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Bylaws

Bylaws of Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association

Revised June 11, 2011

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit association is the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (hereinafter referred to as PMTA or the Association), an affiliate of Music Teachers National Association (hereinafter referred to as MTNA).

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purposes for which this Association is organized and operated are exclusively literary and educational, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended. The mission of this Association shall be the advancement of education in music, and in specific furtherance thereof:

  1. To promote the professional growth and development of its members by providing programs that encourage and support teaching, performance, composition, and research;
  2. To provide ongoing performance and educational opportunities for students of its membership;
  3. To promote and support the study, performance and creation of music and to promote and support endeavors that strengthen music education in the schools and community;
  4. To promote public awareness of the value of music education for all individuals.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

The following membership classes are open to those who meet the respective qualifications and pay the annual dues provided for the respective classification pursuant to Section 5 hereof. Each individual who accepts membership in MTNA/PMTA agrees to the Bylaws of the organizations. While not a condition of membership, PMTA encourages its members to strive to make the MTNA Code of Ethics an essential part of his or her professional commitment to students, to colleagues and to society.

  1. Active Membership shall be open to all professional musicians actively engaged in any field of music. Those persons holding Active Membership shall be entitled to participate in all activities and programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee, if any, vote, hold office, and receive the official Association publications. Members who reach the age of 70 and are still teaching will receive a 25% discount of state dues.
  2. Collegiate Membership shall be open to all full-time (as defined by the student’s educational institution) college students currently involved in regular music study. Collegiate student members shall be entitled to participate in all PMTA sponsored activities and programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee, if any, and shall have the right to vote, hold office, and receive the official Association publications.
  3. Retired Membership is open to those who have been Active members for at least twenty (20) continuous years, who have reached the age of sixty-five (65), and who have essentially retired from teaching. A member must send written notice to the President in order for this class of membership to be activated. Retired members are entitled to attend all activities and programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee, if any, vote, and to receive the official Association publications, but they may not hold elective office or enter students in MTNA or PMTA competitions or events. Retired members shall be entitled to a discount of the annual membership dues.
  4. Honorary Life Membership may be conferred by the PMTA Board of Directors upon individuals who have given distinguished service to PMTA or to the art of music. Honorary Life members qualifying for Active Membership shall have the rights and privileges of such membership, but shall be exempt from paying PMTA dues.
  5. Institutional Membership shall be open to those institutions that have an interest in furthering the mission of PMTA. Institutional members shall receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA or PMTA competitions or events.
  6. Corporate/Business shall be open to those businesses or corporations who have an interest in furthering the mission of PMTA. Corporate/Business members shall receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote or hold office, or enter students in MTNA or PMTA competitions or events.
  7. Patron Membership shall be open to all individuals who wish to support the programs of the Association. Patron members shall be entitled to attend all activities and programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee, if any, and to receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA and PMTA competitions and events.

Section 2. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

A person’s membership may be revoked for cause other than nonpayment of dues. The procedure for termination shall be the guidelines as outlined in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.

Section 3. RESIGNATIONS

A member in good standing may resign from the Association by submitting a letter of resignation to the President who will remove that member from the membership roster. No dues refund will be given.

Section 4. REINSTATEMENT

A member who has resigned in good standing or who allows annual dues to lapse may reactivate his or her membership by requesting such action and paying the current dues. If continuous membership is desired, the member must pay all dues accruing from the time of non-renewal through the current year.

Section 5. ANNUAL DUES

  1. Annual dues for all categories of membership shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall annually review and establish the dues amount at its fall business meeting and shall publish the dues information in the next issue of the official publication.
  2. Dues are delinquent if not paid in full within sixty (60) days beyond the stated renewal date of June 30th, after which time members are automatically declared to be “not in good standing” and are not entitled to any of the privileges of membership until dues are paid for the current membership year.

Section 6. MEMBERSHIP YEAR

The Board will determine the membership year for all membership categories.

