Bylaws

Bylaws of the Charleston Association
of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association,
affiliated with Music Teachers National Association

Article I – Name

1. The name of this organization shall be the Charleston Local Association, referred to as Charleston MTA affiliated with South Carolina MTA and with Music Teachers National Association, Inc. (MTNA), Cincinnati, Ohio, a Code Section 501(c)(3) organization.

Article II – Objective

1. The objective of this organization shall be to advance musical knowledge and education and to promote professional fraternity among music teachers. Activities of the Charleston MTA aim to promote the art of music, to advance musical education activities in the community, and to advance the appreciation of music among the people of the greater Charleston area.
2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any individual. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
3. In the event of the dissolution of this organization, any funds remaining in the treasury after the payment of any outstanding debts shall be contributed to the Music Teachers National Association or another nonprofit organization, which qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article III – Membership

1. Membership classifications in the Charleston MTA shall be: Active, Senior, Collegiate, and Patron. All members of this Association (except Patron members) shall hold membership in the South Carolina MTA and the MTNA.
   1. Active Membership is open to all persons professionally engaged in any field of musical activity who are members of the affiliated state association and MTNA. Such membership provides the privilege of voting, holding office, and participating in the activities of the Charleston MTA.
   2. Senior Membership is open to individuals over the age of seventy (70) who have maintained MTNA membership for a minimum of five years. It is available for active or retired professionals who are engaged in musical activity and who are also members of the affiliated state association and MTNA. Senior members are entitled to enjoy the privilege of voting, holding office, and participating in the activities of the Charleston MTA.
   3. Collegiate Membership is open to any full-time college student currently involved in regular music study, subject to membership regulations of South Carolina MTA and MTNA. Student members may participate in activities and attend all meetings of the Charleston MTA, but do not have the right to vote or hold office.
   4. Patron membership is open to individuals, organizations or businesses who have an interest in furthering the mission of the Charleston MTA. Patron members do not need to hold membership in the affiliated state or national associations but can advertise in and receive publications of the Charleston MTA. Patron members may attend meetings of the Charleston MTA, but do not have the right to participate in other activities, vote, or hold office. Patron dues will be paid directly to Charleston MTA.
2. Annual dues will be established by the Executive Committee and approved by a two-thirds majority of members at a regular business meeting.
3. Active, Senior and Patron Membership starts and ends along with the fiscal year: beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Membership dues shall be payable by July 1 of each year.
   1. Collegiate membership shall be payable by October 1 of each year, and their membership year begins on October 1 and ends September 30.
   2. New members may join, and returning members may renew their membership, at any time during the year. However, dues shall be received by October 15 for members to participate without additional cost in Charleston MTA student-related activities like Achievement Day and masterclasses.
   3. Late-joining members (who pay their dues after October 15) and non-members may also participate in student-related activities if they pay an additional fee.

Article IV – Officers

1. The officers of the Charleston MTA shall be: President, Vice-President for Programs, Vice-President for Membership, Treasurer, and Secretary.
   1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization; shall call and preside at meetings of the officers; shall consult with the Executive Board to appoint all ad hoc committees, standing committees, and appointees to the General Board; shall serve as member ex-officio on all committees with the exception of the Nominating Committee; shall perform all other duties implied by the title.
   2. The Vice-President for Programs shall assume all duties of the President in absence of that officer; shall serve as Program Chairman; shall perform such other duties as may be designated by the President.
   3. The Vice-President of Membership shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and Vice-President for Programs, shall initiate and coordinate activities relating to the recruitment, retention and development of members; shall perform such other duties as may be designated by the President.
   4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing, in cooperation with the President, all financial affairs of the organization, and for submitting an annual budget to the Executive Committee and Board; shall be responsible for payment of all authorized bills; shall keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements; shall be responsible for the preparation of periodic reports to the Executive Committee and reports to the membership as requested. The Treasurer’s books shall be audited at the end of each fiscal year.
   5. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and General Board; shall maintain files of reports from various offices; shall perform such other duties as designated by the President.
2. Each officer shall be elected and serve for a term of two years. No officer, with the exception of the Treasurer, may succeed himself or herself in that elected office.
   1. An officer’s term lasts until the new officer assumes office, 30 days after the election of the new officer.
   2. An officer shall cease to hold office upon completion of their term, termination of membership, resignation, or may be removed from office by two-thirds vote of members at a regularly scheduled meeting.
      1. Officers may be removed from office by vote when it is evident that an officer has been or is unable to serve or is otherwise unqualified.
   3. A vacancy in any office, except that of President, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by presidential appointment in consultation with the Executive Committee. Nominees to fill a vacant office of President must be selected and receive a majority of votes from members at a scheduled meeting.
3. New officers shall be chosen by vote every odd-numbered year at the final business meeting of the fiscal year in May.
   1. A nominating committee of three members shall be appointed by the President ninety (90) days prior to the biennial election of officers at the May meeting.
   2. During the May business meeting, the nominating committee shall present a slate of not more than two candidates for each office. Additional nominations may be made from the floor, provided that the nominees have consented to be candidates.
   3. After the slate of nominated candidates has been presented, members qualified to vote shall cast a ballot for not more than one candidate for each office. The President shall appoint tellers immediately following the report of the nominating committee, and these tellers will be responsible for distributing, collecting the ballots, counting the ballots, and reporting the results of the vote to the Secretary. Those candidates receiving the largest number of votes will be declared elected.
      1. The presiding officer may declare a nominee elected by acclamation if there is only one nominee for an office.

