ARTICLE I

OFFICES

The registered office of the Alumni Association shall be the New School Office of Alumni Relations located at 79 5th Avenue, 17th floor in New York City, New York County, New York.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership of the Alumni Association shall consist of the following:

a. ACTIVE – All those persons identified by Article IV of the Constitution who can be reached via mail, email, or phone.

b. INACTIVE – All those persons identified by Article IV of the Constitution who cannot be reached by mail, email, or phone.

2. All references herein to “member” or “members” are deemed to mean active regular members as defined in Article IV of the Constitution.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors (the Board) shall consist of 40 members known as Members of the Board of Directors (Members), who have been appointed or elected to the Board in accordance with the below provisions, plus other ex-officio members enumerated in Article V of the Constitution.

The Board of Directors shall make recommendations to execute any and all things necessary or expedient in the management and control of the affairs of the Alumni Association, to adopt rules and regulations for the management and business affairs of the Association and to alter and amend the same.

A vacancy on the Board of Directors, however it may arise, may be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee for the unexpired term.

The Board of Directors shall elect from the membership of the Board such officers as are hereinafter provided for in the prescribed manner.

ARTICLE IV

CONDUCT OF ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. Election of members to the Board of Directors shall take place annually beginning in the year 2012 following the protocols outlined in Addendum II. All terms shall be for two years with terms beginning July 1. (Ex-officio members and student liaisons are excluded from this.) Appointments to the initial Board will be made by the Office of Alumni Relations following the provisions outlined in Addendum I.

2. The Board Development Committee, which receives input from the University Development and Alumni Relations Office, will be responsible for identifying and recruiting possible candidates for the Board. Any member of the Alumni Association may also nominate his/herself or a fellow graduate in writing via a nomination form, which can be found in Addendum II. The Committee will communicate the roles and responsibilities of the Board to potential candidates, review nominations for vacant Board positions, and create a ballot of candidates to submit to the active members of the Alumni Association before each annual election to take place during the spring semester. All nominations must be received within two months of the scheduled election. The Board Development Committee will seek to ensure representation across academic departments and programs, gender, and age and ethnic groups to maximize diversity.

3. Elections shall be held as follows:

a. The roster of candidates for the Board shall be presented by the Board Development Committee to all active alumni in an electronic mailing. Those who specifically request a hard copy ballot may receive one. Additionally, a URL for the ballot or notice of the election will be placed in a mailing that occurs prior to the election such as in a newsletter or alumni magazine. Every attempt will be made within logistical and financial constraints to ensure as many alumni as possible are able to participate.

b. Alumni may only vote for candidates from their division and those running for     At-Large positions.

c. Alumni may vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies.

d. Ballots will indicate a day by which they must be received back to be valid.

e. Ballots will be counted and final results will be tabulated by the Office of Alumni Relations. Results will be communicated to the Chair of the Board Development Committee who will inform the candidates and the Alumni Association membership through appropriate New School channels.

ARTICLE V

NOMINATION, ELECTION, AND CERTIFICATION OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The president of the University Student Senate will recommend to the chair of the Board Development Committee two student representatives to serve as student liaisons to the Board of Directors. Each student representative will serve for a one-year term and may be reappointed upon the recommendation of the chair of the Board Development Committee. Student representatives with satisfactory service on the Board of Directors may be appointed to a regular Board position upon graduation based on vacancy and majority vote by the Board.

Members of the Dean’s Alumni Councils of Milano and Eugene Lang College and of the Alumni Advisory Council of The New School for General Studies are eligible for nomination to the Board of Directors like all other active Alumni Association members. Alumni may hold positions with both entities.

The Office of Alumni Relations reserves the right to recommend appointments to the Board when a clear need or mutually beneficial situation arises. Appointments will be subject to a majority vote by the Board.

ARTICLE VI

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Regular meetings of the Board shall be held once per academic semester at dates, places, and hours fixed by the Chair in consultation with the Director of Alumni Relations. Special meetings may be called by the Board Chair as required. All meetings will be open to any Alumni Association member who wishes to observe.

All Board members must serve on at least two standing committees. Members may choose which committees they will join as long as there is even representation among the committees. Chairs will be elected by the members of each committee. Chairs and members of committees will be determined by the fall meeting and all committees must retain their members and chairs for the academic year.

Standing Committees include:

Executive Committee (see Article IX)

Board Development Committee: As described above, the Board Development Committee is responsible for identifying and recruiting alumni to the Board of Directors, managing the nomination, ballot, and voting process. The Committee will also review the service of Board members and make recommendations to discontinue the service of members not adhering to the roles and responsibilities outlined herein.

