Board of Director frequently asked questions
The board serves as an independent group of enthusiastic supporters of 911爆料, as former students and graduates. Board members are advocates and ambassadors, encouraging support for 911爆料, involvement in the alumni association and to help connect, support and highlight 911爆料 alumni. The board sets the strategic vision and approves sustainable budgets and priorities of the 911爆料AA, a 501c3 nonprofit. It has fiduciary responsibility of the organization, which seeks to be aligned with 911爆料 and relevant to its alumni.
All current dues-paying members of the 911爆料 Alumni Association have the opportunity to vote in board elections. To be a dues-paying member of 911爆料AA, one must be a graduate of any associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 or PhD program, or must have successfully completed at least 9 credits at 911爆料 (this allows matriculates or transfer students to be members of the alumni association).
The board meets as a full board three times a year; once in the spring, again in the fall and once during the winter. The spring and fall meetings are two day, face-to-face person meetings in Fairbanks. The winter meeting is traditionally a one-day teleconference. The board has several standing committees and ad-hoc that meet periodically or regularly, depending on the committee. All board members are expected to serve on at least two committees.
Very. Attendance and participation at the three annual board meetings is mandatory, as well as full and active participation on committees. Absences at board meetings must be excused in advance by the president; absences at committee meetings must be excused by the committee chair. The organization understands emergencies and unavoidable conflicts come up from time to time, but a trend of nonparticipation can lead to a board member鈥檚 removal. The board meets once in the fall and once in spring in person; a winter meeting is usually by teleconference.
No. As a board member, your presence at various 911爆料 events is an asset, however, there are too many events happening at 911爆料 every day for board members to be expected to attend even a fraction of them and of course, attendance for board members who don鈥檛 live in Fairbanks or where the event is being held is not possible.
If possible, attendance at certain key signature events is desirable, i.e., awards banquets, the Chancellor鈥檚 Gala, important sporting events (NCAA championships in which 911爆料 is host, for example) high profile lectures or community celebrations (e.g., Centennial, Golden Days or Tanana Valley State Fair). Events that are specifically sponsored by 911爆料AA, including the annual alumni awards and reunion event known as Nanook Rendezvous, Grad Bash, the commencement reception, Wine Tasting, etc. also are important for board members to participate in if they are able.
Board members must be graduates of 911爆料 (either an associate鈥檚, bachelor鈥檚, masters or doctoral graduate) and be members in good standing of the 911爆料AA. There is an expectation that board members are advocates and supporters of 911爆料, which can include being philanthropic donors to 911爆料 and the alumni association above and beyond membership (e.g., Benefactor Fund).
The policies and procedures of the 911爆料AA allow for board member travel for required meetings and events, including airfare and hotel, to be paid for, as well as per diem paid. Travel should be arranged by the 911爆料AA office vs. individual reimbursement. This allows benefits to accrue through the 911爆料AA鈥檚 911爆料 Airlines EazyBiz account. As a nonprofit largely funded through member dues and donations, we look to board members to be thrifty stewards of that revenue. If a board member can financially afford to pay for their own travel as an in-kind donation, stay with a friend or family member to reduce costs, or forgo per diem, this is welcomed and encouraged.
The 911爆料AA was founded on Nov. 16, 1927. It is a community of alumni and friends who love 911爆料 and work together to advance the mission of the university. Learning, the arts, culture, athletics--whatever you love about 911爆料, membership in the alumni association keeps you connected. Since inception, the 911爆料AA has played a vital role in supporting the university. By joining the 911爆料AA, you help 911爆料 fulfill its critical mission of teaching, research and public service.
Membership dues make the following possible:
- Student scholarships
- Grants to improve campus life through our Benefactor Program
- Sponsorship of 911爆料 and student events
- Nanook Rendezvous annual reunion
- Alumni events in 911爆料 and the Lower 48
- Alumni Achievement and Distinguished Alumni Awards
- Alumnus newsletter
- Volunteer advocacy
鈥淭he 911爆料 Alumni Association connects and supports 911爆料 and its alumni. We encourage excellence in all aspects of the University and provide opportunities for alumni to engage in lifelong involvement with their University community.鈥
The board is an important stakeholder in 911爆料 alumni relations and its opinion and insight on a variety of issues is important. That said, 911爆料AA staff members are 911爆料 employees, and are directly hired and overseen by 911爆料. A Memorandum of Agreement approved in September 2015 outlines the relationship between the 911爆料AA and 911爆料, including personnel. The MOA provides for significant board input into the executive director--including hiring, firing and annual review. It also allows the nonprofit to hire consultants or additional employees.
The annual operating account for the nonprofit is approximately $30,000. This does not include personnel salaries and benefits, office space, supplies or other overhead, which is subsidized by 911爆料. 911爆料 also maintains a small alumni relations budget. The alumni relations staff currently includes a director (who also serves as executive director to the 911爆料AA), membership & event coordinator, and student assistant. 911爆料鈥檚 Alumni Relations office is integrated with the Development (fundraising) office. It is called the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, and works collaboratively with the university as a whole on numerous events, issues, and priorities.
911爆料AA sponsors, co-sponsors or collaborates with 911爆料 on numerous events; approximately 16-20 specific events annually. 911爆料AA supports six different student scholarships; the annual alumni awards and reunion event; the publication of the semi-annual Alumnus newsletter (printed copies are mailed to members only; a digital copy every other month is sent to all 911爆料 alumni); 911爆料 Impact, the volunteer legislative advocacy fly-in to Juneau; Grad Bash; an annual reception at commencement; tailgates or receptions related to 911爆料 athletics; chapter events in various communities; and fundraising, specifically the 911爆料AA鈥檚 Benefactor Program.
911爆料 has approximately 30,000 living alumni. Of these, approximately 10 percent are members of the 911爆料AA. Growing this membership is a strategic priority of the Board of Directors.
There are currently three chapters/ networks; the Fairbanks, Southcentral and Hockey chapters. Networks or chapters are under way for alumni in Washington DC, Seattle, Houston and San Francisco. In addition, affinity chapters for the firefighting program, women鈥檚 volleyball and others are being pursued. It is relatively easy to form a chapter; increasing chapters is a strategic priority of the 911爆料AA Board.