Bylaws

THE HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE PARENTS COUNCIL
BYLAWS

 

I.          Mission of the Parents Council
            The Hampden-Sydney College Parents Council, whose membership is comprised of parents of current students, strives to enhance and promote the awareness of parents and encourage their active involvement and support in the life of the College.

            The Council serves the College in various advisory and ambassadorial roles and seeks to foster a sense of community among parents; to facilitate communication between parents and the College; provide a source of wisdom and support for the College; and to enlist parents' participation in various efforts serving the goals of the College.  The Council is   not a policy making group and membership is by the invitation of the President.

 

II.        Responsibilities of the Parents Council
            The Parents Council is a vital entity of the College's engagement efforts.  Each member's goal is to further the College's mission of "forming good men and good citizens in an atmosphere of sound learning." The Council's goal is to ensure that its members stay well informed of all College initiatives and activities in order to serve as effective advocates and spokespersons for Hampden-Sydney College.  It is expected that each member:
           
            Show Your Tiger PRIDE
            Promote. Recruit. Involve. Donate. Employ.

            PROMOTE.  Promote Hampden-Sydney College through conversation with current and prospective families, advocate for the College's programs and initiatives, demonstrate your pride by wearing a Hampden-Sydney clothing item or display the College's decal on your car.

            RECRUIT.  Assist the Admissions Office with the recruitment of future Tigers. Bring them to the campus for a tour, introduce them to their admissions representative during their local college fair or connect them directly with the Admissions Office.

            INVOLVE. You are a part of the Hampden-Sydney family!  We encourage you to attend a Club event in your area and get to know other parents, alumni and friends in your area.

            DONATE.  Make an annual gift to the Hampden-Sydney Fund.  Your unrestricted gift helps support the soul of the College, our students.

            EMPLOY. Hire a Tiger!  Work with our Career Development office on providing jobs and internships for our students and alumni.

            A special thanks to Parents Council member, Mark Jones, and the creative alumni and parent relations staff at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin for creating the PRIDE acronym.

III.       Council Membership: Terms & Commitment        
            Membership on the Council is by invitation of the President of the College.

            Vice-Chairs:  Two vice-chairs shall be appointed by the Office of Institutional Advancement to serve as assistants to the Chairs of the Parents Council as well as assume their responsibilities should they be unable to fulfill their term. 

IV.       Membership Responsibilities
            Parents Council members are asked to:

·       Actively serve on one Parents Council committee each year of your term.

·       Attend the two on-campus meetings (one in the Fall and one in the Spring) during the academic year.

·       Support the College by making an annual gift to the Hampden-Sydney Fund at a Society of Founders leadership level of $1,800 or more.

·       Participate in Parents Council and Hampden-Sydney Club events.

·       Working under the direction of the Admissions Office, reach out to incoming students and their families via phone or note.

·       Serve as Ambassadors and be a source of wisdom and support for the College.

·       Invite other families to join you in supporting the Hampden-Sydney Fund.

·       Familiarize yourself with academics, career development, student life, support services, and financial aid/scholarships.

            Standing Parents Council Committees
            Development Committee
            This committee organizes the fundraising efforts of the Parents Council as well as coordinated outreach to our parent constituency.  Members of this committee will work on behalf of the Parents Fund (a part of the Hampden-Sydney Fund) and seek the support of other Parents Council members with the goal of 100% participation.  Members also conduct phonathons encouraging other families to make a gift to the Parents Fund, and, during a capital campaign, work with the Development staff on soliciting major gifts from identified parent prospects. The Chairman of the Development Committee will be appointed by the Council Chairs with recommendation by the Director of the Hampden-Sydney Fund.  The Director of the Hampden-Sydney Fund serves as the liaison for this committee.

            Substance Education Committee
            This committee works on behalf of the Substance Education Department in the Dean of Students Office.  Members work collaboratively to prevent and reduce substance abuse   and related risk factors for students. The goal of this committee is to help transform the social conditions on campus and provide preventative community-centered solutions to the challenges presented by alcohol and other drug abuse. The Chairman for the Committee will be appointed by the Council Chairs with recommendation by the Director of the Hampden-Sydney Fund. The Assistant Dean of Students for Substance Education serves as a liaison for this committee and coordinates the committee activities with the Director of the Hampden-Sydney Fund. 

            Ad Hoc Parents Council Committee
            Outreach Committee
            This committee organizes the on and off-campus outreach efforts of the Parents Council. Members of this committee will organize volunteers to staff the Parents Council Welcome Tent during Freshman Matriculation, organize and execute all details of the   Parents Council tailgates for the first home football game, Family Weekend and/or Homecoming as well as a Spring sporting event. Members are also asked to write an article for the Fall and Winter Parents Newsletter sharing the details of their activities. The Chairman of the Outreach Committee will be appointed by the Council Chairs with recommendation by the Director of the Hampden-Sydney Fund.  The Director of the Hampden-Sydney Fund serves as a liaison to this committee.