CONSTITUTION OF THE NASA ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Article I. Name, Purpose, and Composition

Section 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the "NASA Academy Alumni Association," henceforth referred to as the "NAAA." The NAAA is the official alumni organization of the NASA Academy.

Section 2. Purpose

The mission of the NASA Academy Alumni Association is to serve the past and present members of the NASA Academy by promoting communications, fellowship, camaraderie, and an esprit de corps among and between all Alumni. Additionally, the NAAA seeks to provide a mechanism to facilitate Alumni participation in programs and projects, both internal and external to the NAAA, that promote NASA and space education, and that communicate the excitement of space exploration and development to the general populace.

Section 3. Composition

The NAAA shall be composed of Members (alumni of the NASA Academy), Associate Members, Honorary Members, the Executive Council, and the Board of Advisors.

Article II. Structure

Section 1. Organization

For the purposes of administering its affairs and serving the needs of the membership, the NAAA shall be organized on a national basis.

Section 2. Membership

Section 2.1 Members

The NAAA membership body will be comprised of graduates of the NASA Academy. All Research Associates, as defined in the bylaws, are automatically entitled to membership upon completion of the NASA Academy.

Section 2.2 Associate Members

NASA Academy staff shall be entitled to become Associate Members in the NAAA.

Section 2.3 Honorary Members

Persons of distinction may be granted Honorary Member status by the Executive Council.

Section 2.4 Privileges of Members

1. Members shall have the right to vote and run for office. Associate Members and Honorary Members do not have the right to vote or run for office.
   
2. Basic control of the NAAA resides with the Members and shall be manifested through the election of Officers to the Executive Council, through approval or disapproval of amendments to this constitution, and through approval or disapproval of other issues brought before the Members.
   
3. Members shall be regularly appraised of the activities of the Executive Council and can individually bring issues to the attention of the Executive Council.
   

Section 2.5 Member Responsibility

The Members are responsible for guiding the actions of the Executive Council, and ultimately for ensuring that the mission of the NAAA is achieved.

Section 3 Executive Council

Section 3.1 Composition and Purpose

The purpose of the Executive Council is to provide the leadership and overall direction of the efforts, affairs, and operations in support of the mission of the NAAA. The Executive Council shall be composed of Members elected to the following permanent offices:

• President
• Vice President for Operations
• Vice President for Finance

Each of these officers has one vote on the Executive Council. The powers and duties of each of these permanent positions shall be delineated in the bylaws.

Section 3.2 Appointed Positions

Additional Members may be appointed as Special Project Directors by the Executive Council. These additional appointments are non-voting positions, but sit on the Executive Council ex officio. These are not permanent positions; old appointed positions and appointees must be voted upon by the new Executive Council each year. Appointees and their positions may be terminated at any time by an unanimous vote of the Executive Council.

Section 3.3 Election of the Executive Council

Only Members may declare their candidacy. Voting procedures are detailed in the bylaws. In the event of a resignation, a special election shall be held as outlined in bylaws. Duration of term shall be one year. No term limits shall be imposed on elected officers.

Section 3.4 Responsibilities of the Executive Council

1. The Executive Council is charged with the responsibility of protecting the reputation and image of the NAAA. This may include disallowing the use of the NAAA's name for certain activities.
   
2. The Executive Officers have the duty of originating, organizing, and completing (or terminating) any project or initiative.
   
3. A majority of the Executive Council, or two votes out of three, is required for approval of administrative decisions. Certain administrative decisions shall require a unanimous vote, or three votes out of three, of the Executive Council.
   
4. It is the responsibility of the Executive Council to act in the interests of the Members and in support of the Mission of the NAAA.
   
5. The Executive Council is not allowed to engage in deficit spending.
   

Section 4 Board of Advisors

Section 4.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Board of Advisors is to help the NAAA achieve it's stated goals and provide continuity, support, and guidance for the Executive Council.

Section 4.2 Composition and Appointment

The Board of Advisors shall be composed of distinguished individuals who have an interest in supporting the NASA Academy and the goals of the NAAA. Appointment of individuals to the Board of Advisors shall be made by the Executive Council. Upon receipt of that individual's signed agreement, the Board Member will begin serving his/her term. This term may be renewed upon agreement of the Board Member and the Executive Council. The terms of Advisors and the size of the Board shall be delineated in the Bylaws. Contact with potential Advisors shall be established by the Executive Council.

Section 4.3 Rights of Advisors

Advisors may attend all meetings and activities of the NAAA and may attend the meetings of the Executive Council. The advisors shall receive an annual written report from the Executive Council.

ARTICLE III. Treasury

The NAAA's funds shall be kept between a checking and savings account at a federally insured bank. The funds will be disbursed as deemed necessary by the Executive Council. All disbursement checks must be signed by the Vice President for Finance and one other member of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE IV. Affiliations

Section 1. Executive Council Authority

The Executive Council has the authority to propose contracts of affiliation between NAAA and public or private organizations.

Section 2. Binding of NAAA

These contracts, upon ratification by a 2/3 majority of the Members of NAAA, shall become binding upon NAAA according to the terms contained therein. No group affiliates of NAAA shall have authority in the policy or administration of NAAA.

Section 3. Renewal of contracts

Upon expiration, these contracts may be renewed by a 2/3 majority vote of the NAAA Members, if the outside organization so desires.

ARTICLE V. Bylaws

Section 1. Purpose

The bylaws are established for the purposes of governing the operations and administration of the NAAA. They are designed to govern the activities that are primarily the concern of the Executive Council.

Section 2. Authority invested in the bylaws

The bylaws are hereby considered a part of the constitution and do thereby have the same weight of law as the constitution. If there is a conflict between the bylaws and the constitution proper, the portion belonging to the constitution proper has precedence.

Section 3. Enactment/revision of bylaws

Any new bylaw, or change to the existing bylaws, must be approved by a vote of the Executive Council. The Membership may override any action concerning the bylaws by a 2/3 vote.

ARTICLE VI. Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution shall be accomplished by mail ballot of the Members. Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Council or by a petition signed by a minimum of 25% of the NAAA Members. A proposed constitutional amendment shall be adopted if it receives a favorable vote of 2/3 of all votes cast, provided the number of votes cast is at least 50% of the number of qualified voters. If adopted, the amendment shall take effect at such time as specified in the ballot.