Professional Women’s Association Bylaws

Approved January 31, 2020 by Membership at Large

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the UCSB Professional Women’s Association.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purposes of this Association are:

  1. To develop awareness among faculty, staff and other campus constituencies of the contributions of women to the mission of UCSB;

  2. To provide activities and support other campus constituencies that contribute to the advancement of women at UCSB;

  3. To serve as a networking and communications channel among women employees at UCSB; and

  4. To provide a forum to influence decisions on campus and community issues that affect women at UCSB.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in this Association shall be open to all persons with an interest in supporting the purpose of the Association. Membership shall become effective upon registration and payment of the annual membership dues. 

Section 2. The membership year shall be established by the Steering Committee and members should be notified of any changes to the membership year in advance. 

ARTICLE IV

DUES

The dues shall be set annually by the Steering Committee. Dues are due and payable upon annual membership registration in order to maintain membership status. Individuals may join the Association at any time. 

ARTICLE V

STEERING COMMITTEE

Section 1. The Steering Committee acts as Board of Directors and is authorized to make decisions. The Steering Committee has the ability to create subcommittees. The President elect may assign or appoint responsibilities as needed. The Steering Committee shall consist of no less than four (4) and no more than sixteen (16) members. Steering Committee positions shall be filled by Association members who are also UCSB employees. 

Section 2. The Steering Committee shall consist of the Officers, Standing Committee Chairs, the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (or designee), and the head of the sponsoring department(s) (or designee). 

Section 2a. The Officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. 

Section 2b. Standing Committee Chairs may be appointed by the Steering Committee to oversee membership, publicity, programming and community service functions. 

Section 2c. The Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (or designee) and the head of the sponsoring department(s) (or designee) are ex officio voting members of the governing body.

Section 3. The Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be elected by ballot of voting members. The Office of the President shall be filled by the Vice President incumbent. If there is a vacancy or resignation of the Vice President incumbent during the elections procedure, the President shall be elected by ballot of voting members. 

Section 4. Two (2) individuals that wish to run as a ticket for Co-President or Co-Vice President shall submit a joint nomination and may be elected as co-officers. The Offices of Treasurer and Secretary shall be filled by one (1) individual each.

Section 5. The term of office for all positions shall be one (1) year, commencing July 1 of each year. No member shall hold the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms. 

Section 6. In the event of a resignation of a co-officer or co-chair, the remaining incumbent shall assume all duties of the role. Vacancies may be appointed by the Steering Committee for the unexpired portion of the term. Vacancy in the role of the President shall be filled by the Vice President. In the event that there are no nominations for President and/or Vice President, the Steering Committee may appoint an individual in the interim. The interim Vice President will need to seek election to the Office of the President for the following term.

ARTICLE VI

ELECTIONS

Section 1. A subcommittee, comprised of Steering Committee members who are not seeking re-election, shall facilitate and make recommendations for the nominations and elections process. Final nominations and elections procedures shall be approved by the Steering Committee. Procedure, nominations, and ballot results shall be documented, archived, and available for auditing purposes.

Section 2. Nominations shall be sought from the Association membership at large. Individuals may self-nominate or nominations may be made on their behalf. 

Section 3. A simple majority vote of 51% of the membership present at any scheduled membership meeting or responsive to any electronic ballot or communication shall constitute a valid election. 

Section 4. In the event of a tie vote, a run-off election shall be held and a simple majority vote of 51% of the membership present at any scheduled membership meeting or responsive to any electronic ballot or communication shall conclude the election.

 

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

Section 1. At least one meeting of the general membership shall be held annually for the purposes of conducting Association business. Additional meetings of the general membership may be organized as necessary by the Steering Committee.

Section 2. The Steering Committee shall meet no less than monthly on days to be determined by the Committee.  Any member of the Association may attend Steering Committee meetings.

ARTICLE VIII

REPRESENTATION AND SPONSORSHIP

In order to further the goals and objectives of the Association, an appointed member of the Steering Committee may serve on other UCSB committees or as delegates to such organizations. No person shall represent or speak on behalf of the Association without approval of the Steering Committee. Joint sponsorship of activities or events with other organizations shall be approved by the Steering Committee.

ARTICLE IX

QUORUM

Section 1. A majority of Steering Committee members shall constitute a quorum of that body. A simple majority vote of 51% shall constitute approval.

Section 2. Those members of the Association present at any scheduled meeting of the membership or responsive to any electronic ballot or communication shall constitute a quorum of that body. A simple majority vote of 51% of those members present at any meeting shall constitute approval.

ARTICLE X

FISCAL YEAR

The Association’s fiscal year shall be from July 1 to June 30 inclusive.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the general membership present at any scheduled membership meeting or responsive to any electronic ballot or communication, provided a copy of the proposed amendments shall have been made available to every voting member at least ten days before it is voted upon. Amendments to the Bylaws are subject to approval by the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement.

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the Association all of its assets shall be transferred within 90 days to The Regents or the Campus Foundation, as designated by the Chancellor, for purposes consistent with the terms of the individual gifts and purposes designated in these Bylaws.