Class Governance

The name of the organization shall be the Class of 1985 of Dartmouth College (the “Class”).

The purpose of the organization shall be to develop a strong and enduring Class structure in order to further the interests, welfare, and educational purposes of Dartmouth College, for so long as the Class is in existence and Dartmouth College remains organized exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes within the meaning of Sections 501(c ) (3) and 170 (b) (1) ( A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

All persons who entered with The Class of 1985, or who transferred from another college directly into the Class of 1985, or who graduated as of the Class of 1985 whether at the regular Commencement or at some other time, or who are elected to honorary membership at a Class meeting, are members of this organization.

Section 1. There shall be a meeting of the Class in Hanover every regular reunion. The President may call other meetings at any time, as deemed necessary.

Section 2. A majority of the executive committee and 10 classmates shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of Class meetings

Section 4. All reasonable efforts will be made to notify the class of a Class meeting.

All members of the Class shall be entitled to vote at all meetings, except that any member whose Class dues shall be in arrears on the day for a Class election shall forfeit his right to vote at the election.

All member of the Class qualified to vote under Article V shall be eligible for election to any office in this organization.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall constitute the policy-making body of the Class and act in its behalf concerning the Class and its affairs.

Section 2. Eleven or more members of the Class shall constitute the Class Executive Committee. They shall be elected a) prior to graduation in the senior year, or b) at a Class meeting held during a regular reunion.

Section 3. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at least once a year. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at such time and place as the President or any three officers may determine.

Section 4. Vacancies on or addition to the Executive Committee shall be filled thorough nominations from either the Nominating Committee or the President and approval of a vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 5. All officers, whether elected by the Class or the Executive Committee, or appointed by the President, shall be members ex officio of the Executive Committee.

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall elect a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Alumni council Representative of the Class. The President shall appoint other officers, such as Head Agent, Newsletter Editor, Reunion Chairman, Reunion Giving Chairman, Bequest Chairman, Nominating Chairman, Mini-Reunion Chairman, etc.. (See below Article X: Powers and Duties of Officers.)

Section 2. The executive Committee shall have the power at any time to remove from office any officer whom, in the opinion of that committee, is not serving the best interest of the Class or the College.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall fill a vacancy in the office of President, Secretary or Treasurer. The President may fill a vacancy in any appointive office. The assistance of a Nomination Committee may be utilized in either category.

The term of office for all officers, elected or appointed, and members of the Executive Committee shall be from formal reunion to formal reunion, or as otherwise determined by the Executive committee. (an exception is the Alumni Councilor, who serves for 3 years.)

Section 1. Officers elected by the Executive Committee shall have the following duties:

The President will act as the executive head of the Class. It will be his/her responsibility to initiate new projects and carry out policy of the Executive Committee. In addition, the President shall exercise general supervision over all other officers, ensure the proper performance of their functions.
The Secretary will be the primary link between the individual alumnus and the college, and shall prepare the Class notes and obituary notes for the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. The Secretary shall be the custodian of Class files and records.
The Treasurer of the Class shall receive and disburse all funds of he Class subject to the Direction of the Executive committee, and shall submit an annual financial report to the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Officers appointed by the President shall have the following duties:

The Head Agent shall conduct the annual Alumni Fund solicitation for the benefit of the College.
The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for editing the Class newsletter. The newsletter will serve as the regular avenue of communication between officers and members of the Class.
The Reunion Giving Chairman shall plan and conduct the solicitation for the benefit of the College.
The Bequest Chairman shall be responsible for bequests and trust planning activities of members of the Class for the benefit of the College.
The Reunion Chairman shall be responsible for planning and conducting the next official reunion of the Class.
The Mini-Reunion chairman shall be responsible for the organization and promotion of all major non-reunion gatherings of the Class.
The Alumni Councilor shall be responsible for communications between the Class and the Council, representing all interests and concerns.
Chairman and members of a Nominating committee shall be appointed in advance of each regular reunion of the Class.
The Webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining any class websites.
Section 3. The President may also appoint chairmen of other committees not listed above. Such committees may be formed to accomplish particular duties such as assisting with mini-reunions, administering Class projects and Class award programs, etc.

Sections 4. All officers and committee chairmen shall submit to the President written reports of the activities of their office or committee at or near the end of each year or upon completion of a special assignment.

Section 1. The President shall appoint a chairman and members of a Nominating Committee in advance of each formal reunion of the Class. The Nominating Committee shall then nominate fifteen or more members of the Class for the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Nominating Committee may also designate a Class President, Secretary, Alumni Council Representative, and Treasurer. If the officers so designated are not also designated nominees of the Executive Committee, they become members of that committee ex officio.

Section 3. In addition, the Nominating Committee or chairman of the regular Class meeting shall solicit nominations for Class officers from the Class at large.

Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall accomplish its selection process prior to a regular Class meeting for presentation to that meeting.

The year of the Class shall be from July 1st of one year to June 30th of the next. Unless otherwise determined, the annual activities and reports of the Class shall conform to that period of time.

Section 1. Class dues shall be levied each year upon each member of the Class. The amount of the dues shall be decided by vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Special assessments, in addition to dues, may be levied upon each member of the Class. The amount and purpose of such special assessment shall be determined by vote of the Executive Committee.

No part of the net earnings of the Class shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any Class member, officer, or any other private person or individual. All of the assets and net earnings of the Class shall be used to further its (Dartmouth’s) educational and charitable purposes.

No substantial part of the activities of the Class shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Class shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

This constitution shall become effective upon the approval of the majority of the executive committee subject to the ratification by two-thirds of the members voting at a meeting of the Class.

A two-thirds vote of those members voting at any Class meeting shall be necessary to incorporate amendments into this constitution.

The Class shall be deemed to be dissolved at such time as there shall be no member living whose address is known to the Alumni Relations Office of Dartmouth college or sooner if the number of Class members becomes so few as to render it impractical to continue the organization’s existence. Upon dissolution or termination, all of the property and assets of the Class shall, after the payment of any lawful debts, be distributed to Dartmouth College or for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.