Article I: Name
Section 1
The name of this organization shall be the Black Faculty and Staff Association ("BFSA")
of Towson University ("University").
Article II: Mission
Section 1
The mission of the BFSA is to support the retention, recruitment and development of
the University’s black faculty and staff while also supporting the needs of the black
students. The BFSA fosters networking across diverse lines and actively engages with
the Metro Baltimore Community.
Article III: Purpose
Section 1
The purpose of the BFSA is to:
- establish and maintain community by providing a vehicle for faculty, administrators
and staff to network, collaborate in professional activities and advocate for concerns
communicated by members of the community
- provide a student support system by engaging with students and provide mentoring opportunities
which may support retention efforts
- support the University’s mission especially at it relates to diversity and inclusion
- help promote outreach efforts that will support the black community on campus and
the surrounding areas
Article IV: Officers and Representatives
Section 1: Officers
The Officers of the Association shall be the Staff Program Director, Faculty Program
Director, Communications Director, Event Planning Director and Membership Director.
Section 2: Duties of Officers
Faculty and Staff Program Directors. The Faculty and Staff Program Directors shall
be the co-chairs of the BFSA. These Directors will:
- act as the official representatives of the BFSA
- actively communicate with the group that they represent and communicate relevant concerns
and ideas to the leadership team
- coordinate general meetings and formulate the agenda
- co-sign all official documents
Communications Director. The Communications Director will:
- provide timely notice of all events, meetings, and activities
- record and keep record of leadership team meeting minutes
- coordinate marketing for BFSA events
- manage BFSA listserv
- oversee the activities of the communications
Membership Director. The Membership Director will:
- manage the BFSA listserv
- welcome new staff and faculty with prepared materials
- coordinate services and opportunities that provide value to membership
- oversee the activities of the membership
Event Planning Director. The Event Planning Director will:
- coordinate the annual signature event
- assist in the preparation for ongoing events (happy hours, meetings, lunches, etc.)
- oversee the activities of the events planning committee
Program Directors can both be faculty or staff is the association does not receive
nominations and/or acceptance of nominations for at least one faculty and/or one staff.
Section 3: Election of Officers
Elections will be held every two (2) years and those elected will serve for a period
of two (2) years. No one may serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms
Section 4: Removal
The BFSA may remove any Officer that the BFSA believes is not supporting the mission
of the BFSA. Prior to the meeting for removal of an officer, notice will be sent to
the offending Officer and opportunity will be given for resignation or explanation.
No vote shall be taken without timely, written notification of the meeting to all
members of the BFSA. Notification will be within 10 business days and shall include
the purpose for which the meeting is called. The removal must be by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote of the members present.
Section 5: Replacing Officers
If an Officer resigns or is removed before the completion of their term, the Staff
and Faculty Program Directors shall appoint a replacement to serve until the next
membership meeting. At that next meeting, elections will be held or announced allowing
active members to vote for a new officer.
Article V: Committees
Section 1: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the BFSA. The Executive
Committee shall act on behalf of the BFSA in cases of emergency when it is not feasible
to call a meeting of the BFSA. The Executive Committee shall be a standing committee.
Section 2: Standing Committees
In addition to the Executive Committee, other standing committees of the BFSA shall
be:
- The Membership Committee is responsible for the recruitment and retention for members
of the BFSA. The committee must develop and facilitate a program for reaching out
to new employees, to invite them to the organization. The membership committee will
create, modify and distribute membership forms, in addition to and establishing and
communicating benefits for being a member of the BFSA.
- The Event Planning Committee is responsible for developing programs and events that
support the retention, recruitment and development of the members of the BFSA and
other events to promote the purpose of the BFSA.
- They will communicate effectively with internal and external organizations/resources,
recruit volunteers for events held by BFSA and set up tabling events including the
involvement fair. They must plan fundraiser events to accommodate the predetermined
fundraising goal (predetermined by the president, and event planner). The event planner
may be asked to help set up social events in corroboration with other student groups
on campus. Email guest speakers, confirm their appointment and provide them with parking
codes.
- The Communication Committee works with the BFSA, the executive committee, as well
as other committees to coordinate communication relevant to the BFSA for both internal
and external audiences. The communications committee takes initiative to inform all
members of meetings, news and/or events of BFSA. They will take on the responsibility
of taking care of the website (uploading information, picture, etc.), taking pictures
at each event, maintaining the BFSA Social Media (The President and Vice President
can also have access to LinkedIn and Twitter) and managing all ads.
The Directors shall be ex-officio members of each of the Standing Committees.
Section 3: Ad Hoc Committees
The Executive Committee may, establish ad hoc committees to conduct the work of the
BFSA.
Article VI: Meetings
section 1: General Membership Business Meetings
The General Membership shall have at least one (1) Business meeting during the fall
semester and at least one (1) Business Meeting during the spring semester of each
academic year. The meeting dates shall be set by the Executive Committee. All members
of the BFSA will be notified.
