CONSTITUTION

OF THE

IVY NATIVE COUNCIL

PREAMBLE
The Ivy Native Council (INC) exists to promote and preserve understanding of indigenous cultures
of the Americas, to raise awareness of indigenous issues, and to foster networks among American
Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, First Nations, and other Indigenous students and alumni
of the Ivy League.

ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1 NAME
The name of this organization shall be Ivy Native Council, hereafter referred to as INC.

SECTION 2 PURPOSE
INC shall be operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. In furtherance of
such purposes, INC shall do the following including but not limited to:
A. Providing an organization for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native
Hawaiians, First Nations and other Indigenous students and alumni of the Ivy
League, which will promote unity and cooperation and will provide a basis from
which efforts may be made toward the advancement of Indigenous Peoples,
including substantially raising awareness of Native issues across diverse
campuses.
B. To encourage student and alumni involvement in affairs of Ivy League colleges
and universities that affect American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian,
First Nations, and other Indigenous communities.
C. Providing better communication and networking among Native students and
alumni of the Ivy League.

D. Providing a basis for the development of professionalism among Ivy League

Native students and members of INC.
E. Providing a forum for the discussion and examination of pertinent issues
affecting Native students and alumni of the Ivy League and for more general
problems relating to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, First
Nations, and other Indigenous people and their lands.
F. Providing a network through which Native students in the Ivy League and
affiliated universities can support one another across their diverse campuses and
for the benefit of their respective collegiate and local communities.

ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 DEFINITION
Ivy League shall mean the association of eight universities and colleges in the northeast
United States who have common traditions, values, and interests in scholarship including:
Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania,
and Yale.

SECTION 2 ELIGIBILITY
Any individual with an interest in furthering the goals of INC as listed above shall be eligible
for membership within INC. INC does not discriminate on the bases of race, sex, gender
identity, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, marital status, disability, or
veteran's status.
A. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 3 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

There shall be two categories of individual membership:
A. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP shall be open to any current student or alumnus
pursuing or having a bachelor's or advanced degree from an Ivy League college
or university.
B. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to any student currently enrolled in any
accredited college or university; or any alumni, professionals, or other interested
persons who are not qualified as General Members. Associate Membership shall
be open to any interested individual who does not qualify for General
Membership.
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C. Membership, either General or Associate, shall not be transferable or assignable.

D. Each General Member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to
a vote of the General Membership. Associate Members shall not be entitled to
vote on any matters submitted to a vote of the General Membership. They shall
be entitled to sit as observers in official Business Meetings of the General
Membership and participate in the general INC activities.

SECTION 4 CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

Corporate Memberships shall be granted to those corporations that financially support INC.

SECTION 5 TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP

Tribal memberships shall be granted to the American Indian tribes, Alaska Native regional
or village corporations, and Native Hawaiian governing entities that financially support INC.

ARTICLE III
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee of INC shall consist of 9 student members, including a: Brown
Representative (1); Columbia Representative (1); Cornell Representative (1); Dartmouth
Representative (1); Harvard Representative (1); Princeton Representative (1); University of
Pennsylvania Representative (1); Yale Representative (1); At-Large University Representative (1).

SECTION 1 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

A. Each Ivy League college or university representative shall be elected to serve on
the Executive Committee of INC by the general membership of the Native
student organization or association of that college or university. Schools will
notify INC of their elected representative and present them at the Annual INC
Conference.
B. At-Large University Representative will be elected from the Associate Members
of INC who are current students pursuing a bachelors or advanced degree. The
At-Large University Representative shall be nominated as an officer of the
Executive Committee by a majority vote of the Associate Membership at the
Annual INC Conference.
C. Candidates must satisfy qualifications for INC membership and notify INC in
writing of their intent to run for office. This notification must be received no
later than a week ahead of the scheduled Annual INC Conference.
D. Results from annual elections will be announced no later than two days after
voting, and office terms will commence from this time forward.
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E. Officers shall hold office for one-year term.

F. The number of Executive Committee Members shall be no less than seven (7).
The Executive Committee Membership shall be comprised of no less than six (6)
General Members.
G. Any member (Associate or General) in good standing may nominate fellow
members in good standing to the Executive Committee.
H. Self-nomination to the Executive Committee is acceptable.

SECTION 2 TITLES OF OFFICERS

The titled officers of INC shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Conference Chair, and Summit Chair. Associate Members of the Executive Committee are
not eligible for the titled offices of President, Vice President, Conference Chair or Summit
Chair. Executive Committee Members shall not be eligible for election to more than one
office. Responsibilities for each position are outlined below.

