Standing Rules for the operation of
The Principia Alumni Association Board
Standing Rules Established in 1994
Revised and Expanded March 4, 2000
Principia Field Activities & Alumni Relations

In support of Article III: Members

Section 2

The Alumni Office will track the eligibility of students, faculty and staff for membership in the Alumni Association.

Section 5

Every effort will be made to make all alumni welcome and active participants in the Alumni Association, regardless of their commitment to Christian Science, so long as they are supportive of the Principia idea in education.

In support of Article IV: Expectations of Members

Section 1, number 3

Financial development - There is responsibility on the AAB members to assist the Development Office in encouraging maximum participation by their fellow alumni in financially supporting their school. Members should keep abreast of the funding needs and programs of the school and of the level of alumni participation, with the view of assisting in improving that participation in every way possible.

In support of Article V: Government

Section 1

Any change of the current Alumni Board from eight members will be based on a business plan, approved by the Chief Executive Officer of The Principia, indicating how all members of the Board will be engaged in the duties of the Alumni Association, the costs involved, and the anticipated return to the institution.

In support of Article VI: Officers

Section 4

If a current Alumni Board member is elected to the Principia Board of Trustees, their AAB term will expire at the end of the next scheduled teleconference or in-person meeting so to provide closure with the AAB. The unexpired term will be filled according to bylaw procedure as outlined in Article VI, Section 2.

In support of Article VII: Duties of the Alumni Association Board

Section 1

Active organized programs - The Alumni Association Board, (also referred to as AAB) as the elected representatives of Principia Alumni throughout the world, should rightly be at the forefront of the effort to fulfill Mrs. Morgan’s charge to all alumni to support their alma mater.

Ongoing programs - As developing programs mature and become a regular part of the functioning of the Association, the AAB will continually provide guidance and advice about their administration. These programs may include the David K. Andrews Distinguished Alumni Award and nomination, the election process for new AAB members and officers, and others.

Effective specific programs - The AAB should continually be working on specific activities for the benefit of the school which they want to accomplish with the assistance of field alumni, the Alumni Office, the administration, and others. As the needs of the school and the association are determined, new programs will be identified. Each program will be written down in specific terms, with definite objectives, time allotments, resource requirements, and a success measurement method outlined. Developing programs are best conceived through the functioning of active subcommittees of the Board appointed by the AAB President.

Conclusion - The Principia Alumni Association Board and the Alumni Association are an active, working, forward-looking, and important component of those entities striving for the continued success of the educational institution. Its mission is to propel both the school and its alumni forward to greater heights of achievement and success in its critical responsibility within the Christian Science Movement. It is the leadership demonstrated by the Board and its members which has much to do with the achievement and success levels achieved by the school.

Section 2

Active and informed - AAB members should be active in their positions on the Board, attending meetings, participating in teleconferences, serving as chairpersons and members on committees and subcommittees. They should make it their business to be fully informed of what is transpiring at the school, on the campuses, with the faculty and staff, etc. They should also be active in their region, interfacing with alums, patrons and friends to determine their interests and concerns.

Regional organization - Each AAB member is assigned to a region of the country within which he represents the school to the alumni living there. He/she is assigned to represent to the school the views of the alumni in his/her area, just as a congressional or legislative representative is charged to actively seek and communicate the views of their constituents. The AAB member should work to develop informal contacts designed to communicated with alumni throughout the assigned area.

Board member expectations - Members of the Board are expected to:

• Read Education at The Principia as an ongoing study of Mrs. Morgan’s concept of the “Christ idea in education”.
• attend all board meetings
• be present at all agenda briefings and working sessions
• phone calls should occur only at scheduled breaks or free time.
• members who have children on campus should visit them only during non-meeting times.
• be punctual to all meetings
• do all board group work assignments and committee work in a timely fashion.

Meetings and communications - AAB members should function throughout the year during their term of service, not just at meetings.

Alumni reunion assistance - The reunion activity held each year is a primary activity for the AAB to support. The AAB is the host group for all alumni during the week. AAB members’ tasks include:

• Maximum assistance to the Alumni Office in planning the event. AAB members should give thought to the planning of the program for reunions.
• Maximum assistance during the events. The reunion activities tax to the maximum the resources of the Alumni Office and staff. AAB members should consider themselves Alumni Office assistants with the mission to help throughout the week in any way they possibly can to ensure the overall success of the event. Their personal interests should come second to service to fellow alumni.
• Annual Association meeting - The AAB has the primary responsibility to plan, organize, host, and conduct the annual association meeting during the week.
• Assigned duties - Each AAB member will have individual assigned duties including introductions, appearances, and other duties. All members are to consider themselves hosts and hostesses at all group events during the reunion including arriving early and staying late to act as ushers and greeters for each gathering, meeting, chapel, or other programs. Members are considered the prime back-up and fill-in for administrative duties. They should remain available at any time to fulfill a request for assistance from the staff or guests.
• Networking opportunities - Alumni reunion is the place every year where the most alumni can be found in any one place at any one time. AAB member should take full advantage of the opportunity to network with their fellow alumni to discover their interests, concerns, and suggestions. Organized meeting between AAB members and attending alumni may be arranged. Be alert to any unorganized opportunities that will constantly occur during a reunion for conversation with individuals or groups about Principia.
• Board meetings - Alumni Reunion is a special opportunity for members to meeting on a regular basis to continue the development of programs, discuss issues raised by attending alumni, and generally promote the functions of the association.

Section 3

Scheduled meetings - The first meeting of the Alumni Association Board will be in Winter. The second meeting will occur in conjunction with Alumni reunion in summer. These meetings should be for the purpose of meeting with staff and administration to keep up-to-date, to receive reports from subcommittees, and to consider and make decisions on the continuing programs based on their research and planning between scheduled meetings, to conceive and begin the development of new programs, to monitor ongoing programs which may not require a subcommittee, and to fulfill any required administrative duties.

In support of Article VIII: Duties of Officers

Section 1

Organized with annual objectives - The AAB President and members should plan the activities of the Association each year in consultation with the Alumni Office staff and administration. The President should review the accomplishments and programs each year and set new plans and objectives for the following year.

Committees and subcommittees - Each subcommittee will have a chairman appointed to administer its progress. Subcommittee chairmen are responsible for propelling the agenda forward, communicating with other subcommittee members, writing up the programs in detail, and reporting back to the full board. It is conceivable that every AAB member could chair a subcommittee and each could serve as a member of one or more other subcommittees if need or interest warrants.