Mission Statement & By-Laws of the “T” Association
(Revised 11/23/2024)
Mission Statement
The “T” Association at Texas State University is a service organization of the University committed to promoting and maintaining the communication and active involvement of both current and former letter winners at Texas State.
In order fulfill this mission, and to further aid in the operation of the “T” Association, the following By-laws are adopted. Changes to these By-Laws may be made in the following manner: proposed additions or deletions are to be submitted in writing to the Executive Director of the “T” Association at least thirty (30) days prior to an official meeting of the Board of Directors. The Director will see that each member of the Board is made aware of the proposal prior to the meeting. If approved by the Director and the Board of Directors, the revised By-Laws shall be submitted to the next official meeting of the “T” Association for adoption by a majority vote of the membership present.
By-Laws
Article I
Officers
Board of Directors: shall be comprised of two “T” Association members from each active decade of sports participation plus 15 “T” Association members selected “at large.” An “active decade” is defined as a traditional calendar decade during which a living member participated in their sport at the University. The two members from each decade and the “at large” members shall be nominated and approved by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the existing members of the Board of Directors. Every effort shall be made to ensure representation of as many men’s and women’s sports as possible while reflecting the historical level of participation in each sport.
Attendance Requirements:
- If a board member fails to attend three consecutive regular board meetings, the board may, by a majority vote, declare the board member's seat vacant and proceed to fill the vacancy in accordance with the bylaws.
- A board member who is absent from a board meeting shall notify the Executive Director in advance and provide a reason for the absence.
- The Executive Director shall keep a record of the attendance of board members at board meetings and report any absences to the board.
- The board may, at its discretion, grant a leave of absence to a board member for a specified period of time, not exceeding six months, for reasons such as illness, family emergency, or professional obligation.
- A board member who is granted a leave of absence shall not be counted as absent.
- Attending a board meeting virtually, via phone or video conferencing, shall count as attendance, provided that the board member can participate fully and effectively in the meeting.
Financial Accountability:
- All board members of the 'T' Association shall be required to join the dues paying “T” Association membership at the minimum annual contribution. This contribution shall be made by September 15 of each year and is essential to support the association's activities and initiatives.
Executive Director: shall be the principle executive officer of the “T” Association and shall supervise and control such duties of the Association as the Board of Directors may advise. This individual must possess a working knowledge of Texas State University and its athletic program, maintain communication with Texas State head coaches and the Board of Directors. The Director must also be a staff member of Texas State University.
President: shall be elected by the Board of Directors to preside over all meetings of the Board and of the general membership.
Vice President: shall be elected by the Board of Directors and will perform the duties of the President in his or her absence.
The President and Vice President shall serve for a term of two years, commencing on the first day of January following their election and ending on the last day of December of the second year. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms as President or Vice President." After a two consecutive year absence from office, an individual may serve again as President or Vice President.
Article II
Members
Membership in the “T” Association shall be of two (2) categories: Member and Honorary Member.
Section 1. Member.
(a) Any person who has been awarded an athletic letter in an intercollegiate sport at the University, including athletic trainers and student managers, as determined by the coach of each sport.
(b) Any person who has attained a letter in a university intercollegiate sport shall be considered eligible for the award of the “T” letter , including participants in the AIAW female athletic teams and athletic trainers who were members of the athletic program at any point in time with the University.
Section 2. Honorary Member
(a) The Board of Directors shall have the sole authority to confer honorary membership in the Association by a minimum vote of two thirds (2/3) of the Directors present at a duly called meeting.
(b) All nominations must be submitted, in writing, to the Executive Director.
(c) Potential nominees must have contributed to the “T” Association and/or Texas State University athletics at a rare and extraordinary level.
(d) No more than one (1) honorary letter winner will be recognized in any given calendar year.
Section 3. Sample of the "T" Letter Award
The letter awarded to athletes and members of athletic support shall be a maroon block T with old gold lettering in the base spelling “STATE.” Official letters issued between 1951 and 2002 were maroon block Ts with the old gold letters “SW” in the base while official letters issued in 1951 and prior bore the old gold lettering “SWN.”
Section 4. Protection of the "T" Letter
All of the “T” letters described in section 3 are the copyrighted property of Texas State University and must not be displayed by anyone unauthorized to do so nor defamed in any manner.
Article III
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings of the General Membership
Meetings of the general membership of the “T” Association may be held annually
at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors and Executive Director. Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the Executive Director with the approval of the Board of Directors. At a minimum, two “T” Association events will be held annually an open to all “T” Association members (11/16/19).
Section 2. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall meet three (3) times each year, when possible in conjunction with the “T” Association meetings. These meetings will be held as recommended by the Executive Director and approved by the Board of Directors.
Article IV
Finances
The funding necessary to fulfill the mission of the “T” Association shall be obtained as follows:
- Special contributions, fees and “T” Association sanctioned fund raising events.
- Special gifts to the Association.
- Proceeds from the “T” Association Endowment
Article V
Amendment
These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the “T” Association general membership present at any regular or called meeting. All amendments must be approved by the Board of Directors prior to submission to the general membership.
Article VI
Procedure
Parliamentary procedure shall be consistent with Robert’s Rules of Order during any meeting of the “T” Association and/or the Board of Directors.
Article VII
Hall of Honor
The Hall Of Honor shall be administered by the “T” Association as per established procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Each year up to five Texas State University outstanding letter winners are elected into the Texas State Hall of Honor. Once voted by the “T” Association Board of Directors, recommendations will be forwarded to the University President for final approval (12/3/16).
