Recreation Park and Tourism Management APG Constitution and Board Meetings

CONSTITUTION OF THE
PENN STATE RECREATION, PARK AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT
AFFILIATE PROGRAM GROUP

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

ADOPTED:

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Penn State Recreation, Park and Tourism Management (RPTM) Affiliate Program Group of The Pennsylvania State University, hereinafter referred to as the “RPTM APG." It is an Affiliate Program of the Penn State Alumni Association and the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the RPTM APG is to unite alumni from the RPTM Program of the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management and the college of Health and Human Development as well as to strengthen the professional reputation of the major by providing a means whereby alumni may join together in a network to achieve closer alliance among its alumni, faculty and students, while enhancing the stature and effectiveness of the RPTM program. More specifically, the objectives of this APG include, but are not limited to:

Program Support- To provide support to the Program, Department and University that positively refects the major.
Educational Support- Work to enhance the Program learning experience and increase the opportunities for ongoing learning experiences for those students and/or alumni who desire such educational support.
Social/Professional Activities - To provide professionals, alumni, faculty and students a formal system which provides a vehicle for networking opportunities and building closer alliances.
Communication- Provide a mechanism for expanded and effective interactions betweenn alumni, university administators, faculty, and students.
Mentor/Mentee Program- Facilitate and participate in the Mentoring Program of the College of Health and Human Development.
Future Focus- Provide and share information about trends and future movements within the profession of recreation and parks management.
Ideals and Ethics- To foster and encourage the highest ideals and ethics within the professional world of recreation and parks.
Awards- Recognize individuals for outstanding achievements

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be governed by the following criteria:

SECTION 1. ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP

**Active Membership in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management APG shall not be representative of any type of certification.

All persons who have graduated from the University Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Department (or its University predecessors, or related programs) shall automatically be admitted as “Alumni Members” with full membership privileges.

SECTION 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Faculty members (past and present), currently registered students in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Program, parents of RPTM students or alumni and friends of RPTM shall be eligible for admission as an "Associate Member" in the APG upon notification to the Department or the Alumni Relations Office of the College of Health and Human Development. Associate Members may not vote, hold office nor have a voice in the management of the affairs of the RPTM APG, except in matters pertaining to social events.

SECTION 3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Honorary Members shall be chosen from outstanding men and women within the field of recreation and parks or an allied field or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the RPTM APG.

The number of Honorary Members and their individual terms of service will be based on individual recommendations and a majority approval of a quorum of the Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the "Board." These individuals may be recommended by any RPTM APG member and must be approved by a majority of a quorum of the Board.

SECTION 4. MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

The Board of Directors shall decide in all cases membership eligibility.

ARTICLE IV: FINANCES

SECTION 1. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the RPTM APG shall be the period from July 1 through June 30.

SECTION 3. EXPENSES

The operating and other expenses of the RPTM APG will be met with the funds collected, solicited and maintained by the APG. All expenses over $500 must be approved by the president.

SECTION 4. ACCOUNTING

The funds of the RPTM APG shall be held with an accounting system to be used by the APG and administered by the Treasurer of the APG with final approval of the President of the APG. The Treasurer shall render a statement of receipts and expenditures at each meeting and an annual report at the end of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board shall be the governing body of the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management APG. It shall be the duty of the Board to carry out the purpose, policies and will of the RPTM APG, including the appointment of any representatives of and for the group on any outside boards, councils, or committees to which the group may have invitation and occasion to have representation.

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP

The Board shall consist of a total of twelve (12) members (8 voting and 4 non-voting).

Section 2.1 Elected Members - 7 People

The Board shall of consist of seven (7) Elected Members. The Board members shall consist of (1) President, (2) President-Elect, (3) Secretary, (4) Treasurer, and (5,6 & 7) three At-Large Members.

Section 2.2 Immediate Past-President - One Person. In the event that the president is elected to a two year term, there will be no Immediate Past President during his/her term.

The most recently Retired Past President of the RPTM APG shall serve as a voting member of the Board for two (2) years.

Section 2.3 Ex-Officio Members - 4 People

One (1) will be the professor in charge (PIC) of the RPTM Undergraduate Program (or appointee) and one (1) Alumni Coordinator for Health and Human Development shall serve as Ex-Officio Members of the Board. In addition, whenever possible there shall be one (1) currently enrolled RPTM graduate student and one (1) current president or other elected officer of the RPTM Undergraduate Student Society appointed by the PIC of the RPTM Undergraduate Program.

SECTION 3. VOTING RIGHTS

Elected Members and the immediate Past President shall serve with a vote. Ex-Officio Members shall serve without a vote. The President shall only vote in the event of a tie.

SECTION 4. ABSENCES
Two (2) consecutive unexplained absences from Board meetings may be deemed a resignation. Any Board Member missing two (2) successive Board meetings shall, at the discretion of a quorum of the Board, be relieved of their Board responsibility.

SECTION 5. VACANCIES OF UNEXPIRED TERMS

The Board shall be empowered to fill any unexpired terms of Board Members of the RPTM APG.

ARTICLE VI: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. TERM OF OFFICE

The seven (7) Elected Members of the Board shall be elected for terms of two (2) years. Election shall be once a year. Ex-Officio Members can serve indefinitely.

Section 1.1 Consecutive Terms

Elected Members may serve two (2) consecutive terms. After serving the second consecutive term, Elected Members may not serve again in the same capacity for at least one (1) year. Ex-Officio Members may serve unlimited consecutive terms, as long as they continue to be eligible to serve, and within the guidelines indicated.

