NECI Alumni Association:

• Board of Directors
• Alumni Association By-Laws
• Distinguished Graduate Award
• Alumni Association Calendar

NECI Alumni Association By-Laws

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME AND LOCATION

The organization shall be known as the New England Culinary Institute Alumni Association with its principal office on the main campus of the school. 

ARTICLE II (a).  VISION STATEMENT

That a strong, loyal and proud group of alumni, if brought together in an organized manner, will create amongst themselves, an organization capable of:

1. perpetuating mutual, professional support for alumni,
2. enhancing the symbiotic relationship between alumni and the NECI institution, and
3. increasing the ability of NECI to recruit quality students.

ARTICLE II (b).  MISSION STATEMENT

The alumni association will bring its vision to life through the accomplishment of several goals.

• Provide alumni and future alumni the ability to network in an efficient and mutually beneficial manner.
• Perpetuate the NECI experience by raising awareness of and promotion of the exclusive network of NECI alumni.
• Coordinate, promote, and encourage alumni participation in periodic alumni events, professional seminars, and educational opportunities.
• Facilitate active communication and exchange between alumni and the NECI administration in manners of concern regarding educational objectives.
• Forge positive relationships with outside institutions which will promote good will and enhance the alumni association's mission.
• Establish a scholarship fund to assist NECI in securing qualified students.
• Raise and maintain a fiscally sound account of assets to aid the association in its mission.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Association shall consist of all former students who have attended at least one academic year in any degree or certificate granting program of the New England Culinary Institute.  Membership includes voting rights, participation in all membership meetings and other benefits currently offered as well as future benefits, to be determined.  Long time supporters and/or other individuals with special interest in supporting the ideals of the NECI Alumni Association may be nominated by a current member for honorary membership, to be voted upon at a membership meeting or Board of Directors meeting.  Alumni seeking to be removed from the Alumni Association should contact the Director of Alumni Relations.

ARTICLE IV.  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The Board of Directors shall serve the interests of the Association and Institute, shall determine the policy of the Association insofar as it affects the interests of the Association and the Institute, and otherwise shall undertake measures necessary to carry out its responsibilities.  The Board of Directors will report at least annually to the Association.  The Board of Directors, as nominated and elected, shall consist of:

a.      A President
b.      A Vice President
c.      Up to five at-large Directors
d.      The immediate past President (ex officio)

There will be a minimum of seven (7) members of the Board of Directors with voting rights.

The elections shall be conducted electronically each spring such that the new Directors are in place for the annual meeting. 

Officers and other Board members shall assume their responsibilities at the annual meeting and end them at the annual meeting of the Association that marks the completion of their respective terms. 

Elected Board of Directors shall serve a three (3) year staggered term.  No member of the Board of Directors having a vote shall serve more than 10 years including their time as officers.

The Board may include several non-voting members who are officers of the Institute, faculty, regional chapter presidents, and the Institute's liaison to the Association. 

Committees of the Association may be formed by the Board of Directors and may include, where appropriate, members who are not Directors.  Board Directors will serve as liaisons to assist and direct committees.

Directors must be a graduate and be willing to serve their full terms.  Directors are expected to be in attendance for at least 2/3 of the meetings each year and at the annual meeting of the Alumni Association.

The Executive Committee will consist of the Past President, President, and Vice President.  The Vice President will automatically succeed the President.

The Board of Directors will elect a new Vice President every two years from the current Directors at Large.  Unless a waiver is granted by a majority attending the annual meeting, the President and Vice President may not succeed themselves. 

Vacancies may be filled by the Board of Directors until such time as there is an election.

Special meetings of the Board shall be called by the President upon written request of a majority of the Directors.  A quorum shall be no less than half of the voting members of the Board. 

Notices of Board meetings shall be sent at least 20 days in advance of the meetings unless waived by a majority of the Board.   Any business to be placed on the agenda must be submitted in writing to the Association office at least 30 days before the scheduled meeting.  An electronic notice of meetings of the Association shall be deemed sufficient unless the President or a majority of the Directors deems otherwise.

Officer Descriptions

Past President - The Past President will serve for one year after serving as President of the Board of Directors.  Past President will sit on all board meetings and executive board meetings to assist officers and offer guidance.  The Past President has no voting privileges.

President - President will establish agendas for the executive committee and Board of Director meetings.  President will oversee all meetings.  President will help to drive member participation in the association.  The President serves for a term of two years.

Vice President - Shall preside over meetings in the absence of the President.  Primary function will be liaison to committees.  The Vice President serves for a term of two years.

ARTICLE V.  ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, BOARD MEETINGS

The Association shall meet at least once a year, ideally at the time of the annual alumni reunion.  This meeting shall be deemed the Annual Meeting.  Others may be held at a time to be designated by the President and conducted electronically, or at a time and place to be selected by the President.  Meetings shall be announced and open to all alumni who have indicated an interest in participating.  All alumni embracing the purposes of the Association will have voting privileges at the meetings.  Special meetings of the Association may be requested upon delivery of a petition to the President presented by at least 15 alumni.

Notices of all Alumni Association meetings shall be sent at least 45 days in advance of the meeting unless waived by a majority of the Board.  Agenda items, including nominations, must be presented to the Association office at least 60 days before the scheduled meeting unless waived by a majority of the Board.  An electronic notice of meetings of the Association shall be deemed sufficient unless the President or a majority of the Directors deems otherwise.  A majority of those participating in the meetings shall be empowered to make decisions.     

The President shall preside at meetings of the Directors, the Association, and at ceremonial occasions as required, and otherwise perform all duties of the office.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President or voting Director with the longest tenure shall preside at meetings.

The Institute's liaison shall serve as secretary, provide condensed minutes, keep records, update membership lists, and conduct correspondence as needed. 

Upon the mutual consent of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the New England Culinary Institute Board of Directors, a Board member of the Alumni Association may also serve as a Director on the NECI Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI.  CHAPTER ORGANIZATION: REGIONAL AND CLASS AFFILIATION

The Alumni Association encourages Alumni to formalize chapters either regionally or through class affiliations.   The mission and purpose of these chapters is the same as the alumni association.  Chapters must designate a representative who is responsible for all communication with the board and the school regarding chapter activities and initiatives.  Representatives will be invited to the annual meeting of the Association, informed about the purposes and activities of the Association, and educated about their responsibilities. The Representative of each regional chapter shall be an official voting member of the Board of Directors of the Association according to terms laid out in ARTICLE V.

ARTICLE VII. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, STUDENT RECRUITMENT, AND THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Members, whether through their affiliation with the Association, regional chapters or affiliated organizations will be expected to represent the Institute in appropriate venues.  Members will participate in the educational process on many levels:  media mentions, formally encouraging prospective students, working with current interns, hosting Alumni and/or Admissions events, participating as an instructor or guest in NECI's online courses or at the school.  Members, whether through their affiliation with the Association, regional chapters or affiliated organizations, will be expected to take an active role in promoting and contributing to the financial support of the Institute via the Scholarship Fund.

ARTICLE VIII.  AMENDMENTS

These by-laws may be amended at the annual meeting of the Association by two thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that a notice of the proposed change has been communicated according to ARTICLE V. 

 

rev. September 22, 2009