By-laws

Article I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be: The Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement at Bridgewater State University (HOBA).

Article II. DESCRIPTION

The Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement at Bridgewater State University (HOBA) is a repository of the records of the significant achievements and contributions of Blacks, Cape Verdeans and Hispanics of African descent who lived or were born in the state of Massachusetts or have impacted the citizenry of Massachusetts. HOBA will also serve as a forum for research, discussion and analysis of the continuing contributions that Blacks, Cape Verdeans and Hispanics of African descent make to the Commonwealth and the United States.

Article III. MISSION

The mission of the HOBA is to discover, detail and disclose the significant achievements and contributions of people of color. HOBA will preserve, teach, research and make available all its work for advanced inquiry and public awareness.

Article IV. OBJECTIVES

  1. To serve as a repository of the records of selected individuals for the continuing research and analysis of their significant achievements.
  2. To promote ongoing inquiry and understanding and to broaden the public's knowledge of the significant role of and contributions made by people of color towards winning freedom and independence for our nation and for laying the foundation of America.
  3. To serve as a forum for research, discussion and analysis of the significant contributions that people of color have made throughout this nation's history.
  4. To collaborate with other institutions and statewide organizations that are interested in the significant contributions of Blacks, Cape Verdeans and Hispanics of African descent.
  5. To create new scholarly endeavors, foster instructional pursuits, broaden social conscience, enlighten the unenlightened and make the country a better place to live.

Article V. MEMBERSHIP

  1. The members of the governing body of HOBA shall be called: "Commissioners".
  2. The HOBA Commission will be comprised of fifteen members from the following areas:
    1. President of Bridgewater State University or his/her designee (Ex-officio member).
    2. Representative of Afro-American Alumni Association
    3. College faculty and administration
    4. Corporate and Foundation representatives
    5. Community representatives
    6. Historians and Biographers
    7. Political and Government leaders
  3. The Commissioners will serve no more than two consecutive 5-year terms. Terms will begin in September.
  4. The Commissioners who are Officers will be allowed to serve out their terms of office.

Article VI. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The nominating committee shall consist of the chairperson and two commissioners. The role of the nominating committee shall be to present a slate of nominees to the body for selection as members of HOBA. Commissioners wishing to nominate a person(s) as a commissioner(s) will present that person's resume to the body. The nominating committee will then prepare a slate of nominees consisting of persons for each of the categories outlined in Article V, excluding the President of Bridgewater State University. The commissioners shall vote on each nominee in the slate and a majority vote shall be required for the nominee(s) to be selected as a HOBA commissioner(s).

Article VII. OFFICERS

The officers of HOBA are Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. These three officers constitute the Executive Committee. These officers must be active Commissioners as defined in Article V.

Chairperson
The chairperson shall preside over all meetings. He or she may also appoint such committee or committees and define the duties of such committees as deemed necessary. The chairperson will serve a 3-year term.

Vice-Chairperson
The vice-chairperson shall, in the absence of the chairperson, perform all of the duties and have all of the powers of the chairperson. The vice-chairperson will serve a 3-year term.

Secretary
The secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of the proceedings, meeting attendance, correspondence of the organization and membership terms. In the case of the secretary's absence, the chairperson will direct another commissioner to act as secretary. The secretary will serve a 3-year term.

Article VIII. ELECTIONS

Elections of the officers of HOBA shall be made every three years and subsequent to solicitation of nominations by the Chairperson of HOBA. The elections will be held at the June meeting.

Article IX. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL

Officers and Commissioners may resign by delivering a written resignation to the Chairperson and Secretary of HOBA. Such resignation shall be effective upon date specified or upon delivery if date is not specified. A member of HOBA may be removed by a majority vote of the entire HOBA Commission when, in their judgment, the best interests of HOBA would be served thereby.

