About WACADA
For over 20 years, WACADA has been Wisconsin’s home for advisors to learn, connect, and grow. We foster a community of our peers through our annual conference and professional development opportunities.
Constitution & Bylaws
I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association (WACADA).
II. Purposes
The purpose of WACADA shall be to provide networking opportunities for members; to encourage them to participate in professional development activities; to support and promote the development and implementation of professional standards of academic advising; to foster recognition of academic advising as a profession; and, as an affiliate of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA): Add: The Global Community for Academic Advising, to support its goals and programs.
WACADA is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or Corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of WACADA shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that WACADA shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of WACADA shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and WACADA shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, WACADA shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by any organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 C (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
III. Members
The members of WACADA shall be academic program advisors, faculty, administrators, graduate students, and others in academic and student services concerned with the intellectual, personal, and vocational/career needs of students. Eligible individuals shall become members in good standing upon payment of annual membership dues.
IV. Initial Steering Committee
The initial steering committee shall consist of Chris Bakkum, Carol Cohen, Arlene Davenport, Jane Frederick, Debra Heiber, Ellen Jacobson, Leslie Kohlberg, Julie McDonald, David Shonkwiler, Jackye Thomas, Janet Vandevender.
V. Dissolution
WACADA shall be dissolved by majority vote of the members attending a duly called business meeting of the organization.
Upon the dissolution of WACADA, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of common Pleas of the country in which the principal office of WACADA is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Adopted by Steering Committee: May 5, 1997
Adopted by Members: September 26, 1997
Amended by Members: September 18, 1998
Bylaws
Section I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association (WACADA).
Section II. Purposes
In fulfilling the purposes as defined in the Constitution of the organization, WACADA shall hold at least an annual meeting of the members, shall maintain at least one communication link among the members, and shall maintain its affiliate status with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA): The Global Community for Academic Advising.
Other activities in keeping with the purposes as defined by the Constitution shall be conducted by WACADA upon approval by the Executive Board.
Section III. Membership
Members in good standing, as defined by the WACADA Constitution, shall be eligible to participate in all events and will be included in communications about WACADA and its activities.
Dues will be payable upon membership renewal or initial registration; dues cover the membership year from July 1 – June 30. Individuals may become members or renew their membership at any point during the membership year.
Initial dues amount will be determined by the Initial Steering Committee as defined in the Constitution. Any changes in the dues amount will be approved by the Executive Board.
Meetings of the members will be called annually by the Executive Board. Special meetings may also be called by the Executive Board or by request in writing from ten members representing each of the three institutional types: Wisconsin Technical College System, private colleges and universities, and University of Wisconsin System (hereinafter, institutional types).
Section IV. Executive Board
The Executive Board shall consist of eleven voting officers. Elected: President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, NACADA Liaison, Faculty Representative. Appointed: Graduate Student Representative, Conference Committee Representative Ex officio: President, Past President
The Executive Board shall manage the affairs of the organization; be responsible for the functions of all elected officers and appointed committees; approve all contracts and agreements and authorize all expenditures; and present an annual report at each annual business meeting.
Section V. Officers
There will be eleven voting officers of WACADA: President, President-Elect, Past President, Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, NACADA Liaison, Faculty Representative, Graduate Student Representative, and Conference Committee Representative.
The President, President-Elect, and Past President will each serve a term of one year for a total three-year commitment. Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership, Treasurer, Secretary, NACADA Liaison, and Faculty Representative will each serve a term of two years, with elections on a rotation basis with alternating years to prevent all positions being replaced in the same year. Graduate Student Representative and Conference Committee Representative will each serve a term of one year.
All officers must be members in good standing of WACADA.
No more than two members from the same institution/campus may serve as elected officers at the same time (if possible).
At least one officer shall be from each institution type. In the event that an institution type is not elected, the President has the authority to appoint a member of the needed institution type to the board.
The President-Elect will become President automatically for the succeeding year.
The President will become Past President automatically for the succeeding year.
Election shall be by majority of the membership voting (see section VII on voting requirements).
Newly elected officers shall take office at the end of the annual business meeting with the exception of the Graduate Student Representative, who will be appointed by the Executive Board in the spring prior to the annual business meeting.
Nominations for officers for the next year will be solicited during the spring prior to the annual business meeting through various communications.
In the event of a vacated office the Executive Board shall have the power to appoint a member to fill the vacancy by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board members present.
In the event of an officer not able to perform duties, the Executive Board shall have the power to appoint a member to fill the vacancy by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board members present.
Section VI. Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at all meetings of WACADA and WACADA Executive Board, is generally responsible for overseeing all the association’s activities, coordinates the election process, calls the meetings of the Executive Board, and appoints committees with the approval of the Executive Board.
The President-Elect assumes the duties of the President when he or she steps into the role at the end of the annual business meeting; the President-Elect performs President’s duties when President is unavailable. The President-Elect is responsible for all facets of the WACADA website and blog.
The Vice President of Programs is responsible for the annual conference evaluation in addition to developing, maintaining and evaluating other professional development opportunities.
The Vice President of Membership encourages members to renew membership and recruits new members; maintains a current membership roster; serves as chair of the Membership Committee, if any; and works toward adding value to membership.
The Treasurer presents financial reports at Executive Board meetings and an annual financial report for distribution at the business meeting; maintains the Employer ID Number and 501(C)(3) documents; serves as chairperson of the Professional Development and Grants Committee, if needed; and recommends policies and procedures regarding income and expenditures of organization funds.
The Secretary keeps records of all meetings of WACADA and the Executive Board and reviews and maintains a copy of the current bylaws.
The Region V NACADA Liaison serves as liaison between WACADA and NACADA’s Region V.
The Past President shall act as a consultant to the current President and Executive Board and chair the Awards Committee.
The Faculty Representative recruits faculty members to participate in WACADA and promotes the organization to faculty members. The Faculty Representative also acts as the liaison between faculty members and the Executive Board.
The Graduate Student Representative recruits graduate student members to participate in WACADA and promotes the organization to graduate student members. The Graduate Student Representative also acts as the liaison between graduate student members and the Executive Board. With guidance, the Graduate Student Representative will also update the WACADA social media presence.
The Conference Committee Representative serves as a member of the annual conference planning committee, and as a liaison between the conference planning committee and the Executive Board.
Section VII. Voting Requirements
A quorum of the membership shall be ten percent of the current membership.
All votes taken will be passed by a simple majority. Votes may be facilitated virtually/electronically or in person at scheduled WACADA events.
Section VIII. Committees
All committees shall be appointed by the President and shall include representatives of all three institutional types. No more than two members from any institution/campus shall serve on the same committee.
The Past President, Treasurer, and President Elect will serve on the Professional Grants Committee, and will recruit, select, and disburse professional development grants.
Section IX. Fiscal year
The WACADA fiscal year will be July 1st – June 30th.
Section X. Amending These Bylaws
Amendments to the bylaws shall occur only at regularly called business meetings. Proposed changes shall be approved by the Executive Board prior to circulation to the membership. Copy of proposed changes to the bylaws shall be provided to all members at least one week prior to the meeting at which they will be considered. Approval of any changes to the bylaws will be by two-thirds of the majority members present and voting.
Adopted by Steering Committee: May 5, 1997
Adopted by Members: September 26, 1997
Most recent changes adopted by Members: September 29, 2023