Section 2: Executive Committee Meetings
The Executive Committee shall meet monthly at times not in conflict with the BFSA’s
General meeting. These meetings shall be for planning and evaluation purposes and
shall be open to any member of the BFSA. The Executive Committee will prepare an Annual
Report detailing the BFSA’s accomplishments and other matters that may be of interest
to the members.
Section 3: Special Meetings
A Special Meeting of the BFSA shall be called by the President of the BFSA when the
business of the BFSA warrants the same or at the written request of 10% of the BFSA’s
members. The meeting shall be held within 21 days of written request from the membership.
Section 4: Quorum
At any general body meeting of the BFSA, a quorum shall consist of 10 members of the
BFSA. In the absence of a quorum, no action will be approved.
Section 6: Passage of Motions
Passage of a motion will require a simple majority of votes cast by members in attendance
and by proxy. Proxy votes will be cast through the secretary. Members desiring to
cast a vote by proxy must inform the secretary in advance. Members will be notified
of items to be voted on, in advance of meetings, if they request that they be notified.
Section 7: Agenda
The order of business for regular BFSA meetings shall be as follows:
- Call to order
- Welcome/Introductions
- Approval of the minutes of the previous regular meeting and other intervening special
meeting(s)
- Directors’ Reports
- Old / Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Announcements
- Adjournment
For regular meetings, the Staff and Faculty Program Directors shall consider all submissions
for inclusion on the agenda. The Directors may not alter an agenda submission, but
may delay its inclusion, may include it on the agenda of a special meeting, may submit
the material directly to a committee, or may refuse to place it on the agenda if the
material is inappropriate, incomplete or unclear.
The order of business for a special meeting shall be as follows:
- Call to Order
- Statement by the Staff and/or Faculty Program Director of the nature and origin of
the call for the meeting
- Discussion
- Adjournment
Article VII: Nominations, Elections and Voting
Section 1: Nominations
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee before Mar 1.
The committee will consist of 3 (three) active members of the “BFSA”. Current Executive
Committee members are not eligible to be members of the Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee will issue a call for nominations from the members of the
BFSA in April and prepare a list of candidates for the offices of President (even
years), Vice President (odd years), Secretary (even years) and Treasurer (odd years).
The nominations process is coordinated by the Diversity and Inclusion Specialist in
OIIE.
Section 2: Elections
- elections will be held in May (or as designated by the Office of Inclusion and Institutional
Equity) and New Officer Terms will be from July 1 – June 30 (or as designated by OIIE)
- elections for the Faculty and Staff Program Directors will be held in even years
- elections for the Membership, Communications and Events Planning Directors will be
held in odd years
- each position carries a two-year term
Section 3: Voting
Candidates for the office shall be active members of the BFSA (should this be an expectation
of members at the time). All voting members may submit one vote per position, per
election.
Article VIII: Membership
Section 1: Members and Allies
Current and/or retired faculty and staff members of TU who identify as Black or African
American are eligible to become members of the association. Allies are current or
retired faculty and staff of TU who are supportive of the mission, goals and purpose
of BFSA, but do not identify as Black or African America.
Section 2: Full Membership
Full membership in the BFSA includes current University faculty, staff and administrators
who are committed to the mission of the BFSA. The President of the University and
their designated Vice President shall be ex-officio members of the BFSA. All active
full members must attend at least one general body meeting per semester. Full Members
may vote on BFSA business after they have been members for at least 30 days.
Section 3: Associate Membership
BFSA membership shall be open to former University faculty, staff, administrators,
alumni and others who are committed to furthering the mission of the BFSA.
Section 4: Removal
The BFSA may remove any full or associate member that the BFSA believes is not supporting
the mission of the BFSA. The removal must be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of
the members present. Prior to the meeting for removal of a member, notice will be
sent to the offending member and opportunity will be given for resignation or explanation.
No vote shall be taken without timely, written notification of the meeting to all
members of the BFSA. Notification shall include the purpose for which the meeting
is called. Refer to Special Meeting.
Article IX: Dues
Section 1
The BFSA will determine annually whether dues will be required and set the amount
of the dues required by majority vote of the members present and voting at the Fall
Business Meeting. If required, the Membership Director shall send a request for payment
of dues to all members of the BFSA no less than 15 days after the BFSA has set the
rate.
Article X: Compensation
Section 1
The Officers of the BFSA shall serve without compensation. They may, however, be reimbursed
for expenses incurred in doing the business of the BFSA.
Article XI: Sundry Provisions
Section 1: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the BFSA shall run from July 1 to June 30 of each year.
Section 2: Operations and Amendments
The BFSA shall have the power to make, adopt, amend, or repeal any bylaw of the BFSA
with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the full members of the BFSA. No vote can be taken
without adequate, timely, notification to the membership of said meeting. Notice must
include the purpose for which the meeting is being called and sent at least 10 business
days prior to the vote.
Bylaws Adopted 6/7/2022
