Zayed University Alumnae Association

You're only a student for four or five years - you'll be an alumna (graduate) for life!  Have a say in programs for graduates by volunteering for the "student council for alumnae" - the Zayed University Alumnae Association.  Have your voice heard!

• What is Z.U.'s Alumnae Association?
• Available Positions and Duties
• How to Apply
• Structure
• Further Responsibilities
   

What is it?

We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated graduates to take on leadership roles for the College and Class. Activities of the Association will include fund raising for a scholarship for graduate studies, helping to organize social and professional development events, and acting as advisors to the university on the needs of graduates.

If you're interested, or would like to know more information, please contact your campus Alumnae Relations Office.  Keep reading to learn more about the available positions and how to apply!

Available Positions & Duties:

1. Executive Committee
2. Board Coordinators
3. Delegates and Class Representatives

1) Executive Committee*

• The President chairs meetings of the Board and the Executive Committee, establishes Board and Alumnae Association priorities, action plan and calendar, and assigns members to tasks. The President communicates Board and graduates' issues to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and represents and speaks for the Alumnae Association as called upon by the University and the community.
• The Vice-President chairs Board and Executive Committee meetings and assumes all presidential responsibilities in the absence of the president.  The Vice-President chairs meetings of all ad-hoc subcommittees and any other University committees as assigned by the president.  In addition, the Vice-President assists with university sponsored activities and events.
• The Treasurer chairs the Finance Committee, proposes the Board's annual budget, reviews funding proposals from internal or external sources as well as works with Student Affairs to establish and grows a fund for scholarships for graduate study, as per the mission of the Alumnae Association. She also prepares purchase requisitions, requests, and an annual statement for the review and approval of the Alumnae Relations Coordinator. (The Alumnae Relations Coordinator is responsible for oversight of the Board budget, review and approval of purchase requests and orders, and ensuring the timely payment of Board bills.)
• The Secretary prepares and posts the agenda and minutes for all Board meetings (see Section 7.1), keeps attendance records for Board meetings, notifies members and officers of excessive absence and dismissal, keeps Board minutes and handles Board correspondence. 

1. Agenda and minutes shall be circulated to:

• University Vice President
• Provost's Executive Council
• Dean and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
• Board members and class representatives
• University Library
• Alumnae Relations Web site.

* (The Officers and Alumnae Relations Representative constitute the Board Executive Committee)

2) Board Coordinators

• The Special Events Coordinator chairs the Special Events Committee which identifies on-campus events of interest to graduates from all the colleges; determines an annual calendar of events for the Alumnae Association which is to include a minimum of one professional development, one social/reunion, and one fundraising event per year.  The Special Events Coordinator also schedules the Association's Annual General Meeting, and works with the Alumnae Relations Coordinator on all logistics and with the Communications Coordinator on publicity.
• The Services and Benefits Coordinator chairs the Services and Benefits Committee which identifies which services and benefits the Association members want and works with the Alumnae Relations Coordinator and the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs to develop new programs. She also works with the Communications Coordinator to ensure that all Services and Benefits are effectively advertised to members of the Association and provides statistics on usage of current services.
• The Communications Coordinator chairs the Communications Committee and advises the Board on all issues relating to publicity, public relations, design, marketing, and internal communications for events and services/benefits. She advises the Alumnae Relations Coordinator on all communications tactics and their success rate, as well as ensures that all issues relating to the Board and the Association are brought forward in a timely manner.  In addition, she also writes the Alumnae Association update in the Alumnae "Achievers" Magazine bi-annually, and any speaking notes for the President. When timely, all Board communications should be distributed to:

1. Alumnae E-Newsletter
2. Alumnae "Achievers" Magazine
3. Alumnae Relations Web site
4. Colleges
5. "Graduate Opportunities" Board outside Alumnae Relations Office.

3)   Delegates and Class Representatives

1. In addition to fulfilling the responsibility of board members Delegates and Class Representatives are responsible for the following:

1. meet twice annually with class representatives to hear their concerns and suggestions.
2. maintain a complete and up-to-date file of contact information from each class and provide a report of any changes to the Alumnae Relations Coordinator as she becomes aware of them.
3. sit on at least one of the main committees, and other ad-hoc committees as need and interest demands.

2. Class Representatives are non-voting members of the Board, and are expected to fulfill the following duties:

1. hold the role of Class Representative permanently to ensure there is an organizational memory and history.
2. connect twice annually (either by phone, over email or in person) with college delegates to voice concerns and suggestions.
3. maintain accurate and up-to-date contact information on all members of their class.
4. survey their class occasionally on their level of satisfaction with the Alumnae Association and its Board, events, services and benefits, and communications.
5. develop a phone or email-tree system to communicate with classmates about Alumnae Association events.
6. attend, and encourage the attendance of classmates, at the Alumnae Association Annual General Meeting.

How to Apply:

1. All interested graduates who are active members of the Alumnae Association are encouraged to apply for an officer or coordinator position on the Board (for position titles and descriptions above).
2. Applications shall be submitted to the Alumnae Relations Office, and must be received by the closing date to be considered
3. A graduate may apply for a position as an officer or coordinator on the Board directly. Faculty, staff and administrators may also nominate candidates.
4. To apply, graduates must submit a 1-2 page letter indicating which position or positions the student wishes to be considered for and the reasons why the student feels she should be selected.
5. The Alumnae Relations Coordinator may recruit nominees to fill vacant positions in the absence of sufficient suitable candidates, following the close of the application/nomination period.
6. The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs shall appoint a Selection Committee to review nominations and applications for Board membership; applicants will be asked to participate in interviews with the Selection Committee. Within two weeks of the close of the application/nomination period, the Selection Committee shall provide the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs with a list of students recommended for delegate Board positions.  After receiving the Committee's recommendations, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs shall make a final determination and appoint.

Structure:

Further Responsibilities:

In addition to their specific responsibilities (listed above under Positions and Duties) Board members are expected to:

1. attend all Board meetings including the Annual General Meeting;
2. participate in all Alumnae Association-sponsored activities;
3. serve as representatives of Zayed University and the campus;
4. take leadership roles in one or more Alumnae Association-sponsored activities;
5. work with class representatives and all volunteers in ensuring their relationship with Zayed University and with the Association is meaningful.