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 ensure the quality of the NASA Academy Programs; to promote communications, fellowship, camaraderie, and an esprit de corps among and between all NASA Academy Alumni; and 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 the Members, Associate Members, Honorary Members, 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 (Members) shall be comprised of graduates of the NASA Academy. All Research Associates automatically become eligible for membership upon completion of the NASA Academy. Eligible individuals shall become Members, with all of the rights and privileges granted therein, upon submission of a registration form, as defined in the bylaws. Members shall be periodically required to complete a membership renewal form to retain the status of an active Member.

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 who have been associated with the NASA Academy, may be elected as Honorary Members in the NAAA by the Executive Council.

Section 2.4 Privileges of Members

  1. Members shall have the right to vote and to run for office. Associate Members and Honorary Members shall 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 shall be 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 shall be to direct the daily operations and affairs of the NAAA. The Executive Council shall be composed of Members elected to the following positions or offices:

President Vice President of Operations Vice President of Finance

The fundamental duty of these elected positions shall be to provide leadership for the NAAA, in a manner which represents the viewpoint of the Members and supports the mission of the NAAA. Each of these officers has one vote on the Executive Council. The powers and responsibilities of each of these permanent positions shall be delineated in the bylaws.

Section 3.2 Appointed Positions

Additional Members may be appointed by the Executive Council as Directors of Special Projects. These are neither voting nor permanent positions, but sit on the Executive Council ex officio. 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. Elected officials can be impeached by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership body.

Section 3.4 Responsibilities of the Executive Council

  1. It is the duty of the Executive Council to act in the interests of the Members and in support of the Mission of the NAAA.
  2. 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.
  3. The Executive Council has the duty of originating, organizing, and completing (or terminating) any project or initiative.
  4. A majority of the Executive Council is required for approval of administrative decisions. Certain administrative decisions shall require a unanimous vote of the Executive Council, as specified in this constitution.
  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 shall be to provide continuity, to nurture a long-term vision for the NAAA, and to provide 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 shall begin serving his/her term. This term may be renewed upon agreement of the Board Member and the Executive Council. Contact with potential Advisors shall be established by the Executive Council.

Section 4.3 Terms of Advisors

The term of members of the Board of Advisors shall be three years, from the time of the general election. In the event that a Board Member's term begins before the time of the general election, that Board Member will serve a term equal to three years plus the portion of the year preceding the general election.

Section 4.4 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 in an account at a federally insured bank. The funds shall 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.

Section 4 Termination of Contracts

These contracts can be terminated at any time by a 2/3 majority vote of the NAAA Members.

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 a unanimous vote of the Executive Council or by a petition signed by a minimum of 1/4 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 1/2 of the number of qualified voters. If adopted, the amendment shall take effect at such time as specified in the ballot.

ARTICLE VII. Definitions

  1. Rules of Procedure. The Rules of Procedure for the NAAA Executive Council shall be Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, except where they are in conflict with the NAAA Constitution, in which case the constitution takes precedence.
  2. Majority. Greater than fifty percent of those eligible to vote.
  3. Two-thirds majority. Greater than or equal to two-thirds of those eligible to vote.
  4. Simple majority. If quorum is met, measure passes if majority of the yea and the nay votes are in favor.
  5. Simple two-thirds majority. If quorum is met, measure passes if two-thirds of the yea and nay votes are in favor.