Career Development Committee: This committee works with the Office of Career Services within each division to determine how the Alumni Association can assist alumni and current students with career advisement, placement, and work opportunities.

Reunions and Special Events Committee: This committee works with the appropriate Alumni Relations staff to develop event programming, increase fundraising around event (particularly around reunions), and elevate attendance and participation by Alumni Association members in reunions and other events.

Development Committee: This committee works with the Annual Giving team to identify alumni leadership and recruit volunteers for peer-to-peer solicitation, promote the importance of alumni participation in the annual fund, and to increase annual and major gifts from alumni to the university. This committee may also assist in identifying and cultivating alumni candidates for the university’s board of trustees and boards of governors.

Alumni Outreach and Communications Committee: This committee creates opportunities to introduce alumni and current students to the work of the Alumni Association and encourages engagement. The committee also advises on all communication with alumni seeking to keep alumni informed and connected to the university. Examples may include but are not limited to hard copy and electronic newsletters and magazines, mailings, and online networking.

Admissions Committee: This committee works with admissions officers across the eight schools to assist with recruitment, enrollment, and retention efforts.

Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee: This committee identifies candidates for various alumni awards to be bestowed on behalf of the Alumni Association. There will be collaboration with the Reunions and Special Events Committee where awards are used as part of the programming for and/or an attendance draw for events.

Ad-Hoc Committees:

Ad-hoc committees may be formed and dissolved by a majority vote of the board. Board members may serve on any ad-hoc committees they choose in addition to serving on the two required standing committees. Ad-hoc committees based on particular events or time periods will automatically dissolve once the project or time frame has passed.

Centennial Committee: This committee will work with the Office of Alumni Relations on a ten-year strategic plan determining alumni communications and activities building up to and culminating in the New School’s centennial in 2019.

ARTICLE VII

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Members of the Board must adhere to the requirements set forth within to remain active. The Board Development Committee will regularly review the service of Board members and retain the right to not recommend for continued service any member of the Board who does not comply with the roles and responsibilities set forth herein.

Conduct: Board members must conduct themselves professionally and in a way that best represents The New School and its mission. Members will be advocates for the university and the alumni program wherever they go. The full code of conduct can be found in Addendum III.

Meetings: Members are expected to attend two Board meetings per year, one each academic semester. (The New School will accommodate the needs of Board members who are not located in New York City by providing conference call technology.) Members who are unable to attend must inform the Director of Alumni Relations at least two weeks in advance and where possible, make arrangements to provide input and participate in voting activities. Regular absences will prompt a review by the Board Development Committee and may result in a recommendation for dismissal.

Committees: All Board members must serve and participate on two standard committees. Members must serve on chosen committees for a full academic year. At the end of the academic year members may choose to continue with original committees or join others. (Members may also participate on any available ad-hoc committees and/or additional standing committees if desired.)

Annual Gift: Board members must participate in the New School annual fund by making a gift to his/her academic division or the university. Gifts will be pledged over the two-year term of service and may be paid annually, monthly, or quarterly. The Development Committee will set minimum thresholds for gifts. Alumni who graduated within the less five years will be exempt from those thresholds.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest: See Addendum III.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

1. The Officers of the Alumni Association shall be the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.

2. The Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors from its own membership at its fall meeting. The Board Development Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors the names of at least one candidate for each position and additional nominations may be made from the floor at the fall meeting. Announcement of the election of Officers and the proposed slate of candidates as nominated by the Board Development Committee shall be sent by electronic mail to the members of the Board of Directors no later than two weeks prior to the election. The Chair and Vice Chair shall hold office for a term of two years. Should the terms of office of the Chair and Vice Chair exceed the regular term on the Board of Directors, the term of office would take precedence. The Secretary shall serve a one-year term.

3. A vacancy occurring in any office may be filled at any time by the Executive Committee for the unexpired time.

THE CHAIR

The Chair shall serve for two years and preside at all meetings of the Alumni Association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. The Chair shall work closely with the Director of Alumni Relations to become aware of university priorities and activities of the Office of Alumni Relations and shall report that information to the Board. The Chair will serve as the signatory for most communications sent to the alumni association membership including but not limited to announcements pertaining to university status, alumni benefits and services, and alumni surveys.

THE VICE CHAIR

The Vice Chair shall perform duties assigned by the Chair and shall also be aware of the priorities of the university and the Office of Alumni Relations. The Vice Chair will be called upon to preside over any meetings the Chair is unable to attend.

