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Bylaws and Standing Rules

Standing Rules  Commercial Activity Policy

BYLAWS OF THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY

California State University, Sacramento

 

ARTICLE I NAME

The name of this organization shall be THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY of California State University, Sacramento.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The Renaissance Society shall be a participatory and self-directed group that furthers the intellectual pursuits of its members within the setting of the university community.

ARTICLE III RELATIONSHIP TO CSUS

  1. The Renaissance Society shall be a membership organization under the administrative auspices of the California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), and associated with the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, CSUS. It shall function in accordance with these Bylaws as approved by the President of CSUS or a designated representative.

  2. An executed Memorandum of Agreement, dated February 14, 2003, describes the partnership between the Renaissance Society and the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. Either party, with 60 days prior notice, may terminate the partnership at any time.

  3. CSUS shall provide to the Renaissance Society and its membership such physical facilities and auxiliary services as are essential to the proper functioning of the Renaissance Society within available resources.

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP

  1. Membership shall be open to all senior persons who subscribe to the purpose of the Renaissance Society and are willing to abide by the provisions of these Bylaws and have paid their dues.

  2. No person shall be excluded from membership based on color, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference or physical impairment.

  3. All members of the Renaissance Society are eligible to vote in any general or special meeting of the membership.

  4. The Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies , CSUS shall be ex-officio a non-voting member of the Renaissance Society.

ARTICLE V DUES

Membership dues are set by the Board of Directors and shall be payable at the beginning of the fiscal year which shall run from July 1 to June 30. Members joining the Society after January 1 may pay one-half (1/2) the regular dues, plus a nominal processing fee, for their first semester. All dues must be paid before members may participate in Renaissance activities.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS AND MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

  1. The elected officers shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Controller.

  2. There shall be three members-at-large elected by the membership to serve on the Board of Directors.

  3. The officers and members-at-large shall be elected by ballot at the May general meeting of the membership. If a single slate is presented, and there are no nominations from the floor, voting may be by a show of hands. All elected officers shall assume their positions on the succeeding July 1st. The term of office shall be for one year and/or until successors are elected.

  4. If deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, voting on measures or candidates may be conducted by mail. Ballots must be returned by at least one-third of the membership to be considered a valid election. Procedures for a mail ballot shall conform to those set forth in the Society's parliamentary authority.

  5. Vacancies in the positions of the elected offices shall be filled by appointment of the President, with the approval, by majority vote, of the Board of Directors. In the case of simultaneous vacancies in the offices of President and Vice President, the Board shall elect, by majority vote, a President Pro-Tem to serve until the end of the current term.

ARTICLE VII DUTIES OF OFFICERS

    The duties of officers shall be as follows:

    1. The President shall:

      1. Act as Chief Executive Officer for all operations of the Renaissance Society.
      2. Preside over all general meetings of the membership and meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
      3. Develop agendas for the meetings of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and general meetings of the membership.
      4. Seek implementation of decisions reached by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
      5. Report to the membership at all general meetings on the activities of the Society.
      6. Appoint all committee chairs.
      7. Be ex-officio a member of all standing committees except the Nominating Committee.

    2. The Vice President shall:
      1. Assume the duties of President in his/her absence and, in the case of a vacancy, fill the office of president until the end of the current term.
      2. Assist the President in carrying out all functions of his/her office.
      3. The Secretary shall: Handle correspondence on behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and any such secretarial matters as directed by the Board.
      4. The Controller shall:
        1. Oversee all Renaissance Society financial affairs in accordance with the CSUS Foundation and any such financial tasks as required by the Board.
        2. Present a proposed budget for the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) no later than the June meeting of the Board of Directors.
      .

