Grand Valley State University Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA).

The purpose of this Association shall be to: 

Section 1. Maintain a Sense of Community Among Black Faculty and Staff 

1. Develop a professional and personal support network that nurtures Black faculty and staff as a visible and vibrant part of the GVSU environment and leadership. 

1. Maintain regular communication to inform Black faculty and staff of engagement opportunities on GVSU campuses, GVSU affinity groups, and surrounding communities.  

2. Give voice to the needs and concerns of the Black faculty and staff on GVSU campuses.  

1. Host regular meetings where needs and concerns can be expressed and explored.   

Section 2. Advocate and Support the Recruitment, Retention and Advancement of GVSU Black Faculty and Staff 

1. Work with GVSU administration on needs and issues relating to the Black faculty and staff recruitment, retention, engagement, and advancement. 

2. Promote and celebrate GVSU Black faculty and staff contributions, milestones, and achievements. 

Section 3. Engage with Black Students 

1. Support the university’s existing programs, services, and organizations that work directly with current Black students. 

2. Connect with Black Alumni Association. 

Section 1. The membership of this Association is open to all faculty and staff of Grand Valley State University.

Section 2.  Eligible Voting Members will consist of GVSU’s faculty and staff that are current members of the BFSA’s membership list.  

Section 1. The officers of the Association shall consist of Chair, Vice Chair, Faculty Liaison, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chair. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association. 

Section 2. The Chair and Vice Chair shall appoint an Elections committee in February. The Elections committee will issue a call for nominations of candidates for the positions to be filled. Candidates will submit a brief statement of qualifications. The Elections committee shall report the names of qualified candidates to the membership. 

Section 3. The election of officers shall be by ballot of the majority of the eligible voting membership each March. Office terms will begin July 1 – June 30.  Officers will serve according to the terms of each office. 

Section 4. The Chair will serve for a minimum of two-year staggered terms.   

1. Call and conduct meetings of the Executive Board and general membership of BFSA. 

2. Represent the Association in all matters. Supervise and direct all efforts of BFSA. 

3. Signs, with the Treasurer, all checks issued in the name of the BFSA. 

4. Sign all contracts approved by the Executive Board. 

5. Call special meetings of the Executive Board as needed. 

6. Will support the work of the Faculty Liaison and the Treasurer 

Section 5. The Vice Chair will serve for a minimum of two-year staggered terms. 

1. Develop meeting agendas in coordination with the Executive Board. 

2. Establish committees and task forces. 

3. Represents the Association in the Chair’s absence.  

4. Will support the work of the Secretary and Program Chair. 

Section 6. The Secretary shall serve a two-year term. The duties of the Secretary shall be: 

1. Keep a record of all proceedings of general membership meetings and the Executive Board meetings. 

2. Perform any other duties assigned by the Chair and Vice Chair.  

3. Prepare and distribute notices, agendas, etc., in a timely fashion. 

4. Maintain a membership roster that will include name, department, and email address.  

Section 7. The Treasurer shall serve a two-year term.  The duties of the Treasurer shall be: 

1. Manage account including submitting an monthly report to the Executive Board. 

2. Sign all check requests for expenditures along with the Chair and Vice Chair 

3. Prepare an annual fiscal report    

Section 8. The Program Chair shall serve a two-year term. The duties of the Program Chair shall be: 

1. Coordinate programs of the association. 

2. Works in conjunction with the treasurer and the co-chairs to stay within a selected budget. 

3. Keeps record of attendance at association events. 

4. Appoints the Black Graduation Celebration committee chairs. 

5. Serve as liaison between the Black Graduation committee and BFSA leadership team. 

Section 9. The Faculty Liaison will serve a two-year term. The person in this role should be a visiting or tenure-track faculty member. The duties of the Faculty Liaison shall be: 

1. Communicates faculty issues and perspectives to the BFSA executive board and general body.  

2. Provide regular updates regarding University Academic Senate meetings 

Section 10.  A member cannot hold more than one office at a time, unless there is no one available to fill that position. If a member is unable to continue serving on the Board, a replacement will be appointed.  

Section 1. Meetings will be conducted in accordance with this Charter.  

Section 2. The general membership meetings of the Association shall be held in September, November, January, and March of each year, unless additional meetings are requested by the Executive Board or one-third of the membership of the Association. 

Section 3. The Executive Board will meet monthly from July through June of each year. Special meetings may be called by Executive Board. 

Section 1. The Executive Board shall appoint committees or sub-committees as deemed necessary. 

Section 2. Standing Committees. Two such committees shall exist: 

1. Annual Welcome Reception- This committee will be responsible for planning and executing the annual reception for faculty and staff to occur each Fall in support of Article II, Sections 2 and 4. 

2. Black Graduation Celebration -This committee will work in conjunction with the appropriate campus offices/entities to help host the celebration in support of Article II, section 3. 

The Charter may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present at meeting.  The proposed amendment must be submitted to the membership at least one meeting of the membership prior to the amendments being submitted to a vote. The Charter will be reviewed at least every two (2) years.