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Advisory Council Bylaws

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 has final decision-making and all financial authority, and 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 Advisory Council membership must demonstrate a firm commitment to advance the goals and objectives of the Institute, must have the energy and time to participate in the work of the Advisory 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 interview before being recommended to the Director and the Advisory Council for approval. The Advisory Council Development Committee 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.

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. See Advisory Council Member Orientation.

Terms of Service

Advisory Council members serve for a three-year term. The Advisory Council Development Chair will contact Advisory Council members whose first term is nearly complete to ascertain interest in serving a second three-year consecutive term. An Advisory Council member who completes two full terms is eligible to reapply after a one-year absence. The Director may invite Advisory Council members with special expertise to serve additional terms.

Advisory Council Member Responsibilities

Advisory Council members are expected to have a broad interest in lifelong learning; learn about and engage in the mission and goals of the Osher Institute; contribute annually to the Osher Excellence Fund; regularly attend Advisory 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 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. The session will be hosted by the Advisory Council Chair, the Advisory Council Development Committee Chair, and the Osher Institute Director.

Leadership Chair Selection

At the beginning of the second year of their two-year term, the Advisory Council Chair will work with the Advisory Council Development Committee to identify members of the Advisory Council who would like to be considered for the Chair Elect position. During this final year of the Advisory Council Chair’s term in their role, the Chair Elect will receive guidance from the Advisory Council Chair in preparation for transition of responsibilities. Upon expiration of the term of the Advisory Board Council, 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 responsibility 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 Advisory Council Chair is unable to do so. The Past Chair shall be a voting member of the Advisory Council.

Advisory Council Meetings

The Institute 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 be called as necessary.

Committees and Work Assignments

The Advisory Council and/or the Institute Director may establish committees 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 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. Terms for ad hoc committees will be determined at the time of creation.

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, Finance, Scholarship, Travel, and Volunteer. See Addendum for committee descriptions.

Addendum: Standing Committees

Advisory Council Development Committee (formerly Nominating 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 Advisory Council Development Chair. The Advisory Council 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; reviewing programming requests and proposals; and identifying experts and potential presenters. As Osher Institute ambassadors, committee members cultivate community relationships that may serve the Institute and its members. 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. Committees are chaired by an Advisory Council member or, when approved by the Director, an Osher Institute member.

Track One: Philosophy, Arts, and Humanities

Track Two: Physical Sciences, Technology, and Engineering

Track Three: Earth Sciences, 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 Institute Director regarding the selected candidates and amount of funding to award to each.

Finance Committee

Financial accounts supporting an annual operating budget for the Osher Institute are established, managed, and reviewed by University accountants, the Dean of Extended Studies, the Director of the Osher Institute, and designated staff in the Osher office. The Boise State University Foundation manages endowment, distribution, and Excellence Fund accounts with reports and balances available as needed and on a fiscal year basis. The primary purpose of this committee is to explore additional funding resources and provide recommendations for utilization of resources (that meets University requirements) for future growth of the Osher Institute. The committee may be asked to review finance reports generated by Boise State University and the Osher Institute for purposes of end of year or annual reports.

Marketing and Membership Committee

This committee assists the Institute staff as needed to review and proof documents and to distribute printed materials. The Marketing and Membership Committee also serves to forecast marketing and promotional 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 one free annual membership, one free fee-based course each semester, and access to register for no-fee lectures 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 the Osher Institute. The committee also works with the Director and Osher Institute staff to review the volunteer program and its processes, and identifies areas for improvement to ensure volunteer satisfaction. The Advisory Council 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 Advisory Council member at a regularly scheduled Advisory Council meeting, adopted by a two-thirds vote of members present at the next regularly scheduled Advisory 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

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