74076_UBAA Launch 4pp:March 2009 - University of Buckingham

UBAAUniversity of Buckingham Alumni AssociationLaunches 24th / 25th / 26th April 2009Tino SarantisDear Alumnus, I together with my fellowUniversity of Buckingham graduateswho form the Steering Committee aredelighted to invite you to an actionpacked weekend from 24 to 26 April tomark the launching of the brand newUBAA.As well as holding the AGM , including theelection of directors, you will get a taste forwhat the new Association is all about, pluswe will try to put the world to rights undera topical theme of “Innovative Leadershipin Challenging Times”. A number ofimpressive speakers have been lined upfrom a broad spectrum of backgrounds todiscuss the issue in relation to theirspecialised field, be it science, law, politicsor business and commerce. In the eveningwe will be hosting a Gala Dinner and weare excited to announce that Lord Luce KGwill be the after dinner speaker. Theweekend offers all of us a chance to meetand talk with other alumni and to take a tripdown memory lane by revisiting theuniversity.Like many of us, I have fond memories ofBuckingham and I would like to share afew of them with you. Twenty one yearsago I left my parent’s home in London andmade my way to Euston railway station andon to Milton Keynes. Having never been tothe “new” town I wondered whether thoseconcrete cows really did exist. The friendlymini-cab driver from Buckinghamcollected me and on the way to theuniversity gave me a brief history lesson ofBuckingham: yes, I had heard of Stowe, butno I had not realised that BuckinghamPalace was so named because it hadoriginally been the residence of the Dukeof Buckingham before becoming theofficial royal palace.I enjoyed university. Maybe it was thefreedom after nine years of boardingschool. Maybe it was the partying: at theOTM; at some of the large rented houses;and at the various society events - who canforget some of the parties the NigerianSociety organised ? Maybe it was the sparetime we had to ourselves when we were notstudying. I remember being upset at thebeginning of a term because I would havetwo early morning starts each week insteadof just one. The early morning lecturescommenced at 10am, meaning that I wouldhave to awake by 9 o'clock. 9am ! Lookingback, what a luxury that was. Maybe it wasthe friends and acquaintances I made. Themultitude of nationalities from far-awaylands. Maybe it was the size of theuniversity. The quality of the teaching staff.Maybe it was the low student to tutor ratioand the informal access we had to them.Maybe it was the friendliness of the staff,both teaching and non-teaching. That smilethat greeted us when we went to collect ourmail at the OTM. Maybe it was thetranquility of Buckingham coupled with theability to easily commute to more excitingplaces such as London and Oxford. There isprobably no single reason why my years atuniversity were some of the best years ofmy life. In all likelihood it is a combinationof all of the above.One of the main objectives of the UBAA isto promote networking and communitybetween alumni. I have kept in touch withsome friends, but sadly not all. I havebumped into alumni in different corners ofthe world, at unusual venues and in strangecircumstances. For example, passingthrough Hong Kong for a few days, I oncebumped into someone from my course whoalso happened to be staying in the city fora couple of days; in London for a weekendHaving never been to the “new” town I wonderedwhether those concrete cows really did exist.continued...

UBAAUniversity of Buckingham Alumni AssociationI was dining with an alumnus from NewZealand who was over for a visit and by sheercoincidence in walked two other alumni, oneof whom was over from Nairobi for a week;on another occasion I discovered that the twinsisters representing me in a legal case, hadalso graduated from Buckingham. And on theromance side, Mandira is an alumna. A smallworld this may be, and my story this may be,but a common thread most of us have is thatwe all thoroughly enjoyed our time atBuckingham. It is really no surprise that theuniversity was voted number one in theNational Student Survey in 2006, 2007 and2008.We, the alumni, are based in some 144countries. We are a community rich intalent and potential, and yet between usthere could be more co-operation andbonding. Many of the top universities haveas a cornerstone of their success a strongalumni network. Working with the AlumniOffice and the University, the UBAA willconnect alumni together nationally andinternationally, and create a platform thatwill facilitate the fostering and building ofalumni contacts and raise the profile of theuniversity. To this end, amongst otherthings, the UBAA will regularly beorganising special events around the world.The first such event will be the one atBuckingham in April. I have not been backto Buckingham since I graduated, and Iimagine the weekend will be a fun one witha touch of nostalgia. The other members ofthe UBAA Steering Committee and I takethe pleasure in inviting you to theweekend's activities, to attend the AGM, tolisten to the distinguished speakers, tonetwork, and to reminisce.I look forward to seeing you.Tino SarantisChairman of Steering CommitteeLorinda LongA Steering Committee (SC) made up ofalumni was established last year to set upan Alumni Association for the benefit ofthe University’s alumni, who now numberc. 