THE SECRETARY

The Secretary shall review all records, minutes, and correspondence pertaining to the Board. The Secretary shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and as a member of the Board Development Committee. The Secretary shall record the minutes at all Board, Executive Committee, Board Development Committee, and Alumni Association meetings, as well as record attendance and voting.

ARTICLE IX

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

The Office of Alumni Relations shall have the custody of all books and papers pertaining to such office as well as records pertaining to activities of the Alumni Association and its Board of Directors. The Office will present an annual report to the Board on the status of the Office and alumni activities and outreach. The Office of Alumni Relations will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the alumni relations budget and will advise the board of the feasibility of proposed events and activities. The Director of Alumni Relations will work with the Board at the spring meeting to gather input on and approval for the upcoming fiscal year’s strategic plan.

ARTICLE X

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, which shall conduct the business of the Alumni Association not otherwise provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Chairs of all standing committees listed in Article VI.

2. Alumni Relations staff will attend all Executive Committee meetings.

3. Members of the Committee may be invited to consult with the Senior Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations in the event that a new Director of Alumni Relations needs to be hired. However, final administrative authority for the hiring of this position rests with the Senior and Assistant Vice Presidents.

4. The Executive Committee shall meet as the need arises at a time and place designated by the Chair. These meetings shall be open to any member of the Board who wishes to attend in an ex-officio capacity. Minutes of the meeting shall be sent to all Board members, by the Secretary, no later than two weeks after the meeting.

5. A simple majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be reached in order to pass any resolutions.


6. The Executive Committee shall have the following powers:

a. To initiate and attach priority designation to Alumni Association activities;
b. To assist in planning any programs; and
c. To approve the activities of various committees of the Alumni Association.

7. The order of business of the Executive Committee shall be as follows:

a. Approval of minutes of prior meeting
b. Reports of officers and committees
c. Unfinished business
d. New business

ARTICLE XI

CHAPTERS AND GROUPS

Chapters and groups will work to expand the scope and reach of the Alumni Association and may be viewed as sub-units, which serve to advance the mission and goals of the Association. As such chapters and groups operate in collaboration with, derive their existence from, and are accountable to the main organization. All chapters and groups shall be governed by these by-laws in addition to guidelines found in Addendum IV.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

1. The By-Laws of The New School Alumni Association serve as a governing document for The New School Alumni Association only. As the Association is part of The New School, any inconsistency in the policies of the university and the alumni association are controlled by the policies of the university.

2. Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by completing three steps:

a. A proposal signed by at least one-third of the Board’s membership;
b. A three-quarters majority vote by the Board; and
c. A resolution of the Executive Committee to make an official recommendation for an amendment.

3. Proposals to amend or repeal these By-Laws, or any part thereof, may be made by a three-quarters majority vote of the Board.

ARTICLE XIII

LIMITATION OF POWER

The Alumni Association shall not have the power, right, or authority to:

1. Pledge the credit of The New School or one of its eight academic divisions.

2. Agree to establish any obligation or liability in the university’s name.

3. Establish a bank account for the Alumni Association.


4. Create a chapter, club, or group without approval from the Office of Alumni Relations.

ARTICLE XIV

RULES OF ORDER

In the absence of a specific provision to the contrary contained in the Alumni Association’s Constitution or By-Laws, any meeting of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, or any committee thereof, shall be governed by the rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVE DATE

These By-Laws and their amendments shall become effective immediately upon adopting a Board of Trustee ratification.

The New School Alumni Association was re-launched in June 2009. Efforts to rebuild the governance structure will commence in September 2009 with a goal of having at least an initial Board of 15-20 members in place by July 1, 2010, which is when the first Board members will begin their service. A full Board will need to be in place by July 1, 2011.

The start of terms of initial, appointed Board members will be staggered across two years (FY11 and FY12) to allow for annual elections to begin in the spring of 2012. The first elected Board members will begin their service on July 1, 2012 (FY13). Elections will be held following the protocols outlined in Addendum II.

Positions on the first Board of Directors will be filled by appointment by the Office of Alumni Relations. Candidates will be identified from the pool of alumni already engaged with the university (i.e. donors and volunteers). Interested alumni may also nominate themselves or fellow graduates by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations and/or by completing and submitting the nomination form, which can be found in Addendum II.

Beginning in September 2009, the Office of Alumni Relations will use various outreach methods to communicate Board opportunities to Alumni Association members. Outreach will include the annual Alumni Association Membership Card mailing, an article in alumni newsletters and the Parsons alumni magazine, and an email blast.

