ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
General Information

History and Purpose

The Alumni Board held its first meeting on Feb. 5 and 6, 1982. Its ongoing purpose has been to represent the alumni of ORU: to communicate alumni concerns and ideas to the University, and to help the Office of Alumni Relations keep alumni informed of the "State of the University." The board also sees itself as an organization that encourages alumni to continue to carry out the mission of ORU, even as it finds ways to reconnect alumni with campus life so that they, in turn, can encourage current students in their walk with the Lord.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Oral Roberts University Alumni Association is to support the University and serve its alumni. We support the University by promoting interest in, securing financial commitment for, and advancing the accomplishment of the mission of ORU. We serve the alumni by providing information, programs, and activities that encourage them to fulfill their calling to "go into every man's world" with the light and healing power of God.

Board Responsibilities

1. Participate in board orientation to ensure organizational knowledge.
2. Be knowledgeable of board responsibilities as set forth in the constitution, bylaws, standing rules, and orientation materials.
3. Attend biannual board meetings. (Board meeting attendance is important! Board members who miss two consecutive meetings during their term are considered to have resigned.)
4. Help the ORU Alumni Association achieve its mission statement. The mission statement of the Oral Roberts University Alumni Association and the ORU Alumni Foundation is
   1. to promote interest in, secure financial support for, support the mission statement of, and assist in maintaining ORU as a leader among American Christian universities, and
   2. to develop and sponsor programs for the service of the alumni and the advancement of the Alumni Association and Alumni Foundation
5. Provide leadership within the board and participate on committees as requested by the board chairman.
6. Make annual contributions as part of the board's goal of 100% alumni participation in the annual fund-raising events; assist in raising funds for the support of ORU and the ORU Alumni Foundation; identify prospective individuals among alumni or the community for the purpose of involvement and/or solicitation.
7. Serve as an effective liaison between the University and your constituency, the board and the University, and represent the University and its goals and programs to the alumni.
8. Facilitate interactive communication between yourself and your University constituency (e.g., periodic newsletters, e-mail updates, contacts, major donor visits and calls, etc.).
9. Serve as an advocate for ORU--be a representative and spokesperson in the community for ORU and the Alumni Association.
10. Represent ORU at local college fairs as needed; send names of prospective students from your area to the Admissions Office; call prospective students in your area as requested by the Admissions staff; etc.
11. Assist the University and Alumni Association in identifying, cultivating, and involving alumni in areas such as student recruitment, job placement, legislative advocacy, chapter leadership, financial support, and more.

Composition and Term of Office

The Board of Directors consists of twenty-one (21) voting directors: fourteen (14) directors that represent seven (7) Year-Group Segments and seven (7) At-Large directors. The maximum size of the board, including any officers whose service on the board has been extended through their election (or re-election) to office, is 25 as provided in the bylaws, along with the assistance of an Executive Director who is an ex officio member of the board and will vote only in case of a tie. Members represent various class segments. The board members meet two times a year and serve three-year terms.

Running for Office

Alumni who would like to serve on the Board of Directors should contact Alumni Relations and inquire about upcoming openings. All prospective candidates will be asked to accept the stipulations of the "Lifestyle Commitment" form (see below). Click here if you'd like to read more about the 2008 election. It's never too early to start considering if you would like to run for office.

ORU Alumni Association Addendum to Application for Candidates for the Board Lifestyle Commitment Just as students sign the ORU Honor Code during their tenure as enrolled students on campus, we ask potential board members of ORUAA to affirm their adherence to the following fundamental principles: I fully recognize that Oral Roberts University was founded to be and is committed to being a Christian ministry and that it offers a life-style of commitment to Jesus Christ of Nazareth as personal Savior and Lord-and as an integral part of its evangelistic outreach. It is therefore my personal commitment to be a person of integrity in my attitude and respect for what Oral Roberts University is in its calling to be a Christian university. I commit to maintain integrity and obedience to God's claims on my life, and to do my utmost to know and follow His will for my life. I affirm my continued commitment to refrain from all immoral or criminal acts and habits, or the advocacy of those acts or habits, such as: use of illegal drugs, abuse of alcohol, and illicit sexual acts including homosexual or extramarital sexual behavior. I commit to prayerfully and carefully execute any duties to which I am elected or assigned in the ORUAA. I understand that Oral Roberts University is a private school and that my participation in any activities of the ORU Alumni Association does not give me any vested rights in the governing of the University.

Alumni who would like to be considered for a position on the board, or who have been contacted and asked to run for office, must fill out this application form.

Elections

Elections are held annually, in the fall, to fill vacancies as they occur. All ORU graduates are eligible for nomination and election, as are associate alumni who have applied for and been granted full membership in the Alumni Association.

Constitution and Bylaws

The constitution and bylaws of the ORU Alumni Association are available online.

Committees

The board has six standing committees: Finance, Nomination, Alumni of the Year, Projects, Student Outreach, and Web/E-commerce.

Assembly

Meetings are held twice a year: during the spring semester(Homecoming weekend) and during the fall semester.