Article X. MEETINGS & QUORUM

HOBA Commissioners shall meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday. At any meeting of the HOBA Commissioners, a majority of the Commissioners then in office shall constitute a quorum. At any HOBA meeting at which a quorum is present, decisions shall be made by a majority of the Commissioners present (including those present by telephone or other communications medium). Commissioners who are unable to attend a meeting should inform the Chairperson.

Article XI. HALL OF BLACK ACHIEVEMENT

  1. Selection Criteria
    1. Person(s) selected for the Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement will have made significant contributions in one or more of the following fields: arts, business, civic, culture, education, government, politics, science or sports. Preference will be given to person(s) who have a "Massachusetts Connection."
    2. The term "Massachusetts Connection" means person(s) who were residents of Massachusetts, or person(s) who have attended school in Massachusetts, worked or volunteered their services in Massachusetts or who have significantly impacted the citizenry of Massachusetts.
    3. The term "significant contribution" means the individual's interest and participation in his/her fields, which has led to major modifications and long-term positive impact upon his/her chosen field of endeavor.
    4. Person(s) selected for nomination to Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement must be deceased.
  2. Selection Process
    1. Only the Commissioners of HOBA can make nominations to the Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement.
    2. The consideration and processing of the nomination shall take one year.
    3. Selections for induction into the Hall of Black Achievement will be made by March of each year.
    4. Nominees must receive a majority vote of the Commissioners in order to be selected as an inductee.
    5. The voting must be done in an open meeting.
    6. Nominees who are not selected may be re-nominated.

Article XII. MARY HUDSON ONLEY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Mary Hudson Onley Achievement Award (MHOAA) was established in the name of the first black graduate from Bridgewater State University in 1912.

  1. Selection Criteria
    1. Person(s) selected for the Mary Hudson Onley Achievement Award will have made significant contributions in one or more of the following fields: arts, business, civic, culture, education, government, politics, science or sports. Preference will be given to person(s) who have a "Massachusetts Connection."
    2. The term "Massachusetts Connection" means person(s) who were residents of Massachusetts, or person(s) who have attended school in Massachusetts, worked or volunteered their services in Massachusetts or who have significantly impacted the citizenry of Massachusetts.
    3. The term "significant contribution" means the individual's interest and participation in his/her fields, which has led to major modifications and long-term positive impact upon his/her chosen field of endeavor.
    4. Person(s) nominated for the Mary Hudson Onley Achievement Award must be living and be willing to attend the annual HOBA celebration to receive the award.
  2. Selection Process
    1. Only the Commissioners of HOBA can make nominations for the Mary Hudson Onley Achievement Award.
    2. The consideration and processing of the nomination shall take one year.
    3. Selections for induction into the Hudson Onley Achievement Award will be made by March of each year.
    4. Nominees must receive a majority vote of the Commissioners in order to be selected as an inductee.
    5. The voting must be done in an open meeting.
    6. Nominees who are not selected may be re-nominated.

Article XIII. STUDENT ACHIEVER AWARDS

The Student Achiever Awards are selected from Massachusetts State Colleges.

  1. Selection Criteria
    1. The student is a member of the senior class as of September 1 of the year preceding the award ceremony.
    2. The student's cumulative average is at least 3.0 GPA or equivalent.
    3. The student is expected to graduate by the end of the calendar year of the award ceremony.
    4. The student has demonstrated participation and leadership in academic and/or co-curricular activities.
    5. The student has provided service to the college and the community-at-large.
  2. Selection Process
    1. Letters with applications and selection criteria requesting Student Achiever Award Nominees will be sent to Massachusetts State Colleges in October.
    2. Notifications must be received in writing from the Massachusetts State Colleges.
    3. Nominations are to be received by the 3rd full week in December.
    4. Selected nominees will be notified at least one month prior to the HOBA ceremony.

Article XIV. AMENDMENTS

Amendments of these by-laws may be made at anytime provided there is a majority vote of the Commissioners, as defined in Article X.

  

Last Modified: August 2, 2010