Section 1.2 Board Officers

Board Officers shall consist of President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer and they shall serve office for a term of two (2) years.

SECTION 2. NOMINATION PROCEDURE

The Board Members at large shall be nominated by a nominating committee appointed by the President. Additional nominations will be accepted by the committee from the general membership if a minimum of three members sponsor the nomination and it is accepted by the nominee. Solicitation of at-large nominations shall be announced in the APG newsletter or other communciation vehicle that is sent to all members. All nominations must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting.

SECTION 3. ELECTION

Election of directors shall be conducted by ballot to the general membership.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

SECTION 1. OFFICERS

Officers shall serve for two (2) years and be elected from among, and by, the Elected Members of the Board. Elected Officers of the APG shall be President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.

SECTION 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The Board shall elect their officers at an Annual Meeting of the APG. The President and President-Elect will be elected in odd numbered years and the Secretary and Treasurer will be elected in even numbered years.

SECTION 3. TERMS OF OFFICE

No Elected Officer may hold office for more than two (2) successive terms. Officers elected while serving their last year on the Board will serve only one year.

SECTION 4. OFFICE VACANCIES

A vacancy occurring in the Presidency shall be filled by the President-Elect. Should a vacancy occur in the office of President-Elect, or the vacancy of the President should occur when there is no President-Elect, the President and President-Elect positions shall be filled by a vote of the Board. Should any other office be vacant, the Board shall hold a special election to fill the office for the remaining time of the term of the office.

ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1. IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT

The Immediate Past-President position is filled by the most recently retired President for the two (2) year period following the installation of the new President. The responsibility of this position include providing assistance as needed for all APG Officers, assisting the President in the transitional period and in setting APG guidelines, policy and direction, and serving as Chair of the Nominating Committee.

SECTION 2. PRESIDENT

The President shall preside at all meetings and social activities of the APG and report all activities to the Board. The President shall perform duties commonly incidental to such office including authorization of all expenditures, appointment of all committees, and serving as an Ex-Officio member of all committees. The President shall serve as representative to the Alumni Board of the College.

SECTION 3. PRESIDENT-ELECT

The President-Elect shall perform such duties as may be designated by the President and the Board. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall preside at meetings. If the Treasurer is incapable of conducting the financial transactions of the APG, the President-Elect shall be authorized to disburse said funds in accordance with stated procedure.

SECTION 4. SECRETARY

The minutes of the APG and Board meetings shall be kept by the Secretary. The Secretary shall send the minutes, immediately after the meeting, to the President for review and distribution to the members of the Board. The Secretary will also be responsible for coordinating all general correspondence and for providing information to APG and Department newsletters and other publications

SECTION 5. TREASURER

The Treasurer will be responsible for APG expenditures and receipts, and maintenance of financial transactions related to the APG. The Treasurer will be responsible to manage the receipt of all donations and other income and deposit all money collected in a University account or in an authorized financial institution in the name of the APG, to be designated by the Board; disburse the APG's funds in accordance with normal accounting procedures duly authorized by the President; prepare and submit financial statements on a quarterly basis to the President for review; and on an annual basis, prepare and submit a budget and year-end financial statements to the Board for review and approval.

ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. STANDING COMMITTEES

There shall be two (2) Standing Committees which are listed below.

Section 1.1 Executive Committee

The members of the Committee shall all be Board Officers. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to create the agenda for Board Meetings, have emergency decision making powers, and carry on the business of the Board whenever necessary between Regular or Special meetings of the Board.

Section 1.2 Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee, whose members are appointed by the President and is chaired by the President-Elect, shall consist of three (3) appointed Active Members.

SECTION 2. SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The President of the Board shall create such special committees from time to time as may be necessary for the proper functioning of the APG. Any member of the APG may serve as a member of a Special Committee when appointed by the President.

Special Committees of the RPTM APG may include, but are not limited to: Mentoring Committee, Awards Committee, Communications Committee, and Social/Professional Committee.

ARTICLE X: MEETINGS

SECTION 1. REGULAR MEETINGS

The Board shall meet at least once a year (referred to as Annual Meeting) to manage the affairs of the APG. Meetings may be held by conference call or held at a conference/meeting that members might be attending (e.g. NRPA). The Annual Meeting is a general membership meeting. The President may convene additional meetings as required or as appropriate.

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special Meetings may be held at such time and place as determined by the Board. Notice must be made to the voting members of the APG, at least four (4) weeks in advance of the date of the meetings.

SECTION 3. QUORUM

Over one-half of the voting members of the Board shall constitute a Quorum.

SECTION 4. PROXY VOTING

There shall be no proxy voting.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS

SECTION 1. VOTING ON AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS

Amendments and Bylaws to this constitution may originate with the Board or by written petition of twenty-five (25) or more voting members of the APG. These Bylaws may be amended by a favorable two-thirds vote of the APG members who vote provided (1) the amendment(s) shall have been placed before the Board of Directors prior to distribution to the full membership; and (2) the amendment(s) adopted shall, previous to their distribution, have been acted upon favorably by a majority of the Board.

SECTION 2. NO CONFLICT

These Bylaws or their amendments must not be in conflict with the Bylaws of the Alumni Society of the College, or the rules and regulations for constituent societies as established by the Executive Board of the Penn State Alumni Council.

Ratified _____________________________