TJHSST Alumni Association

The Official TJ Alumni Site

Thomas Jefferson High School
for Science & Technology
Alumni Association
Bylaws

PREAMBLE

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Alumni Association, as organized and defined herein, is represented in all matters and affairs by a Board of Directors. All references to the "Association" in these bylaws shall be deemed to be in the context of such Board representation. The Association may also be known as the “TJHSST Alumni Association”. All references to the "Jefferson" or "TJHSST" in this document shall mean the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

ARTICLE I
Name

Section 1 - Name

The name of this Association shall be the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Alumni Association. This name can be abbreviated as “TJHSST Alumni Association”.

ARTICLE II
Intentions

Section 1 - Purpose

The purpose of the TJHSST Alumni Association is to develop and maintain a close relationship between TJHSST, its constituents, and its alumni for their mutual benefit. The Association is committed to, and involved in, the support and well-being of Jefferson and its alumni.

Section 2 - Objectives

To assist TJHSST in communicating with its alumni and in maintaining a dialogue which interprets the goals and objectives of Jefferson to the alumni and, conversely, to convey to TJHSST, the views, attitudes, and needs of the alumni in seeking to preserve, advocate and promote alumni interests; to support the missions and goals of Jefferson; to strengthen alumni activities and programs; to serve TJHSST by other ways and means to be mutually determined by the alumni and the school administration.

Section 3 - Not for Profit

The Association is not operated for profit and no profit shall benefit any individual or group of individuals connected with the organization except in consideration for services rendered.

Section 4 - Dissolution

It is the intent of this Association that it shall have perpetual existence. In the event of dissolution, however, its Board of Directors shall, after making provisions for payment of all liabilities, transfer assets to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Partnership Fund, or its successor to be used as determined by Jefferson.

ARTICLE III
Membership

Section 1 - Definition and Classes of Alumni

All persons who have graduated from TJHSST or the TJHSST Senior Experience Program as listed by the Jefferson registrar are defined as being alumni, and are therefore eligible to become Full Members of the Association. Full Members are eligible to vote on Association business.

Persons eligible to become Associate Members are graduates of Jefferson High School prior to 1989, past or present members of the TJHSST faculty or administration, or former students who attended TJHSST, but did not graduate from TJHSST. Associate Members are not eligible to vote on Association business.

Honorary Alumni Association Members are any persons deemed eligible by the Association for rendering distinguished service to Jefferson. Nomination to Honorary Membership may be made to the Executive Committee with majority approval of the Board. Honorary Members are not eligible to vote on Association business.

Section 2 - Dues and Donations

To become a Full or Associate Member of the Association, payment of dues may be required. Honorary Members are exempt from the payment of dues. Unless approved by the Executive Committee, dues will not be prorated. Dues for active membership are to be determined by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors

Section 1 - Organization and Authority

The Association is directed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which acts on behalf of the Association.

Section 2 - Eligibility

Only Full Members, as defined in Article III, Section 1(a), shall be eligible to serve in any of the Association's positions.

Section 3 - Officers

The Board of Directors of this Association shall consist of a President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other at-large members which shall number not less than one and not more than five, as determined by the Board.

Section 4 - Appointment

Members of the Board of Directors, excepting the Past President, shall be appointed by the outgoing Board of Directors in the month of March every second year. The President immediately preceding the current President shall serve ex officio as Past President, unless otherwise determined by the Board. If the general membership calls for an election by the general membership, the Board of Directors shall appoint an Election Chair to supervise elections. Notice of an election shall be made in a timely manner. A majority of votes cast by those present shall constitute an election.

Section 5 - Assumption of Duties

Officers shall assume their official duties beginning the April 1 following the election and shall serve a term of two years or until their successors are appointed. At this time, the new officer will receive and sign for all records, books, and other materials pertaining to that office.

Section 6 - Term Limits

A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms as President, Secretary, or Treasurer. A person who has served more than one-half a full term shall be deemed to have served full term in such office.

Section 7 - Consent

Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve if appointed shall be nominated for or appointed to such office.

Section 8 - Vacancies

Vacancies in appointed positions may be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by a 2/3 vote of the Board.

Section 9 - Removal

Any Board member who fails to conduct the duties described in these bylaws may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the Board.

ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers

Section 1 – President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the organization in order that the Association objectives may be promoted. The President shall have one vote on the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Past President

The Past President shall act as an aide to the President, perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the officer to act. The Past President shall have one vote on the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Secretary

The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the organization and keep a current record of the possession of all records, books, and other materials pertaining to each office. The Secretary shall have one vote on the Board of Directors.

Section 4 - Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds of the organization, keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures made by the Association, make disbursements as approved by the Board and authorized by the President, have checks or vouchers signed by two persons, the Treasurer and one other authorized Board member, present a financial statement at each meeting of the Association and at other times as requested by the Board, and have the accounts and books audited annually or upon change of officer by an auditor or an auditing committee selected by the Board, who, satisfied that the annual report is correct, shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report. The Treasurer shall have one vote on the Board of Directors.

Section 5 – At-Large Members

At-Large members shall assume responsibilities as delegated by the Board. At-Large members shall each have one vote on the Board of Directors.

Section 6 - Other Duties

All officers shall perform the duties outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time. Upon the expiration of office or in case of resignation or dismissal, each officer shall submit to the President, within ten (10) days, all records, books, and other materials pertaining to the office.

ARTICLE VI
Executive Committee

Section 1 - Composition

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors, the principal of the school or a representative appointed by the principal, a faculty representative, a student representative from the senior class as designated by the student government, and a PTSA representative.

Section 2 - Responsibility

Members of the Executive Committee are expected to represent the entire membership, advise on decision-making as requested by the Board of Directors, and meet when called upon by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII
Meetings

Section 1 - Annual Meeting

There will be an annual meeting of the Alumni Association, the date to be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Order of Business

The order of business at the annual meeting shall be:

a.       Call to order

b.       Reading of minutes of previous annual meeting

c.       Financial report

d.       Annual report

e.       Old business

f.         New business

g.       Adjournment

Section 3 - Notice of Meeting

Notice of the annual meeting of the membership shall be made in writing at least 60 days in advance.

ARTICLE VIII
Business of the Alumni Association

Section 1 - Board of Directors Voting

Votes on Alumni Association business shall be by majority and may be taken by proxy as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Committees

The Board of Directors may create and support committees as it may deem necessary for the promotion of the purpose of the Alumni Association.

ARTICLE IX
Amendments

Section 1 - Procedure

The Bylaws of the Association may be altered, amended, or repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a 2/3 vote. A written notice of the proposed amendment(s), with the reasons for them, must be given to each member of the Board at least 30 days in advance of such meeting.

Section 2 - Proposals

Amendments may be proposed by any Association member and must be presented in writing to the President. The text of the proposed amendment(s) shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors with the advice of the Executive Committee, and if necessary, a legal consultation as to the effect, if any, of the proposed amendment on the exempt status within the meaning of Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and the nonprofit status of the Association under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Section 3 - Review

These Bylaws will be reviewed by a committee selected by the Board of Directors every five years.

Approved March 1999.
Revised February 2002.
Revised March 2005.
Revised March 2007.