SECTION 3 DUTIES OF TITLED OFFICERS

The Executive Committee shall carry out the functions of INC between meetings of that
body and perform such acts as may be assigned to it from time to time, and shall carry out
faithfully the purposes and policies of INC. The acts of the Executive Committee shall be
effective for all purposes as the act or authorization of INC provided, however, that the
Executive Committee shall have no authority to repeal, rescind, veto, or repudiate any action
taken at any General meeting of INC, or at any special meeting held thereafter.
A. President
The President, or Vice President in the case where the President is absent, shall
preside at all meetings of INC and its Executive Committee. The President shall
appoint all committees of INC, except as provided by this Constitution, and
perform other duties as may be required by custom or by the welfare of INC or
by request of the Ivy League Native student organizations. In the event of a split
vote, the current President shall cast the deciding vote.
B. Vice President
The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, preside at all meetings
of INC and its Executive Committee; he or she shall also assume all other duties
of the President as stated in this Constitution or as directed by the Executive
Committee. As well, the Vice President shall be responsible for leading or
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designating leadership of any committees of INC, as assigned by the President

and/or Executive Committee.
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall maintain a complete and accurate record of all meetings of
INC and the Executive Committee, safely and systematically keep all papers,
records, and other documents belonging to INC or pertaining to the business
thereof; he or she shall keep a roll of membership and give notice of all meetings
of INC and its Executive Committee; he or she shall send to each new member a
copy of the Constitution of INC when the applicant becomes eligible for
membership; and perform such acts as may be assigned to him or her from time
to time.
D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep and maintain an account for all monies, credit, or
property of INC of any and every nature which shall come into his or her hands
and shall keep and maintain an accurate account of all money received and
disbursed, and proper vouchers for money so disbursed. He or she shall require
that the funds of INC be collected and disbursed in the manner prescribed by
INC and the Executive Committee. He or she shall collect and disburse all funds
of INC, deposited in the name of INC, in a bank approved by the Executive
Committee. He or she shall make at least an annual financial statement and
report and present this statement at the Annual INC Conference, and as required
by the Executive Committee. He or she shall render such accounts, statements,
and inventories of monies received and disbursed and of money and property in
hand and generally of all matters pertaining to his or her office as shall be
required by INC or the Executive Committee. He or she shall perform such
duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the President or
Executive Committee.
E. Conference Chair
The Conference Chair shall oversee the host school planning committee for the
Annual INC Conference; however, the host school has definitive authority. He
or she shall be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the
Conference and reporting to the Executive Committee with progress reports.
He or she shall also ensure the host college or university has direct support and
communication with the INC Executive Committee. The Conference Chair must
work with the Executive Committee to gain approval for some aspects of the
Annual INC Conference. The Conference Chair will then serve as an Advisory
Chair to the following years Conference Chair and local planning committee.
The Conference Chair is also responsible for the following tasks:
i.
Gathers input from Executive Committee and INC members about
conference workshops, keynote & luncheon speakers, career and
graduate school services, and other conference planning issues;
ii.

Advises the development of and submits a conference budget for

approval by the Executive Committee;

iii.

Oversees host school conference committee and meets regularly with

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them to develop conference schedule, coordinate speaker needs,

develop program and agenda booklet, set fees & registration options,
and other conference planning and promotion issues;
iv.

Presents INC Executive Committee with updates on conference

planning progress at meetings;

v.

Develops evaluation forms for each session and overall conference

and shares results with Executive Committee and succeeding
conference chair;

vi.

Prepares final conference report and submits to Executive

Committee for review and INC Secretary for archiving.

F. Summit Chair
The Summit Chair shall oversee the host school planning committee for the
Annual INC Summit; however, the host school has definitive authority. He or
she shall be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the
Summit and reporting to the Executive Committee with progress reports. He or
she shall also ensure the host college or university has direct support and
communication with the INC Executive Committee. The Summit Chair must
work with the Executive Committee to gain approval for some aspects of the
Annual INC Summit. The Summit Chair will then serve as an Advisory Chair to
the following years Summit Chair and local planning committee. The Summit
Chair is also responsible for the following tasks:
i.
Gathers input from Executive Committee and INC members about
Summit workshops, keynote and luncheon speakers, career and
graduate school services, and other Summit planning issues;
ii.

Advises the development of and submits a Summit budget for

approval by the Executive Committee;

iii.

