 days in
advance of the Annual General Meeting at which the proposed amendments
are to be presented.
Constitutional Amendments
b) All proposed amendments which deal with the relationship of the Association
to the College must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Student’s
Union Corporation.
Change to:
All proposed amendments which deal with the relationship of the Association
to the College must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Mohawk
Students’ Association.
New Article 11 to be Added:
Alumni Logo:
The use of the official Alumni Association logo is governed by Alumni
Association Policies and Procedures.
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