Mean
Green
For Life
North Texas Letterwinners Association
Constitution
PREAMBLE
The former student-athletes of the University of North Texas, appreciative of the educational enrichment brought to our lives, grateful for the privilege of participating in intercollegiate athletics, and committed to the development of mind and body, constitute ourselves as the University of North Texas Athletic Letterwinners Association (NTLA).
ARTICLE I
MISSION AND PURPOSE
SECTION I – The NTLA is established to organize former athletes of the University of North Texas to accomplish the following:
- mentor UNT student-athletes and help them exemplify the highest ideals of competition and sportsmanship;
- inspire and instill a sense of history, tradition, and pride in current and future generations of Mean Green student-athletes;
- support North Texas athletics, whether through donations, fund-raising events, volunteering, or just attending games to cheer on the Mean Green.
SECTION II – The NTLA will assist the UNT Athletic Department with the following:
- sponsor the annual UNT Hall of Fame induction ceremony;
- presentation of annual student-athlete letter awards;
- sponsor the UNT Athletic Department year-end awards banquet;
- other events, such as tailgates and caravan events, in coordination with the UNT Department of Athletics.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I – Any UNT student who earns a letter in an intercollegiate sport is eligible for membership in the NTLA upon completion of their intercollegiate eligibility.
SECTION II – The first year after completion of eligibility is free. Thereafter, members must pay annual dues to be active members. Amount of dues will be determined by the Board of Directors and agreed upon by the athletic department. Membership renewal will be sent out each summer.
SECTION III – There are three classifications of membership: Active, Honorary, and Inactive; and there are five types of Active membership:
Active Memberships
- RECENT GRADS (FREE) – for one year after the last year of collegiate athletic eligibility. Receive the Benefits of Active Membership; have voting privileges but cannot hold office in the NTLA.
- YOUNG LETTERWINNERS ($30/YEAR) – for UNT letterwinners under the age of 30; receive the Benefits of Active Membership and can vote and hold office in the NTLA.
- ACTIVE MEMBER ($60/YEAR) – for UNT letterwinners 30 years of age or older; receive the Benefits of Active Membership and can vote and hold office in the NTLA.
- PERMANENT MEMBER – for UNT letterwinners 80 years of age or older. Beginning January 1 following the letterwinner’s 80th birthday, membership is free; receive the Benefits of Active Membership and can vote and hold office in the NTLA.
- LIFE MEMBER – UNT will honor existing LIFE Members but no longer offers this option. Existing LIFE Members receive the Benefits of Active Membership and can vote and hold office in the NTLA.
Benefits of Active Membership:
- Membership card issued each year after payment of dues. Membership runs in conjunction with the UNT fiscal year, September 1 – August 31.
- Twenty percent ticket discount throughout the program as determined by the Athletic Department, including football single-game and season tickets in the lower bowl and season tickets in the Club Level. Discount does not apply to Mean Green Club donations tied to season-ticket purchases.
- Free and discounted admission to select Association events. Free admission is good for active members and, in some cases, one guest. This benefit will vary depending on the event.
- A UNT Letterwinners Association car decal. Association apparel and gear will be available for purchase through the athletic department.
Honorary Memberships
- Open to former coaches, athletic directors, trainers, managers, Hall of Honor inductees, donors, cheerleaders, and non-athletic persons after verification of participation. Fees are $60 per year.
Benefits of Honorary Membership:
- Membership card issued each year after payment of dues. Membership runs in conjunction with the UNT fiscal year, September 1 – August 31.
- Twenty percent ticket discount throughout the program as determined by the Athletic Department, including football single-game and season tickets in the lower bowl and season tickets in the Club Level. Discount does not apply to Mean Green Club donations tied to season-ticket purchases.
- Honorary members have voting privileges but cannot hold office.
Inactive Memberships
- For registered but non-dues paying letterwinners after second year of completion of eligibility. Inactive members are welcome to NTLA events but must pay an entry fee for themselves and any guests, and will receive an NTLA card with year of completion of eligibility.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION I – There shall be a Board of Directors composed of the following:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Immediate-Past President
- At-Large Directors
SECTION II – The Board is the governing body of the NTLA. The Board will have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the NTLA, its committees, and publications; and will determine policies and actively pursue its objectives. The Board is vested with power to make rules for its governance which are not in conflict with the provisions of this constitution; determine the number that shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; and delegate to committees the power to act on such matters in coordination with the Board.
