Terms and expectations for members

Member-at-large

A member-at-large term is six years and is non-renewable.

Members-at-large are expected to participate and contribute:

• Sign up and actively participate on PCCW committees.
• Attend in-person and virtual PCCW events (regional gatherings, informational sessions, faculty speaker webinars).
• Nominate at least one or more alumni for PCCW membership.
• Make a yearly gift to Cornell at a level of individual comfort, with a gift to one or more PCCW dedicated priorities encouraged.
• Vote in the annual alumni trustee election.

Members-at-large are encouraged to:

• Serve as a role model for students as a mentor, speaker, or panelist.
• Assist fundraising or building consensus for both Cornell and PCCW initiatives.
• Attend Cornell Signature and Regional events: Homecoming, Reunion, or any sponsored regional event (i.e., Cornell Club of Colorado – End of Summer Party, Cornell Club of Greater Buffalo – September Book Club, Asia-Pacific Leadership Conference, Cornell Silicon Valley, etc.)

Sustaining member

When your member-at-large term ends, you will be invited to stay connected to PCCW by becoming a sustaining member. Instructions on how to accept or decline the invitation to become a sustaining member will be provided in an email from the PCCW chair near the end of your term.

Sustaining members are expected to:

• Attend a minimum of one in-person event or two virtual PCCW events per fiscal year (July 1–June 30). Event attendance includes committee meetings.
• Nominate one or more alumni for PCCW membership.
• Make a yearly gift to Cornell at a level of individual comfort, with a gift to one or more PCCW dedicated priorities encouraged.
• Sustaining members must opt in to continue their membership with PCCW every three years. Members who do not meet these requirements will be moved to past member status. Past members may not opt back in.

Sustaining members are encouraged to:

• Sign up and actively participate on PCCW committees.
• Attend Cornell Signature and Regional events: Homecoming, Reunion, or any sponsored regional event (i.e., Cornell Club of Colorado – End of Summer Party, Cornell Club of Greater Buffalo – September Book Club, Asia-Pacific Leadership Conference, Cornell Silicon Valley, etc.)

Emeritus Members

Emeritus members only include founding members and former chairs of PCCW.

Nominations

Membership on PCCW is determined through a nomination and vetting process completed by the PCCW Membership Committee.

• The PCCW Membership Committee reviews all nominations received. Once the vetting process is complete, the committee presents the successful candidates to the PCCW Steering Committee for approval.
• Candidates who are successful in the nomination process will be notified in April via email with an invitation from the PCCW chair. Invited candidates must accept, decline, or defer the invitation. Candidates who accept will begin their term on July 1.

Membership Criteria

Prospective candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Cornell alumni.
• Leadership: Demonstrates leadership and meaningful impact within their field, with evidence of influence beyond individual contribution.
• Advancing gender equity and equality: Actively supports and advances gender equity, equality, and inclusion through professional, community or personal actions, including both formal and informal efforts.
• Volunteerism: Demonstrates a desire and track record to actively contribute time, expertise, and energy to volunteer group initiatives.
• University engagement: Shows a proactive connection to Cornell University through engagement, advocacy, or contribution.
• PCCW adheres to Cornell’s non-discrimination policy and therefore membership is open to all alumni.

Nominations are open annually each fall.