A. CONSTITUTION

OBJECTIVE: 

The objective of the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association Inc., hereafter known as the “Association”, is to support the ideals and advancements of veterinary medicine at the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM), along with the TUCVM alumni and students. 

The Association shall work toward mobilizing alumni and friends’ support for TUCVM and Tuskegee University. The Association shall maintain liaison and working relationships with the Tuskegee National Alumni Association (TNAA) organizational structure at all levels; and working relationship with faculty, staff, students, administration, trustees and such other groups that will foster the program of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

ARTICLE I – NAME 

The name of the Association shall be the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association (TVMAA), Incorporated in the State of Alabama. 

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. 

 Full Membership in this Association shall be open to ALL graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University. 

Section 2. 

Associate Membership should include those persons who are not graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University, but demonstrate interest in the Association’s goals. 

Associate Membership for Senior Students of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University shall be granted for the final year of the academic training period. 

Section 3. 

 Honorary Membership may be conferred as detailed in the by-laws. See Chapter I – Membership Duties 

Section 4. Membership Expulsion 

 Members may recommend for expulsion by the Executive Council for conduct detrimental to the good of the Association. Members subject to expulsion by the Association will be voted on by the general body of the Association at an annual meeting, or special meeting called for that purpose. 

The Executive Council shall have the responsibility for review and study of the situation and make recommendations to the body for action. A member may be expelled by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership. 

ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

The Executive Committee of active elected officers of this Association shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and immediate Past President. The Executive Committee will have the authority to make decisions in the absence of the Executive Council meetings. 

ARTICLE IV – THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 

The Executive Council of active elected officers of this Association shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President and eleven (11) members including at least (1) representative from the student body for a total of seventeen (17) who shall constitute an Executive Council; with the exception of the Distinguished Former Council Members, adding up to 3 council members 

The governing and direction of this Association and the control of its property shall be vested in The Executive Council, subject to the approval of the Association: 

Executive Council Members and the Student Council Representative(s) shall be available to the Council to share concerns, suggestions and information concerning TUCVM, and to communicate Council work and matters that the TUCVM administration and student organizations have shared with the Council. 

Executive Council Members shall represent TVMAA and advocate for TUCVM. 

Executive Council Members shall maintain a professional code of personal conduct, behavior, and demeanor when representing the Council.

Executive Council Members shall attend ALL General Association, Council, and specialty or ad hoc meetings.

Council members are expected to attend ALL meetings and accept at least (or a minimum of) one (1) committee assignment by the President.   Executive Council Members shall serve on, a minimum of, one standing committee. 

2. The Distinguished Former Council is an extension of the TVMAA Executive Council. Membership will include up to 3 members appointed by the President and will be comprised of past elected or appointed council members. Membership is by invitation.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS 

Section 1. Meeting Types 

Meeting types will include, but not be limited to: 

TVMAA General Association Meeting

This meeting shall be inclusive of all elected Council members and will be open to all members. 

TVMAA Executive Council Meeting

This meeting shall be inclusive of all elected/appointed Council members and Association members. 

TVMAA Committee Meeting

Committee meetings shall be called by the committee chair/co-chair and is open to committee members, Association members and invited guests of the chair. 

Special/Ad Hoc Meeting

Special meetings may be called by the Council President/Officers, committee chairs, or at the request of Council members. 

Section 2. Meeting Forums / Venues 

Scheduled meetings of the General Association Meeting and Executive Council Meeting will be held during the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Veterinary Symposium and during the Fall Scientific Conference unless there are extenuating circumstances prohibiting conduct of such events.

The Executive Council schedules the time and place of ALL meetings of the Association. Organizing such meetings using virtual platforms (e. teleconference, video conference, etc.) and/or in-person venues to facilitate the conduct of business are acceptable.

Section 3. Executive Council Meeting Attendance 

Council members are expected to attend ALL meetings and accept at least (or a minimum of) one (1) committee assignment by the President.

Secretary will maintain a roster of Council member attendance and will notify those members with a warning indicating their lack of participation. Following the initial warning letter, following receipt of an initial warning letter, the Secretary will notify the Executive Council of any continued lack of participation or lack of committee activity of an identified Council members; Executive Council to determine the council member’s continued participation or not. 

If a members’ intention is to discontinue serving on the Council OR the Executive Council determines that a member’s absenteeism or participation is unsatisfactory, the member will be asked to resign OR be dismissed.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION 

The Constitution may be amended at any regular in-person meeting or by email or mail-in vote of the Association by a three-fourth (3/4) vote of the active members. The proposed amendment shall have been reviewed by the Executive Council and emailed and/or mailed by the Secretary to each active member not less than one month prior to the time of voting on the TVMAA Constitution.