MURA Constitution

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be “The MU Retirees Association,” herein referred to as 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 - Membership

The membership of the Association shall consist of University of Missouri retirees, their spouses or surviving spouses, and active faculty or staff age 55 and older 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 IV - Objectives

The objectives of the Association are:

Sect. 1. To promote and protect the legitimate welfare, rights and entitlements of retirees, including, but not limited to, retirement and health benefits.

Sect. 2. To serve as a channel of communication between retirees and the University and with other appropriate groups and individuals in the community beyond.

Sect. 3. To continue as a contributing part of the University family.

Sect. 4. To provide educational and social activities for retirees.

Sect. 5. To encourage members to continue their active participation in, and involvement with, the University family.

Article V - Officers and Board of Directors

Sect. 1. The Officers of the Association shall consist of the President, the President Elect, 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 Retirement, Health, and Other Benefits 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 President Elect shall serve one year, then will become President for one 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 a three-year term with two members 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:

Preside over Association and Board meetings.
Be an ex-officio member of all committees other than the nominating and audit committees.
Appoint the members and chairs of all committees, subject to the approval of the Board no later than at its next meeting.
Assume the duties of the Treasurer in the event that the latter is unable to perform the duties of the office.

The President Elect shall:

Chair the Program Committee and be responsible for the programs of the Association business, informational, social and educational 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.
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 financial reports to be presented to the Board at regular meetings.
Report the financial status of the Association at the annual meeting.

Sect. 6. The Board shall:

Formulate and recommend changes in Association policy.
Direct the activities of the Association between meetings.
Maintain liaison with any group or organization in the interests of the Association.
Approve the appointments of all committee members and chairs.
Recommend any necessary change in membership dues to be voted on by the Association at the annual meeting.
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 President Elect shall assume its duties.

Sect. 8. There shall normally be at least 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.

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 at least fifteen (15) days in advance of such vote. Amendments from the floor that alter the substance of the proposed amendment will not be considered. However, the Association may request a meeting at which a modified amendment is to be presented for consideration.

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 at least 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 the opportunity to consider other matters of interest.

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 fifty (50) members.

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 no later than at its next meeting. 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, Governmental Affairs, and Nominating. The chair of each committee shall report regularly to the President and annually, in writing, to the Board prior to the annual meeting.

The Finance Committee, under the chair of the Treasurer, shall administer the funds of the Association as directed by the Board.
The Membership Committee shall have the responsibility for recruiting members, certifying applicants, and implementing policies relating to membership.
The Program Committee, under the chair of the President Elect, shall recommend and develop meeting programs as directed by the Board.
The Communications Committee shall be responsible for disseminating information about the purpose and activities of the Association, including the periodic newsletter.
The Ombudsman Committee shall facilitate the resolution of complaints, problems and information requests from retirees.
The Retirement, Health and Other 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.
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.
The Awards Committee shall identify candidates for Retiree Awards and prepare the nomination documents for submission to the Chancellor’s Retirement, Health, and Other Benefits Committee.
The Governmental Affairs Committee shall establish procedures for and provide oversight of the methods used by MURA to impact the making of University and Governmental rules, regulations and laws affecting University retirees.
The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members, three of whom shall be the three most recent former presidents of MURA, plus two others appointed by the President from MURA membership at large and/or the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall have no more than three faculty or three staff persons, and a minimum of two members of either gender. It is the Committee’s responsibility to nominate the next president-elect/program chair and members of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is to begin this process no later than December 31.

Sect. 9. Special Committees. The President shall appoint an Audit Committee as an ad hoc committee. The President may appoint other 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.