RBAA Board Member Responsibilities
RBAA Board Member Responsibilities and Expectations Statement
Selection criteria
The Rice Business Alumni Association (RBAA) strives to have an engaged, diverse, and representative board. Accordingly, selection criteria include:
- An established track record of involvement with Jones School activities, post-graduation
- Class year and program
- Geographic location
- Professional career focus (energy, entrepreneurship, health care, financial services, marketing, etc)
- Other board or non-profit leadership roles
- Willingness and ability to commit the time for RBAA board service
Board Member Responsibilities
In order to carry out its mission to drive alumni engagement and advise the dean, the JGSAA Board should consist of members who enthusiastically advocate and support its activities and who also take an active role in Jones Graduate School of Business activities. While the board understands that its members will have varied interests and strengths, all members are expected to meet the standards of participation outlined in this document. Board members serve a three year term.
The Rice Business Alumni Association (RBAA) Board and its Committees
The board convenes monthly except in the months of June and July. The board meets in person at Rice University five times a year, including a weekend retreat in September. In addition, a short teleconference meeting is scheduled during months in which there is no in-person meeting. Board members commit to attend all board meetings (either in person or telephonically), subject only to unforeseeable exigencies. The retreat weekend meeting usually consists of a dinner or reception on Friday evening and the board meeting on Saturday from morning until mid-afternoon. Expenses incurred by board members not located in Houston to attend board meetings can be deducted as charitable expenses.
Board members commit to serve on one of the three standing committees. There should be little extra burden to non-Houstonians in serving on these committees, which make use of e-mail and telephone conferences. These committees meet on an as-needed basis either in-person or telephonically.
Relating to RBAA Programs and Activities
Major annual programming currently supported by the JGSAA includes the Alumni Reunion and Alumni Ambassador Programs (Class, City and Corporate Ambassadors). Board members commit to actively support these activities, and if requested, to assist in Admissions and Career Management Center events.
Board members commit to attend Jones Graduate School of Business events in their area and to serve on host and other event committees if invited.
Board members commit to promote RBAA and other Rice University initiatives to fellow alumni.
Board members commit to being active between board meetings by responding to RBAA and Alumni Relations Office related e-mails, conference calls, and correspondence.
Board members are encouraged to take advantage of some of the many opportunities to get involved in the life of the Jones School. Examples include:
- Rice Business Partners
- Jones School Alumni Wine Social
- Rice Business Veterans Association
- Rice Homecoming
- Rice Energy Finance Summit (REFS)
- Industry-Specific Happy Hours and Partios (networking events)
Giving to Rice
Many foundations and philanthropic institutions from whom Rice and the Jones Graduate School of Business seek donations will not consider making a gift to a non-profit organization unless its leadership is unanimously on record as contributing. Recognizing the importance of alumni giving in general, and participation in the Rice Business Fund in particular, the RBAA Board of Directors commits to 100 percent annual support of the Rice Business Fund. All board members commit to contribute each year to the Rice Business Fund and are encouraged to give at a leadership level, or any amount suitable to one’s circumstances. All board members are encouraged to promote to the external alumni community the importance of giving annually to the Rice Business Fund.