Vote Yes

Two alumni offer divergent viewpoints on the proposed Association of Alumni constitution soon to be voted on by the alumni body.

The constitution puts in place new andimproved ways of connecting with youralma mater.

Eyes glazing over at the thought of a new alumni constitution? Here's what it is, why its important and why you should vote for it.

The proposed constitution sets out new systems for alumni governance and the nomination of alumni to eight of the 18 seats on the Dartmouth College board of trustees. The new document expands and strengthens the role of the 66,500-member Association of Alumni, bringing the functions of the existing Alumni Council under the associations aegis and adding new communications duties and opportunities for alumni voting, leadership and engagement with Dartmouth.

The association would encompass four components, each with a significant number of members elected by all alumni:

Alumni liaison board (ALB), a 16-member group charged with bringing alumni views to the trustees and administration and helping to convey the thinking of trustees and administration back to alumni;

Alumni Assembly, a representative alumni senate and service organization of 125 (or so) members;

Nominating committee, a 12-member committee to identify potential trustees and alumni leaders; and

Balloting committee, a seven-member panel to oversee all alumni votes.

This constitution gives you many ways to connect with Dartmouth—as a voter, as a provider of opinions and ideas, as an assembly member or as a candidate for leadership or trustee positions. You've got a better system for representation and a way for others to monitor the goings-on in Hanover on your behalf. If you're concerned about College policies or actions, this new constitution gives you a way to be heard by the trustees and administration.

Here are 10 reasons to vote in favor of adopting the new constitution:

1. This constitution, the product of five years' hard work, is born of accord and compromise. Alumni with wildly disparate views came together to listen to all viewpoints. Building on previous work, the alumni governance task force engaged in spirited argument, brainstormed, sought guidance repeatedly from diverse groups and achieved constructive compromises-all in the name of a much better governance system than we have now. Is it perfect? Probably not. A dramatic improvement for all alumni? You bet.

2. This constitution overhauls what alums said was broken. In letters, emails, hearings, town meetings, class newsletters, blogs and speeches, alumni ranging from members of Dartmouth Alumni for Open Governance to the Club Officers Association have said they don't feel represented or heard in Hanover. They said they wanted to contribute to the betterment of Dartmouth but didn't know how. The new constitution reflects their and others' ideas for deepening relationships with the College.

3. This constitution streamlines the governence system and makes all of its parts work in concert. It calls for only one organization-no more Alumni Council disconnected from alumni at large, no more freestanding association of alumni executive committee vulnerable to takeover by any one interest group.

4. This constitution gives alumni a seat at the table and puts a megaphone in their hands. The ALB would have a direct relationship with the trustees and the ad ministration and a constant read on alumni opinions—through surveys, focus groups and regional meetings—that it would communicate to the trustees and administration.

5. This constitution puts the power of all alumni behind a representative senate. With more than 30 additional elected reps than the current Alumni Council, the Alumni Assembly would serve as a crucible for alumni sentiment. Every class up to the 50th reunion would have a rep (instead of sharing a seat with another class, the case now). There would be five reps for the later classes. Clubs, graduate programs, affiliated groups and officer associations also would choose reps. Twenty-one assembly members would be elected by the alumni at large. Because people may connect differently to Dartmouth tomorrow than they do to day, the makeup of the assembly (and the entire constitution) will be reviewed at least every five years. This body balances the direct democracy of association members with a representative democracy, as first envisioned almost a century ago by Ernest Martin Hopkins, class of 1901.

6. This constitution institutes transparency at every level. Alumni could vote from the comfort of home (by mail or electronically) for constitutional amendments, trustee nominations, members of the ALB and nominating and balloting committees, assembly at-large reps and the association vice president (who goes on to chair the assembly, act as CEO of the association and chair the ALB).

7 This constitution provides for "one person, one vote" in trustee and alumni leader balloting. The playing field is closer to level than ever for people nominated by committee and by petition, as the constitution promotes two-person contests and moves toward standardizing the campaigning period for all. Whoever wins is the choice of alumni, period. When a "three or more" contest is unavoidable, the constitution calls for the existing approval method in which you vote for all you deem qualified. The constitution protects the right of petition candidates to get on the ballot and halves the number of required signatures from 500 to 250.

8. This constitution strongly encourages alumni participation. All alumni can vote. Anyone can run for the assembly or the leadership of the association—even trustee—with no required qualifications.

9. This constitution underscores the partnership between Dartmouth and its alumni. The assembly will expand College resources through volunteer service that supports student-focused programs (admissions, athletics, student life, etc.) and alumni relations efforts (honorary degrees, communications,young alumni programs, continuing education, etc.) and the Dartmouth College Fund.

10. The constitution is a document for this century. The association was founded in 1854 and gave rise to the council in 1913. After helping the College through financial difficulties, alumni in 1891 were first given the opportunity to nominate trustees. Piecemeal constitutional amendments during the past century and a half have weakened the connections among all of these bodies—connections that this constitution will make strong again: alumnus and alumna to fellow alumni, alumni to trustees, alumni to the College. As the constitutions preamble says, "All alumni are welcome, all shall be heard, and all may serve."

KELLEY FEAD is a member of the alumnigovernance task force and former chair of thejoint committee on alumni governance andtrustee nominations.

FRANK GADO is a retired editor, professorof literature and author of several books, including The Passion of Ingmar Bergman. He lives in White River Junction, Vermont.

HOW TO VOTE Alumni-wide voting on the proposed Association of Alumni constitution begins September 15 and runs through October 31. To view the new constitution, go to http://alumni.dartmouth.edu/leadership/association/index.html. If you have questions for the task force, you can e-mail them to agtaskforce@alum.dartmouth.org.