Association of Black Faculty and Staff
Association of Black Faculty and Staff
ABFS Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff is to promote, support, and sustain a sense of community and connectedness among the Black faculty and staff of the University of Memphis. Created in 2019.
Preamble
The Association of Black Faculty and Staff (originally the Nunn-Davis Professional Organization and subsequently the Professional Association of Black Faculty and Staff) was organized in 2002, and first adopted bylaws in 2003. After being inactive for a few years, the Association was reconstituted during the 2018/19 academic year. This organization is inclusive of all employees at the University of Memphis who believe in and support the purposes of the organization. Faculty, administrative staff, hourly staff, part-timers, and any other categories of University employees are welcomed to join.
Article I Name of the Organization
The name of the organization is the Association of Black Faculty and Staff. The name can be abbreviated as ABFS.
Article II Purpose of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff.
The overarching purpose of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff is to promote and support the presence of racial diversity among the faculty and staff of the University of Memphis. In support of the primary purpose, ABFS will devote its efforts to the following endeavors:
- To provide support for Black faculty and staff at the University of Memphis
- To encourage networking among Black faculty and staff across academic and administrative units
- To promote the seamless integration of Black faculty and staff into the university and the community.
- To promote and provide support for the recruitment and retention of Black faculty and staff.
- To link the educational goals of the university to state and national institutions and agencies.
- To link to relevant student organizations and promote their success and productivity.
- To mentor Black students, faculty, and staff at the university and in the community.
- To help to create and maintain a work environment that fosters and supports the well-being of Black faculty and staff of the University
- To promote services, programs, and activities that will enhance the quality of life of the Black faculty and staff of the University
Article III Membership Status and Dues Structure
Membership in the Association of Black Faculty and Staff (ABFS) is open to any member of the faculty or staff of the University of Memphis who is interested in supporting the purposes of the ABFS. All members of the Association may vote and hold elective office in the ABFS, provided their dues are current.
Yearly dues of $25.00 will be collected by the Treasurer and deposited into the organization’s bank account. The membership year coincides with the fiscal year which is July 1 through June 30th. Dues are to be paid by September 1st each year or when the individual joins the organization.
Article IV Governance and Meetings
The organization shall be governed by an Executive Council composed of the President, two Vice-Presidents, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Communications Officer. The Executive Council generally convenes, for planning purposes, during the week preceding the monthly membership meeting. The Executive Council may also conduct business by correspondence, telephone, or electronically, as needed. Duties of the Executive Council include routine governance of the organization and such specific assignments as assisting with the preparation of the meeting agenda and filling vacancies in offices with the approval of the membership.
The Association of Black Faculty and Staff will meet once each month during the academic year (August –May). The monthly meeting day and time will be established by the membership, each year, at the beginning of the academic year. Additional meetings may also be scheduled at the discretion of the Executive Committee to address matters that arise.
Article V Officers and Duties
The officers of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff are: President, Vice-President for Faculty, Vice President for Staff, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Communications Officer. The officers serve as the Executive Committee of the organization. Officers will be elected by the membership at the April membership meeting and will serve for the following fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Section 1. Duties of the President include but are not limited to planning the agenda for meetings of the Executive Committee and for the membership meetings of the ABFS, appointing committees and, in consultation with the other officers, preparing an annual budget. The President acts as the official spokesperson of the ABFS.
Section 2. Duties of the Vice-Presidents include but are not limited to assisting the President and carrying on the responsibilities of the President when that officer is not available. The Vice-presidents participate, along with the other officers, in the preparation of the annual budget. Each Vice President is charged with representing the interests of the constituent group (faculty or staff) represented by the position.
Section 3. Duties of the Secretary include but are not limited to serving as the chief record keeping officer of the ABFS. He/she is responsible for recording and maintaining the official minutes of the meetings of the organization. He/she is expected to maintain and provide for the safe keeping of any official documents of the organization. The secretary, participates with the other officers in the preparation of the annual budget.
Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer include but are not limited to maintaining the fiscal records for the ABFS, collecting and depositing members’ dues, arranging for payment of obligations of the Association, and working with the other officers to prepare an annual budget. Once a budget has been approved, the treasurer is expected to monitor the Association’s income and expenditures to ensure adherence to the approved budget.
Section 5. Duties of the Parliamentarian include but are not limited to assisting in the drafting and interpretation of the bylaws and rules of order. His/her duties include applying the rules to assist in maintaining the orderliness of meetings.
Section 6. Duties of the Communications Officer include but are not limited to developing and implementing plans to publicize the existence, activities, and work of the organization. He/she will have oversight of both print and electronic publications of the organization. He/she will serve as chair of the Communications committee should one be created by the executive committee.
Section 7. At the discretion of the Executive Committee, the positions of Assistant Secretary and/or Assistant Treasurer may be established and filled as a part of the election process. When those roles are filled, the responsibilities will be to assist the Secretary or the Treasurer with the relevant work of the organization. The appropriate Assistant will be expected to fill-in for the Secretary or Treasurer when that officer is not available to fulfill his/her duties.
Article VI. Committees
Section 1. The Nominating Committee, appointed by the President, has three to five members. The committee is charged with presenting candidates for each of the following offices: President, Vice-President for Faculty, Vice President for Staff, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Communications Officer. In the event that the Association decides to fill the roles of Assistant Secretary and/or Assistant Treasurer, the nominating committee will also identify candidates for those positions.
Section 2. Standing committees include: Membership, Bylaws, Scholarship, Mentoring, and Social Welfare. Standing committees will have five to seven members. Standing Committee members are appointed for a two-year term. The terms of committee members will be staggered to ensure that there will always be some committee members in place who served on the committee in the previous year to provide continuity. In the first year, some members will be appointed for one year and others will be appointed for two years to create a staggered replacement cycle for committee members.
Section 3. Chairpersons of standing committees attend Executive Council meetings and present reports on the work of their committee. Any individual member of the organization may also attend meetings and can request time to present on topics pertaining to organizational business or other relevant matters.
Article VII. Amendments
The Bylaws may be amended or expanded by a majority affirmative vote of those voting on a referendum submitted by mail or electronically to the members or by hand balloting at a general membership meeting. Notice of a vote to amend the bylaws must be given to the membership no later than the meeting preceding the vote. The membership must be provided with the wording of the proposed change no later than the meeting preceding the vote.
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