      ARTICLE VIII BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      1. The Board of Directors shall be the policy making body of the Society. All decisions shall be consistent with CSUS policy. The Board shall adopt by a majority vote such Standing Rules as are necessary to carry out the objectives of the Society.
      2. The voting members shall consist of the elected officers; the immediate past president; three elected members-at-large; and the chairs of all standing committees.
      3. The Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Associate Vice President of Finance and Financial Services and/or a designated representative from these offices or the office of the President, CSUS, shall be ex-officio non-voting members of the Board.
      4. Notices of Board meetings and copies of Minutes of all meetings shall be sent to ex-officio Board members.
      5. The Board of Directors shall meet at least ten (10) times a year. Meetings shall be open to the general membership.
      6. A majority of voting members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
      7. The Board of Directors may establish non-voting liaison and any other ancillary roles as needed for the well being of the Society. These positions shall be filled by appointment by the president.

      ARTICLE IX COMMITTEES

      1. The Executive Committee: Shall be the policy implementing body of the Renaissance Society. It shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary, controller and immediate past president.
      2. Standing Committees: Shall be established by the Board of Directors as required to accomplish the objectives of the Renaissance Society. The purpose of each committee and its responsibilities shall be delineated in the Standing Rules.
      3. The Nominating Committee: Shall consist of at least three members, appointed by the President no later than the month of March, and approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

      ARTICLE X MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

      1. . The annual meeting of the general membership shall be held in May. The President, when recommended by the Board of Directors, may call special meetings.
      2. One fifth of the membership, or one hundred members, whichever is the smaller number, shall constitute a quorum to conduct business.

      ARTICLE XI FUNDS

      All funds shall be deposited and disbursed through the CSUS Foundation as the fiscal agent of the Renaissance Society.

      ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

      Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order except where these rules are inconsistent with the Bylaws and Standing Rules.

      ARTICLE XIII BYLAWS' AMENDMENTS

      1. These Bylaws can only be amended at a general or special meeting of the members who have been notified of the proposed amendments at least one month prior to the meeting.
      2. Amendments to these bylaws require a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a general or special meeting provided a quorum is present.

      ARTICLE XIV DISSOLUTION

        .
      1. The relationship between the Renaissance Society and the California State University Sacramento may be terminated by the President of CSUS or by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a membership meeting of the Society provided that notice has been sent to all members at least 30 days in advance.
      2. A decision to move the Society to a new location, other than CSUS, may be decided by two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a membership meeting provided that notice has been sent to all members at least 30 days in advance.
      3. The Renaissance Society may be dissolved by a two-third vote of those present and voting at a membership meeting, called for this purpose provided that notice has been sent to all members 30 days in advance.
      4. In the event of the dissolution of the Renaissance Society, and after payment of all outstanding obligations of the Society, all remaining assets of the Society shall be distributed to such non-profit organization(s) serving seniors as agreed upon by two-thirds of the membership present and voting at the meeting at the time of the dissolution.

      Adopted May 5, 1996 Amended November 30, 1999

      Revised March 28, 2003

       

       /s/ Donald R. Gerth, President 
      DONALD R. GERTH, President California State University, Sacramento

       

      /s/ Eleanor Hoffman, President 
      ELEANOR HOFFMAN, President,  Renaissance Society, California State University, Sacramento

       


       

      STANDING RULES & POLICIES

      The Renaissance Society

      Of

      California State University Sacramento

      (As Amended Feb. 13, 2009)

      ADMINISTRATION

      1. The Renaissance Society shall maintain an office on the CSUS campus. Minutes of meetings and other records deemed necessary by the Board of Directors shall be kept at this office and at the archives at the CSUS library.
      2. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for hiring office personnel as required to perform duties in accordance with The Renaissance Society policies and relevant CSUS policies.
      3. Staff salaries shall be paid from The Renaissance Society funds. Payroll sheets are to be signed semi-monthly by The Renaissance Society president or controller.
      4. The Executive Committee shall review and approve staff salaries at the end of each fiscal year.
      5. Use of office equipment is limited to staff members or under their direct supervision on a time-available basis.
      6. A membership directory shall be prepared by the staff and mailed to all members in the spring of each year.

