By Jennifer Nevins
Fellow alumni, we are halfway through our 120th year of service to alumni and students, and I am pleased that more alumni are becoming members of the association each day. We are moving towards our goal of 20,000 members by June 30, 2015. UWAA membership is meaningful and never more so than when you have the opportunity to participate in significant decisions that advance the association. In March, we shared with you a plan to restructure the governance model, an outcome of a year-long strategic planning process. Incident to this evaluation, the UWAA’s Board of Directors has written and proposed a restatement of its bylaws, designed to strengthen the governance function and expand outreach to our alumni throughout the world. These bylaws may be read, in their entirety, by visiting at the UWAA’s website uwyo.edu/alumni and clicking on “Bylaws.” Highlights of the proposed bylaws include a reduction of the number of directors and the selection process. Currently, the UWAA bylaws provide that there shall be a director from each of Wyoming’s 23 counties, and 19 additional directors from various locations throughout the United States. The new bylaws reduce the number of directors to 17, which is expected to enhance communication, efficiency, training and committee operations. In order to permit a gradual restructuring of the composition of the board such that all current board members may fully serve their existing terms, Article VI, Section 2, sets forth a process by which the size of the board will be reduced to the proposed level. While the governing board of directors will be smaller than our current size, we recognize the importance to our organization for geographical representation being a factor in selecting UWAA leadership. Therefore, we will retain the unique local and regional benefits of a geographical model (similar to the model by which the board is currently populated) through the formation of the Brown and Gold Alumni Council. This council will be populated with enthusiastic UW alumni volunteers who will support revenue generation, student recruitment, and connection with alumni networks, chapters and other constituencies. (See Article VIII of the proposed bylaws.)
Wyoming law regarding nonprofit corporations requires the board to present to the membership the proposed bylaw changes, and the membership may vote on the newly written bylaws. A ballot whereby you may vote on these bylaws is provided on the website. You are encouraged to review the bylaws and cast your vote for or against the adoption of these bylaws. If approved by a two-thirds vote of the voting members casting votes, the bylaws will be officially amended, and we will proceed with implementation of the restructured governance model.
If you have any comments or questions regarding this proposed change to share with the board, please email uwaapres@uwyo.edu, and one of our board members or staff members will respond to you promptly. Thank you in advance for your participation in this process.
Proud to be a UW alumna. Go Pokes!
Jennifer Nevins (B.S.P. ’76)
President
