THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER-HOUSTON (UTHealth)
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HOUSTON RETIREE ORGANIZATION (UTHRO)

BYLAWS
Revised 2011

ARTICLE I - Name

This organization shall be known as The University of Texas Houston Retiree Organization (UTHRO).

ARTICLE II - Purpose

This organization exists for the following purposes:

A. To aid employees in making the transition from active employee to retiree by providing a continued relationship;

B. To enhance the relationship between retirees and UTHSC-H by providing a means of communication and collaboration;

C. To sponsor educational presentations relating to concerns of retired persons, including but not limited to, medical care and other economic, legal, and social issues;

D. To articulate issues of concern to retired persons;

E. To increase retiree participation in university activities, such as mentor and volunteer programs, annual campaigns, teaching part-time, etc.

ARTICLE III - Membership and Dues

A. Membership

Membership in this organization shall consist of faculty and staff who have officially retired from UTHSC-H.

1. Official retiree is defined as an employee who has terminated employment for a period of at least one month and currently receives or is eligible to receive retirement benefits.
2. Associate membership shall include surviving spouses and employees 55 years or older who have not yet retired but who anticipate regular membership upon official retirement from UTHSC-H employment.

B. Dues

1. For purposes of membership in the organization, there will be an annual dues payment for the following three categories:  Retiree, Retiree and Spouse, and Associate Member.
2. Dues shall be for a calendar year beginning January 1. Annual dues are payable on or before the first day of January of each year.
3. Each membership payment of annual dues entitles the member to one vote.
4. The Executive Committee will review the dues annually and determine any change in membership dues.

ARTICLE IV - Officers and Elections

A. Officers of UTHRO shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. At-large members may be appointed by the Executive Committee but shall not have voting privileges. All of these shall comprise the Executive Committee.

B. Officers shall be elected at the general meeting to be held in August of each year.

C. Officers shall be elected for a two-year term and may also be re-elected for one more consecutive year for a total of three consecutive years.

D. All vacancies in office shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee. Appointees shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

E. Members and Associate Members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office.

ARTICLE V - Duties of Officers

A. President – The President shall serve as the chief elected officer of the organization and shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Committee. When possible, and as necessary, the President shall stimulate, promote, and develop ideas and direction of the membership. The President will give notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee and meetings of the members.

B. Vice President – It shall be the duty of the Vice President to focus on the membership, its growth and those issues of importance to the membership. The Vice President shall preside at the meetings in the absence of the President or at the request of the President.

C. Secretary – The Secretary shall take, or cause to be taken, the minutes at all meetings and distribute them to the Executive Committee. All records shall be kept at the principal office of the organization or such other place as the Executive Committee may order.

D. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business. The books of account shall at all times be open to inspection by any member of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, all monies and shall manage and reconcile any bank accounts. The Treasurer shall present a statement of current financial status of the organization as directed by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall be responsible for membership based upon payment of dues.

ARTICLE VI - Committees

A. The Executive Committee

1. The organization shall have an Executive Committee which consists of the officers, the newsletter editor, the Immediate Past President, and at least three active members to serve as members at-large. The Executive Committee shall meet monthly and transact business of the organization.

B. Standing Committees

Standing committees shall report to the Executive Committee and shall include the following three (3) Committees: Newsletter, Caring, and Events.

1. Newsletter Committee – The newsletter editor will chair this committee and will be able to recruit additional members at his/her discretion. The editor and the committee will be responsible for publishing and distributing the monthly newsletter.
2. Caring Committee – This committee shall solicit and address information regarding caring concerns and needs of members.
3. Events Committee – This committee shall arrange for and coordinate events and programs for all organizational meetings. It shall provide services and support at events and social functions as needed.

C. Terms of Office – Members of the Standing Committees shall serve a one-year term and may be reappointed for one additional term.

D. Other Committees – The Executive Committee may appoint other committees as necessary. These committees shall report to the Executive Committee and terms of office will be determined by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII - Organizational Meetings

A. Two business meetings shall be held annually, in August and February.

B. The organization shall also hold two educational, informational, and social events of choice.

C. The President or the Executive Committee may call special meetings.

ARTICLE VIII - Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular meeting of the organization.

ARTICLE IX - Bylaws

The Executive Committee shall review the Bylaws annually, and if altered shall be approved by the membership at any regular meeting of the organization.

ARTICLE X – Rules of Procedure

The Executive Committee may adopt rules of procedure to govern their meetings and those of any committee. A current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this organization in all parliamentary situations not provided for in the bylaws or rules of the organization.