THRIVE! Bylaws

Article 1: Mission, Purpose, and Objectives

THRIVE! Inspiring ND Women (THRIVE!) seeks to foster an environment that increases opportunities for women to be recruited, retained, and advanced as leaders at the University of Notre Dame.
The purpose of this Employee Resource Group (ERG) is to serve as a resource to the Notre Dame community with respect to the professional development of women at the University and to assist the University in realizing its diversity and inclusion plans. This ERG intends to be a positive influence on the cultural environment for women, and to do so through professional programming, personal and professional development, mentoring and outreach.
The group’s objectives are as follows:

• To champion the recruitment, hiring, retention, career development, networking, and advancement of women at Notre Dame.
• To assist in identifying workplace issues and in coordinating solutions that affect women working at Notre Dame
• To foster communication between the University’s senior management and women who work at Notre Dame and to provide a central resource for information directly related to women’s needs
• To coordinate and develop formal and informal programming (training, mentoring, networking, etc.) opportunities for women
• To serve as a central point of contact for receiving and disseminating timely information about opportunities for women (conferences, training, outreach, etc.)
• To help create and sustain a diverse and inclusive work environment by
  • Engaging male employees at all levels of the University as full partners in achieving the University’s diversity goals relating to women
  • Bringing together women from different areas of the University to help foster an environment of inclusiveness
  • Promoting and sponsoring University programs designed to enhance cultural awareness

THRIVE! will engage in and promote programs and activities that support and advance these objectives.

Article II: Advisory Board 

To assist THRIVE! with the attainment of its goals, an advisory board  will serve as a resource to the group. The Advisory Board is composed of senior University administrators, and will include women in senior management positions, who have expressed an interest and commitment to the ERG’s goals and to the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Advisory Board will be assisted in its work by senior members of the Office of Human Resources.

A representative of the Advisory Board shall be invited to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. 

Article III: Membership & Board of Directors

The Board is charged with the general oversight of the ERG's activities and strategic priorities. This includes but is not limited to recruiting and selecting committee members, ensuring compliance with the bylaws, overseeing the budget, working closely with HR and the Advisory Committee and ensuring the overall success of the ERG. Generally, the board meets monthly during the academic year. 

General Membership

• General membership is open to all faculty and staff (full-time and part-time) at the University.
• Those interested in membership may join by completing and submitting the online registration at womenthrive.nd.edu.
• Registration will add members to any email communications sent to THRIVE! members.

Officers and Board of Directors

Officers include a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Officer, but may be adjusted as membership and organization needs change over time. All Officers are members of the Board of Directors. Officers are selected for two year terms which runs from July 1 of the first year through June 30 of the second year. No person may serve more than 4 consecutive years for board service, or three consecutive years for committee chair service, except that if a Director is serving as an officer on the fourth anniversary of their service as a Director, they may continue on the Board until they completed their term as Officer. The board also includes the chairs of the ambassador program, mentoring, professional development & networking, and engagement committees. All members of the board have equal voting rights, whether they are a chair or an officer. Generally, the board meets monthly during the academic year. 

Officer Eligibility

• Candidates must have been a member of THRIVE! for a minimum of one year.
• Candidates must be actively engaged through participation on committees, subcommittees, and/or in events.
• Candidates must be in good standing with the University as determined by the Performance Management Process. 
• The role of President must be selected from the existing board. Term limits apply. 

Officer Selection

• Candidates must meet the criteria for eligibility and must self-nominate.
• The Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will be chosen by a selection committee composed of a representative from Human Resources who has been engaged with the ERG, the Chair of the THRIVE! Advisory Board, and the current THRIVE! President. 
• Selection of the President will be made by the representative of Human Resources, the THRIVE! Advisory Board Chair, and the sitting President, who may serve as a member of the committee to select their successor.

Officer Responsibilities

• Attend monthly THRIVE! board meetings and officer meetings as needed
• Actively participate in THRIVE! events and supporting committees and subcommittees as needed
• Represent THRIVE! on University committees (when applicable)
• Convey fellow member concerns and comments to THRIVE! leadership
• Support other ERG efforts and community-building events on campus

President

The President’s role is to act as spokesperson for the organization and maintain communication with the Advisory Board, as well as committee chairs, to ensure successful advancement of the mission of THRIVE! This includes:

• Setting annual strategic priorities
• Managing the relationship with Human Resources, and advocating for Thrive as necessary
• Presiding over board meetings, setting meeting priorities and agendas 
• Act as the key liaison between the Advisory Board and the Officers and Board of Directors. 
• Attending Advisory Board meetings as needed
• Ensuring adherence to the bylaws

Vice President

The Vice President serves as the President’s right-hand person and should maintain continuous contact with the President. The Vice President must be up-to-date on all ERG communication and events. The responsibilities of the Vice President include but are not limited to:

• Supervising meetings in the absence of the President
• Assisting the President with the oversight of THRIVE!
• Coordinating any fundraising efforts in conjunction with the Treasurer
• Ensure that recognition and appreciation gifts/cards for all guests/speakers are sent

Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for ensuring meetings are effectively organized and documented. The Secretary position ensures all rules and bylaws of the organization are adhered to by the board during meetings and the implementation of board decisions. The responsibilities of the Secretary include but are not limited to:

• Coordinating with the President to plan officer meetings as needed
• Taking minutes and records of each board and officer meeting
• Supervising board meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President

Treasurer

The Treasurer oversees the budget process for THRIVE! and will work closely with Human Resources for all funding requirements and accounting procedures. With respect to funding needs of THRIVE!, the Treasurer will work with the Advisory Board to identify potential sources of funding for events and programming. These sources could include member dues, event ticketing, or University department sponsorship. The responsibilities of the Treasurer include but are not limited to:

• Preparing an annual budget
• Approving and accounting for all expenses
• Providing financial updates to the board
• Stewarding all funds received
• Coordinating fundraising efforts in conjunction with the Vice President

Communications Officer

The Communications Officer chairs the standing communications committee and is responsible for the oversight of all THRIVE! communications, including, print, online, email, events calendar, and social media. The communications officer shall develop and implement a strategic communications plan to increase awareness, to grow membership, and promote THRIVE! events and related opportunities.

Article IV: Committees

THRIVE! committees help execute the objectives of the organization.

Committee Leadership

• Committee chairs shall serve one-year terms, with the exception of the Communications Chair, which is a two year term. 
• Committee chairs can select successors from current committee membership. Current committee members can self-nominate as candidates for Chair positions. 
• Committee chairs shall convene a meeting at least two times per semester (fall and spring) to plan and execute committee responsibilities;
• Attend all THRIVE! board meetings, or send proxy if unable to attend
• Incoming Committee chairs will be selected by the outgoing committee chairs in consultation with the board.

Committee Membership

• Committees shall be comprised of 6-10 members
• Committee members shall be chosen from the membership of THRIVE! through a self-nomination process with review and approval by the board in the Spring
• Commitments are for one-year terms beginning July 1, members may serve up to three consecutive terms at the discretion of the chair
• Time spent as a committee chair or member does not count toward Board Officer term limits
• Current committee members who would like to remain on the committee will also self-nominate each eligible year
• Members are expected to be present and engaged with committee work

Professional Development & Networking Committee

• Identify and promote initiatives to support the development and advancement of women on campus through the development and/or promotion and sponsorship of programs, conferences, workshops, etc.
• Identify or create professional networking opportunities for women on campus

Mentoring Committee

• Develop and facilitate a program designed to provide mentoring opportunities for women on campus with the goal of empowering women to achieve their highest potential
• Enabling knowledge and skill transfer to assist with retention and advancement of women on campus

Communications Committee

• Increase awareness and grow membership by communicating THRIVE! mission, goals, and activities to campus community
• Promote THRIVE! events and related opportunities to members

Engagement Committee

• Provide opportunities for recreational, motivational, and instructive idea sessions with the intention of connecting women in the Notre Dame community
• Identify or create opportunities for women on campus to engage with one another socially and strengthen collegial bonds

Article V. Ambassadors Program

The Thrive Ambassadors group develops and promotes initiatives to welcome and foster the inclusion of new members to Thrive!

Ambassadors membership: 

• Any member of Thrive! may join the Ambassadors at any time. 
• There is no term limit for Ambassadors and the size of the group is not limited. 
• Ambassadors may serve concurrently in other Thrive! committees or leadership positions. 
• Ambassadors are expected to attend meetings and actively participate in outreach and inclusion efforts.

Ambassadors leadership: A lead Ambassador shall be appointed annually for a term beginning July 1. 

• The lead Ambassador shall convene the group at least two times per semester (fall and spring) to plan and execute its responsibilities.
• The lead Ambassador shall represent the Ambassadors group at all Thrive! board meetings, or send proxy if unable to attend. 
• The lead Ambassador shall keep the group apprised of all Thrive! activities and initiatives.

Article VI: Funding

This ERG is sponsored by the University and will receive some funding through the Office of Human Resources to support specific goals and objectives, as determined by the Staff Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Funding to be determined annually by Human Resources. Membership dues, event-related fees, sponsorship, and/or fundraising efforts will be evaluated on an annual and per-event basis to supplement University funding and to optimize the opportunities available to THRIVE! members.

Article VII: Communications with Senior Leadership

THRIVE! will partner with the Staff Director of Diversity & Inclusion of the University as needed for the purpose of sharing information and affirming expectations of THRIVE!. Data gathered during these meetings will be used to assist THRIVE! in its strategic planning efforts. In addition to the meetings, THRIVE! will communicate with the Advisory Board on an as-needed basis to submit proposals, secure guidance and support, and solicit feedback. These communications may be initiated by the President of THRIVE! or their designee and may occur in writing, in one-on-one discussions, or in formal THRIVE! board meetings.

Article VIII: Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws may be amended at any regularly scheduled meeting of the board by a majority vote of the members present, or by mail/electronic ballot, provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous meeting.

Approved 3/15/2022 by THRIVE! Board of Director