The Office of Alumni Relations will review nominations and discuss Board roles and responsibilities with interested alumni to determine whether an appointment would be a mutually beneficial fit. Once an initial Board of 15-20 members is appointed, the Office of Alumni Relations will work with and accept input from those Board members to identify and recruit the remainder of vacant Board positions.

The initial Board will elect officers from among its membership at their first meeting in the fall of 2010.

TIMING

All members of the Board of Directors will serve two-year terms. Terms will follow The New School’s July 1-June 30 fiscal year. Elections will occur in April, results will be announced in May, and new Board members will assume their positions on July 1. The first meeting for the new board will occur at the start of the fall semester. Board members transitioning out of their positions will conclude their terms on June 30.

NOMINATIONS

All regular members of the Alumni Association (as defined in Article IV of the Constitution; for the rest of this document, “members” should be taken to mean regular members) are eligible for nomination to the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Alumni may nominate themselves or fellow graduates using the nomination form provided in the last page of this addendum.

Nomination forms will be made available on the Alumni Association website (www.newschool.edu/alumni) and alumni may receive paper copies to be mailed or faxed by request. All nomination forms must be received via email, mail, or fax two months prior to the scheduled election (by the due date noted on the nomination form) and only complete nomination forms will be considered.

A call for nominations and an announcement of the upcoming election, which will include a link to the nomination form, will be sent via electronic mail three months prior to an election. To encourage the broadest participation, efforts will be made to include election announcements and calls for nominations in all print materials mailing at the appropriate time such as alumni newsletters and magazines.

BALLOTS

The Board Development Committee will review all nomination forms and will prepare a ballot. The ballot will include background information, taken from the nomination form, on each candidate.

A link to an electronic ballot will be sent to all alumni association members with an active email on file via electronic mail. A link to the ballot will be also available via the alumni association website (www.newschool.edu/alumni). In addition, alumni may request paper ballots to be mailed or faxed and paper ballots will be available at the Office of Alumni Relations, 79 5th Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY for those who wish to stop by and complete one in person.

VOTING

All regular members of the Alumni Association are eligible to vote for director positions via electronic or paper ballot. (Elections for Officer positions will be conducted within current Board membership only.)

Each member may only vote one time. Members may only vote for candidates from their division and those running for at-large positions. (Members who earned degrees from more than one division of The New School may vote for candidates in each division attended.)

Only ballots completed by verified regular members of the Alumni Association and returned by the deadline indicated on the ballot will be counted. Ballots will be reviewed and tabulated by the Office of Alumni Relations and the results will be communicated to the Chair of the Board Development Committee. The Board Development Committee may request to review the ballots if desired.

RESULTS

Candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected into the vacant position. When there is more than one vacancy, candidates receiving the first, second, and third highest and so on amount of votes will be elected to the positions.

Should an elected candidate withdraw from his/her position before the official start of board service, the candidate with the next highest number of votes will fill the vacancy. If another candidate is not available or the newly-elected Board member resigns after July 1, the vacancy may be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee.

Results of elections will be communicated to the Board by the Chair of the Board Development Committee within one month of the conclusion of voting. At that time, the results will also be made available on the Alumni Association website and will be sent to Alumni Association members via email.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE NOMINATION FORM

Volunteer Code of Conduct and Confidentiality, and Conflicts of Interest Policy

 Volunteer Code of Conduct and Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest Policy

The success of The New School Alumni Association depends on a network of volunteers serving in a variety of roles. The Alumni Association values its volunteers and works to create programs and services to support and enhance their involvement. This Code of Conduct and Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest Policy has been established to help the Alumni Association fulfill its mission and support the vision and goals of The New School. This policy shall apply not only to members of the Board of Directors, but also shall apply to all appointed, at-large, and liaison members of the board, all committee members, and any other volunteers in the Alumni Association’s governance structure.

 All Alumni Association volunteers must commit to work together in the best interests of the Alumni Association and the university and not for personal, political, third-party or financial gain. Specifically, volunteers must agree to the following:

CODE OF CONDUCT AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Code of Conduct

 • Adhere to the policies and procedures of The New School Alumni Association. Ask for clarification if ever in doubt or if you do not understand them.

• Serve as a positive representative for the Alumni Association and the university by conducting yourself in an informed, appropriate, and professional manner.

• Prepare for and actively participate in your volunteer assignment.

• Acknowledge and respect other volunteers and their contributions, talents, efforts and dignity. Treat them equally as peers.

• Be courteous and respectful of other volunteers’ opinions. Participate in open and honest communication and discussion in a responsible and respectful way.

