Constitution of the Mount Royal University Faculty Retirees’ Association

This is an interim constitution which will be in place until the number of retired members active in the association is sufficient to support a full-fledged retirees’ association that would have an elected executive managing a website, publishing a newsletter, and organizing events of interest to members and that might have a modest annual membership fee.

Objectives

The objectives of the association are to:

  • provide opportunities for members to maintain contact with former colleagues, the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA), and the University;
  • plan, advertise, and host in-person and online social gatherings, recreational activities, and lectures;
  • facilitate regular informal opportunities for connection and conversation;
  • organize an annual / semi-annual in-person event in Calgary;
  • advocate for members on issues of concern;
  • provide advice to faculty members who are approaching retirement;
  • share information about the activities of other faculty retiree organizations; and
  • participate in the work of the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC) and collaborate with the retiree associations of other Alberta universities.

Membership

All retired academic staff of Mount Royal University (MRU), as defined in the Bylaws and Policies of the MRFA, are eligible for membership in the Retirees’ Association. This includes all current and former MRU faculty, full-time and contract, who, at the time of ending employment, have indicated their intent to retire and have completed a minimum of two years’ service as academic staff at Mount Royal University.

Membership in the Retirees’ Association is obtained by being automatically added to the Association’s mailing list upon retirement or subsequently, upon request, by the Secretary. The Secretary shall liaise with the MRFA Office to get a list of retiring MRFA members.

Membership may be terminated at any time by opting out of the mailing list.

Executive Committee

Until active membership is large enough to fully develop a retirees’ association, an interim Executive Committee will strive to accomplish the association’s objectives to the extent possible. During this period, administrative support shall be provided by the MRFA.

The Executive Committee consists of:

  • a President elected for a two-year term effective July 1 of odd-numbered years;
  • a Vice-President elected for a two-year term effective July 1 of odd-numbered years;
  • a Secretary/Treasurer elected for a two-year term effective July 1 of even-numbered years;
  • a Newsletter Editor elected for a two-year term effective July 1 of odd-numbered years;
  • a Director-at-Large, who is located outside of Calgary, elected for a two-year term effective July 1 of even-numbered years; and
  • as many other Directors-at-Large as are deemed appropriate, appointed upon application by the Executive Committee.

Elections

  • Elections shall be held annually in April. Newly elected officers shall attend meetings of the Executive Committee until their terms begin on July 1.
  • All current members of the Association shall receive an electronic ballot.
  • Officers shall be elected by a majority vote.

Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice in each academic year. Quorum shall be three members of the committee, including the President or Vice-President.

Minutes will be taken for all Executive Committee meetings by the Secretary, or designate, and shall be submitted to the MRFA to ensure continuity in filing.

Resources

  • The MRFA will support the Retirees’ Association through access to the Faculty Centre with the same provisions as for Regular members of the Association (i.e., the committee has full access to booking the Faculty Centre as outlined in the MRFA Policies and Procedures Manual).
  • The MRFA will continue to provide administrative support while the MRU Faculty Retirees’ Association gets underway.
  • Moving forward, once constituted and well underway, the Retirees’ Association may begin to collect dues from members to support the work of the Association.