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Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the School of Public Health Alumni Society. The
Sponsoring Body of this organization is the Dean’s Office, School of Public Health.
Article II. Mission
Our mission is to work collaboratively with the School of Public Health to promote excellence in
the School’s programs, to be of service to its alumni and students, and to advance the
development of public health in our community and the world.
Article III. Goals
Goals of this Society shall be to:
● Promote the pursuit of Alumni careers as a life-long learning process
● Bring the realities of the field to assist the School in keeping current with its’ education,
research and service mission
● Advocate for the School within and outside the University
● Communicate the School’s directions and activities effectively to the Alumni
● Organize resources that will delight and provide value to Alumni including social and
networking opportunities
● Support students with scholarships, mentoring, employment opportunities, and
perspectives of the public health professional
● Energize the Alumni and students with a sense of loyalty and engagement that is
infectious and sustaining
● Contribute to the viability of the School and its programs
● Influence the development and implementation of public health policy
● Develop, strengthen and leverage strategic partnerships, collaborations and other
relationships that further our mission
Article IV. Membership
Membership in the Society shall be open to all graduates, former students who have completed
a minimum of 12-18 credits (a full load for two subsequent semesters), faculty, and
administrators of the School, in accordance with the bylaws of the Minnesota Alumni
Association.
Article V. Board of Directors
All the affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a Board of Directors. The Board shall have
up to 15 voting members elected from the Society. Candidates shall be selected to provide a
broad representation of academic disciplines and professional roles in the alumni membership.
In addition, the President and the Immediate Past President of the Board shall continue to be
voting members of the Board, if their terms have expired. There shall be a voting student
representative appointed by the Student Senate. Also, the Dean of the School of Public Health
and the President and CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, or their
designees, shall be included as ex-officio members.
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Article VI. Officers
The officers of the Board of the Society shall be President, President-elect, Secretary, and
Treasurer. Additional officers may be designated by the Board, if needed.
Article VII. Meetings
The Board of Directors shall annually dedicate one of its meetings to the purpose of electing
executive officers, approving the nomination of a slate of new board members, conducting an
annual review of the bylaws, transitioning board leadership and performing other year-end
business.
Article VIII. Committees
The Executive Committee
The Standing Committees of the Society shall be:
the Membership Committee
the Annual Meeting Coordinating Committee
the Nominating Committee
the Constitutional Committee
Article IX. Amendements
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the SPHAS Board of Directors and by
a two-thirds vote of voting Society members.
Bylaws
Article I. Membership
Section 1. Eligibility. Any individual is eligible for membership in the Society who has met
requirements as may be set by the Minnesota Alumni Association and who:
● is a graduate or former student of the School of Public Health. A “former student” is
anyone who has completed 12-18 credits of study in public health in either day or
evening school, or extension; or
● holds a faculty or administrative position at the University of Minnesota
● Friends
Section 2. Dues. Dues as set and paid to the Minnesota Alumni Association will provide special
benefits to members of the SPH Alumni Society.
Article II. Board of Directors Section 1. Duties.
● The Board of Directors primary responsibility shall be to assure that the Society’s
mission is fulfilled.
● The Board of Directors shall have full power of the Society in all matters demanding
action between meetings of the Society and shall submit for membership approval at the
annual meeting a report of actions taken by them under authority of this Section.
● The Board of Directors following its election shall develop an annual work plan and
budget.
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The Board of Directors shall specify the charge to each committee in writing.
The Board of Directors shall annually review the Constitution and Bylaws for relevance
and accuracy.
The Board of Directors shall discharge its duties in good faith in a manner that the Board
reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the Society, and with the care an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.
The Board of Directors shall establish in its annual work plan the required attendance at
Board Meetings and other performance criteria for its Directors and establish policies for
removal, resignation and replacement of Directors.
Section 2. Meetings.
● The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President or at the request of at least
three members of the Board, and shall hold at least four meetings per year.
● All Board of Directors’ meetings are open to all Society members.
● A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one-half of the
members of the Board, including at least one officer of the Board.
● The Board of Directors shall reach decision by majority vote of those voting.
Section 3. Election. –
● A nominating committee consisting of the immediate Past President and two elected
Board members shall recommend a slate of candidates to the Board to be presented at
the annual meeting. Additional nominations may be filed in writing with the Board prior to
the annual meeting or made from the floor at the meeting. Nominees shall be elected by
majority vote of the members in attendance at the annual meeting and those who cast
absentee ballots. No elected member of the Board shall serve more than two
consecutive terms.
● Nominees shall be elected by majority vote of participating members, casting votes
through electronic or mailed ballots.
