Osher Institute Advisory Council Bylaws: Statement of Purpose and Organization
Purpose
The primary purposes of the Advisory Council are to support the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University, advise the Director, advocate its mission, promote a vibrant learning community, and further the educational and public engagement goals of the Institute and the University.
Advisory Council’s Role
The role of the Advisory Council is to:
- Advise and assist the Director by drawing upon the skills, experience, and relationships of Advisory Council members in areas such as planning, finance, budgeting, marketing, fundraising, and program operation.
- Assist in building a dynamic member community by recruiting new members and engaging all members in social events, volunteer activities, and Advisory Council work.
- Support the annual fundraising of the Institute by making a financial contribution to the Osher Excellence Fund and by promoting the Excellence Fund to potential donors.
- Serve as Osher Institute ambassadors and advocates in the community to raise awareness of the importance of lifelong learning among peers, community leaders, educators, and professionals.
- Provide input on staff performance upon request from the Director and recognize outstanding contributions by staff, instructors, and volunteers.
Relationship of the Advisory Council With the Institute
The Advisory Council is an advising entity that suggests and recommends policies and actions to the Director who has the final decision-making and all financial authority.
The Osher Institute Director and staff are employees of Boise State University and the Division of Extended Studies. All staff assistance to the Advisory Council, committees, or working groups must be approved by the Director.
The Advisory Council and committees contribute meaningful work and engaged participation. Work assignments can be designed and carried to completion by Advisory Council members and general members, while keeping the Director informed of activities and progress.
It is essential for Advisory Council members and working group participants to maintain communication with the Director about Institute activities, particularly regarding Institute commitments. Prior discussion with the Director is necessary before making contacts inside the University.
The Director is solely responsible for contractual commitments. Advisory Council members do not have such authority.
Organization
Organization Preamble
The Advisory Council supports the Osher Institute’s ideals of inclusiveness and diversity of general members. It strives to facilitate accessible, flexible, enjoyable, and meaningful activities for Osher members.
Advisory Council Membership
The Advisory Council consists of 10-15 members. Candidates for Council membership must demonstrate a firm commitment to advance the goals and objectives of the Institute through volunteer experience and donation to the Osher Excellence Fund; must have the energy and time to participate in the work of the Council; and must be current Osher Institute members.
Selection Process
Applications for Advisory Council membership will be received by the Institute annually. All candidates shall complete an application and be interviewed by the Advisory Council Development Committee, who will recommend finalists to be approved by the Advisory Council and the Director of the Osher Institute. Electronic means may be used to ascertain Advisory Council member input during this process.
Terms of Service
Advisory Council members serve for a three-year term. With approval of the Director, the Council Development Committee Chair will contact Council members whose first term is near completion to ascertain interest in serving a second three-year consecutive term. A Council member who completes two full terms is eligible to reapply after a one-year absence. The Director may invite Council members with special expertise to serve additional terms.
Midterm Replacement
In the event of a resignation or early departure of an Advisory Council member, the position may be filled with a replacement if deemed appropriate by the Director and Advisory Council Chair. Midterm replacement members will receive an orientation session and complete the term of the vacated seat first. Upon invitation of the Director, the seat may be extended for the Council member for an additional period of time or a term, whichever meets the schedule of terms. See Advisory Council Member Orientation.
Advisory Council Member Responsibilities
Each Advisory Council member is expected to have a broad interest in lifelong learning; learn about and engage in the mission and goals of the Institute; contribute annually to the Osher Excellence Fund; regularly attend Council meetings; lead and/or serve on at least one committee; and work on other activities such as ad hoc committees.
Advisory Council Member Orientation
An orientation session, hosted by the Advisory Council Chair, Council Development Chair, and the Osher Institute Director, will be held for incoming Advisory Council members to share history of the Institute, financial status and processes, functions of the Institute staff, the strategic plan, and ensure access to reference materials and documents.
Chair and Chair Elect Selection
At the beginning of the second year of a two-year term as Advisory Council Chair, the Chair will work with the Council Development Committee to identify members of the Council interested in serving as Chair Elect, with appointment to be approved by the Osher Director. During this final year of the Chair’s term in that role, the Chair Elect will receive guidance from the Chair in preparation for transition of responsibilities. Upon expiration of the term of the Advisory Council Chair, the Osher Institute Director may approve a one-year extension of the member to serve on the Advisory Council in the capacity of Past Chair. The responsibilities of the Past Chair includes attendance at scheduled Advisory Council meetings and functions, support of the Advisory Council Chair during transition, and authorization to chair an Advisory Council meeting in the event that the Chair and Chair Elect are unable to do so.
Advisory Council Meetings
The Director and Advisory Council Chair will determine and publish an annual schedule of up to five regular meetings. The time and location of each meeting will be announced at least one month in advance. Special meetings may also be called.
Committees and Work Assignments
The Advisory Council and/or the Institute Director may establish standing and ad hoc committees of the Council for specific functions or assignments. These will become effective when a leader has been selected, and, except for standing committees, will serve until the completion of their charters or assignments. At least one Advisory Council member should participate on each standing committee. All members of a committee must be current Osher Institute members.
