Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Indiana State University Bylaws Revised September 13, 2011 Approved by the Members 9/18/2011 The basic considerations governing the members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute who have created these bylaws are the following: to extend participation in the Institute to all adults in the Wabash Valley who are interested in lifelong learning regardless of age or educational background; to maximize the participation of all members in order to minimize procedures and protocols. Article I General Provisions The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is affiliated with Indiana State University. OLLI at Indiana State University is a membership-led educational institute. Article II Membership Membership is open to any adult who pays the annual dues. Programs are designed to address the interests of older adults. The membership fee is established by the Steering Committee. This fee underwrites expenses and to provides a back-up fund appropriate to continuing Institute operations. Article III General Meetings General meetings for all members shall be are held twice a year in the Fall and Spring. Elections for the Steering Committee will be are held at the Spring meeting. All members will be informed of the date(s) and purpose(s) of the general meetings.
2 Article IV Committee Structure The primary responsibilities for (1) administering, (2) creating and publicizing programs, (3) soliciting members, and (4) overseeing finances are vested in the Steering Committee composed of twelve (12) members elected by the general membership. Each member elected to the Steering Committee will serve for three years and may be elected to a second, contiguous three-year term. The three-year terms will be staggered so that only one-third (1/3) of the membership will be elected during any given year. At its first meeting following election by the general membership, the Steering Committee will elect the following: (1) Chairperson; (2) Vice-chairperson; (3) Secretary Section 3 The Steering Committee is responsible for designating additional coordinators and/or committees to advance the work of the Institute. Section 4 Nothing in these bylaws shall preclude the sharing of an office by two persons when necessary. A member may serve in two offices concurrently. Section 5 A majority of the voting members of the Steering Committee who are present shall constitute a quorum. Section 6 Each member of OLLI at Indiana State University is invited to attend Steering Committee meetings as an ex-officio member; that is, a member with all speaking but no voting rights. All members are notified in advance of Steering Committee meetings. Section 7 Ex-officio attendance at meetings by ISU representatives from the following areas is encouraged: (1) President s Office; (2) University liaison office; (3) Alumni Affairs; (4) Public Affairs. Representation from other closely affiliated groups, organizations or agencies is also encouraged. Section 8 The Steering Committee meets at least four times per year and assumes the primary responsibility for receiving and discussing the evaluations of meetings and programs that are submitted by members and attendees.
3 Section 9 A Nominating Committee composed of five (5) members is chosen by the Steering Committee and announced at the Fall meeting. The Nominating Committee prepares a list of candidates for the Steering Committee who are elected at the Spring meeting. The Nominating Committee s list will include at least the number of nominations required to fill all vacancies. Nominations from the floor will be accepted. Program Administrator The day-to-day organization and administration of OLLI at Indiana State University is the responsibility of the Program Administrator, including but not limited to the following: Communicating with the members the dates, times and locations of scheduled meetings of the Steering Committee, Program Committee and other established committees Meeting with all of the established committees Creating and distributing brochures and program guides Preparing an annual budget and submitting it to the Steering Committee for review and approval Hiring assistants and overseeing their work Soliciting feedback from the members Keeping a list of potential programs The Program Administrator is hired in accordance with policies and procedures established by Indiana State University. The Steering Committee will appoint a Search Committee that will be responsible for ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed. That committee will make its recommendation(s) to the Steering Committee which will submit the name(s) to the University. Article V Provisions for Regulation and Conduct of the Affairs of OLLI All the powers and duties of OLLI at Indiana State University shall be exercised by the Steering Committee, in consultation with ISU s appointed representative(s) to the Committee and the Provost (or an agent of the Provost). All activities of OLLI at Indiana State University, whether on or off campus, shall be included in ISU insurance coverage s and contracts.
4 Article VI Fiscal Management The receipts and expenditures of OLLI at Indiana State University shall be credited and charged to accounts at ISU in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Steering Committee shall review and approve a budget as presented by the Program Administrator for each fiscal year which shall include the estimated funds required to defray common expenses and to provide and maintain funds for the necessary accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Section 3 The depository or depositories of OLLI at Indiana State University shall be made along with other ISU funds, through the Indiana State University Controller. No accounts other than those at ISU shall be maintained by OLLI at Indiana State University. Section 4 An audit of OLLI at Indiana State University by the Indiana State Board of Accounts shall be performed annually along with the books and records of ISU, and the resulting report shall be shared with the Steering Committee. Section 5 Fidelity bonds may be required by the Steering Committee from all persons handling or responsible for OLLI funds. The amount of such bonds shall be determined by the ISU Treasurer, in consultation with the Steering Committee members. The premium of such bonds shall be paid by OLLI at Indiana State University funds. Section 6 All monies paid to OLLI at Indiana State University shall be placed in OLLI at Indiana State University general operating funds. (For further details see the attachment Standard Operating Procedures.) Article VII Affirmative Action It is the policy of OLLI to comply with all appropriate state and federal requirements pertaining to non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability, and to comply with all ISU policies and procedures regarding the same.
5 Article VIII Amendments to the Bylaws Amendments to these bylaws shall require circulation of proposals to the membership at least two weeks prior to the next general meeting and can be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members in attendance. If time constraints demand that action on an amendment be taken between the membership meetings, a mail ballot may be distributed to all members. Article IX Implementation These bylaws take effect upon approval by the membership and Indiana State University. The Steering Committee shall assume responsibility for implementing these bylaws. Original document approved 4/01/03 Amendments approved 9/9/07 Revisions approved 9/18/2011