SECTION III – Voting rights of Board members cannot be delegated to another or exercised by proxy. Members must be present to vote.
SECTION IV – All funds tied to annual dues will deposited and processed through the Athletic Department. Any gifts made above and beyond the membership dues will be given credit through the Mean Green Club priority-points system and will be eligible for associated benefits. Any such funds shall be delivered to the UNT Athletic Department for deposit and gift processing through the University procedures. The Secretary will report annually to the NTLA on the amount and disposition of any such funds.
SECTION V – Any Board member that misses two consecutive meetings unexcused by the President may be subject to removal.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
SECTION I –The NTLA’s officers are:
- President – serving a term of one year. The president shall not succeed him or herself.
- Vice-President – elected annually and may be re-elected to the office.
- Secretary – elected annually and may be re-elected to the office.
- Immediate Past President – The president shall assume the office of immediate-past president upon the conclusion of the president’s term of office and shall serve for a term of one year.
- Directors – There shall be no more than seventeen directors, including officers. Each director will hold office for three years and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The directors shall serve staggered terms in order to provide continuity on the Board. Directors should be selected from different eras and different programs to represent each era and program. Director who completes a second term will be eligible to return to office after an absence of one year from office.
SECTION II – Officers will take office at the beginning of the calendar year and will serve a term as defined in Article IV, Section 1, unless a vacancy occurs (see Article V, Section 3). No member, Board member, or officer shall receive any compensation for service rendered to the NTLA.
ARTICLE V
METHOD OF SELECTION
SECTION I – ELECTIONS: The president-elect, vice president, treasurer, and remaining directors shall be elected by vote of qualified members at the annual meeting.
SECTION II – NOMINATIONS: The nominating committee shall prepare and submit to the Board a list of nominees for the office of vice president, treasurer, and remaining board members. All candidates must give consent prior to be nominated.
SECTION III – VACANCIES: will be filled by a vote of the Board for the remaining term of the position vacated.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES
SECTION I – PRESIDENT – the president is the NTLA’s chief executive officer and chairperson of the board and executive committee. The president shall also serve as an ex-officio member of all committees and shall make all required appointments of standing and special committees to include chairperson. The president shall preside at all NTLA and Board meetings. In the event of the president’s absence, the president-elect shall serve in the president’s place. At the annual meeting and at such other times as deemed proper, the president shall communicate to the members such matters and make such suggestions to promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the NTLA. The president shall perform such other duties as necessary incident to the office.
SECTION II – VICE PRESIDENT – assist the president in the administration of the NTLA, coordinate with the UNT Athletic Department’s representatives regarding the operation of the NTLA’s tent for home games, and inform newly-elected officers and directors of procedures. Responsible for special committees and performing duties designated by the president or the Board, and will perform the duties of president in the event that the president is unable to serve.
SECTION III – SECRETARY - responsible for taking the minutes at each board meeting and working with the athletic department’s appointed coordinator to distribute those to the Board. Will also present the minutes at each meeting, along with other updates in coordination with the other officers of the Board. The secretary will serve as the chairperson for the membership committee.
SECTION IV – IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT – will serve as chairperson of the nominating committee and will perform duties delegated by the president.
SECTION V - ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR – the liaison between the Athletic Department and the NTLA as appointed by the director of athletics shall oversee the recording of minutes of meetings of the NTLA, its committees, and the Board, and shall ensure that accurate records are kept of all members and transactions of the executive committee. The coordinator shall see that all notices, including the NTLA website (meangreenforlife.com), are in accordance with the constitution. The coordinator shall work with all committees to insure successful completion of responsibilities.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION I – COMPOSITION - the president, vice president, secretary, administrative coordinator (non-voting), and athletic director or designee (non-voting).
SECTION II – AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY – may act in place of the Board between meetings on all matters except those specifically reserved to the Board by the constitution. The executive committee shall prepare and present to the Board a recommended annual operating budget to be approved by the CFO of the UNT Athletic Department.
ARTICLE VIII
ANNUAL MEETING
SECTION I – An annual meeting of the NTLA will be held each year on a date determined by the Board Notice of the annual meeting, nominating committee’s recommendations for office, and proposed constitutional amendments must be posted on the association’s website in advance of the meeting.