• Keep your word. Accept an assignment only when you can truly participate 100% and are committed to completing the task.

• Strive to create satisfaction and enjoyment from your volunteer experience.

Confidentiality

 As a volunteer, you recognize that you owe a duty of care to The New School Alumni Association and that includes a duty of confidentiality. In connection with your volunteer service, you may be given or have access to confidential information of the Alumni Association or third parties.

• Confidential information is all information that the Alumni Association considers to be confidential or proprietary information of the Alumni Association or third party sources.

• Confidential information may include, but is not limited to, information regarding the organization, operations, policies, procedures, programs, contracts, finances, investments, membership lists, and alumni directory data.

• Confidential information also may include, but is not limited to, unpublished or pre-released versions of Alumni Association or third party documents and emails and information, and internal use only or limited circulation documents and information.

• When appropriate, written confidential information will be stamped “Confidential” and confidential conversations should be noted as such.

• You agree that you will not disclose or permit to be disclosed any confidential information, and that you will not appropriate, photocopy, reproduce, or in any fashion replicate any confidential information without the prior written consent of the Office of Alumni Relations.

• You agree to use reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the confidential information.

• You also agree not to use any confidential information for your own benefit or that of your employer unless authorized in writing by the Office of Alumni Relations.

 Violations of the Code of Conduct and Confidentiality

• Any volunteer or member of the Alumni Association, or university staff member working on behalf of the Association, may report suspected violations of the Code of Conduct, Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest statement to the Alumni Association’s Board Chair or the Director of Alumni Relations.

• The Board Development Committee along with the Board Chair and Director of Alumni Relations will be responsible for determining whether charges (and, if so, what charges) should be brought against an individual suspected of violating the Volunteer Code of Conduct.

____________________________________                        ________________

Signature                                                                                 Date

____________________________________

Print Name

By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information contained herein.

POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The University’s Conflicts of Interest Policy applies to all members of the Alumni Association and can be found in the Institutional Policies and Procedures Manual.  You are required to review the Policy annually and complete a written certification in the form below certifying that you have read and reviewed the Policy and are in compliance with the Policy.   You must file your certification with the Office of the Secretary of the university.

The Policy reflects the fundamental principle that the interests of the university must be superior to the personal interests of those who work for the university or serve it in a volunteer capacity.  When those interests conflict, the university’s interests must be paramount. 

ANNUAL DISCLOSURE & CERTIFICATION

Effective Reporting Year 2009

The IRS has made significant changes to the Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) for the current tax year and beyond. In order to satisfy its goals to increase the transparency of the activities of tax-exempt organizations, the IRS is requiring disclosures about the independence of the governing body and the relationship among certain individuals. Specifically, the form questions whether any officer, director, trustee or key employee has a family relationship or a business relationship with any other officer, director, trustee or key employee. 

The questions included in this Certification are to be completed by everyone covered by the University’s COI Policy.

Family relationships include:

Unless specified otherwise, the family of an individual includes his or her spouse, ancestors, brothers and sisters (whether whole or half blood), children (whether natural or adopted), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses of brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and any other individuals residing in the same household as the person covered by the Policy. 

Business relationships between two persons include the following:

1. One person is employed by the other in a sole proprietorship or by an organization, with which the other is associated as a trustee, director, officer, key employee, or greater-than-35% owner.

2. One person is transacting business with the other (other than in the ordinary course of either party's business on the same terms as are generally offered to the public), directly or indirectly, in one or more contracts of sale, lease, license, loan, performance of services, or other transaction involving transfers of cash or property valued in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate during the organization's tax year.  (Indirect transactions are transactions with an organization with which the one person is associated as a trustee, director, officer, key employee, or greater-than-35% owner).

3. The two persons are each a director, trustee, officer, or greater than 10% owner in the same business or investment entity.  Ownership is measured by stock ownership (either voting power or value) of a corporation, profits or capital interest in a partnership or limited liability company, membership interest in a nonprofit organization, or beneficial interest in a trust.  Ownership includes indirect ownership (for example, ownership in an entity that has ownership in the entity in question); there may be ownership through multiple tiers of entities. 

Privileged relationship exception.  For purposes of this questionnaire, a "business relationship" does not include a relationship between an attorney and client, a medical professional (including psychologist) and patient, or a priest/clergy and penitent/communicant. 