      COMMITTEES

      1. The Standing Committees of The Renaissance Society shall be: Excursions, Forums, History, Long-Range Planning, Membership, Newsletter (Recorder), Nominating, Publicity, Scholarship, Seminars, Social, University Services and Website..
      2. Chairpersons of standing committees are appointed for one year; the term shall run from July 1 through June 30. The newly elected Renaissance president.shall make appointments or reappointments.
      3. Special (ad hoc) committees may be created by the Board of Directors as a need arises. The committee members shall serve until the specified task is completed and the committee presents its final report.
      4. Each committee shall consist of a chairperson and as many members as necessary to carry out the functions of the committee except as specified in these Standing Rules.

      STANDING COMMITTEES RESPONSIBILITIES AND POLICIES

      EXCURSIONS

      1. The purpose of the committee is to plan and arrange regional cultural or educational tours.
      2. Cost of tours shall be paid in advance by registrants and shall include all fees, including charges by the CSUS Foundation, and modest reimbursement for organizers' expenses.
      3. The chairperson, or representative conducting the tour, shall not be required to pay the tour fee.
      4. Announcements of tours shall be mailed with the Recorder, and shall appear on the website, at least 30 days prior to the tour date, and shall describe the level of physical activity involved.
      5. Tours shall be cancelled if sufficient reservations are not received by a specified date.
      6. "No-shows" will not be reimbursed if all spaces are not filled.
      7. Members shall have priority over non-members if space is a consideration.

      FORUMS

      1. The purpose of the committee is to provide a program for each forum.
      2. The chairperson will call a meeting in advance of each fall and spring semester to plan the forums that will meet on Fridays between 3 and 4 p.m.
      3. After the committee determines interest in prospective speakers, these people will be contacted, confirmed and thanked by the committee chairperson or a member of the committee.
      4. It shall be the responsibility of the chairerson to submit the programs in a timely manner to the Renaissance office.

      HISTORY

      1. The purpose of the History Committee is to collect materials, such as news releases, photos, directories, seminar catalogs, etc., to be preserved for The Renaissance Society history.
      2. All materials will be kept in a secure place that may be determined in cooperation with the director of the CSUS Library Archives.

      LONG-RANGE PLANNING

      1. The purpose of the committee is to consider means toward strengthening current programs and developing innovative programs for the future that will meet the intellectual, cultural and social needs of The Renaissance Society members.
      2. The committee shall be composed of the chairperson and at least five other members.
      3. The committee shall meet at least twice during each semester to review programs and activities and its recommendations will be presented in a written report to the Board of Directors.
      4. The committee will also discuss and make recommendations concerning issues referred to it by the Board of Directors.

      MEMBERSHIP

      1. The purpose of the committee shall be to insure that all functions necessary to recruit and maintain membership are carried out.
      2. The committee shall meet prior to each fall and spring semester to prepare an orientation program for new members.
      3. The committee chairperson will work with the Seminar Committee chairperson to prepare the fall and spring Renaissance Rendezvous and will communicate with the appropriate CSUS office to establish dates, times and locations for the events.
      4. The committee will decide the material to be included in mailings to prospective new members, and the chairperson will notify the office staff in this regard.
      5. The committee chairperson will work with the Nominating Committee in the recruiting process of members willing to serve on The Renaissance Society Board of Directors or in other operating functions..

      NEWSLETTER (THE RECORDER)

      1. The purpose of the newsletter committee is to collect information, write, edit and publish the Recorder.
      2. The editor (chairperson) shall be a member of the Website Committee.
      3. Only items related to The Renaissance Society or CSUS, members and activities are to be reported.
      4. The Recorder shall be mailed to the membership and other learning-in-retirement organizations every month of the spring and fall Renaissance Society semesters.
      5. A group of volunteers is asked to assist in assembling, for mailing, each issue of the Recorder.
      6. The Recorder is mailed through the CSUS mailroom. Reimbursement for mailing is handled through the Renaissance Society controller.
      7. Copies of the Recorder will appear on the CSUS/Renaissance Society website (www.csus.edu/org/rensoc).

