CHARTER

CHARTER

MISSION: “To unite the graduates of AUCA and strengthen bonds with the University, to nurture synergetic cooperation for the benefits of Alumni, Alma-Mater, and society”.

ARTICLE I - NAME AND LOCATION

The name of the organization is "Alumni Association of the American University of Central Asia," hereafter called the Association. Its principal office shall be located at the American University of Central Asia, 7/6 Aaly Tokombaev Street, Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic. E-mail: alumni@auca.kg, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auca.graduates, https://www.auca.kg/en/my_auca/ , Instagram: @auca_graduates

ARTICLE II – ORGANIZATION STATUS

The Association is a voluntary, non-political, non-profit membership organization of alumni of the American University of Central Asia, functioning in accordance with the present Charter and pertinent laws of the Kyrgyz Republic.

ARTICLE III – PURPOSES

To develop and provide programs and services for alumni to foster life-long learning and involvement with the University
To assist university students and recent graduates in their career development
To sustain and improve a positive image of the University
To promote university recruitment events
To conduct fundraising activities for funding the above and related non-commercial ends.
All the events and activities shall be directed towards nurturing “giving back” culture among students and alumni.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

Section A.

Qualifications for Membership: All graduates and former students of AUCA can become members upon their expressed desire to join the Association.

Section B.

Privileges of Members

Voting and Office holding privileges - All members shall have voting privileges at all general meetings of the Association and in all balloting by mail and shall be eligible to hold office.

Access to University resources – All members shall be provided free access to university library resources and given an email account in university email system.

Publications and Notices - All members shall receive all alumni publications and notices of general meetings.

Annual Reports - All members shall receive an annual report of Association activities.

Membership package – All members shall receive all the privileges and benefits provided by the AUCA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE V – GOVERNING STRUCTURE

The government of the Association, the establishment of policy, and control of its property shall be vested in an Executive Council. The Council will choose the President from among the members of the Council by consensus. All members of the Council will serve as Officers of the Association.

Section A. Council Membership

The Council shall consist of a President, immediate Past President, Treasurer, Alumni Coordinator, and Heads of three Association Committees.
The three Committees are: Fundraising, Student and University Relations, and Alumni Relations.
All elected members of the Council shall serve a term of one year.
The out-going President will reserve her/his seat in the Council for the duration of the next presidency.
Elected board members may seek successive terms and serve if elected

Section B. Quorum and Vacancies

Five members of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum.Any Council member who has missed three consecutive meetings without notice shall be deemed to have forfeited his/her membership on the Council.Vacancies on the board shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board and shall serve for the remaining term of the previous board member.

ARTICLE VI – ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Alumni Coordinator, Treasurer, and Heads of Association Committees. All officers shall be members of the Association in good standing and elected to office by the membership during the fall meeting. Officers may serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms.

Section A. Duties of Officers

President

The President shall be the chief officer of the Association and the chairperson of the Executive Council; shall preside at meetings of the Council and all meetings of the Association; shall coordinate formulation and promotion of the general program of the Association; shall sign all contracts and obligations of the Association. The President shall submit an annual report of the activities of the Association to the members. As immediate past President she/he shall serve as a member of the Executive Council.

Treasurer

The Treasurer, under the direction of the Executive Council, shall supervise the finances and budgets of the Association. In cooperation with the President, the Treasurer shall provide written reports to the Association at regular meetings. In cooperation with all other members of the Council, the Treasurer will supervise the drafting of annual budget, to be presented to the membership during the fall meeting.

Alumni Coordinator

The Alumni Coordinator, supports alumni communications, coordinates the overall Association activities; is charged with the statutory responsibility to record the proceedings of the meetings of members and the Council.

Heads of Association Committees

Heads of respective committees, are responsible for leading their committee members in developing comprehensive programs and benefits for AUCA community, fostering a spirit of connectivity and loyalty among AUCA alumni and friends.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS

Section A. Elections

The annual election for members of the Executive Council shall be held during the fall meeting of the Association.
The out-going Council members shall conduct the elections. They shall count all votes immediately, and shall announce the vote at that time.
A majority of votes cast shall suffice to elect a candidate. The newly elected officials will assume office the following Jan. 1.

Section B. Nominations

The Past President shall collect and submit nominations at the fall meeting each year. At least one candidate shall be nominated for each position open.
Nominations may be made by members of the Association. Such nominations must be endorsed by the signature of at least five members of the Association and must be submitted to the Past President at least six weeks prior to the general fall meeting.
The Past President will assure that the nominees selected are willing to have their names entered into the candidates’ lists and are willing to serve if elected.
Nominated candidates shall be endorsed by 6 Alumni Association members in order to serve in the Executive Council if elected.

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

The Executive Council shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all standing Committees.

The President shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all special committees.
Members of all standing committees shall be chosen and approved by the Executive Council.
Members of all special committees shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Council.
Members may be removed in the same way except as herein otherwise provided. Following are the Standing Committees of the Association: Alumni Relations Committee, Students and University Relations Committee, and Fundraising Committee.

ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

Section A.

Rules and Procedures - Except as herein otherwise provided, Robert's Rules of Order, the latest revised edition, shall be the authority on all matters of parliamentary procedures.

Section B.

Standing Rules - Standing rules consistent with the Bylaws may be prescribed by the Executive Council to facilitate and expedite the carrying out of duties by the Association.

Section C.

Fiscal Year - The fiscal year of the Association shall coincide with the fiscal year of the American University – Central Asia, which is August 1 to July 31.

Section D.

Meetings of Members

Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of the members shall be held on the first Saturday of November. The Executive Council shall meet prior to this meeting and shall be prepared to give an annual report of its activities and financial status to the Association membership.

Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called in the same manner as for the Executive Council.

Powers. Regular members of the Association by a majority vote of those present shall have the authority to approve, disapprove, or modify all actions taken by the Council and all amendments to the Bylaws at any annual or special meeting.

Notice. All annual and special meetings of the Association shall require at least two weeks’ notice to all members and announcement of the agenda.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Section A.

Notice – Amendments to these Bylaws shall be proposed by the Executive Council at any regular meeting, and approved by the general membership at an annual or special Association meeting.

Section B.

Voting - It shall require a roll call concurring vote of the simple majority of the members of the Association who are present at the meeting to amend the Bylaws.

FIRST AMENDMENT

For the convenience of starting the work of the Association, and recognizing the difficulties and peculiar conditions in the initial stages of its establishment, the provisions of this Charter pertaining to Officers of the Association, members of the Executive Board, elections thereof, and other working procedures shall take effect as of the General Meeting of the Association held on August 6, 2014, as observed in this Charter. Until that time, the pertinent provisions and procedures shall be decided by consensus by the initiative group, the Alumni Coordinator of AUCA, under the aegis of the Development Office of AUCA.

Date of Amendment:

September 5, 2023