Based on the information included in the COI Policy and the definitions above, please respond to each item below: (To be completed by everyone covered by the University’s COI Policy)

a. Your Name:  _____________________________________

Your Home address: _________________________________________________

Your Business address: _______________________________________________

b.  Nature of Your Relationship to the University:

Trustee

Officer

Member of a Board of Governors or other Advisory Boards or Committees

Key Employee (e.g. a Dean or head of a School or program)

Designated Faculty or Designated Administrative Employee

c.  I certify that I have read and agree to be bound by the University Policy on Conflicts of Interest.  I further certify that I have complied and am in compliance with the requirements set forth in the University Policy on Conflicts of Interest.  I will promptly notify the Vice President & General Counsel if any facts or circumstances should arise which would cause this certification to be no longer accurate. 

r  Yes                   r No

d.  Do you know of any relationships with the University between yourself, a member of your family or entity which with you or a member of your family has a significant interest that may represent a conflict of interest as defined by the letter or spirit of the University Policy on Conflicts of Interest?

r  Yes                   r  No

If yes, please describe: ____________________________________________________

e.  Do you have a business or family relationship with any other officer, trustee, key employee or key vendor of the organization?

r  Yes                   r No

If yes, please indicate the names of the individuals with whom you have a relationship, and indicate the words “Family” or “Business” next to the name.                                           

Name:  __________________________            Relationship: __________________

Describe Relationship*___________________________________________________

*If Business Relationship, the name of the entity involved, entity’s business or financial relationship to the University (e.g. vendor), dollar value of this relationship (e.g. what the University paid for such goods or services), date this relationship was established, who, if anyone, approved and monitors this relationship on behalf of the University.

f.  Are you aware of any relationships between yourself, a member of your family or business associate with the University Auditors, KPMG, that may represent a conflict of interest, or provide an appearance of such a conflict as defined by the letter or spirit of the University Policy on Conflicts of Interest?

r  Yes                   r  No

If yes, please describe: ____________________________________________________

If I have any questions about the interpretation of the Policy or if any of the above information or responses change, I will immediately communicate them to the Vice President & General Counsel at 80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 800, New York, New York 10011, Tel. (212) 229-5432.

I certify that the foregoing information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Signature:  ______________________________________

Type or Print Name:  _______________________________________

 Date:  _______________________________________

DESCRIPTION

Chapters and groups work to expand the scope and reach of The New School Alumni Association and may be viewed as sub-units, which serve to advance the mission and goals of the Association. As such, chapters and groups operate in collaboration with, derive their existence from, and are accountable to the main organization.

CHAPTERS

NAMING

Regional Chapters

All regional chapters that include members from all New School divisions shall be named after the city. For instance, a Los Angeles chapter would be the Los Angeles Chapter of The New School Alumni Association. Regional chapters comprised of one division also take on the name of the division. For example, a Parsons alumni chapter in Washington, DC would be the Parsons DC Chapter of The New School Alumni Association. (Regional groups not achieving chapter status may achieve group status (see below) or remain alumni networks, i.e. the Chicago Alumni Network.)

Affinity Chapters

Affinity chapters will be located in the New York City tri-state area and will be named for the division, program, or student organization represented. (For example, a chapter for History of Decorative Arts and Design Alumni may be the Dec Arts Chapter of The New School Alumni Association and a chapter for International Affairs alumni may be the International Affairs Chapter of The New School Alumni Association.) Alumni not residing in the NYC tri-state area may request to be added to the membership of these chapters by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations. (Affinity chapters may form outside of the New York City tri-state area if the minimum membership requirements outlined below can be achieved.)

STATUS

Chapters must maintain at least 50 active members, have a leadership structure (see below for position descriptions), and complete the minimum annual requirements to remain in good standing. Active members are defined as individuals with good contact information on file who attend at least one chapter event per year.

Chapters in good standing are eligible for programmatic and some financial support from the Office of Alumni Relations.

MEMBERSHIP

Active Alumni Association members (for a description of active members, refer to Article II of the by-laws) are automatically members of appropriate chapters. (For example, members residing in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties will automatically be members of a Los Angeles chapter and members who earned a degree in International Affairs and reside in New York City would automatically be members of an International Affairs Chapter.) Geographic membership will be determined by the counties that make up the metro area of the chapter city. When a chapter is not available in a nearby city, those alumni may also become members of that chapter city. (For example, alumni in San Diego may join a Los Angeles or Southern California chapter and alumni in Baltimore may join a Washington, DC or DC-Baltimore chapter. Chapter leaders will be responsible for determining whether or not a city-based chapter will become a multi-city and/or multi-county chapter.) Please note that members are only considered “active members” if their contact information remains valid and they participate in at least one chapter activity per year.

Members may belong to more than one chapter.