      NOMINATING

      1. The primary purpose of the Nominating Committee is to develop a slate of eligible candidates to stand for election as officers or as Members-At-Large of The Renaissance Society Board of Directors.
      2. A secondary purpose of the committee is to recruit members willing to serve other various operating functions of The Renaissance Society.
      3. The current president will appoint a Nominating Committee of at least three (3) members. The committee chairperson should have Renaissance Society Board experience. The commitee will serve for one year, from July 1 to June 30.
      4. The committee will submit the list of nominees to the current Renaissance Society Board of Directors for approval. Candidates will be elected at the Spring Annual Membership Meeting.
      5. The Board President will conduct the election.

      PUBLICITY

      1. The purpose of the committee is to send publicity announcements to local newspapers, periodicals and other media, off-campus as well as to the CSUS Hornet and other on-campus publications.
      2. All publicity material shall relate to The Renaissance Society activities or members' accomplishments, but shall not include material that is intended to promote any individual's private business endeavors or promotions for other outside organizations.

      SCHOLARSHIP

      1. The Scholarship Committee will establish criteria for the provision of scholarship awards to qualified students in attendance at CSUS. The number of awards and the amount of each award will be subject to annual determination by the Renaissance Society Board of Directors.
      2. The committee will provide the CSUS Financial Aid Scholarship Office information concerning the Award criteria and the grant amount, for posting on the CSUS Scholarship Website.
      3. Students must transmit their applications to the CSUS Scholarship Website no later than March 15. Applications meeting the Renaissance Society scholarship criteria will be forwarded by the CSUS Financial Aid Scholarship Office to the Renaissance Scholarship Committee for review and award selection.
      4. After the Committee selects those to be awarded scholarships, the Chairperson will provide the CSUS Financial Aid Scholarship Office the names of those selected. The awardees will be invited to an appropriate Renaissance Society function at which they will be presented with a certificate of their scholarship award.
      5. The Renaissance Society Scholarship Program is dependent on adequate funding to support future scholarship awards. Renaissance Society members and the general public will be encouraged to contribute to the Renaissance Society Scholarship Fund when honoring or memorializing a friend or loved one, or when engaged in estate planning or rewriting a will. Advice on procedure for donating to the Renaissance Society Scholarship Fund can be provided by the Renaissance Society Controller.

      SEMINARS

      The purpose of the committee is to arrange a sufficient number and acceptable variety of on-campus seminars with assigned on-campus classroom space each semester; secure coordinators and co-coordinators to lead each seminar; gather new subject matter for course offerings; and provide a list of planned seminars to the membership.

      Policies to be administered by the Committee:

      1. A member of the committee shall be responsible for arranging individual Mini-Seminars to be conducted from 10 to 11:30 a.m. each Friday morning during the semester.
      2. Arrangements will be made to accommodate scheduled Friday morning seminars on campus.
      3. Most regular on-campus seminars shall be conducted on Fridays from 1 to 2:45 p.m. during the corresponding CSUS fall and spring semesters.
      4. Off-campus seminars, times and locations are scheduled at the discretion of the coordinator.
      5. Each semester an Activities Catalog will be published with a brief description and location of each seminar, the coordinators' names and telephone numbers, a campus map, and any other pertinent general information. The chairperson shall ensure that all information to be included in the catalog is provided to the office staff in sufficient time to be proofread, published and mailed to the membership at least 30 days prior to the start of each semester.
      6. To encourage The Renaissance Society members to volunteer as seminar coordinators or co-coordinators, a workshop will be held during each semester to provide guidance, training and assistance for planning and conducting a seminar.
      7. Each semester, the committee shall determine a means of recognition and appreciation of the contribution of seminar coordinators and co-coordinators.
      8. Coordinators are responsible for insuring that their seminars are monetarily self-sufficient for planned activities; for duplication of materials using copy machines outside The Renaissance Society office; and for any other costs associated with the seminars.
      9. The chairperson and the office manager shall arrange on-campus classroom space. Scheduling of other Renaissance Society activities or the use of CSUS media equipment is to be made through The Renaissance Society office.
      10. Visitors may attend no more than two seminar classes before joining The Renaissance Society.
      11. The coordinators or participants may not use seminars for the pursuit of private objectives, i.e., promoting a business, forming investment clubs or soliciting memberships to outside organizations.