   Article V – Executive Committee

   1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past President, and Achievement Day Co-Chairs. The duties of each officer are listed in Article IV, Section 1, Items A-E.
   2. The Executive Committee will determine policies and carry out the purposes of the organization and shall have discretion in the disbursement of all funds.
   3. The Executive Committee shall meet at least three times each fiscal year.
   4. In order to conduct business, a quorum of five (5) members of the Executive Committee, one of them being the President, must be present.

   Article VI – General Board

   1. The Charleston MTA Board shall be composed of the members of the Executive Committee, the Scholarship Chair, Recital Chair, Yearbook Editor, Newsletter Editor Hospitality Chair, Historian, Refreshment Chair, and Parliamentarian.
      1. The President will appoint members to the Board, excepting the other elected officers of the Executive Committee. Appointed members of the Board shall serve in their role until their resignation or replacement by the President.
      2. The Yearbook Editor shall create and distribute a yearbook for the membership, the Newsletter Editor shall maintain the Charleston MTA newsletter and general email correspondence, the Historian shall maintain a record of the organization’s general activities and events, and the Parliamentarian shall provide parliamentary opinion during various meetings. The duties of the chairpersons who serve on the Board are described in Article VII, Sections 5-8.
   2. The Board shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding policy and membership concerns.
   3. The Board shall have the power to rescind any decision of the Executive Committee by a two-thirds vote.
   4. The Board will meet at least two times each fiscal year.
   5. A quorum of the Board will consist of eight (8) members, three of whom must be elected officers.

   Article VII – Committees

   1. The President, subject to approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint standing and ad hoc committees and chairs as may be required by the Charleston MTA Bylaws, or as the President may deem beneficial to the organization.
   2. The Programs Committee will consist of the Vice President for Programs and at least two members appointed by the President promptly after the last regular meeting of each fiscal year. The Committee will plan the annual programs for the coming year, subject to approval by the Executive Committee.
   3. The Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer, President, and Vice President for Programs. The committee shall prepare a budget for the upcoming fiscal year and present it to the Executive Committee for approval at the summer meeting.
   4. Two members shall be appointed by the President to serve as Co-Chairs of the Achievement Day Committee. The Co-Chairs shall serve as members of the Executive Committee and are responsible for operating Achievement Day each year. The Co-Chairs will select a site and date for Achievement Day, subject to approval of the Executive Committee; the Co-Chairs shall select judges in consultation with the President; the Co-Chairs will provide a financial report to the Executive Committee; other duties required to implement Achievement Day will be delegated by the Co-Chairs as they deem necessary.
   5. The Scholarship Committee shall consist of the Scholarship Chair and two members, appointed by the President with approval of the Executive Committee. The Scholarship Committee shall establish the dates, guidelines and implementation for scholarship auditions with approval of the Executive Committee. Additionally, any major policy changes must be approved by the general membership.
   6. The Recital Committee, consisting of the Recital Chair and another member appointed by the President, shall be responsible for operating the annual Duet Recital. The Recital Committee shall consult with the Executive Committee to set the date of the recital, shall establish the performance venue, and shall coordinate the operation of the Recital itself.
   7. The Hospitality Committee, consisting of the Hospitality Chair and two members appointed by the President, shall be responsible for providing and coordinating hospitality to visiting artists and adjudicators. The Executive Committee shall provide guidance on and dictate the budget for permissible meals, housing and entertainment. The Hospitality Chair will work with the Treasurer to receive reimbursement for necessary hospitality expenses.
   8. The Refreshments Chair shall coordinate food and drink for the monthly member meetings. The Refreshments Chair will have members sign up at the first monthly meeting of the fiscal year to bring refreshments at future meetings, will remind members of their obligations, and will store paper goods and other Refreshment equipment between meetings.
   9. Other ad hoc committees or task forces may be appointed by the President with approval of the Executive Committee. These special committees shall be formed to facilitate and accomplish the work of the Charleston MTA.
   10. The President shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees, with the exception of the Nominating Committee.

   Article VIII – Member Meetings

   1. Regular member meetings will be held at such time and place as are decided upon by the Executive Committee, but shall be guided by the wishes of the membership.
   2. The first member meeting of each fiscal year shall be used to conduct organization business. Annual officer or committee reports will be available, and any other necessary business shall take place.
   3. The final member meeting of each odd-numbered fiscal year shall be reserved for the election of officers, as detailed in Article IV, Section 3.
   4. Special meetings may be called by the President, by vote of the Executive Board, or upon written request of one quarter of the membership. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.
   5. Twelve (12) active members, including six (6) of the General Board, constitute a quorum of the organization for the transaction of ordinary business.

   Article IX – Parliamentary Authority

   1. The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order can be overruled by these bylaws, any special rules or order that may be adopted, or a higher-level rule, i.e. the state or national association.
   2. The Parliamentarian shall provide parliamentary opinion during various meetings.

   Article X – Amendments

   1. These bylaws may be amended at any business meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting.
   2. The proposed amendment will be submitted to the general membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote.