Bylaws
State University.
II- B. Promote professional relationships among Women of Color, staff, faculty,
Administrators and graduate students of Michigan State.
II-C. Demand accountability from those involved in the formation and implementation of
university policies that impact upon Women of Color in the MSU communities.
II-D. Develop effective channels of communication to achieve better understanding of the
goals and objectives of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and other concerns as they
relate to Women of Color in the University community.
II-E. Undertake a continuous plan to identify areas of need in program development and the
recruitment and retention of Women of Color students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
II-F. Provide a collective voice on matters relating to all marginalized affairs within MSU.
II-G. Encourage the development of academic excellence among Women of Color
students.
II-H. Enhance the education experience on campus as well as the community at large.
III-A-1 The Association shall be open to all current MSU employees (at the graduate level or
higher) interested in promoting the goals and objectives of the Association.
III-B Planning Committee Membership
A WOCC planning committee member in good standing must adhere to the following criteria:
- Be a member of the WOCC (subscribed to the list serv)
- Agree to meet the participation criteria
- Have attended at least (1) WOCC event
Planning committee members must submit an application. All planning committee members in good standing have a right to attend committee meetings. All members in good standing will receive a letter of participation from the WOCC Co-Directors verifying their participation and engagement. Letters will be sent out at the end of an academic year based on participation.
WOCC Planning Committee member roles are defined below. The following list of tasks shall be shared equally between the position holders, and the workload is contingent upon planned programming for the semester. Anticipate dedicating at least one hour per week to WOCC programming, with the exception of large event planning (ex: annual conference, fall welcome, etc.).
− Secretary (2):
- Maintains monthly committee meeting agendas
- Takes notes during monthly committee meetings
- Manage committee meeting Outlook invites
- Distribute agenda and notes
- Keep up with action items
- Assist in maintaining the shared inbox (msu-wocc@msu.edu)
- Distribute feedback survey after each WOCC event
- Track committee member participation
− Communications/Marketing (3-5):
- Email communication drafts and review with co-directors
- Assist in maintaining the shared inbox (msu-wocc@msu.edu)
- Create flyers for various events
- Create registration surveys for various events
- Post marketing for various events to all social media platforms
- Website maintenance
- Newsletter – WOCC events, members send in their own
articles/accomplishments, job postings, timeline- Draft newsletter
- Send requests to membership for article content
- Review newsletter with committee members and co-directors
- Send newsletter via shared inbox (msu-wocc@msu.edu)
− Meeting Facilitators (3):
- Facilitate/host meetings (Planning committee meetings, administrator
meetings, event hosting, MC events – talk about purpose of event, AboutWOCC, and introduce speakers) - Coordinate meetings (date/time) with administration and send questions in
advance
− Treasurer (1) and Co-treasurer (2):
- Treasurer (1)
- Collaborate with co-directors to manage WOCC funding
- Manages any other donations
- Co-treasurer (2)
- Order food, supplies, etc. for various events
- Must have p-card and access to KFS
− Co-Directors (3):
- Plan and execute WOCC programming
- Manage shared inbox (msu-wocc@msu.edu)
- Send email communications
- Manage Planning Committee numbers and volunteers
- Call to Action to whole membership (on an as-needed basis)
- Co-directors will be selected based on votes from the committee members
- Facilitation of monthly Planning Committee meetings
- Manage the planning, application, and submission for funding (CIEG grant, etc.)
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA
Attend at least (5) planning committee meetings per year [Planning committee meetings are held
monthly (12 in a calendar year, 9 during the academic year)]. The term of the committee
members shall be for one (1) academic year commencing August 1 and ending on May 30 of
each year of the term. Members wishing to resign from their position must submit written notice
to the msu-wocc@msu.edu no less than thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of resignation,
unless otherwise agreed upon by the committee.
Main attendance considerations:
- WOCC Annual Conference (Spring/February)
- Fall Welcome (Fall/September)
- Attend one of the General WOCC (full body) Meetings (Fall/Spring)
Members within the planning committee will be responsible for leading the planning and
implementation of at least (1) event per semester.
If you do not meet the participation criteria, it could result in dismissal from the WOCC
Planning Committee. Dismissal would occur the next academic year. Previous planning
committee members are welcome to continue as a WOCC member.
III-C: General Membership
All general membership has access to receive communication from the WOCC list serv
(WOCC@LIST.MSU.EDU), WOCC swag (will be provided throughout annual programming),
and general members are welcome to attend all WOCC-led events and meetings. For
correspondence to be sent from list serv, email requests should be directed to the shared inbox
(msu-wocc@msu.edu).
IV-A General Membership Meetings:
IV-A-1 General membership meetings shall be held at least once per semester.
IV-A-2 The meetings shall be virtual and will include general updates for the membership, and
potential development opportunities.
IV-B Planning Committee Meetings:
IV-B-1 Planning Committee meetings shall be held every third Tuesday of each calendar
month.
IV-C Special Meetings:
IV-C-1 Written notice of special meetings must be provided to all members at least seven
(7) days prior to such a meeting, except in a severe crisis when the majority of the
Planning Committee may order a special meeting on lesser notice.
ARTICLE V - ELECTION OF CO-DIRECTORS
V-A Election of Co-Directors:
V-A-1 Co-Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the [Planning Committee] present at a duly called meeting. Nominations may be submitted in advance or taken from the floor.
All nominees must meet the participation criteria as outlined in these bylaws, and serve
as an active planning committee member, and consent to serve if elected.
In the event of a tie, a runoff vote shall be conducted. Newly elected Co-Directors shall assume their duties immediately following certification of the vote unless otherwise specified.
V-B Call for nominations will commence March 1. Election results shall be announced by the
election committee by the end of the membership year (May 30).
ARTICLE VI - QUORUMS
VI-A A quorum for membership meetings shall be a minimum of two planning committee
members, and one co-director in attendance.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
VII-A These bylaws may be amended by email or at any committee meeting in which the
amendment is included in the agenda and the members have been appropriately notified.
VII-B Members in good standing shall receive written notice of all proposed amendments.
VII-C Amendments shall be considered adopted upon approval by a majority vote of the
planning committee members.
Created April 17, 2025