HDFS Grad Alliance

The official representative of the organization and liaison to the University community and the community at large; writes official communications from the HDFS Grad Alliance; coordinates all official activities; calls regular and special meetings; presides at meetings; prepares agenda for meetings, and coordinates activities of officers to ensure efficient functioning of the HDFS Grad Alliance and continued pursuit of the HDFS Grad Alliance’s objectives. Delegates these responsibilities to the Vice President when unable to perform them.

Assumes duties of President when necessary; assists President in coordinating official activities; assists President in planning and implementation of  HDFS Grad Alliance goals; can take any cabinet post during a meeting if circumstances require. Works with IT specialist to maintain and update the HDFS Grad Alliance website regularly (e.g., collecting updated student bios, posting current officers and future meetings, gathering possible funding opportunities, and removing past-due funding opportunities).

Attends faculty meetings as scheduled; responsible for acting as a communicative liaison between faculty and the HDFS Grad Alliance; and reports relevant to HDFS Grad Alliance issues to faculty and vice versa (i.e., provides thorough reports at HDFS Grad Alliance meetings). Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.

Attends graduate committee meetings as scheduled (typically monthly); responsible for acting as a communicative liaison between the graduate studies committee and the HDFS Grad Alliance; reports relevant to HDFS Grad Alliance issues to the graduate studies committee and vice versa (i.e., provides thorough reports at the HDFS Grad Alliance meetings); and forwards pressing issues to the HDFS Grad Alliance Faculty Representative for further discussion and decision-making at faculty meetings. Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.

Attends undergraduate committee meetings as scheduled (typically monthly) responsible for acting as a communicative liaison between the undergraduate committee and the HDFS Grad Alliance; and reports relevant to HDFS Grad Alliance issues to the undergraduate studies committee and vice versa (i.e., provides thorough reports at the HDFS Grad Alliance meetings, etc.). Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.

Implements social activities that benefit the HDFS Grad Alliance by building a sense of community among members of the graduate student and faculty community; responsible together with Treasurer to implement fundraising activities as determined by the HDFS Grad Alliance; assists other cabinet members in coordinating activities when necessary; assists President in planning HDFS Grad Alliance involvement on the department or University level; assists President in coordinating the assignment of representatives when the HDFS Grad Alliance requires representation at departmental or University-wide activities. Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.

Coordinates housing and other hospitality activities for prospective students (e.g., coordinates luncheons between prospective students and current students with similar academic interests; coordinates evening diversionary events for prospective students). Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.

Keeps accurate minutes of each meeting and forwards copies of them to all members of the HDFS graduate community to ensure that all graduate students (i.e., active and inactive graduate students alike) are aware of the contents of HDFS Grad Alliance meeting discussions; keeps attendance records of meetings which includes proxies; maintains accurate current information about the HDFS Grad Alliance and its membership and previous HDFS Grad Alliance information and documents; assists President and Vice President in coordinating activities when necessary; prepares meeting agenda when necessary; assists individuals making a presentation at an HDFS Grad Alliance meeting by securing necessary equipment or materials. Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.

Maintains accurate and current accounts of all HDFS Grad Alliance funds; provides financial updates at HDFS Grad Alliance meetings; formally hands account over to the next Treasure by making a special trip with that person to the bank to change the account-holder name; collects active member dues; dispenses funds in accordance with goals and activities conducted by the HDFS Grad Alliance; responsible for coordinating and dispersing gifts of condolence and appreciation for members of the HDFS graduate student, faculty, and staff community; responsible together with Social Liaison to implement fundraising activities as determined by the HDFS Grad Alliance; and assists other cabinet members in coordinating activities when necessary. Seeks another cabinet member to perform these responsibilities when unable to do so.