Mission Statement
The mission of the Pioneer Valley Wellesley Club is to foster connection, engagement, and support among members of the Wellesley community living in Massachusetts’s Connecticut River Valley:
Connection with other members who share interests, life circumstances, and an undergraduate college. The club provides opportunities to welcome newcomers, socialize, maintain connections, and develop meaningful relationships with interesting alums.
Engagement through teaching and learning with those who share a passion for the arts, the environment, community service, and social justice. The club seeks to promote lifetime learning through informative programs and hands-on activities.
Support for one another, our Pioneer Valley community, and the College. We help identify qualified high school students and cultivate their interest in Wellesley; support current students from the area; and serve as a liaison between the College and local alums. Our members bring a wealth of career experience and wisdom to alums facing decisions in their professional lives. Through the “Day to Make a Difference” and other initiatives in service of local needs, we strive to embody Wellesley’s motto, “Non ministrari sed ministrare.”
Adopted by the annual meeting and approved by the board, July 2016
Bylaws for the Wellesley Club of the Pioneer Valley
Adopted by vote of membership at annual meeting on May 17, 2015.
ARTICLE I. NAME
This organization shall be known as Wellesley Club of the Pioneer Valley.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this club shall be to promote the interests of Wellesley College and its alumnae.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Active Members - An alumna is any graduate of Wellesley College or any former student who: (a) has been a candidate for a Wellesley College degree for at least one term and whose class has been graduated, or (b) left in honorable circumstances before completing one term and who has requested membership in the Association after her class has graduated. Any alumna may become an active member on payment of annual dues. Only active members may vote and serve on the board of directors.
Section 2. Associate Members - Any past or present member of the faculty or administration of Wellesley College may become an associate member of the club upon payment of annual dues. Any non-Wellesley parent of a Wellesley daughter, past or present, may become an associate member of the club upon payment of annual dues.
Section 3. Honorary Members - The board of directors may nominate special persons for honorary membership, and such nominees shall become honorary members upon their election by a majority vote of the members at any business meeting. (Often honorary members are younger alumnae during their first year after graduation or older alumnae 50 years or more graduated, and they do not pay dues). Once the older alumnae are elected, they always must be retained on the club roster.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Section 1. Number - The officers shall include a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2. Election - Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting and the Director of Clubs in the Alumnae Office should be sent the names of the new officers by June 30 (or following annual meeting). A nominating committee of three appointed by the President shall present a single slate. Further nominations may be made from the floor provided consent of the nominee has been obtained in advance. Vote shall be voice unless there is more than one for an office, when the vote for that office shall be by ballot.
Section 3. Term - The term of office shall begin at the close of the annual meeting. In general, officers shall serve two years. Any vacancy in an elective office occurring between annual meetings may be filled for the remainder of the year by the president with the approval of the board of directors.
Section 4. Duties - The duties of the officers shall be such as usually pertain to these offices. (See model job descriptions at http://www.wellesley.edu/alumnae/volunteer/volunteerresources/handbook/roleclubstoc.)
ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Members - The board of directors shall consist of the officers of the club and the chairs of standing committees and special committees. Local alumnae who are trustees of the college and local members of the board of directors of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association may be invited to be ex officio members of the board of directors.
Section 2. Duties - The board of directors shall have the management and control of all affairs of the club and direct its activities.
Section 3. Meetings - The board of directors shall meet upon the call of the president.
Section 4. Quorum - After notification to all members of the board of directors of a meeting, the members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Resignation and Removal - Any director may resign by delivering a written resignation to the president or the treasurer/secretary. Such resignation is effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time. Any director may be removed from office, with our without cause, by the affirmative vote of eighty percent (80%) of the voting directors present at a meeting of the board.
Section 6. Appointed Leader or Committee - In the absence of elected officers, the Wellesley College Alumnae Association may appoint a leader or committee to serve during reorganization or until an election can be held.
ARTICLE VI. STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. Number - The standing committee shall consist of one or more of the following: the alumnae admission representative, and the chairs of budget or finance, career/young alumnae representative, directory, hospitality, membership, nominating, program, publicity, fundraising/benefits, and any other person authorized by the board of directors.
Section 2. Chairs - The chair of all standing committees shall be appointed by the president unless otherwise specified.
Section 3. Term - The term of each standing committee chair shall coincide with that of the president unless otherwise specified.
ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS
Section 1. Number - There shall be at least one meetings of the club each year at such time and place as the board of directors shall determine.
Section 2. Annual Meeting - The annual meeting (often the last business meeting of the year) is the appropriate one for election of officers.
Section 3. Quorum - A quorum shall consist of the members present at a meeting of the club for which notices have been mailed to all active members.
ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES
Section 1. Dues - The annual dues shall be set by the board each year after a review of the club’s finances.
Section 2. Council Travel - Twenty-five (25) cents per paid member (active and associate) shall be remitted to the Alumnae Office annually for the Alumnae Leadership Council Travel Fund.
Section 3. Fiscal Year - The fiscal year of this club shall be from annual meeting to annual meeting and shall coincide with the College's July 1- June 30 fiscal year.
ARTICLE IX. LIMITATIONS
Section 1. Purposes - The club is organized, and shall be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.
Section 2. Earnings - No part of the net earnings of the club shall inure to the benefit of any private individual.
Section 3. Activities - No substantial part of the activities of the club shall be carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation; and the club shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), a political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. The club shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law).
Section 4. Disposition of Assets - If the club is dissolved, all its net assets shall be distributed to Wellesley College Alumnae Association who will then make a donation to Wellesley College in the club’s name; or, if the WCAA or Wellesley College is no longer in existence, funds will be distributed solely to organizations qualified as exempt organizations under the section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States internal revenue law). The distribution required by the preceding sentence shall be made by the board of directors or, to the extent not made by them, by a court of equity of competent jurisdiction.
PROCEDURES
In order to keep the bylaws as simple as possible, the club may wish to supplement them with a procedure sheet. In this should list every policy decision made by the board of directors. Provisions and rules set forth in such a form can be changed by a majority vote of the executive board of the club without lengthy or formal presentation to the entire club membership.