CONSTITUTION OF THE WISCONSIN ALUMNI CHAPTER OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD JULY 17, 2012. AMENDED SEPTEMBER 10, 2018.
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) – Washington, D.C. Chapter (DC Badgers).
The purpose of this chapter is to
Article II – Purpose
- Engage and foster a community of University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni within the chapter area.
- Encourage qualified young people to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Create and distribute scholarships and grants for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Establish closer contact between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its alumni in the chapter area.
- Cooperate with the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) in promoting the best interests of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Article III – Area
The area serviced by this chapter shall be as mutually agreed upon by the chapter and the WAA. The area shall include, in addition to Washington, D.C., neighboring portions of the states of Maryland and Virginia.
Article IV – Chapter Member
Any person who has been a student, member of the faculty, or has an interest in the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shall be entitled to membership in the chapter. The chapter board may establish annual dues for chapter members.
Article V – Chapter Board
The primary role of the chapter board is to achieve the purpose of the chapter. The chapter board shall be comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, board members, and at- large representatives. Board membership is further outlined in the chapter bylaws.
Article VI – Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall have the power to:
- Facilitate communication between WAA and the chapter board and chapter members.
- Facilitate communication between the chapter and the community at large.
- Require any report, memorandum, or task from any person, group, or committee that is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the chapter.
Article VII – Meetings and Activities
Membership within the chapter board is concurrent with the fiscal year, July 1-June 30. The chapter board will hold monthly meetings and plan activities to coincide with the goals outlined in Article II and to maintain the interest and enthusiasm of chapter members.
Article VIII – Chapter Status
A goal of the chapter board is to achieve Bascom Chapter status annually. Requirements for this status can be found within the Wisconsin Alumni Association Chapter Leader Handbook.
Article IX – Amendment
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of chapter board members.
BY-LAWS OF THE WISCONSIN ALUMNI CHAPTER OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD MAY 22, 1990. AMENDED: OCTOBER 28, 2003; MARCH 11, 2009; JULY 12, 2012; JANUARY 23, 2017; SEPTEMBER 10, 2018.
Section VI – Board Committees
The chapter board may establish committees to achieve the purpose of the chapter. Examples of board committees may include:
- Communications
- Admissions and Recruitment
- Awards and Recognition
- Social Events
- Professional Networking
- Athletics
- Fundraising
- Scholarship
- Investment
- Any additional committees proposed by the chapter board
All committees shall have a chairperson who is nominated by a current board member, including self-nominations. Elections and terms of chairpersons shall resemble Section II. Committee membership shall be determined by the needs of each committee and with the exception of the Investment and Scholarship Committees, do not require elections for membership.
Section VII – Communications Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create a Communications Committee for the purpose of communicating with alumni to increase awareness and maintain good public relations for the local chapter and WAA. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Work with chapter leadership, chapter committees, and WAA staff to develop an annual communications calendar for the chapter.
- Responsible for regularly updating chapter website with local chapter events, WAA news, fundraising opportunities, and other important information.
- Responsible for the creation and submission of monthly newsletter submissions and special events to WAA.
- Keep an active presence of WAA and of the local chapter on various social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
- Engage with alumni through social media outlets.
- Stay up to date with all local chapter and WAA corporate events to market and communicate to alumni.
Section VIII – Admissions and Recruitment Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create an Admissions and Recruitment Committee for the purpose of providing opportunities for alumni to support student admission efforts to enroll a competitive and diverse student body. Volunteers assist by connecting with prospective students in communities within Washington, D.C. and neighboring portions of the states of Maryland and Virginia. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Create meaningful points of contact between UW-Madison, alumni, and prospective students and their families.
- Increase the number of competitive and qualified students considering the University of Wisconsin-Madison and increase the percentage of admitted students enrolling.
- Provide assistance to the university's admissions efforts.
- Increase alumni engagement with UW-Madison.
Section IX – Awards and Recognition Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create an Awards and Recognition Committee for the purpose of recognizing local alumni and overseeing the guideline for award recipients. This committee works with the Executive Committee and WAA to recognize and award local alumni (i.e. Badger of the Year) and recommends engagement opportunities of award recipients afterwards. Additionally, this committee may nominate local alumni for national awards (i.e. Forward under 40, Distinguished Alumni) as necessary. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Keep up to date on WAA award and recognition guidelines for Badger of the Year, Distinguished Alumni, Forward under 40, and Lifetime Achievement awards.
- Submit all necessary paperwork and submission forms to WAA.
- Nominate and/or select recipients for chapter and WAA awards.
- Work with the Executive Committee and WAA staff as necessary to plan recognition events for meaningful award presentations.
Section X – Social Events Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create a Social Events Committee for the purpose of engaging local alumni in a variety of events that include community service projects, holiday events, community events, family events, and outdoor excursions. This team is responsible for planning and executing events that display Badger pride and boost the Badger spirit. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Plan and coordinate events to welcome, connect and support alumni with local Badgers and the university.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement WAA corporate events to welcome, connect and support alumni.
- Plan and coordinate game watch or tailgate events for bowl games, B1G Ten tournaments, and NCAA tournaments as necessary.
- Plan and coordinate a variety of events based on the interests of chapter members.
- Oversee event logistics: secure venues, oversee event programming and content, lead on-site registration and check-in, and manage event execution including setup and teardown.
- Support events that are organized and/or sponsored by the university or WAA happening in the community.
Section XI – Professional Networking Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create a Professional Networking Committee for the purpose of planning and executing networking events that can include happy hours, industry panels, young professionals, and professional development events. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Plan and coordinate events to welcome, connect and support alumni with local Badgers and the university.
- Plan and coordinate a variety of events based on the interests of chapter members.
Section XII – Athletics Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create an Athletics Committee for the purpose of planning and executing alumni athletic social programs, chapter sports teams, or other athletic events based on the interest of the local chapter. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Plan and coordinate fun events to connect alumni and ignite the Badger spirit in support of UW Badger alumni athletic events (i.e. football games, basketball games, volleyball, etc.).
- Incorporate alumni interest and participation in chapter sports teams.
Section XIII – Fundraising Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create a Fundraising Committee for the purpose of planning and executing fundraising activities, including raising funds for the chapter and scholarship fund. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- Establish a fundraising calendar of events: many of which to take place alongside other planned chapter events.
- Oversee pre-event preparations for fundraising, such as acquiring items for raffles and auctions.
- Ensure fundraising policy and protocol is followed and necessary reporting is submitted to WFAA.
Section XIV – Scholarship Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create a Scholarship Committee to oversee the scholarship program. This committee is responsible for overseeing all administrative and communication processes for the scholarship program. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- The Scholarship Committee shall be comprised of five members of the chapter board who have been on the board for at least one consecutive year. Membership will be determined by elections and shall resemble Section II. In addition to the five members of the chapter board, the Treasurer will serve in an advisory role to the Scholarship Committee but will not have voting rights.
- Determine application process, including form written application.
- Promote scholarship program in the community, at chapter events, and via email, web, and social media.
- Oversee the administrative process: collect applications, interview candidates, select recipients based on recommended university priorities.
- Determine allocation amounts.
- Submit all necessary information and paperwork to WFAA by the specified deadlines.
- Provide all necessary communications with candidates throughout the application process as it is determined.
Section XV – Investment Committee
The chapter may have the authority to create an Investment Committee for the purpose of investing and growing chapter assets. In addition, the committee shall function and abide by the following:
- The Investment Committee shall be comprised of five members of the chapter board who have been on the board for at least one consecutive year. Membership will be determined by elections and shall resemble Section II. The committee must include the Treasurer but not the President.
- Three members of the committee must be present for the committee to conduct business and vote.
- The President and Treasurer shall have authority over the bank accounts for the purpose of providing funds to the committee to invest.
- Decisions pertaining to the amount and location of funds to be invested, moved, or withdrawn shall be determined by a vote by the chapter board.
- The chapter board shall determine when assets will be liquefied for the purpose of events, scholarships, or other needs.
- In the event the manager of the funds needs to be evaluated, the Investment Committee will make a recommendation to the chapter board. The chapter board will then govern the firing or replacement of the money manager.
- In the event that the Investment Committee needs to be dissolved, all assets will be withdrawn and placed back into the chapter checking account. Timing of this procedure shall be determined by the chapter board.
Section XVI – Expenditures
Expenditures exceeding $500.00 must be approved by a majority of the board at a regular meeting or by consensus of the members of the Executive Committee. Subject to this limitation, the Treasurer is authorized to disburse funds for purposes within the scope of Article II of the Constitution.
Section XVII – Dissolution
In the event that the chapter is dissolved, and has not merged into or become part of another WAA local chapter, the chapter’s funds shall, to the extent permitted by law, go to the University of Wisconsin Foundation.
Section XVIII – Amendment
The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of chapter board members.
APPROVED AT THE CHAPTER BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2018