Oversees host school Summit committee and meets regularly with

them to develop Summit schedule, coordinate speaker needs, develop
program and agenda booklet, set fees & registration options, and
other Summit planning and promotion issues;

iv.

Presents INC Executive Committee with updates on Summit

planning progress at meetings;

v.

Develops evaluation forms for each session and overall Summit and
shares results with Executive Committee and succeeding Summit
chair;

vi.

Prepares final Summit report and submits to Executive Committee

for review and INC Secretary for archiving.

G. Communications & Outreach Chair

The Communications & Outreach Chair shall oversee social media and public
communications. The Communications & Outreach Chair shall develop and
maintain a biannual newsletter.
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H. Alumni Relations Chair

The Alumni Relations Chair shall maintain and develop communications with
INC alumni and notify them of current events and opportunities of the Ivy
League; he or she shall also relay communications and/or concerns from alumni
to the Executive Committee.
A titled officer may resign from office upon acceptance of his or her letter of resignation
from the Executive Committee.

SECTION 4 MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be open to the General and
Associate Membership, except for special sessions, which contain agenda items
that, in the best interest of INC, should be acted on by the Executive Committee
only.
B. A quorum of the Executive Committee in regular or special meetings shall be
one more than half of the total members of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 5 OFFICER VACANCIES

When a vacancy occurs on the Executive Committee, the Committee may fill the vacancy by
a temporary appointment by a vote of a majority of the remaining Executive Committee
members, even though less than a quorum may exist. In the event that a vacancy occurs in
the office of President, that office shall be assumed by the Vice-President. The Executive
Committee shall then elect a succeeding Vice-President. Where possible, vacancies occurring
in all other offices shall be filled for the remainder of their respective terms by offering them
to the candidates with the next successive majority vote. This vote shall come from the
most recent Annual Conference of INC General Members.

SECTION 6 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Removal of any officer shall be conducted without cause as a result of a two-thirds vote of
the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
INC shall have committees, as may from time to time be designated by resolution of its Executive
Committee and adjusted without constitutional revision. These committees shall be voluntary and
may consist of persons who are not also members of the Executive Committee. They shall act in an
advisory capacity to the INC Executive Committee. Standing committees may be struck for, but not
limited to:

A. Conference Committee: to oversee and coordinate the planning and programming for the
Annual INC Conference;
B. Summit Committee: to oversee and coordinate the planning and programming for the
Annual INC Summit;
C. Membership Committee: to outreach to INC members to participate on various
committees;
D. Nominations Committee: to recruit candidates to run for election to the INC Executive
Committee and oversee nominations and elections of At-Large University Representatives;
E. Communications Committee: to distribute information amongst INC members, such as
through a website and by e-newsletters;
F. Programs Committee: to determine academic and/or career development needs of INC
members and then suggest relevant activities;
G. Mentorship Committee: to create a network of INC members who mentor one another
on a variety of career issues, as well as provide support to current American Indians, Alaska
Natives, Native Hawaiians, First Nations and other Indigenous students in the Ivy League
and Associate Member schools.

SECTION 1 FORMATION OF COMMITTEES

A. The President of the Executive Committee will appoint the Chair of each
committee from the members of the Executive Committee.
B. The Chair of each committee shall appoint members to the committee subject to
the majority approval of the Executive Committee.
C. The terms of the Chair of each committee shall be for the duration of their
Executive Committee term. The terms of the committee members shall be for
one year or at the discretion of the committee Chair.
D. The committee shall meet at the discretion of each committee Chair and shall
report at regular Executive Committee meetings and at regular General
Membership meetings.

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
There shall be no less than one General meeting each year of the General Membership of INC. The
Executive Committee shall have the power to specify the day, time, and place these meetings are to
be held, provided that proper notice of such meetings be given.

SECTION 1 THE ANNUAL INC CONFERENCE

A.

The Annual INC Conference will be hosted every winter/spring as determined

by the Executive Committee, Conference Chair, and host college or university.
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B. Annual membership dues will be included in the conference registration fee;

thereby all those who pay their registration and attend the conference will be
members in good standing for the fiscal year of the organization.
C. The Conference Chair and local planning committee will do their best to ensure
the Annual Conference does not conflict with Ivy League schools Powwows,
Spring Breaks, Admitted Students Weekends, etc.
D. Business Meeting
i.
ii.
iii.

iv.