ARTICLE IV – AFFILIATED LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS AND COLLEGIATE STUDENT CHAPTERS

Section 1. AFFILIATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. A group of music teachers in Pennsylvania may become an affiliated Local Association of PMTA provided that group fulfills the membership requirements established by MTNA and guarantees on the basis of submitted membership rosters, that one hundred percent (100%) of its prospective membership who meets the requirements of PMTA Active or Collegiate membership are members in good standing of PMTA.
  2. A group of collegiate music students in Pennsylvania may become an affiliate Collegiate Student Chapter of PMTA provided that group fulfills the membership requirements established by MTNA and guarantees on the basis of submitted membership rosters, that one hundred percent (100%) of its membership who meets the requirements of PMTA Active or Collegiate membership are members in good standing of PMTA.

Section 2. AFFILIATION PROCESS

  1. A group of music teachers may petition for PMTA affiliation by completing and submitting the MTNA Local Association Affiliation Application and all required documents to the PMTA Board for approval and recommendation.
  2. A group of collegiate music students may become a PMTA Collegiate Student Chapter by completing and submitting the required MTNA documents under the guidance of a faculty advisor who is a PMTA member in good standing, and by submitting all required documents to the PMTA Board for approval and recommendation.

Section 3. AFFILIATION STATEMENT

In referring to its affiliation, each Local Association or Collegiate Student Chapter shall use the phrase, “Affiliated with Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association.” This specific phrase shall be included in the bylaws of all affiliated Local Associations or Collegiate Student Chapters, and in all publications and programs.

Section 4. ANNUAL RENEWAL

Annual renewal of a Local Association or College Student Chapter is automatic unless the affiliate has formally notified the Board of Directors that it wishes to discontinue affiliation. It is the responsibility of the affiliate to certify that all governing documents are in compliance with the PMTA documents and to carry out the various programs of PMTA.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. ELECTED OFFICERS

The elected officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and Immediate Past President.  These officers will constitute the Executive Committee.

Section 2. AUTHORITY

The government of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Committee by authority of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the elected officers.

Section 3. QUORUM

In order to transact business, a quorum of four voting members of the Executive Committee, at least one of whom shall be the President or Vice-President, must be present. Meetings may be held by conference calls, or any other means of electronic communication, in which all persons participating in such a meeting shall constitute presence at such meeting.

Section 4. ELECTED OFFICER DUTIES

The Executive Committee, within the limits of the Bylaws, shall determine policies of the Association with recommendations from the Board of Directors, Standing and Ad hoc Committee Chairs, and individual members. In conjunction with the Board of Directors, it shall actively pursue the purposes of the Association and shall have discretion in the disbursement of all funds of the Association. It may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of Association business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of powers granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary. Specific duties of each office are detailed in the PMTA Job Description Handbook.

  1. The President shall be the principal elected officer of the Association and shall preside at all meetings of the Association, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors. He or she shall recommend for appointment by the Board of Directors all standing and ad hoc committees as required by the Bylaws or as he or she may deem beneficial to the Association. The President shall serve as a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee. He or she shall perform such other duties applicable to the office and as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
  2. The Vice-President shall assume all duties of the President in the absence of that officer, shall coordinate the MTNA competitions, and assist the President as needed. He or she may perform such other duties as applicable to the office as requested by the President and Board of Directors and as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
  3. The Secretary shall record minutes of the Executive Committee, Board, and Association meetings, maintain files of reports from various officers, distribute copies of minutes in legal form to all members of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He or she may perform such other duties as applicable to the office as requested by the President and Board of Directors and as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
  4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing, in cooperation with the President, all financial affairs of the Association; shall chair the Finance Committee; shall be responsible for the preparation of periodic reports to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and a written annual report to the entire membership. He or she may perform such other duties as applicable to the office as requested by the President and Board of Directors and as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
  5. The Immediate Past-President shall serve as an advisor to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors and as chair of the Nominating Committee. He or she may perform such other duties as applicable to the office as requested by the President and Board of Directors and as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

Section 5. SUCCESSION

  1. The Vice-Presdent, upon completion of his or her term of office, shall automatically become President of the Association. Should the Vice-President be unable to assume the Presidency, the President shall be elected, for that term only, in the same manner of the other officers.
  2. The President, upon completion of his or her term of office, shall automatically become Immediate of the Association. Should the President be unable to assume the duties of the office of Immediate Past-President, the President shall nominate and recommend for approval by the Board a candidate to fill this position.

