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Elected or Appointed Board? The Choice Is Yours
Under the former system, the Nominating Committee submitted a list of potential candidates; the board reviewed the list and selected candidates; alumni were notified that a ballot was posted on the Web site, and alumni voted; and candidates who received the most votes in their segment were elected. This election system served ORU well during the formative years of the Alumni Association but it has lost its relevance as the alumni population has significantly changed its demographics, including now (for the first time!) a full range of alumni from "new grads" to retirees.
To strengthen the Alumni Association and to better accommodate these demographic changes, the board voted to change from an elected board to an appointed board (the system used by most other established and mature universities). Although alumni would no longer vote in a general election, they would still have a clear voice in recommending candidates to the sitting board for consideration. So, notwithstanding the change, under the new system, all the appointed board members will always be alumni, and will always be appointed only by other alumni.
The current Alumni Board believes that an appointed board will not only offer more flexibility in choosing candidates (and thus allow for greater diversity on the board) but it would also produce a more effective board, with the various professional skills and perspective needed to fulfill the Alumni Association 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."
Changing to an appointed board requires a two-thirds vote of ORU graduates approving this amendment to the Alumni Association Constitution. Therefore, you are being asked to vote "yes" or "no" on this issue. (A paper ballot is being provided upon request for alumni who do not have Internet access.)
The current elected board urges you to join them in voting in favor of the change to an appointed board.
Voting deadline is midnight on Wednesday, May 31.
Click here to read the current and proposed Alumni Association Constitution. (Changes are highlighted in red on the proposed version.) Then, click here to vote.
For more information, contact the Alumni Office at 918/495-6610 or e-mail alumni@oru.edu.