8500.Following an initiative of the Vice-Chancellor last Summer the SC has beenworking to establish a formal Associationalong the lines of those attached to otheruniversities with a view to it becoming thefocal point for alumni activity. To this endthe type of legal entity has been identifiedand ‘UBAA Limited’ has been formed as thestructure for the Association. The inauguralAGM of the company will be held on 26April 2009 as part of the Alumni weekendbeing arranged in Buckingham for 24 – 26April. On that occasion graduates will beable to elect new directors from thecandidates who have put themselvesforward and have a real say in the way theAssociation should develop.UBAA LimitedThe new company is a UK company limitedby guarantee and membership will be opento all graduates. A company limited byguarantee has no capital but members willbe liable to the extent of their guarantee (weare proposing a sum of £1 per member)which will be called upon only in the eventthat the company is wound up. This type ofcompany can also accommodate theexistence of directors and a large number ofmembers and is often used for organisationssuch as the UBAA.The constitution of the company will takethe form of Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation. The Articles will containstandard clauses and objects but will also betailored to suit the requirements of thealumni including the following provisions:1. minimum number of directors will bethree with a maximum of nine and holdoffice for 3 years;2. given the international make up of thealumni, there will be a requirement that atleast 2 directors will be resident in theUK;3. two directors will be nominated by theUniversity;4. The objects will include providingnetworking opportunities for alumni,raising the profile of the University andthe ability to hold events which willenable the association to make charitabledonations to the University.The relationship between the University andUBAA Limited will be formally set out in aMemorandum of Understanding and shouldcover such issues as how the communicationprocess will work and the main contacts,ensuring that none of the activities carriedout by either party will have an adverseimpact on the other or cause reputationaldamage. In addition, the directors of UBAALimited will have a formal relationship withthe University’s governing bodies.It should also be noted that the directorswill have duties and liabilities some ofwhich are summarised below:Duties of directors –a) to act within powers conferred by theCompany's constitution;b) to promote the success of the company:c) to exercise independent judgment:.d) to exercise reasonable care, skill anddiligence:e) to avoid conflicts of interest:f) not to accept benefits from third parties:g) to declare an interest in a proposed orexisting transaction or arrangement:Liabilities of a director - the most importantone is that a director may not be indemnifiedby the company for any liability incurred byreason of his/her negligence, default, breachof duty or breach of trust.Lorinda Long

UBAAUniversity of Buckingham Alumni AssociationUniversity of Buckingham AlumniAssociation (in formation).All graduates and certain former students ofthe University are invited to become membersof the proposed University of BuckinghamAlumni Association, details of which arebeing circulated with this notice.The legal structure of the proposedAssociation is a company limited byguarantee. A company, ‘UBAA Ltd.’ has beenformed and two directors have beenappointed to act until the inaugural AnnualGeneral Meeting (AGM) of the company. Forthe purposes of this meeting all graduates ofthe University and former students whoattended for a minimum of six months are tobe treated as members. Subsequentlymembership criteria will be determined bythe Association itself.All members of the Association are entitledto attend and vote at the inaugural AGM.Notice is accordingly hereby given of theinaugural Annual General Meeting of themembers of the University of BuckinghamAlumni Association Limited to be held at TheUniversity of Buckingham, Hunter Street,Buckingham, MK18 1EG at11 o’clock on 26 April 2009.The Agenda of the meeting is as follows:1. The meeting will be opened by the actingChairman of the Meeting, who willwelcome those present and brieflydescribe the developments to date in theformation of the Alumni Association, itslegal structure and its main objectives.2. The acting Chairman will remindmembers that Notice of the Meeting wasserved by way of a Notice in TheIndependent magazine, on the Universitywebsite and by email to all those forwhom email addresses were available.3. The acting Chairman will confirm thatthere are currently two directors of thecompany and that a temporaryconstitution has been approved by theSteering Committee of the Association (information). He will indicate that all thecurrent directors have offered theirresignations to the Meeting, to befollowed by a ballot for new directors.4. The acting Chairman will then advise themeeting that there are 26 candidates forthe seven vacancies on the Board and thatall the candidates have agreed to serve ifelected and that he will call for a ballot todetermine the composition of the newBoard. Please see below for a list ofcandidates. He will also advise membersthat the board of the UBAA will also sitas a sub-committee of the University andthat in addition to the seven electedmembers two further directorships will bereserved for members of the Universitystaff. Once the ballot has determined theBoard the new Board will take up officeimmediately.5. The new Board will then appoint aChairman from among its number tocontinue the business of the Meeting.6. The Chairman will remind members ofthe inaugural Memorandum & Articles(Constitution) of the company, the keypoints of which had already beencirculated. He will advise the Meeting thatopportunities exist to amend theConstitution, both at this Meeting and atfuture General Meetings.He will then invite the members to approvethe Memorandum & Articles (Constitution).7. If the Constitution is not approved theChairman will call for a ballot on the keyelements so as to arrive at a Constitutionwhich carries the support of themembership.8. The Chairman will propose certain criteriafor membership:a. That