Terms and expectations for members

Member-at-large

A member-at-large term is six years and is non-renewable. You may extend your term if you are serving in a leadership role.

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

• Attend the annual PCCW Symposium.
• Nominate at least one or more alumni for PCCW membership.
• Attend PCCW events in addition to the symposium, such as regional gatherings.
• 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 (under discussion).

Members-at-large are encouraged to:

• Participate in PCCW committees and projects.
• Serve as a role model for students as a mentor, speaker, or panelist.
• Attend and support Cornell activities.
• Assist fundraising or building consensus for both Cornell and PCCW initiatives.

Sustaining member

When your member-at-large term ends, you have the option to stay connected to PCCW by becoming a sustaining member, which includes full membership benefits except the right to vote or hold PCCW office. 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 one or more of the following: PCCW Symposium, Homecoming, Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference (CALC), Reunion, or any sponsored regional event (i.e., Cornell Club of Colorado – End of Summer Party, Cornell Club of Greater Buffalo – September Book Club, Asian Leadership Conference, Cornell Silicon Valley, etc.)
• 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.

Emeritus Members

Emeritus members 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. While the number of open seats varies each year, the committee is typically looking for approximately 60 new members to fill seats vacated by those whose terms have ended. Once the vetting process is complete, the committee presents the successful candidates to the PCCW Steering Committee for approval.
• The slate is then presented for final approval to Cornell’s president, who extends an invitation to the successful candidates to become members of PCCW.

Membership Criteria

Prospective candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Cornell alumni
• Leaders in their chosen fields and have a high level of recognized success in their career or vocational activity (other than Cornell volunteer activities)
• Willingness to express interest in and concern for Cornell, its constituents, and its public image
• Willingness to demonstrate a commitment to supporting women’s issues and gender equality among all people affiliated with Cornell—students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, and friends
• Willingness to become an active volunteer, beginning with responsibilities as a PCCW member
• PCCW Membership is open to all alumni regardless of gender.

In considering membership diversity, we aim to have approximately 70% of our members with limited or no prior experience in other alumni organizations, and 30% with active university experience. NOTE: Cornell faculty/staff are not eligible for PCCW membership (until the time when not employed by Cornell).

For more details about the role of a PCCW Member at Large, please review the position description.

How to Nominate

• Review the position description.
• Click on NOMINATE to make a nomination.
• Nominations for new members starting their term on July 1, 2024 are open until October 31, 2023.

This is a confidential process; please do not advise candidates of their nominations.