Bylaws

Section 1. Eligibility

Membership is open to retirees who were full or part-time contract faculty and administrative or classified staff and who have five or more years of teaching, administrative, or classified experience with the University. Spouses and/or partners of BGSU retirees or spouses and/or partners of deceased retirees who were eligible for full membership may become associate members. Spouses and/or partners may continue to hold associate membership upon the demise of the partner. Only full members may hold office in the organization.

Section 2. Categories of Membership

1. Full Membership

Full membership is attained by satisfying the conditions mentioned in Section 1 for retired BGSU personnel and the payment of the organization’s dues.

2. Associate Membership

Associate membership is attained by being the current or surviving spouse and/or partner of a full member and by paying appropriate dues.

3. Special Membership

The Board may grant membership under special circumstances. A member granted Special Membership status will pay full membership dues.

4. Honorary Membership

The Board of Directors of the organization may grant honorary membership to a nonmember or to a member for extraordinary service to the organization. A member granted honorary status is exempt from paying dues to the Association.

Section 1. Principles of Governance

1. General Membership

Members holding full membership in the Organization shall have the responsibility of approving the Bylaws and any changes thereto, electing the Organization’s officers and the members of the Board of Directors, and serving on committees.

2. Governance

The primary governing body of BGSU Retirees Association shall be a Board of Directors whose Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association. The Board shall be accountable to the members of the Organization and shall be responsible for all major decision- making which is needed and necessary to achieve the purposes of the Association and to implement its policies and Bylaws. All significant recommendations, matters of concern, suggestions of importance, and amendments to the Bylaws shall be directed to the Board and its committees. The Board may then either attend directly to these matters or present them to the Association for its consideration.

Section 2. Elected Officers of the Association

The elected officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers are expected to have served one year on the Board of Directors or to have served in a leadership position in another organization to be eligible for one of the positions. In the event an elected office becomes vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement.

1. Responsibilities of Elected Officers
   1. President. The President of the Association shall preside over all meetings of the Association and Board, chair the Executive Committee, make appointments that are the responsibility of the office and be responsible for all the ordinary, immediate, and daily decision-making necessary to achieve the purposes of the Association. In the event of a vacancy in a position, the President shall appoint a replacement after consultation with the Nominating Committee.
   2. Vice President. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside at meetings of the Association, Board, and Executive Committee and perform functions appropriate to the office of the Vice President. The Vice President shall assist the President in performing the functions appropriate to the office of the President.
   3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all the meetings of the Association, Board, and Executive Committee. In addition, the Secretary shall be responsible for collecting, filing, and maintaining records, documents, and membership rolls of the Association and for performing such other duties as are generally related to the office.
   4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall maintain the accounts of the Association, receive and disburse all monies, and report regularly, at least quarterly, to the Board on the financial condition of the Association.
2. Election and Appointment of Officers
   1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Association (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) shall be elected by the Board in the spring. Officers elected by the Board shall be confirmed by the full BGSURA membership via notification and request for approval from the Nominating Committee. Officers must be approved by a majority of BGSURA members voting.
   2. Appointed Officers. The appointed officers shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board.
3. Officer Terms of Office

The terms of office of the elected officers of the Association shall be two years with option of renewal. The election of the officers shall be staggered so that at least two officers are up for election in any one year.

The terms of office of appointed officers shall continue so long as the officer wishes and the Executive Committee is satisfied with the performance of the officer. After 2 unexcused absences, to be defined as failure to notify the President of the need to be absent, would be removed from the office/position.

Section 3. Board of Directors

1. Membership of the Board

The Board shall consist of a minimum of 12 individuals elected from those members holding full membership. In addition, the Board shall include the elected and appointed officers of the organization. Each director shall serve a term of two years with the possibility of renewal, but limited to three consecutive two-year terms. The directors’ terms of office shall be staggered with six directors standing for election each year. In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint a replacement after consultation with the Nominating Committee.

2. Standing Committees of the Board and Other Positions

The standing committees of the Board and other positions shall be Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, Program Committee, Activities Committee, Bylaws Committee, Membership Committee, Benevolence Committee, Publicity Committee, Newsletter Editor, OCHER Representative(s), and Data Base Administrator. With the exception of the Executive Committee, committees and committee chairs shall be appointed by the President and shall be selected from the Board or from the membership-at-large.

