By-Laws of the Georgia Tech Academic Advisors Network

Article I. Name and Acronym

The name of this association shall be the Georgia Tech Academic Advisors Network. The official acronym of this association shall be GTAAN.

Article II. Purpose

GTAAN was created as means of improving and guiding the delivery of advising services at The Georgia Institute of Technology. A primary goal is to provide academic advisors professional development, peer support, and ultimately building a network of resources to enhance student success in college. Equally important is the communication with the larger university community.

Article III. Membership

All Georgia Tech employees in the role of Academic Advisor to undergraduate Georgia Tech students shall be a full member of GTAAN. Full members can vote and run for office.  Votes can only be held if there is a quorum present at meetings.  A quorum shall be at least 12 of the full members.
Liaisons shall be associate members of GTAAN.  Associate members cannot vote or run for an office.  However, their input is very desirable and they are welcome to serve on committees as well as chair committees.

Article IV. Affiliation

GTAAN is affiliated with the office of the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies.  GTAAN will also be affiliated with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

Article V. Meetings of Membership

Section 1. The membership shall meet monthly at scheduled times as determined by the calendar devised by the Executive Board. It shall be the responsibility of the Vice President of Records to draft and prepare minutes and record official sessions of GTAAN. Special interest meetings of the membership shall be held with the approval of the Executive Committee. The President is responsible for the preparation of the agenda with the advice and approval of the Executive Board. Full members and associate members shall submit agenda items to the Executive Board in advance of the meeting.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet once a month prior to the full GTAAN meeting.  Meetings shall be run in general accordance with the Robert’s Rule of Order (see Appendix A).

Article VI. Officers

The Executive Board of GTAAN shall be comprised of the President, Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Records, Vice President of Communications, Vice President of Assessment, Vice President of Programs, the committee chairs and the Director of Undergraduate Studies from the Vice-Provost of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies office.  The GTAAN President, President-Elect, and Vice Presidents shall be elected by a plurality of the voting members by official ballot. All positions are for a one year term. In the unlikely event that all officer positions are uncontested, the election may be held by a majority voice vote of the active membership at a regularly scheduled meeting.  Elections will be held in the spring in early March  Newly elected officers begin serving in May.  There is a two term limit for all elected positions.  Candidates for the position of President must have served on the Executive Board for at least one year previously.  Chair of the Executive Board shall be the President of GTAAN.

A.  President-Responsible for running the general GTAAN meetings. Provides the agenda for and facilitates officers’ meetings to plan and discuss upcoming projects and events; involves members in committees and delegates responsibilities and oversees the Professional Certificate program (see Appendix B). Keeps lists of objectives, and establishes regular meeting times for GTAAN. Assists in program planning and represents GTAAN when the occasion arises. Assists in maintaining up-to-date information on the GTAAN website. Provides orientation and turns over all materials to successor.

B.  Vice President of Programs – Responsible for coordinating plans and executes the programs for monthly GTAAN general meetings. Provides orientation and turns over all materials to successor.

C.  Vice President of Records – Responsible for records and distributes minutes of each GTAAN meeting (both general and executive). Helps with maintaining the By-Laws, Records of Attendance, Advisor Handbook, and GTAAN e-mail distribution list. Provides orientation and turns over all materials to successor.

D.  Vice President Communications – Responsible for university communications including announcements and reminders of GTAAN meetings, and for getting updated information and changes to GTAAN website. Helps with maintaining the By-Laws, Advisor Handbook, and GTAAN e-mail distribution list. Provides orientation and turns over all materials to successor.

F.  Vice President Assessment- Responsible for understanding the needs and best practices of our advisors on campus. At each monthly GTAAN meeting the Vice President of Assessment conducts a survey focusing on a topic of importance to all advisors. To enhance the quality of advising across campus, the previous month’s survey results are announced at the following month’s GTAAN meeting. Results are also posted on the GTAAN website. Provides orientation and turns over all materials to successor.

E.  The Facilitator will be a member of Undergraduate Studies, specifically, the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  The Facilitator is responsible for assisting and enabling undergraduate academic advising, serves as the liaison between GTAAN and the office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, provides general support and input, maintains the listserve and coordinates GTAAN elections.

Article VII. Committees

All committees shall be ad hoc and, as such, be formed by GTAAN active membership when such need arises.

The chair of each committee shall be chosen by vote, by appointment of the active membership, or by the President of GTAAN.  Chair positions are for one year unless committee is dissolved before a one year period. Members may not serve more than two consecutive years as a chair, but may remain members of the committee. Liaisons shall be allowed to serve as chairs.

Interested volunteers, including associate members (liaisons), shall make up the membership of the committees.  All committees will be reviewed annually in May by the President, President-Elect, Vice Presidents and Facilitator to determine if the needs of the committee have been met and determine if the committee will continue into the next year.

All activities of the committees must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive committee.

Article VIII. Amendments

Any amendment to the by-laws of GTAAN must be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting, or by proxy vote.

History

2002 GTAAN was created out Advisors getting together once a month during lunch to discuss relevant topics.

2003 GTAAN became an official organization, by-laws were developed and the first elections were held.

2003 GTAAN hosted its first Best Practices Event.

2004 GTAAN hosted its second Best Practices Event and opened participation up to surrounding colleges and universities.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

President
2003 Kim Blue, ME
2003-2006 Kathy Earwood, COC
2006- Elizabeth Miller, Liberal Arts

President-Elect
2004-2006 Elizabeth Miller, Liberal Arts

Vice President- Communications
2003-2005 Dana Hartley, EAS
2006- Jennifer Leavy, BIOL

Vice President- Records
2003-2005 Rayzia Chapman, MGT
2006- Jan Westbrook, PSYC

COMMITTIES

Chair- Assessment
2003- Nancy Gimbel, MGT

Chair- Advisor Development
2003-2006 Patti Parker & Valarie DuRant-Modeste, ISYE
2006-Valarie DuRant-Modeste, ISYE

Chair- Data and Technology
2003-2005 Dana Hartley, EAS
2005- Debbie Williamson, Enrollment & Dana Hartley, EAS