Members may request to join chapters of which they are not automatically members. For example, a member with a primary residence in New York but who spends significant time on the west coast may request and be granted approval to join the Los Angeles chapter. Non-conferred and continuing education alumni may also request to join chapters.

CREATING A CHAPTER

In order for a chapter to be created, the Office of Alumni Relations must determine that there are enough alumni in the region or affinity area of interest. There may be some exceptions but in general, a potential chapter must have at least 200 possible members (alumni in the region or area of interest who can be contacted) to be considered viable. Volunteers may consider broadening their idea for a chapter in order to reach the minimum. (For instance, a Parsons group can include alumni of other New School divisions to be more robust.) Once it has been determined there are enough alumni to support an official chapter, the following steps can be taken. (Initial geographic chapters desired include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago, Seoul, and Tokyo.)

The Office of Alumni Relations will send a hard copy mailing and email on the lead volunteer’s behalf to all Alumni Association members who meet the requirements for the potential chapter to determine interest. The letter and email will be signed by the lead volunteer and responses will go to the Office of Alumni Relations for data collection purposes. Alumni Relations will then compile a list of interested alumni with contact information and send it to the lead volunteer.

Once sufficient interest has been determined, the lead volunteer should set up an initial meeting at a convenient location such as a centrally located bar/restaurant. The volunteer should work with the Office of Alumni Relations to publicize the time, place, and purpose to all alumni in the area and to set an agenda for the meeting. The agenda should make it clear to meeting attendees where the chapter is headed, the roles available for volunteers, and next steps. (Please note that the cost of preliminary events will not be covered by The New School Alumni Association.) The lead volunteer should report back to the Office of Alumni Relations regarding the outcomes of the meeting and list of attendees within one week.

Based on the initial meeting, if it is determined that there is enough interest to form a chapter, the lead volunteer will work with the Office of Alumni Relations to identify and elect leadership for the chapter. Once leadership is in place, the Office of Alumni Relations will prepare a membership list with contact information and share it with the chair, vice-chair, and secretary. All officers must sign a privacy agreement, which dictates how this information is handled.

The Board of Directors will officially approve and recognize all new chapters at the next Board meeting. New chapters will then be placed on the Chapters and Groups Roster, an official Alumni Association document made available on the alumni website. The Board Chair will send a welcome message to chapter leaders who will then be eligible for appointment to the Board as ex-officio members when there is a vacancy.

LEADERSHIP

Each chapter requires a chair (co-chairs also possible), vice chair, and secretary. Officers must commit to two-year terms. Terms may begin when the chapter is formed and officers hold their first meeting.

A chair or vice-chair of three New School Alumni Association chapters will be appointed to the Board of Directors by the Office of Alumni Relations as ex-officio members for a term of one year as outlined in Article V of the Constitution.

All chapter officers must commit to an annual fund gift in each year of service or to be pledged over the term of service.

ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS

In order to remain in good standing and receive programmatic and financial support from the New School Office of Alumni Relations, chapters must:

• Prepare a report detailing all chapter activities for the fiscal year for the Director of Alumni Relations.

• Work with the Director of Alumni Relations to plan activities for the coming fiscal year.

• Have at least three active officers (chair, vice-chair, and secretary).

• Plan and execute at least two events per year. (If all annual requirements are met, one or both events may be funded, or partially-funded, by the Office of Alumni Relations.)

• Communicate all plans for activities, gatherings, regional opportunities, etc. to the Office of Alumni Relations at least four weeks in advance so the information can be widely distributed.

• Promote The New School and its eight academic divisions where possible and appropriate.

• Participate in New School admissions activities such as college or grad fairs, portfolio reviews, accepted student receptions, student send-offs, etc. where available.

• Provide employment information for chapter members for distribution among regional membership to promote career networking. Work with New School Career Services to identify internship and employment opportunities where available.

• Promote participation in the annual fund among membership. Commit to achieving at least 10 percent participation among chapter membership the first year the chapter is active and build on that goal each year. (Chapter leaders should work with the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving staff to set and achieve these goals.)

• Maintain chapter presence on Facebook and any other online outlet. Work with the Office of Alumni Relations on other possible methods of online outreach.

• Have any communications, signage, banners, partnerships, etc. approved by the Office of Alumni Relations.

• Follow other guidelines determined for the specific chapter as mutually agreed upon between chapter officers and the Director of Alumni Relations.

ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR CHAPTERS

All chapters in good standing are eligible for the following annual support from the Office of Alumni Relations.