3. Responsibilities of the Committees and Other Positions
   1. Executive Committee.The Executive Committee shall consist of the four elected officers of the Association (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) and shall have the responsibility
   2. Nominating Committee.The Nominating Committee shall nominate individuals to fill vacancies on the Board and on the various offices of the Association as they become vacant. The committee shall endeavor to have the Board, committees and officers be representative of the diversity of the membership.
   3. Program Committee.The program committee shall plan the programs for the Association’s luncheon meetings, the annual convocation, and any other meetings of the Association.
   4. Activities Committee.The Activities Committee shall organize social and interest groups for the Association.
   5. Bylaws Committee.The Bylaws Committee shall periodically review the Bylaws of the Association to see that they are consistent with the objectives of the organization. The committee shall also receive proposals from the membership for revision of the Bylaws and prepare them for presentation to the Board and the membership for their consideration.
   6. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall recruit members, prepare membership recruitment materials, and develop a membership campaign. The committee shall process membership dues through the Treasurer and membership data for input by the Data Base Administrator. The committee shall see that a membership directory is published annually in conjunction with the Data Base Administrator and the newsletter editor.
   7. Benevolence Committee. The Benevolence Committee shall send or e-mail condolences upon the death of a member and prepare an obituary for the BGSURA newsletter. The Committee also prepares an annual report of members who have passed away for remembrance in the Newsletter.
   8. Publicity Committee. The Publicity Committee is responsible for providing information about the Organization activities and events to the media. Providing information about members and their noteworthy accomplishments to the media such as newly retired members, their department, job title, years of service, and any other relevant information.
   9. Newsletter Editor. The Editor, working closely with the Executive Committee, shall prepare periodic newsletters (printed and digital) for distribution to the membership and other appropriate and interested persons. The newsletter is the Association’s primary means of communication.
   10. OCHER Representative(s). The BGSU Retirees Association representative(s) to the Ohio Council of Higher Education Retirees shall represent the Bowling Green State University Retirees Association at all OCHER meetings and report and exchange information and ideas affecting retirees to both the Bowling Green State University Retirees Association Board and the Ohio Council of Higher Education Retirees.
   11. Data Base Administrator. The Data Base Administrator shall maintain and keep current the computerized membership list, generate mailing labels and information for the annual directory of members, provide information for updating the web site, and assist in other issues relating to the technological functions of the Association.
   12. Special Committees. The President shall appoint such special committees with the approval of the Board of Directors as shall from time to time be needed to carry on the work of the Association.

Section 4. Observers—University Councils

Observers are nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved by the President for reporting on information to and from the Association and University councils (Administrative Staff Council and Classified Staff Council). The observers shall present to the Board of Directors at each Board meeting and prepare reports for the Newsletter. Observers shall serve a two-year term and are voting members of the Board.

Section 5. Faculty Senate

A retired faculty member will be elected to Faculty Senate according to the Faculty Senate process. Nominees for the position are sought from retired faculty members, including BGSURA members, by the Faculty Senate office.

The Administrative and Fiscal Year of the Association shall be from July 1 to June 30 (which will parallel and encompass the University’s academic and business year) and will be divided into four successive quarters of three months beginning July 1.

Section 1. Board Meetings

The Board shall meet four times yearly, once during each quarter upon the call of the President and at such times as deemed appropriate by the President of the Organization. The Board is authorized to meet and conduct business by USPS mail or electronic means, including, but not limited to, e-mail, telephone, fax, or computer, provided that all members have access to the information and/or debate through one or more of the means listed.

Section 2. Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee shall be available for meetings as needed upon the call of the President of the Organization.

Section 3. Committee Meetings

Standing and ad hoc committees shall meet upon the call of their chairs.

Section 4. Annual Convocation

An annual convocation of the membership shall be held each fall. All leadership positions, appointments, and significant plans and events shall be in place and announced at this time.

Section 1. Dues

The Board of Directors shall determine the Association’s annual dues which shall be collected during the first quarter of the Association’s Administrative and Fiscal Year.

Amendments to the Bylaws may be suggested or recommended to the Board for consideration by the membership. These suggested modifications are to be submitted to the Bylaws Committee for its review and preparation for presentation to the Board. The Board shall receive notice of an impending vote on an amendment to the Bylaws. An amendment must be approved by a two-thirds count of those voting.

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and where they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order that the Association may adopt.

In the event that the Bowling Green State University Retirees Association should cease to exist, all funds remaining, after payment of just debts, shall be transferred to the appropriate Bowling Green State University Development Fund as identified by the BGSURA Board for its control and designation.

Amended June 1, 2002
Amended June 1, 2004
Amended June 1, 2008
Amended June 1, 2010
Amended June 1, 2012
Amended June 1, 2017
Amended June 1, 2025