      SOCIAL

      1. The purpose of the committee is to plan social events to be held during the fall and spring semesters.
      2. The committee shall make all arrangements and will publicize each event by sending information to the editor of the Recorder and to the webmaster.
      3. The Renaissance Society Board of Directors Events shall approve events that will require a fee prior to those events being announced to the membership.

      UNIVERSITY SERVICES

      1. The purpose of the committee is to recruit volunteer members of The Renaissance Society to provide assistance to the CSUS Library Art Gallery and provide ushers to CSUS theater and musical productions.
      2. The committee shall also coordinate with the dean of CSUS Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies (SSIS) in identifying other opportunities to provide services to the university.

      WEBSITE

      1. The purpose of the committee is to inform the membership and the community of the programs and activities of  The Renaissance Society.
      2. The committee shall be composed of a chairperson, the editor of the Recorder, and other members when necessary.
      3. The committee shall establish and enforce policy regarding the Website and shall specifically address the maintenance and development of the Website as well as overseeing compliance with the CSUS Website policy.
      4. The committee chairperson shall be considered the webmaster who shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation and updating of the Website. The webmaster shall be provided with the necessary software to carry out this responsibility.
       

      MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

      Three members-at-large are elected to the board each year by the membership at the annual general meeting. These members are to be relatively new members of the Renaissance Society. The purpose of this is to expose newer members to the working of the board and encourage them to become active participants in the Society. Members-at-large shall be members of the Nominating Committee.

      Members-at-large are encouraged to:

      1. Participate in any of the standing committees in order to become familiar with how the committees operate.
      2. Assist in activities of The Renaissance Society such as the Rendezvous, new members' orientation, social functions, etc.
      3. Act as liaison with all members of The Renaissance Society to solicit new ideas for improvement of the society. 
      4. Suggest topics for seminars and speakers for forums.

      POLICY CONCERNING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

      (Adopted by the Board Feb. 9, 2007)

       The Renaissance Society is a “Learning-in-Retirement” organization, whose purpose, as defined in its by-laws, is to “further the intellectual pursuits of its members within the setting of the university community.”  

      The Society’s Standing Rules & Policies include the following statement in the description of the duties of its Seminars Committee:

       “Seminars may not be used by the coordinators or participants for the pursuit of private objectives, e.g., promoting a business, forming investment clubs or soliciting memberships to outside organizations.”

       The Renaissance Society frequently invites non-members to assist our learning experience by participating in our Forums, seminars, mini-seminars, excursions and travel and adventure programs. We recognize that some of those presenters may be the authors of books or other media relevant to their presentation (as are a number of our members). There is sometimes a fine line to be drawn between sharing knowledge and promoting commercial activity. Recognizing that members may wish to avoid immediate financial decisions, two sides of that line may be direct sales and providing information concerning how further information on a subject might be obtained. We simply ask that our presenters be aware of these concerns.  

      Ours is a completely volunteer organization which exists for the benefit of its members. Flexibility in striving to “further the intellectual pursuits” of our members has helped us to thrive. Whenever that goal can be furthered by exceptions to a general policy we are happy to consider them on an individual case basis.

 
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