Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE MIDLAND MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I 

Section 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be Midland Music Teachers Association, hereinafter designated as MMTA.

Section 2. Affiliation
The Association shall be 100% affiliated with the Michigan Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association, Inc. , (MTNA) Cincinnati, Ohio, a Code Section 501 ( c ) (3) organization in accordance with their constitutions and/or bylaws.

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE

Section 1.
The activities of the MMTA are for charitable purposes, as follows to promote and encourage the understanding, appreciation, and study of the art of music, and to elevate the economic and artistic standards of teachers of music and to promote a closer professional fraternity.

Section 2.
No part of the net earning of the MMTA shall inure to the benefit of its members, or other private persons, except that the MMTA shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the MMTA shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise
attempting to influence legislation, and the MMTA 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 (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 ( c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE III: Finances

Section 1. 

Dues are payable in April, due in May , and become delinquent after July 1.After this date, the teachers’ name will not appear in the local or state directories.

Section 2.

Senior Membership shall be extended to any member who is an active teacher, has been a member of the association for five (5) years, and who has attained the age of sixty five (65). The dues for senior members shall be half (1/2) the current annual amount.

Section 3.

A person joining the association after January 1 of any year shall pay half (1/2) the current annual dues for the remainder of that school year.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section l. 

A. The membership of said organization shall consist of music teachers possessing the necessary teaching ability to further the objectives of this organization.

B. All members of said organization shall also hold membership in the Michigan Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association.

C. Members are encouraged to continually further their own knowledge of music and of teaching, and to participate in state programs designed for members’ use.

D. Persons desiring membership in this organization must submit an application to the Membership Chair. This application must be approved by the Membership Chair and two members of the Executive Board.

E. Each new member shall receive a copy of the Constitution of the MMTA from  the membership Chair upon notification of receipt of his/her dues by the  Treasurer.

Section 2. 
Any person may attend the program portion of a meeting of the MMTA as a guest. The same person may attend two (2) additional programs for a fee of $3.00 per program. After these three (3) visits, a membership application must be submitted and accepted in order for the person to attend further programs.

Section 3. The MMTA has a reciprocal agreement with the Bay Area Music Teachers Association that members may attend each other’s programs with no charge.

ARTICLE V:  OFFICERS

Section 1:
The elective officers, to serve a minimum of one year, shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and historian. The executive board shall consist of the elective officers, plus the immediate past president. The responsibilities of the officers are
defined as follows:

A. The president shall have general responsibility over all the activities of the organization and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee. He/she shall preside at all business meetings of the organization.

B. The vice president shall, in the absence of the president, take the duties of the president if that office is made vacant, and shall substitute for any other officer who is temporarily unable to perform the duties of office. He/she shall also act as chair of the program committee and oversee publication of the annual program booklet, and send periodic reports of the association’s activities to the editor of the Michigan Music Teacher. He/she shall see that the program booklet is received by: the presidents of the association with reciprocal attendance agreements, the Michigan Music Teachers Association Local Associations Chair, the coordinator of music for the Midland Public Schools and the scheduling office of the Midland Center for the Arts.

C. The secretary shall keep an accurate record of the membership roll and attendance; shall take and compile the minutes of all business meetings of the association and the executive board, and shall be an ex-officio member of the membership committee.

D. The treasurer shall be responsible for all receipts; shall pay all bills by check; shall keep an accurate account of receipts and all disbursements paid from the treasury; and shall submit reports at such times as may be requested by the president.

E. The historian shall compile and maintain a history of the association and its activities.

Section 2:

Vacancies in office or in the elective membership of the executive board occurring during the year shall be filled by appointment by the president, subject to approval of the remaining members of the executive board, the appointees to serve during the balance of the current year. A vacancy in the office of president shall be automatically filled by the vice president.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES AND APPOINTED OFFICES

Section 1:

The committees necessary for the effective administration of the organization, and their duties, are defined as follows:

A. The executive board shall consist of the president, immediate past president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian. The president shall be the chair. This board shall make policy recommendations to the association and handle emergency business which might arise during months the association does not meet. A quorum for transaction of business by the executive board shall be four (4) members of that body, one of whom shall be the president or vice president.

B. The nominating committee shall be headed by the immediate past president who will select two (2) additional members. These committee members shall be announced at the November business meeting.

C. The program committee, to serve one year, shall consist of at least three (3) members, with the vice president as chair. It is recommended that each field such as voice, strings and piano be represented on the committee.

D. Chairs shall be appointed in each of the following areas: membership, publicity, Student Achievement Testing, National Piano Guild, magazine subscription and recital coordinator.

E. Special committees may be appointed by the president as required.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section 1:

Regular meetings of the MMTA shall be held once a month from September through May unless otherwise provided by the MMTA or by the executive board. Meetings shall begin at 9:30 AM and shall follow Robert’s rules of Order. Special meetings may be called by the executive board.

Section 2:

A. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum if the active membership is twenty (20) or under. If over twenty, one fourth (1/4) of the active membership shall constitute a quorum.

B. Nomination and election of officers:

1. Election of officers shall take place at the annual business meeting in May.
2.  A single candidate for each office shall be submitted by the nominating committee. Additional nominations may be made from the floor with prior consent of the nominee.  New officers shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the May meeting

ARTICLE VIII: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Section 1:

Recitals sponsored by the MMTA:

A. The MMTA may sponsor recitals during the calendar year

B. Recital dates will be scheduled at the beginning of the academic year and will be included in the annual MMTA calendar of events.

C. Submission of student names for recitals will be handled as follows:

1.  Each member may present up to two students or ensembles for each recital
2.  If a recital is not filled, members may present additional students.
3.  Members will be requested to forward recital information to recital committee a minimum of 10 days prior to the performance date.
4. Student etiquette and performance expectations will include:
   • Proper stage decorum ( e.g., appropriate dress, acknowledgment of audience applause)
   • Courteous behavior
   •  Attendance for the duration of the recital
   •  Well prepared performance
   •  Memorization of solo literature

    5. Members with student performers are requested and expected to attend the recital.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

Section 1
Amendments to the by-laws may be made at any meeting by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendment was given at the previous meeting.

 ARTICLE X:  DISSOLUTION 

Should the MMTA become dissolved, any funds remaining in the treasury after the payments of any outstanding debts shall be contributed to the Music Teachers National Association.