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ARTICLE I – GENERAL
SECTION 1. NAME
This organization shall be known and designated as WestStar, a Regional Leadership
Program of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The principal office of WestStar shall
be located at Martin, Tennessee, within the University of Tennessee at Martin hereinafter
referred to as UT Martin.
SECTION 2. MISSION
The WestStar mission is to identify, encourage and equip community-minded people who
want to become more involved, want to help West Tennessee become a better place, and
are willing to accept assertive and dynamic leadership roles.
Participants learn new leadership skills and develop strategies for assisting communities
in solving problems and maximizing potential. Participants also become part of a
growing network of other leaders who, through mutual support and assistance, shape the
future of West Tennessee.
SECTION 3. VISION
WestStar's goal is to be the premier leadership program in the U.S. that establishes an
elite group of people bonded by their commitment to realizing the educational, economic
and social development of West Tennessee.
ARTICLE II - PROGRAM
SECTION 1. GENERAL
WestStar participants have the opportunity to take part in more than 100 different
presentations including private briefing, special presentations, skill development and
demonstrations. Successful completion of the program is recognized through a
graduation banquet and presentation of diplomas.
WestStar serves the 21 counties of West Tennessee by providing leadership development
and training. WestStar is governed by UT Martin and the WestStar Board of Trustees.
Programming is implemented by the Executive Director. The Chancellor of the
University of Tennessee at Martin appoints the Executive Director.
SECTION 2. SELECTION PROCESS
Candidates need to provide a completed and signed application. Applications may be faxed, but the original must be on file in the WestStar office to be eligible for selection.
Applications are reviewed by the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for selecting the
WestStar class. Only one class is chosen each year. Selection is based on leadership
achievements and potential to contribute to the development of the region. Other factors
in the overall class selection include, but are not limited to, geography, diversity,
occupation and level of community and regional involvement. WestStar does not select
on the basis of age, sex, race, or religion.
SECTION 3. COSTS
The cost per participant is determined annually at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may, at its discretion, decide to adjust tuition at any time deemed
necessary. This adjustment would not be effective until the following year. The tuition
fee includes meals, breaks, program materials and expenses for each session. Participants
are responsible for their own lodging and transportation.
SECTION 4. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Class participants are required to attend all the sessions including the graduation banquet.
Participants are not allowed to miss more than one entire session in order to complete
graduation requirements. If a class member misses the first session, they are asked to
wait till the following year to participate. Absences will be reviewed by the Board of
Trustees to determine eligibility for graduation.
SECTION 5. LOCAL LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATION
Graduation from a local leadership program prior to participation in WestStar is not a
pre-requisite for acceptance, but it is strongly encouraged and receives significant
consideration by the Board of Trustees when making selection decisions.
ARTICLE III – BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 1. GENERAL
WestStar shall be governed by a Board of Trustees as hereinafter provided. The Board
shall consist of no more than 15 appointed members. (This does not include the
Chairman of the Alumni Council.)
SECTION 2. TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT
The Chancellor shall appoint the Board of Trustees based on the recommendation by the
Executive Director. Trustees must be a graduate of WestStar and will serve staggered 4
three-year terms. The Chairman of the Alumni Council is a member of the Board of
Trustees, with all rights and privileges of an appointed member.
SECTION 3. HONORARY MEMBERS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees may select someone as an honorary member of the Board of
Trustees. Honorary members do not have to be a WestStar graduate and do not have
voting privileges.
SECTION 4. TERMS
Appointments will be made for a three-year term with a possible reappointment for one
additional three-year term. Following the completion of the second three-year term, a
member shall not be eligible for re-appointment until after an interval of at least one year
following the completion of the final year of service. Terms begin July 1 and end June
30.
SECTION 5. VACANCIES
The seat of any member of the Board of Trustees may be declared vacant by the
Executive Director after the absent trustee shall have been absent without an explanation
from two consecutive regular meetings of the board. Upon a declaration of a vacancy, the
Executive Director is authorized in each case to recommend appointment of a successor
to the Chancellor. The appointed successor will fulfill the vacated term.
SECTION 6. MEETINGS
The Board of Trustees shall hold three (3) regular meetings annually: September,
December, and June. These meetings shall be held at a location determined by the
Executive Director. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by the
Board of Trustees or the Executive Director. Five business days notice shall be given to
the Trustees prior to any regular or special meeting. All special called meetings shall state
the businesses to be considered. The order of business at the regular meetings shall be
determined by the Executive Director with input from the members of the board. Eight (8) members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IV – ADMINISTRATION / STAFF
SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director shall be provided by UT Martin. The Executive Director's
responsibilities include program administration, management of the program accounts,
and assistance to the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director will direct the Board of
Trustees meetings but will not have voting privileges except in the event of a tie vote of
the membership.
SECTION 2. COORDINATOR
The Coordinator will report directly to the Executive Director. The Coordinator's
responsibilities include all coordinating of the WestStar Leadership Program's sessions
and sponsored events.
ARTICLE VI – FINANCES
SECTION 1. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the organization shall commence on July 1 and end on June 30 of the
succeeding year.
SECTION 2. GENERAL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
The Coordinator of WestStar shall collect all fees and tuition and deposit them in the
WestStar account held by UT Martin in accordance with university accounting practices.
SECTION 3. PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS
Any private or corporate contributions to WestStar may be used to discharge the
individual financial obligation of WestStar programs for which such funds may have
been collected or contributed.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a majority of the trustees present at any meeting of the board, provided that notice of the substance of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed or emailed to each trustee at least seven days prior to the meeting at which amendment is to be considered.
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