Bylaws

Community Development Alumni Association 

BYLAWS

 

Mission, Vision, and Core Principles

  1. Mission:  The UC Davis Community Development Alumni Association (CDAA) unites alumni, students, staff, and faculty to build lasting networks, support professional development, and advance the CDGG program.
  2. Vision: To cultivate a dynamic network of Community Development alumni who drive change across sectors and redefine how we connect, support, and give back.
  3. Core Principles: 
  4. Connection – We foster meaningful relationships among members to create a strong, supportive community.
  5. Growth – We stimulate professional development through mentorship, internships, speaking opportunities, and continued learning programs.
  6. Service – We encourage members to uplift one another and give back to the CDGG program.
  7. Inclusion –  We foster a culture where everyone feels welcome, is valued, and can fully participate.
  8. Impact –  We celebrate the contributions of our members to drive meaningful change in our communities, professions, and the field of community development. 

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1. 

This organization shall be known as the UC Davis Community Development Alumni Association, a Cal Aggie Alumni Association chapter, hereinafter referred to as the CAAA. All references herein to the UC Davis Community Development Alumni Association will be referred to as CDAA. 

Section 2.

Pursuant to recognition granted by the         CAAA, CDAA is organized as a chapter of the CAAA   subject to the policies of the Davis campus and the CAAA concerning  registered chapters and to such amendments as they may occur.

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

Section 1.

CDAA is organized for the following purposes:

  1. Foster communication and interaction among former and present members of the CDAA of the University of California, Davis. 
  2. To engage in other educational or charitable activities; included are scholarships, resource support, and the fostering of educational opportunities for current Community Development graduate students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. 
  3. Enhance the educational, personal, and professional development of Community Development graduate students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community. 
  4. Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among members of CDAA, the administration, faculty, and students of the Davis campus. 
  5. To develop and sustain regional and/or local affiliate branches that will operate under the purview of CDAA. 
  6. Conduct activities aimed at supporting various projects and professional programs in cooperation with the CAAA. 
  7. To assist existing UC Davis programs in maintaining Community Development graduate students on campus, and assist Community Development graduate students on/off the Davis campus, ensuring due process. 
  8. Support CAAA and its programs through program participation and as a resource to the alumni association.

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

Any graduate, former student, current student, faculty, staff, or friend of the University of California, Davis who supports the purposes of this chapter shall be eligible for membership in the chapter and shall become a member upon payment of dues to CAAA.

Section 2. 

A” Regular” member is an alumnus of the UC Davis Community Development Graduate Group and is considered active when dues to CAAA are current.

Section 3. 

An “Associate” member is a current student, faculty, staff, or friend of the University of California at Davis and is considered active when dues to CAAA are current.

 

Article IV - RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

Any graduate, former or current student, faculty, staff, or friend of the Davis campus or of the University of California, who has demonstrated his/her interest in the University and in the activities of the chapter, is invited and encouraged to participate in general chapter meetings and activities.

Section 2.

A regular member of CDAA, as defined in Article III, Section 2, shall have the right to:

1. Hold an Officer position on CDAA Board,

2. Vote on all matters submitted to the general body,

3. Vote on the election of officers or liaison members.

4. Nominate CDAA Board officers and liaison members.

5. Attend all CDAA Board and committee meetings.

6. Access to other rights and privileges as granted by CDAA’s Board.

Section 3.

Associate members of CDAA, as defined in Article III, Section 3, shall have all the rights of a Regular member except to hold a Liaison position, not an Officer position, in CDAA.

Article V - MEMBERSHIP ROSTER - MAILING LIST

Section 1.

All members of CDAA who are current and active members, for whom CDAA knows the names and addresses of such individuals, shall at any time constitute the official Mailing List of CDAA.

Section 2.

The members are responsible for informing CAAA of changes to their contact information.

Section 3. 

For purposes of conducting the business of CDAA, the current Mailing List shall be kept confidential and the responsibility of CDAA’s officers. Where these By-Laws provide for petition or Declaration statements, this Roster shall be the source document for verification.

Article VI - ORGANIZATIONAL AND FISCAL YEAR

 

Section 1. 

The organizational and fiscal year of CDAA shall run from July 1 to June 30.

Article VII - CDAA BOARD (LIAISONS AND OFFICERS)

Section 1. 

