Serving the Higher Education Assessment Community Who We Are| Conferences_&_Workshops| Membership| Assessment_Resources| Employment_Resources| Contact_VAG| Research_&_Practice_in_Assessment|

Virginia Assessment Group Constitution

Article 1: NAME

The name of this association shall be the Virginia Assessment Group (VAG).

Article 2: PURPOSE

VAG is dedicated to the goals of promoting the continued high quality of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia through assessment practices. VAG serves as a forum for the expression of ideas about assessment practices, and as a network for communication and collaboration among public and private institutions and state agencies. VAG also functions to promote the professional development of its members.

VAG is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and shall not engage in any activity which is not permitted by an organization exempt from taxation under Section 501 ( c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private individual except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services actually rendered and payments and distributions may be made in furtherance of the purposes of the group. No substantial part of its activities shall be for carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and it 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.

Article 3: MEMBERSHIP

VAG is an association of college personnel engaged in institutional assessment activities on their respective campuses. Membership in VAG is open to, but not limited to, all faculty and staff from both public and private institutions of higher education, as well as, staff of the State Council of Higher Education and the Virginia Community College System and any person who has a professional interest in assessment in post-secondary education.

Any person that meets the membership criteria above and attends a VAG event within one calendar year of the annual meeting is considered a member of the group and is extended all privileges to which they may be entitled.

Article 4: FINANCES

Upon dissolution of VAG, the Executive Officers shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all liabilities of the group, dispose of all of the assets of VAG exclusively for the purposes of VAG. The recipient organization shall qualify for tax exemption as determined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or future United States Internal Revenue Law.

Article 5: OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1: The officers of VAG shall consist of a president, a president-elect, a secretary, a treasurer, a webmaster, a journal editor, a marketing director, and the past president.

Section 2: The governing body of VAG shall be the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall consist of twelve VAG members: the eight officers listed in Article 5, Section 1; three members-at-large, one representing private institutions, one representing four-year public institutions, and the third representing two-year public institutions; and one ex officio representative from the State Council on Higher Education in Virginia.

Section 3: The Executive Board shall have authority to make policies for VAG, which are consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws.

Article 6: ELECTIONS

Section 1: The following Executive Board members shall be elected annually by the membership of VAG: president-elect, secretary, marketing director, and the three at-large representatives. All elected officers shall serve from one annual meeting through the next annual meeting, with the exception of the president-elect, who shall serve a three-year commitment as president-elect, president, and past-president. Officers must be members of VAG.

Section 2: If any officer is unable to complete his or her term, a replacement shall be chosen by a majority vote of the Executive Board. The president-elect shall serve as president, if the president is unable to complete his or her term.

Article 7: ADOPTION AND REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Section 1: On the recommendation of the Executive Board or by majority vote of the members during the business session of the annual meeting, this Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a majority of the respondents to a mail or web ballot of VAG membership. Written notice of any proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be sent to all current members of the association at least 30 days prior to the mailing of the ballots.

Section 2: This Constitution shall become effective upon ratification of the members, herein defined, who attend the business session of the annual meeting when this Constitution is presented and who have met all requirements of membership for the current year membership before this time.

Section 3: The By-Laws of VAG may be amended or otherwise changed by a majority vote during the business session of the annual meeting.

Article 8 RULES OF PROCEDURE

The Executive Board and VAG shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order Revised except in instances when it would be in conflict with the By-Laws for special rules of VAG.

Approved at March 2001 VAG Board meeting
Approved by membership at Annual November 2001 VAG Membership meeting

Changes approved at November 2007 VAG Board meeting
Changes approved by membership at Annual November 2007 VAG Membership meeting