• One mailing to full chapter membership

• One event organized and funded (may be more for robust chapters conducting significant fundraising efforts)

• Presence of one university representative at one event (may include administrators, faculty, and in some cases, deans; may be more for robust chapters conducting significant fundraising efforts)

• Email blasts as needed

• Assistance creating a Facebook group or fan page to be linked to the Alumni Association profile, page, and website

• Chapter information posted on the alumni website and online networking websites

GROUPS

NAMING

Regional groups will be named following the process outlined above under chapter naming. Affinity groups will be named for the division, program, career interest, student organization, etc. which binds its members. For example, a group of Illustration majors will be the Parsons Illustration Group and alumni who worked on the New School Press as students would be the New School Free Press Group.

STATUS

Affinity groups must maintain at least 25 active members, be managed by a lead volunteer, and complete the annual requirements listed below.

Groups in good standing will be eligible for basic support from the Office of Alumni Relations.

MEMBERSHIP

When group membership is based on information that is stored in the alumni database, alumni coded with the correct criteria will automatically be members of that group. For example, all alumni residing in the Boston metro area will be members of a Boston Alumni Group and all alumni who earned a degree in International Affairs will be considered members of an International Affairs Group. For groups based on information not stored in the alumni database, such as a student organization or career interest, a lead volunteer will need to find and identify the membership and communicate the information to the Office of Alumni Relations. In order to be “active members” of a group, member must maintain valid contact information with the Office of Alumni Relations and participate in at least one group activity per year.

Members may request to join groups of which they are not automatically members and may belong to more than one group.

CREATING A GROUP

In order for a group to be created, the Office of Alumni Relations must determine that there are enough alumni who meet the criteria for the group. There are some exceptions, as noted below, but in general, a potential group should have at least 100 possible members (alumni fitting the criteria who can be contacted by email) to be considered viable. For groups based on information not stored in the alumni database, a lead volunteer must present a list of 25 interested individuals with valid email addresses to the Office of Alumni Relations. Once it has been determined that there are enough alumni to support an official group the following steps can be taken.

The Office of Alumni Relations will send an email to all Alumni Association members who meet the criteria for the proposed group on the lead volunteer’s behalf. Responses indicating interest will go to the Office of Alumni Relations for data collection purposes.

Once sufficient interest has been determined, the lead volunteer will work with the Office of Alumni Relations to determine next steps. Next steps should include setting up a web presence such as a Facebook page and scheduling an initial event for group members to meet each other and discuss future activities.

The Board of Directors will officially welcome and recognize new groups at the next Board meeting. New groups will then be placed on the Chapters and Groups Roster, an official Alumni Association document made available on the alumni website.

LEADERSHIP

Each regional and affinity group requires at least one leader who is responsible for organizing activities, responding to questions and ideas from group members, and maintaining the group web presence. When the leader is ready to step down, he/she is responsible for finding an active member to take his/her place.

ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS

In order to remain in good standing and receive support from the Office of Alumni Relations, groups must:

• Maintain an active lead volunteer.

• Organize and execute at least two events or activities per year.

• Communicate all plans for activities and communications to the Office of Alumni Relations at least four weeks in advance.

• Maintain group presence on Facebook and/or other appropriate online outlet.

• Have any communications, signage, banners, etc. approved by the Office of Alumni Relations.

ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR GROUPS

All groups in good standing are eligible for the following annual support from the Office of Alumni Relations.

• Email blasts on the group’s behalf

• Group information and updates posted on the alumni website

• Creation of a Facebook group or fan page linked to the Alumni Association page, profile, and website

• Promotion of the group using all available online outlets to attempt to increase membership

GROUPS TO CHAPTERS

Groups reaching 50 active members or more have the opportunity to become chapters. In order to do so, a group must prepare a petition to the Office of Alumni Relations including a statement supporting why the chapter should become a group, the names of all active members who have agreed to follow the annual requirements for a chapter, a description of activities completed and planned, the names of members prepared to assume leadership roles, and any other supporting information requested by Alumni Relations. After reviewing the petition, the Office of Alumni Relations will determine whether or not a chapter is feasible. If it is determined that the group is ready to become a chapter, leadership will be installed and a communication will be sent to all members letting them know the change has been made. The new officers of the chapter will then convene their first meeting to outline plans for the coming year. Once a chapter, the group will have to follow the annual requirements for chapters set forth in this document.

As outlined above, new chapters will be officially and recognized by the Board at the next Board of Directors meeting. The former group will be upgraded to chapter status on the Chapters and Groups Roster. Leadership of the new chapter will be eligible for appointment to the Board of Directors when there is a vacancy.