Alumni Association's Constitution and Bylaws

Section 1 – Name

This organization shall be known as the Alumni Association of Southern Adventist University, which hereinafter shall be referred to as the Association.

Section 2 – Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the best interests of Southern Adventist University and to establish mutually beneficial relations between the University and its alumni. The objectives include:

1. To provide services for alumni of Southern Adventist University that will encourage a spirit of fraternity and of continuing personal and professional growth;
2. To assist in the identification and cultivation of prospective students;
3. To foster and encourage alumni to maintain ties with the University;
4. To provide opportunities for increasing alumni engagement through events, mentoring, volunteering, and financial support;
5. To honor those who have made outstanding contributions to society, the church, and the University.

Section 1 – Regular Membership

Regular Membership shall consist of all individuals who have attended Southern Junior College, Southern Missionary College, Southern College of Seventh-day Adventists and Southern Adventist University for at least one full semester and who are in good standing with the institution. These members are eligible to hold office, vote, and attend all meetings of the Association.

Section 2 – Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership shall consist of individuals who are non-graduates whom the Council votes, on behalf of the Association, to recognize and honor during an awards presentation for their years of dedicated service to the university. These non-voting members shall be eligible to attend all meetings of the Association.

Section 1 – Alumni Council

The management and direction of the activities of the Association are vested in the Alumni Council. The Alumni Council shall be empowered to recommend policies to the Association and to administer such policies and procedures as are necessary to maintain the Association. Such policies and procedures will be available for review by and input from Association members. 

The Alumni Council is comprised of the Association Senior and GOLD Presidents (serving alternating terms), Association Past-President, VP for Homecoming Weekend, VP for Alumni Engagement Initiatives, and at least three additional voting members. The Director of Alumni Relations, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, VP for Advancement (or other appointee of the University President) are ex-officio members of the Council. Alumni Relations staff shall serve as Secretary for the Council and handle the recording and delivery of Council meeting minutes and communications. Additional officers may be recommended and voted by the Council to serve as needed.

Section 2 – Officers and Alumni Council Members

The Association’s Senior and Gold Presidents shall act jointly as chairpersons of the Alumni Council, shall actively labor in the general interest of the organization, and shall perform all other duties usually devolved on such officers (separate position description). They shall serve in lead roles for alternating two-year terms.

The President-Elect shall actively serve first a one-year term as a regular Council member mentored for leadership by the lead President and shall then serve a two-year term as co-President, the first year with the outgoing President and the second year as mentor to the new President-Elect. 

The Past President shall actively serve as an advisor of the Alumni Council for one year after his/her presidency and then may continue to serve as a regular member of the Council.

The Vice Presidents shall actively serve as coordinators, advisors, and members of the Alumni Council for two years after being seated. Terms may become recurring, if voted by the Council and agreed upon by the officer.

The Alumni Council Members shall actively serve as voting and support members on the Council. With the exception of the ex-officio members, they shall be elected for two-year terms after being seated. Terms may become recurring, if voted by the Council and agreed upon by the member.

Section 1 – Nominations

The Alumni Council shall appoint a nominating committee of five to seven representative members of the Alumni Association, and should include two officers from the Alumni Council. Once seated, the nominating committee will select the committee chair. 

The Alumni Relations Office, on behalf of the nominating committee, will attempt to communicate with all contactable members of the Association by mail and/or email during the month of April requesting submission of nominees to fill vacancies, and will make submission options available on the alumni website. Nominations may include current members of the Alumni Council and the Alumni Association at large. 

In May, the nominating committee will be responsible for reviewing and vetting all nominations submitted and for ascertaining the nominees’ willingness to serve on the Alumni Council. The nominating committee will submit the top three to five vetted names for each vacant position to the Alumni Council by the first week of June. If an insufficient number of nominations is submitted by Association members to fill all vacancies, as many qualified names as possible will be submitted to the Alumni Council by the June deadline.

Section 2 – Elections

Elections are to be held in July, as needed to fill vacancies. The election of nominees shall be voted on confidentially by the Alumni Council. The votes will be tallied by the Alumni Council Secretary and he/she will provide the results to the Council. Candidates receiving a majority vote from the members of the Alumni Council will be seated as members of the Council following their notification. Public announcements about new members will be made on the alumni website and in alumni communications after all new members are seated.


Section 3 – Interim Vacancies

If an Alumni Council member resigns or otherwise leaves the position before completing their term, vacancies in elective offices shall be filled with an interim member, until the next election, by a majority vote of the Alumni Council. Interim members have full voting rights and privileges. 

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Alumni Council members following notification provided to members of the Association by mail and email at least a month prior to the Council vote. Any feedback from the Association members shall be noted in meeting minutes and addressed by the Alumni Council.