Constitution & Bylaws

• Article I — Name
• Article II — Mission and Objectives
• Article III — Head Office
• Article IV — Emblem
• Article V — Colours of the Association
• Article VI — Membership
• Article VII — Management
• Article VIII — Financial Operations
• Article IX — Financial Year
• Article X — Amendments to the Constitution
• Article XI — Interpretation
• By-law

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Article I — Name

The name of the organization (hereinafter called the Association) shall be the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) Alumni Association.

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Article II - Mission and Objectives

1. The mission of the Association is to:
   1. promote lifelong professional and social relationships among the alumni of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC, or the College);
   2. sustain and strengthen the programs of the OAC and its position within the University of Guelph;
   3. strengthen the ability of the OAC family - faculty, staff, present and future students and alumni - to contribute to the economic viability of the global agrifood sector and the economic, environmental and social health of rural communities.
2. To these ends, the Association shall
   1. communicate with and foster communications among alumni, the OAC and other university communities, and the public;
   2. offer advice informed by experience to the OAC and the University on developments that will support high standards and social relevance in teaching, research and extension programs;
   3. promote and facilitate an active and expanding participation of alumni in the affairs and activities of the College and the University;
   4. foster partnerships between the OAC and public and industry groups, rural leaders and government.
3. In pursuit of these objectives, the Association will
   1. encourage young people to seek post-secondary education at the University of Guelph and particularly within academic programs for which the OAC is responsible;
   2. interact with in-course students - from admission to convocation - in order to provide support to them in their academic programs and in their extra-curricular activities, and help them prepare to enter the workplace;
   3. actively encourage eligible graduates to become members of the Association;
   4. provide qualified persons to serve on College and university planning, administration and operating committees and agencies;
   5. collaborate with the OAC and the University in the design and delivery of lifelong learning opportunities;
   6. in cooperation with the OAC Alumni Foundation, Association members, and the Alma Mater Fund, raise funds to support valuable developments and projects in the College and the University;
   7. keep members informed of developments in the College and University through a newsletter and in other ways;
   8. maintain and promote social and professional contacts among alumni through regular communications and by arranging social, sporting and other events.

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Article III - Head Office

The head office of the Association shall be situated in Alumni House at the University of Guelph, in the City of Guelph, in the Province of Ontario, or at such place as the Directors from time to time determine.

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Article IV - Emblem

The crest of the OAC the design whereof is shown in the margin hereof, when used in conjunction with the name of the Association shall be the emblem of the Association. The signature and/or crest of the University of Guelph, whereof is/are shown in the margin hereof, may be used in conjunction with the name of the Association in keeping with the policies concerning such use by the University.

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Article V - Colours of the Association

The OAC colours of red and blue shall be the colours of the Association.

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Article VI - Membership

1. The membership of the Association shall be open to
   1. all graduates of the academic programs for which the OAC (now the University of Guelph) and faculty thereof;
   2. all students who have attended two or more semesters in a program of the OAC;
   3. those persons who have received a diploma through correspondence or Independent Study through the OAC;
   4. any individual who acts as an Ex-Officio Director of the Association;
   5. such other persons as the Association may determine by By-law.
2. Membership shall be granted to all graduates of the academic programs centred on the Ontario Agricultural College, including those who have graduated from the regional campuses of the University of Guelph in and since 1997.

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Article VII- Management

The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Board of Directors. While the actions of the Board shall be subject to review by the members at the annual meeting, the Directors may amend the By-law and administer the affairs of the Association, and in its name enter into any contract which the Association may lawfully enter into, and save as hereinafter provided, generally may exercise all such powers and all such other acts as the Association is by its constitution, or otherwise, authorized to exercise and do. The size and makeup of the Board shall be determined by By-law.

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Article VIII - Financial Operations

The Association shall be carried on without purpose of direct individual financial gain for its members. Any operating surplus arising from any Association activity, or any other financial gain to the Association, shall be used in promoting its objectives.

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Article IX - Financial Year

Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Association shall terminate on the thirty-first day of January in each year.

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Article X - Amendments to the Constitution

1. This constitution may be amended, or a new constitution adopted in its place, by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing who are present at an annual meeting or regularly scheduled meeting of the Association members provided that the substance of the proposed or new constitution has been circulated to the members with one of the notices of the meeting 21 days or more before the time fixed for the holding of such a meeting.
2. Revisions to the constitution shall be in effect from the date of the meeting at which they are approved.

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Article XI - Interpretation

In this constitution, and in all By-laws of the Association hereinafter passed, unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number or masculine gender shall include the plural number or the female gender, as the case may be, and vice versa.

Approved by the members of the Association at the annual general meeting of the Association on June 1999.

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By-law

A By-law consolidating all previous By-laws and relating to the transaction of the business and affairs of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) Alumni Association.

› Complete by-laws (pdf)

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