SECTION II – The annual meeting’s agenda includes, but is not limited to, the president’s report, financial report, any committee report necessary and informative to the NTLA, and an open forum with the Board and the members.
SECTION III – AGENDA – No new matter may be taken up by the Association at its annual meeting which is either not shown on the agenda or not approved by a majority of the Board. However, new matters not on the agenda may be taken up if written notice of the new matter has been given to the president by NTLA members at least seven days prior to the annual meeting.
SECTION IV – The NTLA shall hold such other meetings as called by the president or in writing to the administrative coordinator and active members. Such meetings shall be limited to the stated written agenda.
SECTION V – Robert’s Rules of Order, revised, shall govern all debate and discussions from the floor at all meetings provided Robert’s Rules of Order, revised, does not conflict with any rule adopted by the NTLA.
ARTICLE IX
COMMITTEES
SECTION I – all committees and chairmen shall be appointed by the president, unless otherwise provided by the constitution.
SECTION II – there shall be standing committees as follows:
- Nominating – shall have no fewer than three active members and consist of the immediate-past president as chairperson and a minimum of two at-large active members. Nominating Committee will be responsible for nominating candidates for each office to be held in the association. Nominees will be voted on and approved at the Annual Meeting each year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for nomination to an office.
- Membership – shall have at least three active members, consisting of the secretary as chairperson and a minimum of two at-large active members. The administrative coordinator (UNT assigned designee) will assist the committee to help identify initiatives and communication strategies to help grow the active membership each year.
- Special Events – shall have at least four active members, consisting of the vice president as chairperson and at least three at-large active members. The committee is to assist with coordination and planning of NTLA events.
- Special Committees – can be created as the president sees the need. The president may appoint the past president as chairperson and two at-large members for special projects or events as needs are identified by the NTLA.
ARTICLE X
HALL OF FAME
Inductee Selection
- Recognizes athletic accomplishments that brought credit to the University of North Texas.
- Inductees are placed on the ballot by the North Texas Hall of Fame selection committee, which is made up of 10 individuals with strong ties to the University of North Texas and have been designated by the athletic department.
- A nominee shall be at least five years removed from the program.
- Selection Committee will determine 10 names for inclusion on the ballot each year, with no more than five nominees from any one sport.
- The final ballot will be distributed to the following groups who will have the ability to cast a vote:
- Active members of the Letterwinners Association;
- Current inductees and McCain Award recipients;
- Selection Committee.
- A maximum of six former athletes may be inducted in any year (must include McCain Award honoree if presented. No more than three individuals from any one sport may be selected in any given year.
- Names on the ballot that are not selected are automatically rolled onto the ballot the next year and the selection committee will fill the remaining ballot slots at their annual meeting. A person may remain on the ballot for five consecutive years and then must roll off at least one year before reconsideration by the selection committee.
- Any person may nominate an individual for consideration by the selection committee. A Nomination form is available on meangreenforlife.com.
- The NTLA president will serve on the selection committee.
- The proposed selection timeline (starting in 2018):
- March – Selection Committee meets to set the ballot.
- April 1 – ballots are sent to voting membership and groups.
- April 15 – voting concludes.
- May 1 – confirmation of inductee attendance at induction ceremony.
- June – press release announcing the class.
- September/October – induction ceremony around Champions Weekend.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Inductee Selection
- Recognizes letterwinners who, after graduation, gained prominence in industry, government, technology, athletics, or other worthy endeavors.
- Active members may make nominations, as may members of the Athletic Department and the selection committee.
- Maximum of one inductee per year.
FRED McCAIN AWARD
Inductee Selection
- Recognizes individuals that have gone above and beyond in contributions and support of UNT athletics.
- Nominated by athletic director, head coaches, and university administration.
- Maximum of two inductees per year.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to any section or article of the constitution may be recommended to the director of athletics or his designee at any annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of active members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment and reasons for the amendment have been submitted to the Board.
Contact Us
Athletic Department Contact
If you have any questions about the Letterwinners Association, please contact Eric Capper at 940-565-2476 or by email at Eric.Capper@unt.edu.
Ticket Information
To access Letterwinners Association ticket benefits, such as discounted game tickets or Letterwinners event tickets, call the North Texas Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or ticketoffice@unt.edu.
Social Media
The North Texas Letterwinners Association is on Facebook. Follow us and let us hear your comments and concerns.
