Frequently Asked Questions
Board of Directors/Alumni Council
Q: What is the Alumni Council and Board of Directors?
A: The Board of Directors along with the members of the Alumni Council work to link alumni and the University to facilitate a spirit of loyalty, involvement, and life-long commitment to the University of Miami.
The Alumni Council is the representative body of the Association and consists of the Board of Directors and the President and President-Elect or other designated officer of each affiliate group including national alumni clubs, affinity groups, and school/college associations. The Alumni Council as a whole is responsible for electing the UMAA directors, revoking the charters of affiliate groups, and adopting the Constitution and amendments thereto.
The Board of Directors is comprised of eight officers (each serve a one year term), the Executive Director of the UMAA, three Alumni Trustees (each serve a three year term), seven Regional Directors (each serve a one year term), fifteen Directors (each serve a three year term), and three student directors (each serve a one year term).
Q: How many meetings does the Board of Directors have annually?
A: The Board of Directors meets three times annually; two of those meetings are held jointly with the Alumni Council. At these meetings, in addition to the transaction of business of the Association, members are informed about University programs, events, facilities, and concerns. They participate in open forums with students, administrators, and faculty members.
Q: How does one become a member of the Board of Directors and what are their responsibilities?
A: Officers, regional directors and directors are formally nominated through an annual nominations process. The UMAA Nominations Committee considers all potential candidates and develops a slate for officers and a slate for directors from the nominees. The slate of directors is sent to the Board of Directors and to the Alumni Council for approval. The only exception is the Alumni Trustees positions which are chosen separately by the University Board of Trustees’ Trustee Service Committee. Directors serve as Alumni Association leaders and University ambassadors. They actively work with the Alumni Relations staff to implement strategic initiatives and further the mission of our alma mater.
Q: How does one become an Alumni Council member and what are their responsibilities?
A: Alumni Council affiliate group representatives are chosen by virtue of position in their respective affiliate group. Alumni Council members are required to attend the two council meetings annually, serve as spokespersons on behalf of the UMAA, represent and communicate with their respective constituencies, and encourage annual financial support of the University.
Q: What are standing and ad hoc committees?
A: Standing committees are permanent committees that focus on a specific area of the UMAA business. There are six standing committees: Executive, Nominations, Awards, Strategic Planning, Constitution and Bylaws, and Revenue Generating. While the membership on the standing committees is usually filled by UMAA Board and Alumni Council members, there are slots on some of the committees for interested Alumni Association members.
Ad hoc committees are used to assist with the implementation of the Association’s strategic vision. Officers, directors, alumni council members and other alumni volunteers serve on the committees. These committees cover areas such as UMAA Benefits and Services, Development and Annual Fund, Student Outreach, Alumni Affinity Outreach, Communication and the Alumni Center.
