MU Retirees Association

MURA Constitution

CONSTITUTION
As Amended Through September 14, 2002

Article I - Name and Definition
The name of this organization shall be "The MU Retirees Association," herein referred to as the Association. Retirees are defined to include all former faculty and staff of the University of Missouri-Columbia who have reached retirement status, their surviving spouses, and similar individuals from other parts of the University of Missouri who elect to be represented by the Association.

Article II - Purpose
The purpose of the Association is to represent, promote and protect the interests of the retirees and to promote the welfare of the University of Missouri.

Article III - Objectives
Sect. 1. To assist appropriately the University of Missouri in the performance of its programs and mission, and to provide for the general well-being of retirees.

Sect. 2. To serve as a full fledged and contributing part of the University family.

Sect. 3. To promote and protect the legitimate welfare, rights and entitlements of retirees, including, but not limited to, retirement and health benefits.

Sect. 4. To serve as a channel of communication between the University, retirees, the community and other appropriate groups and individuals.

Article IV - Membership
The membership of the Association shall consist of retirees and/or their spouses, and active faculty or staff over the age of 55, who pay the Association dues. A spouse shall be listed as staff or faculty based on the retiree's appointment at the University. Retirees from other universities or colleges and/or their spouses may, upon payment of dues, be non-voting Associate Members.

Article V - Officers and Board of Directors
Sect. 1. The Officers of the Association shall consist of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

Sect. 2. The Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall consist of the Officers, the immediate past President, the chairs of standing committees, and six members at large, three of whom shall be listed as staff, and three as faculty. The Historian and the chair of the Chancellor's Retiree Advisory Committee shall serve as non-voting ex-officio members of the Board if not otherwise on the Board.

Sect. 3. The Officers of the Association shall serve terms that shall be staggered to provide continuity. The Vice president will serve one year as President Elect, then will become President for a year. The Secretary shall be elected in an odd numbered year, the Treasurer in an even numbered year, each for a two year term. The Board members at large shall serve three terms with two being elected each year.

Sect. 4. Elections shall be held at the spring meeting. The terms of newly elected Officers and Board members shall begin July 1. No Officer or Board member shall serve more than two consecutive full terms in the same position.

Sect. 5. The Officers shall have the responsibilities listed below:

The President shall:

  • Shall preside over Association and Board meetings
  • be an ex-officio member of all committees other than the nominating committee
  • appoint the members and chairs of all committees, subject to the approval of the Board.
  • assume the duties of Treasurer in the event that the latter is unable to perform the duties of the office.

The Vice President shall:

  • be responsible for the program of the Association meetings.
  • assume the responsibilities of the President in the absence of the latter

The Secretary shall:

  • Keep minutes of all official meetings of the Association and of the Board
  • Shall distribute or read the minutes of each meeting for approval at the next meeting of the same body

The Treasurer shall:

  • Be responsible for handling the funds of the Association
  • Prepare an annual financial report to be presented to the Board at a regular meeting.
  • Report the financial status of the Association at the annual meeting.

Sect. 6. The Board shall:

  1. formulate and recommend changes in Association policy
  2. direct the activities of the Association between meetings
  3. maintain liaison with any group or organization in the interests of the Association
  4. approve the appointments of all committee members and chairs
  5. recommend any necessary change in membership dues to be voted on by the Association at the annual meeting
  6. perform such other duties as may properly pertain and as may be provided for elsewhere in the Constitution and By-Laws.

Sect. 7. Vacancies that occur shall be temporarily filled by the President with the approval of the Board. Such appointments shall run until the next meeting of the Association, at which time persons shall be elected to complete the vacant terms. If the Presidency is vacated, the Vice President shall assume its duties.

Sect. 8. There shall normally be two meetings of the Board each year. Other meetings may be convened by the President, or by written request of the majority of the Board.

Sect. 9. A quorum at meetings of the Board shall consist of a simple majority of its members.

Sect. 10. Between meetings of the Board, the Officers may take emergency action, which shall be reported at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

Article VI - Rules of Order
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present at a meeting of the Association, provided that the general membership has been notified of the proposed amendment fifteen (15) days in advance of such vote. Amendments from the floor that alter the substance of the proposed amendment will not be voted on. However, the Association may request a meeting at which a modified amendment is to be presented for adoption.

Article VIII - Dissolution
The Association may be dissolved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members voting at a specially convened meeting, provided that the membership has been notified in writing fifteen (15) days before the meeting. After dissolution, the assets of the Association must be used to provide a service to the University of Missouri or be transferred to a non-profit organization with purposes and goals similar to those of the Association.

BY-LAWS

Details of the activities of the Association shall be regulated by the By-Laws.

Sect. 1. Annual Meeting. There shall be an annual business meeting each spring. At this meeting, there shall be committee reports, transaction of Association business, and opportunity to hear expressions of concern.

Sect. 2. Additional Meetings. There shall be at least one other meeting of the Association, normally in the fall, to conduct Association business other than the regular annual elections and dues changes.

Sect. 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Board, or on petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) members of the Association to consider business stated in the petition.

Sect. 4. Quorum. A quorum at meetings of the Association shall consist of one-fifth (20%) of the membership or fifty (50) members, whichever is less.

Sect. 5. Fiscal, Board, and Membership Years. The fiscal year and the date for new Officers and Board members shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30. The membership year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

Sect. 6. Membership Dues. Dues in the Association shall be recommended by the Board and approved by a majority of the members present and voting at the annual meeting of the Association.

Sect. 7. Committee Assignments. All committee members shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board. The terms of office of standing committees shall be concurrent with that of the President.

Sect. 8. Standing Committees. The standing committees shall be Finance, Membership, Program, Communications, Ombudsman, Retiree Benefits, University Liaison, Awards Nominating, and Governmental Affairs. The chair of each committee shall report regularly to the President and annually, in writing, to the Board prior to the annual meeting.

  1. The Finance Committee, under the chair of the Treasurer, shall administer the funds of the Association as directed by the Board.
  2. The Membership Committee shall have the responsibility for recruiting members, certifying applicants, and implementing policies relating to membership.
  3. The Program Committee, under the chair of the Vice President, shall recommend and develop meeting programs as directed by the Board.
  4. The Communications Committee shall be responsible for disseminating information about the purpose and activities of the Association.
  5. The Ombudsman Committee shall facilitate the resolution of complaints, problems and information requests from retirees.
  6. The Retiree Benefits Committee shall promote the benefits of retirees, keep the Board informed of any proposed changes in these benefits, and suggest changes that the Association should recommend to the University Administration.
  7. The University Liaison Committee shall maintain contact with the administrative officers and committees of the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Missouri System.
  8. The Awards Nominating Committee shall identify candidates for Retiree Awards and prepare the nomination documents for submission to the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Retired Faculty and Staff.
  9. The Government Affairs Committee shall establish procedures for and shall provide oversight of the methods used by MURA to impact the making of University and Governmental rules, regulations and laws affecting University retirees.

Sect. 9. Special Committees. The President may appoint ad hoc and special committees for specific services as needed.

Sect. 10. Amendments. The By-Laws may be amended by a majority of the members present and voting at a meeting of the Association, provided the membership has been notified fifteen (15) days before the meeting. Amendments to the amendment proposed from the floor must be in writing.

University of Missouri-Columbia