Statement of Purpose and Procedures

The John C. Hodges Society helps UT Libraries fulfill its vision to be an indispensable partner to every member of the volunteer community as they discover and advance knowledge, engage with society, and strive for excellence. Hodges Society members raise awareness of the value of UT Libraries to the community, to the state, and to researchers around the world.

Membership in the Hodges Society recognizes financial support for UT Libraries. Private funds enhance study and research at the university through improved library collections and services. A primary focus of Hodges Society is to increase a sense of pride, loyalty, and connection with the UT Libraries among faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, and others in the worldwide community, thereby encouraging financial support for UT Libraries. Hodges Society Members are encouraged to identify and invite new members to join the organization.

A gift of any amount to UT Libraries confers membership in the Hodges Society. Avenues for giving, and therefore membership in the Hodges Society are: annual gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, or Honorary Lifetime Membership. Giving at the $100 level (Members Circle) or above confers library borrowing privileges for the duration of one’s membership.

Annual Gifts
A monetary gift to the UT Libraries confers membership in the Hodges Society for the duration of the year in which the gift is made. Membership may be renewed with additional gifts in subsequent years. Members enjoy library borrowing privileges at the Members Circle level or above.          

    
Friends Circle                     $1 – $99
Members Circle                  $100 – $499          
Scholars Circle                   $500 – $999
Deans Circle                       $1000+

Major Gifts
Donors giving at the level of $25,000 and above are recognized as members of the Felicia Circle, are lifetime Hodges Society members, and receive lifetime borrowing privileges at UT Libraries and invitations to all UT Libraries and Hodges Society events.

Planned Gifts
The James D. Hoskins Circle honors Hodges Society members who have included UT Libraries in their estate plans through bequests, living trusts, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities and/or retirement beneficiary designations. Legacy Circle members are lifetime Hodges Society members, and receive lifetime borrowing privileges at UT Libraries and invitations to all UT Libraries and Hodges Society events.

Honorary Lifetime Membership
Honorary Lifetime Membership is awarded in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to the UT Libraries, at the discretion of the Hodges Society Board of Advocates and Dean of Libraries. Honorary Lifetime Members receive lifetime borrowing privileges and invitations to all UT Libraries and Hodges Society events.

The John C. Hodges Society of the University of Tennessee is guided by the John C. Hodges Board of Advocates (a group of fifteen active members and a handful of consulting/former members) that provide leadership in consultation with the Dean of Libraries and the UT Libraries’ Director of Advancement. Hodges Board members promote the mission of UT Libraries by advocating for freedom of access to information and the appreciation of research collections, as well as by providing financial support for Library initiatives. Board members assist with planning activities and meetings and serve as resources during events. They are invited to campus to participate in meetings with University and Libraries leaders.

Hodges Board members must be current members of the Hodges Society and maintain their membership, preferably at the Dean’s Circle level or higher, throughout their terms. The UT Libraries Director of Advancement and the Dean of Libraries appoint board members based on recommendations from current board members and suggestions from faculty and staff.

Hodges Board members are appointed to serve a three-year term and may be reappointed for one additional three-year term. Terms begin at the fall meeting. A board member may elect to serve one three-year consulting (non-voting) term upon completion of two consecutive active terms. 

Hodges Board Officers
Officers of the board are Chair, Vice-Chair, and Immediate Past Chair. Officers serve in each role for one year. The Chair presides at all meetings and represents the board at events. The Vice-Chair assists the Chair as needed, serves when the Chair is not available, and becomes Chair after serving for a year as Vice-Chair. The Immediate Past Chair assists the outgoing chair during the transition.

Hodges Board Meetings
The Hodges Society Board of Advocates meets three times per year. The autumn and spring meetings occur on campus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the summer meeting takes place remotely. Additional meetings or working groups may be created as deemed necessary.

Revised September 2024