A Business Meeting will be mandatory for all general members to attend

annually at the INC Conference.
General matters of the organization may be voted on by general
membership at this meeting.
Bids for hosting the succeeding conference will be presented by the
Executive Committee on behalf of potential host schools and then voted
on and approved at this meeting by one representative from each
General Membership school.
Quorum: a quorum for action on business tabulated on the Agenda of
the annual conference business meeting shall be fifteen (15) General
Members or 20 percent of the entire current General Membership,
whichever is smaller.

SECTION 2 THE ANNUAL INC SUMMIT

E. The Annual INC Summit will be hosted every Fall as determined by the
Executive Committee, Summit Chair, and host college or university.
F. All Summit attendees must be members in good standing for the fiscal year of
the organization.
a. New members can submit their membership dues along with their
Summit Registration fees. Freshmen are exempt from membership dues
for the first summit they attend.
G. The Summit Chair and local planning committee will do their best to ensure the
Annual Summit does not conflict with Ivy League schools Native American
Heritage Month Events, Fall Breaks, Christmas/Holiday vacations, etc.
H. Business Meeting
v.
vi.
vii.

viii.

A Business Meeting will be mandatory for all general members to attend

annually at the INC Summit.
General matters of the organization may be voted on by general
membership at this meeting.
Bids for hosting the succeeding Summit will be presented by the
Executive Committee on behalf of potential host schools and then voted
on and approved at this meeting by one representative from each
General Membership school.
Quorum: a quorum for action on business tabulated on the Agenda of
the annual conference business meeting shall be fifteen (15) General
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Members or 20 percent of the entire current General Membership,

whichever is smaller.

SECTION 3 RULES OF PROCEDURE

A. All meetings are to be conducted by Robert's Rules of Order, revised.
B. The President of the Executive Committee shall appoint a parliamentarian who
will rule on the points of procedure at General meetings and board meetings and
assure adherence to these laws during such meetings.

SECTION 4 VOTING
A majority of the vote entitled to be cast by the General Membership present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the passage of any business requiring a
vote. This subsection does not apply to amendments, executive committee elections, or any
vote that requires a greater proportion specified by law or this constitution.

SECTION 5 SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of any committee of INC may be determined by the Executive Committee,
as part of INCs calendar of events. The Secretary shall give notice of these meetings, as
directed by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI
ADVISORY COUNCILS
SECTION 1 ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Alumni Advisory Council is nominated to and appointed by the Executive Committee
and accountable to the Executive Committee for the purpose of institutional and
professional guidance to the INC family as a whole. Alumni Advisors must be General
Members of INC in good standing. The Executive Committee approves the qualifications,
appointment process, and responsibilities and will communicate this policy to the INC
membership.

SECTION 2 OTHER ADVISORY COUNCILS

INC shall have other Advisory Councils, as may from time to time be designated by
resolution of its Executive Committee and adjusted without constitutional revision. These
Advisory Councils shall be voluntary and may consist of persons who are not also members
of the Executive Committee. They shall act in an advisory capacity to the INC Executive
Committee.

ARTICLE VII
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GENERAL BUSINESS
SECTION 1 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of INC shall begin on the first day of August and end on the last day of July
each year.

SECTION 2 ANNUAL DUES

Annual dues for INC membership are included in the registration fee of the Annual
Conference. Current and potential members unable to attend the annual conference may
contact the Executive Committee to arrange payment of their annual dues to remain
members in good standing. Freshmen are exempt from membership dues for the Fall
Summit of their first semester. The rate of INCs annual dues shall be reviewed and set from
time to time by the Executive Committee. Granting membership to individuals who are
unable to pay annual dues will be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. Lifetime memberships
may be considered in cases where an individual is making a significantly large donation to
INC. Dues notices shall be sent to each potential member by the Treasurer in the fall of
each year.

ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION OF INC
In the event of dissolution of INC, all its funds and other property, if any, remaining after the
payment of liabilities, shall be paid over and transferred to an appropriate American Indian, Alaska
Native, Native Hawaiian, First Nation and other Indigenous organization(s) or charity(s) described
in 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to which all INC funds and material goods will be
released.
No part of the net earnings of INC shall inure to the benefit of any one of its members, officers, or
other individuals, except where INC shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable
compensation for services rendered, and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the
purposes stated in Article I, Section 2.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Articles and sections of these bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed at any annual or special
meeting of INC by a two-thirds vote of general members present, provided that notice of proposed
amendment, alteration or repeal has been posted and circulated amongst current INC membership
at least ten days prior to said meeting.

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