all graduates and former studentswho attended the University for aminimum of six months are eligible to jointhe Association, subject to any terms setby the Board.b. That the Board of the Association shouldhave discretion to invite as honorarymembers certain non-graduates, includingthose who have rendered outstandingservice to the Association or who have insome other way merited membership ofthe Association.9. To appoint Mr. C. Wilkes, Director ofFinance of the University, to review theaccounts of the Association for the periodto 30 June 2010.10.The Chairman will invite generalquestions from the floor.11. Any other business.Dated 24 March 2009By order of the Steering Committee andthe Board.Notes.1. A graduate or former student of sixmonths standing of the University isdeemed to be a member for the purposesof the Meeting and must identifyhim/herself to the satisfaction of theScrutineer (Mr E. Shoesmith, SeniorLecturer in Statistics) so that this can bedetermined. (Please bring appropriateI.D.). See next page for further details.2. A member may attend and vote in personat the AGM.3. A member is entitled to appoint a proxy toattend and vote on his/her behalf. A proxyneed not also be a member. A form ofproxy is attached for the use of members.This should be completed and returned inthe event of non-attendance to theScrutineer, Mr E. Shoesmith, HunterStreet, Buckingham MK18 1EG (markingthe envelope ‘UBAA Election’), not lessthan 48 hours before the Meeting.Proxies may alternatively be submittedelectronically to the Scrutineer by using theUniversity website Alumnet facility, also toarrive no later than 48 hours before themeeting.FORM OF POSTAL PROXYPlease complete in CAPITALS.I ……………………………………………of……………………………………………..being a member of the University ofBuckingham Alumni Association herebyappoints the Chairman of the Meeting as myproxy to vote for me at the AGM of the saidAssociation on the 26th day of April 2009 orat any adjournment thereof and to vote onthe resolutions set out in the Notice callingsuch Meeting as shown below.Please indicate with an ‘X’ in theappropriate space how you wish your voteto be cast. Unless otherwise indicated theproxy will vote or abstain as he thinks fit.RESOLUTIONS FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN4. Elections to the Board (see list on following page)6. To approve the proposed Memorandum & Articles.7. If required, to approve appropriate amendments to the draft Memorandum & Articles of Association.8. To approve the proposed criteria for membership as set out in the Articles of Association.9. To appoint Mr C. Wilkes to review the accounts of the Association for the period to 30.6.10.

Agenda Item 4. Candidates for UBAA DirectorFor FULL PROFILE please visit:http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/alumnet/JONATHAN F BALE (LLB ’95)HUGO BROWN (Economics ’86)FIONA BUTTON (LLB ’99)ANDREW CLAYTON (LLB '02)OUSHAN DEELJORE (LLB ’08, LLM ’09)JENNIFER FLEMING (LLB ’98, LLM ’99)MARK F GLEAVE (Politics ’87)TENGKU MF HAMID(LLB ’82)JEREMY J HOWARTH (LLB ’08)PHILIP IKEAZOR (Accounting ’81)ALEX IZINYON (LLB ’09)ALEXANDER C JOHNS (Business Stud ’92)ISABELLA JONES (LLB ’07)❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏LEONARDO O KOSHONI (Economics 97)RONEL LEHMANN (Business Stud ’86)PHILIP LISBERG (LLB ’02)LORINDA LONG (LLB ’85)MARIAN A OKUNOLA (LLB ’08)LOLIA C ORUAMABO (LLB ’04)SOHAIL S QURAESHI (Econ ’81)TINO SARANTIS (Acc ’90, Politics ’92)HENRY R SCRASE (Business Stud ’86)JAYESH SONI (LLB ’06)SUZANNA A TOMASSI (Service M ’02)ROBERTS UTIBE-ABBASI (LLB ’09)PHILIPP A VON BOTH (LLB ’01)❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏❏Title: .......................................................................................................................First name: .............................................................................................................Last name (family name) : .....................................................................................Maiden Name (if applicable) : ...............................................................................Date of birth: ..........................................................................................................Country of origin: ..................................................................................................Country of residence:..............................................................................................“Your country of origin is the country where you lived before you came to study at Buckingham.Your country of residence is where you live now, even if this address is temporary.”Study at BuckinghamDegree Title: ..........................................................................................................Programme of study (major subject) : ...................................................................Programme of study (minor subject) (if applicable): ............................................Year of graduation: ................................................................................................ContactEmail address: ........................................................................................................Telephone - you must supply either a landline or mobile telephone number below.Telephone (landline) : ............................................................................................Telephone (mobile) : ..............................................................................................Postal address: .......................................................................................................DATE: ……\……\……..\ Signature: .............................................................A MAXIMUM OF 7 CANDIDATES CAN BE CHOSEN AND BALLOTS MUST BERETURNED NO LATER THAN 24.4.09✂