Committee Terms of Service
Committee members and chairs of committees serve terms of three years and may be renewed for a second term of three years by the Director. A one-year break must be made before a member may apply for a future term of service. Terms for ad hoc committees will be determined at the time of creation. Exception: The Osher Faculty Grant Committee has no established term limit for members. This Committee meets once annually to review and recommend grand awardees to the Director. As members elect to step down, new appointments will be made by invitation of the Director.
Committee Responsibilities
All committee participants are expected to actively engage in the work of their committees by attending meetings, communicating effectively, and contributing to the goals and objectives of their committees or working groups.
Committee Leadership & Governance
Ideally, committees are chaired by a sitting Advisory Council member; however, at the discretion of the Director, an Osher Institute member may serve as chair to a committee. Each committee should include at least one Advisory Council member. General members of the Osher Institute are encouraged to serve on only one committee at a time.
Standing Committees
Standing Committees include, but are not limited to: Advisory Council Development, Curriculum Tracks, Faculty Grant, Fundraising, Scholarship, Travel, and Volunteer. See Addendum for committee descriptions. The Institute Director may recommend deactivating standing committees and/or creating others depending upon need and best placement of volunteer resources. Ideally, standing committees will also identify a Co-Chair who will receive guidance from the committee chair in preparation for transition of responsibilities.
Addendum: Standing Committees
Advisory Council Development Committee
Committee is chaired by an Advisory Council member and consists of the Advisory Council Chair, the Director, and up to three other Advisory Council members selected by the Council Development Chair. The Chair and Director determine meeting schedules. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Recruiting Advisory Council candidates, screening applications, interviewing, and recommending finalists to be approved by the Advisory Council and the Director of the Osher Institute.
- Participating in the development and delivery of Advisory Council Orientation.
- Developing Advisory Council retreats and other special meeting opportunities that may include training or special projects.
- Identifying and recommending candidates for the Chair Elect position to the Director.
- Identifying and recommending candidates to fill vacant Advisory Council seats when requested by the Director.
Curriculum Track Committees
The function of the Curriculum Track Committees is to support the Osher Institute and Director by building relevant programs each semester. This includes identifying potential course, lecture and special event ideas, and especially identifying experts and potential presenters, and gaining their agreement to present. Each Track Committee is tasked to provide a minimum of twelve proposals for each semester. Track committees are divided as indicated and meet independently three to four times per year. Additionally, one All-Track meeting is held annually to encourage committee members’ collaboration and brainstorming across disciplines. As Osher Institute ambassadors, committee members cultivate community relationships that may serve the Institute and its members. Committees are chaired by an Advisory Council member or, when approved by the Director, an Osher Institute member.
Track One: Philosophy, Arts, Literature, and Religion/Spirituality
Track Two: Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Technology
Track Three: Earth and Life Sciences, and Environment
Track Four: Politics and Public Affairs, History, Education, Business and Economics, and Current Events
Track Five: Medicine, Health, and Wellness
Faculty Grant Committee
The Osher Institute establishes an annual budget, supported by the Osher Institute Excellence Fund, to award faculty at Boise State University for research projects. This committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Director regarding the selected candidates and amount of funding to award to each.
Fundraising Committee
The primary purpose of this committee is to explore and offer recommendations for fundraising and support of resources (that meets University requirements) for future growth and sustainability of the Osher Institute. Financial accounts support an annual operating budget for the Osher Institute as established, managed solely by the Institute Director, with oversight of University accountants and the Dean of Extended Studies. The Boise State University Foundation manages the Bernard Osher Foundation Endowment corpus and all investments, distribution funds of said endowment, and the Osher membership-supported Excellence Fund accounts, providing reports and balances available as needed and on a fiscal year basis. Transfer and utilization of funds by the Osher Institute are initiated by the Director within guidelines established by Boise State University.
Marketing and Membership Committee
This committee assists the Institute staff as needed to review and proof marketing documents and to distribute printed materials. The Marketing and Membership Committee may also serve to forecast activities needed to promote the Institute during expansion of programs, facilities, and overall growth.
Scholarship Committee
This committee oversees the scholarship applications and recommends award recipients to the Director. Each year, there are members whose fixed income does not allow them to afford an Osher Institute membership. Members who are awarded a scholarship receive an annual membership, with discounts on fee-based courses and access to register for no-fee programs for the full year.
Travel Committee
This committee develops travel opportunities and suggestions for Osher members. They may help review qualifications of travel partnerships and identify destinations, both international and domestic, for travel.
Volunteer Committee
This committee develops volunteers and volunteering activities within and for the Osher Institute. The committee also works with the Director and Osher Institute staff to review the volunteer program and its processes, establish new volunteer activities to meet Osher needs, and identify areas for improvement to ensure volunteer satisfaction. The Chair and members of this committee help recognize and thank volunteers at annual social events and through targeted notes of appreciation to members each semester.
Changes to the Statement of Purpose and Organization
Bylaw changes may be proposed by the Director of the Osher Institute or any Council member at a regularly scheduled Council meeting, adopted by a two-thirds vote of members present at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting, and recorded in the minutes.
Adopted 10/19/07
Revised 4/25/08
Revised: 8/15/2014
Approved 9/10/2014
Revised & Approved 2/17/16
Revised 11/18/19 & Approved 12/11/19
Revised & Approved 4/1/20
Revised 3.7.24