Duties of Board Members: Board members of CDAA shall be members in good standing with CAAA and CDAA. Board members are responsible for the management of CDAA and are encouraged to actively participate in committees and activities of CDAA.

Section 2. 

Vested Powers: The CDAA Board shall be responsible for managing and conducting the affairs of CDAA.

Section 3.

Term: Board members shall serve terms of  up to two (2) consecutive years, or until successors have been appointed. The Board shall consist of up to 6 members.

Section 4.

Selection of Board Members: The Board members will be selected by an application process and/or referral by a current Board member. 

Section 5.

Meetings: The Board shall meet between two to four times per year, which is determined and announced at the first meeting following the beginning of the fiscal year. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded and include the attendance, absence, and tardiness of the membership. It should also record the time and place, and the type of meeting. The minutes shall include all actions taken.

Section 6.

Quorum: A quorum shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Board. The affirmative vote of the quorum shall constitute action by the Board.

Section 7. 

Removal and Resignation: Two consecutive absences in one year will warrant removal or resignation of any Board member by a 2/3 vote of the Board. The Board may also remove with or without cause any Board Liaison or Officer by a sixty-six percent (66%) or 2/3 vote of the Board.

Section 8. 

CDAA Officer positions consist of:

  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. Communications Director
  4. Finance Director

CDAA Liaison positions consist of:

  1. Faculty Liaison
  2. Student Liaison

ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF BOARD (LIAISONS & OFFICERS)

Section 1. 

President (Officer) - Presides over board meetings; acts as primary liaison with the university and external partners; co-leads events and initiatives with the Vice President; provides overall vision and leadership for the CDAA.

Section 2.

Vice President (Officer) - Supports the President and steps in as needed; oversees Board activities and supports their effectiveness; co-leads events and initiatives; helps drive strategic planning.

Section 3.

Communications Director (Officer) - Takes and distributes meeting minutes; manages CDAA communications, including social media (Facebook and LinkedIn), website updates, and alumni database requests.

Section 4.

Finance Director (Officer) - Manages CDAA finances, donations, and any associated accounts; helps define the financial vision; supports fundraising and development opportunities in collaboration with CDGG/UCD leaders.

Section 5.

Faculty Liaison (Liaison) - Serves as the bridge between the alumni association, CDGG faculty and Human Ecology leadership; ensures alignment with academic goals and current student and faculty needs; promotes shared initiatives.

Section 6. 

Student Liaison (Liaison) - Represents the current student perspective; strengthens connections between students and alumni; helps coordinate mentorship and internship opportunities; shares relevant updates from the student community with the Board. Responsible for successor (candidate selection, nomination to board, majority approval by board, onboarding).

 

ARTICLE IX - BOARD TERM STRUCTURE

Section 1.

TERM STRUCTURE (Staggered for Continuity) 

After the first year, all officer roles rotate on 2-year terms, with elections staggered annually so no more than half the board turns over at once.

President (P) - 2 Year Term

Vice President (VP) - 2 Year Term (1st cycle only 1-year term) 

Communications Director (CD) - 2 Year Term

Finance Director (FD) -  2 Year Term (1st cycle only 1-year term)

Faculty Liaison (FL) - 1-year renewable term

Student Liaison (SL) - 1-year term (to align with student turnover)

ARTICLE X - DUES

Section 1. 

The chapter may not authorize the establishment of an independent chapter dues program.

Section 2.

In compliance with campus policy, all funds must be managed in compliance with University of California, Davis campus policy.

ARTICLE XI - DEDICATION OF ASSETS

Section 1.

In the event of the dissolution of CDAA or withdrawal of recognition by the CAAA, all assets of this chapter shall become the property of the CDGG Program or the University of California, Davis. The specifics of this dedication shall be determined by the officers of the board in coordination with CAAA and the UC Davis Community Development Graduate Group and affiliates.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. 

These Bylaws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the members of the Community Development Alumni Association as defined in Article III, Section 1 at such times as it may be deemed necessary. Such amendments shall be subject to the approval of the CDAA Board for compliance of such amendments with the policy under which CDAA is recognized as a chapter of the CAAA.

Section 2. 

Any member of CDAA may propose an amendment to the Executive Committee.