As amended May 22, 2010.

Article I
The Name of the Corporation shall be the “University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association, Inc.” doing business under the name and style “the Alumni Association.”  The Corporation shall have a seal, which shall be circular in form and have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation.

Article II
The purpose of the Association shall be to promote through its alumni and membership the interests of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (“the University”) and its alumni.  The Alumni Association shall act independently to provide services and programs that enlighten, strengthen and develop the student, faculty, staff and alumni bodies.

This is to notify all that the Association does not discriminate against persons because of their religion, creed, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation (which shall not include persons whose sexual orientation involves minor children as the sex object), sex, age, disability, or marital status in the provision of, or access to, employment, services, programs and activities.

This is in accordance with applicable federal and state laws including but not limited to, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1963, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Article 114 of the Massachusetts Constitution, Chapter 151 B and 272, Section 92, 98 and 98 AS of the Massachusetts General Laws and Executive Orders 227, 246 and 253, as amended.

The Executive Director of the Association is designated to administer compliance with these laws and regulations.

Article III
Membership

Regular Members.  All persons holding degrees from any part of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Massachusetts State College, the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and all those who have been enrolled as a matriculated student at said University and said colleges for a period of two semesters, and whose classes have graduated, shall be eligible for regular membership in the Alumni Association.

Sustaining Members.  Those persons who qualify as Regular Members and who have paid sustaining membership dues as established by the Executive Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors, shall be considered Sustaining Members.

Life Members.  Those persons who qualify as Regular Members and who have paid life membership dues as established by the Executive Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors, shall be considered Life Members.

Legacy Members.  Those persons who qualify as Regular Members and who have paid legacy membership dues as established by the Executive Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors, shall be considered Legacy Members.

Associate Members.  Those persons who wish to receive the same benefits of membership as Regular Members but who do not otherwise qualify as Regular Members may become Associate Members upon the payment of Life or Legacy membership dues as established by the Executive Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors. 

Honorary Members.  Those persons who have rendered meritorious service to the University or to the Alumni Association, and who are recommended by the Board of Directors, may be elected as honorary Life Members of the Alumni Association.

Sustaining Members in good standing, and Life Members and Legacy Members of the Alumni Association are entitled to vote on any matter or to serve on the Board of Directors.  A Sustaining Member is in good standing when said member has paid all required dues on a current annual basis as defined by the Board.  Associate and Honorary Members shall not be eligible to hold office in the Association nor shall they be eligible to vote in any Alumni Association matter or election.

Article IV

  1. The directors may make, amend or repeal the by-laws in whole or in part, except with respect to any provision thereof that by law or the by-laws requires action by the members.

  2. Meetings of the members may be held anywhere in the United States, or its territories and possessions.

  3. The corporation may be a partner in any enterprise it would have the power to conduct by itself.

  4. The corporation shall have all powers enumerated in paragraphs (e) through (j), inclusive, (l), and (n) through (p), inclusive, of Section 9 of Chapter 156B of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or their successor provisions.

  5. The corporation is not organized for profit.  No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of its members, directors, officers, or any other individual, except that the corporation may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purpose set forth herein.  No substantial part of the corporation’s activities shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Any provision of the Articles of Organization to the contrary notwithstanding, the corporation shall not carry on any activity not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from United States income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or its successor provision, or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or its successor provision.

  6. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, and after making provision for the payment of all the corporation’s liabilities, the corporation’s assets shall be distributed to an organization or organizations that are exempt from United States income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or its successor provision, and contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or its successor provision.