● A Call for Nominations communication will be disseminated at least 60 days prior to the
Nomination Committee’s determination of deadline for applicants.
● Terms of office shall be for three years, with four members elected annually. No member
shall serve more than two consecutive terms.
● In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Board of Directors may appoint a
successor for the duration of the unexpired term.
Article III. Officers
Section 1. President
● The President of the Society shall call and preside at all meetings of the Society, Board
of Directors, and the Executive Committee. The President shall appoint, with the
approval of the Board, any additional standing and ad hoc committees and their
chairpersons that the Board deems appropriate and shall be an ex officio member of all
committees. The President, also, shall perform specific responsibilities as may be
established by the Board of Directors.
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The President shall represent the Society at official functions of the School of Public
Health.
The President of the Society shall serve a one-year term immediately following a oneyear term as President Elect
A vacancy occurring in the Presidency during the year shall be filled by the PresidentElect.
Section 2. Past-President
● The Past-President of the Society shall serve on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota
Alumni Association as representative of the School of Public Health.
● The Past-President of the Society shall serve a one-year term immediately following a
one-year term as President-Elect.
● A vacancy occurring in the Past-Presidency during the year shall be filled by a designee
Section 3. President-Elect.
1. The President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability
of the President. The President-Elect shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors
and the Executive Committee. The President-Elect also shall perform specific
responsibilities as may be established by the Board of Directors.
2. The President-Elect of the Society shall be elected by the Board of Directors from
elected members of the Board for a one-year term by a majority of votes cast on a secret
ballot at the first board meeting following the annual meeting.
3. A vacancy occurring in the office of the President-Elect during the year shall be filled in
an election by the Board as soon as possible.
Section 4. Secretary
1. The Secretary shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive
Committee.
2. The Secretary shall maintain records of all official action, meetings, and
correspondence; be responsible for the preparation and distribution of all
communications for the Society as approved by the Board of Directors;
3. The Secretary shall be elected for a one-year term in the same process that provides a
President-Elect.
4. Vacancies occurring in the office of Secretary shall be filled by appointment by the
President for the unexpired terms of the office, subject to approval by the Board of
Directors.
Section 5. Treasurer
1. The Treasurer shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive
Committee. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the supervision of all financial matters
of the Society and shall prepare a financial statement for the Annual Meeting and at
such other times as directed by the Board of Directors.
2. The Treasurer shall be elected for a one-year term in the same process that provides a
President-Elect.
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3. Vacancies occurring in the office of Treasurer shall be filled by appointment by the
President for the unexpired terms of the office, subject to approval by the Board of
Directors.
Article IV. Meetings
Section 1. Annual Meetings.
A. An annual meeting of members of the Society shall be held at such time and place as
selected by the Board of Directors. Notice of the time and place of the annual meeting shall be
published in the official publication of the Society or sent to all members, not less than thirty
days prior to the meeting. Such notice shall include the report of the Nominating Committee.
B. The election of members to the Board of Directors shall be held at the annual meeting. A
report of the election results shall be made during the meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Board of
Directors, the President, or by 25 or more members requesting a special meeting by petition
filed in writing with the President. Special meetings shall be held not less than 30 or more than
60 days after such meetings have been called or requested. The time and place shall be set by
the President or Board and notice shall be given in the same manner as the annual meeting.
Notice of the special meeting shall specify the general nature of the business to be conducted at
that meeting.
Section 3. Quorum. A quorum for special meetings and all other meetings of committees and
subcommittees shall consist of those who are in attendance, provided the meeting has been
officially called and the members or committee persons have all been properly notified.
Article V. Committees
Section 1. Chairpersons.
The Chairperson of each committee shall prepare a report on its activities for each board
meeting and the annual meeting.
Section 2. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Society shall consist of the
officers and the past president. The Executive Committee shall prepare recommendations
concerning affairs of the Society and shall act in the affairs of the Society as authorized by the
Board.
Section 3. Standing Committees. The charge of each standing committee shall be established
by the Board of Directors and transmitted in writing or in procedural manual form. Standing
committees shall be chaired by a member of the Board. The Standing Committees of the
Society shall be:
● The Nominations Committee
● The Governance Committee
● The Gala Committee
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Section 4. Special Committees. Special committees shall be appointed by the Board, shall
have a specific purpose, of a short term nature, and shall be dissolved by the Board when its
task is completed.
Article VI. Amendments
The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Society’s members present or proxy, at
any annual meeting or special meeting. Notice of proposed amendments to either Constitution
or Bylaws shall be filed in writing with the Board not less than 60 days prior to the annual
meeting and transmitted by the Board to all members of the Society not less than thirty days
prior to the meeting.