Section 6. VACANCY OR REMOVAL

  1. A vacancy in any office, except that of President, for any reason, shall be filled by appointment by the President, and be subject to the approval of the PMTA Executive Committee.
  2. Any officer or committee chair, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon termination of membership in the Association.
  3. All officers will turn over to incoming officers all information and supporting papers pertaining to their responsibilities within thirty (30) days after leaving office.

Section 7. TERM OF OFFICE

  1. Each officer shall be elected for a term of two (2) years, except the Treasurer. No officer may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in any one office, except the Treasurer. All officers will serve until his or her successor assumes office.
  2. The term of office shall coincide with the fiscal year.

ARTICLE VI – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President to nominate the elected officers. The committee shall consist of the Immediate Past-President as chair, and two (2) active members of the Association.

Section 2. SLATE OF CANDIDATES

The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of not more than two (2) candidates for each office. This slate shall appear in an issue of the official Association newsletter at least sixty (60) days before the designated election date.

Section 3. ELECTION

The active members of the Association shall elect the executive officers of the Association in June of the odd-numbered years, with ballots mailed or emailed sixty (60) days prior to the close of all voting.

  1. If the election is to take place at an annual conference, election of the proposed slate of officers shall be by a voice vote of the majority of those present at this meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed, provided the nominee is eligible for election and has consented to be a candidate. In the event of two (2) candidates per office, the election will be done by secret ballot, with each office voted on separately.
  2. If the election is to take place by electronic or mail ballot, election shall be determined by the majority of ballots received.

ARTICLE VII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall be composed of the Executive Committee and all Standing Chairs as appointed by the President and defined in these Bylaws.  Standing Chairs shall include but not be limited to:  Arts, Advocacy and Awareness Chair; Certification Chair; College Faculty Forum Chair; Competitions Chair; Conference Chair; DSPF/Ensemble Festivals Chair; Foundation Chair; Independent Music Teachers Forum Chair; Local Association Chair; Local Association Representative; Membership/Mentoring Chair; PMTA Concerto Festival Chair; Student Chapters Chair. 

Section 1. DUTIES

The Board of Directors shall make recommendations regarding policy, philosophy, long-range planning, membership, and other concerns to the Executive Committee for its consideration. In conjunction with the Executive Committee, it shall actively pursue the purposes of the Association and shall have discretion in the disbursement of all funds of the Association. It may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of Association business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of powers granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary. Specific duties of each office are detailed in the PMTA Job Description Handbook.

Section 2. QUORUM

In order to transact business, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are present, at least two (2) of which shall be Executive Committee members, shall constitute a quorum. In determining a quorum, only Board positions which are currently filled shall be counted.  Board members present are entitled to one vote regardless of the number of positions held.  Meetings may be held in person, by conference calls or any other means of electronic communication in which all persons participating in such a meeting shall constitute presence at such meeting.

Section 3. COMPENSATION

Member of the Board of Directors, which includes the Executive Committee, shall not receive any compensation for their services as Directors, but the Board may, by resolution, authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Such authorization may prescribe procedures for approval and payment of such expenses.

Section 4. TERM OF OFFICE

All Standing Chairs will have a renewable term of office of three years.

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

The President shall recommend for the appointment by the Board of Directors such standing, Ad hoc,and special committees as may be required by the Bylaws, or as he or she may deem beneficial to the Association. The President shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS

Section 1. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

  1. There shall be an annual General Membership Meeting of the Association, time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee. The general membership shall be notified of such meeting at least sixty (60) days prior to the time appointed. At this meeting, the President shall permit the general membership to bring forward items for consideration.
  2. In order to transact business, a quorum of twenty (20) members in good standing, at least two (2) of whom shall be Executive Committee members, and two (2) of whom shall be Standing Chairs, must be present.

Section 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Meetings of the Executive Committee meetings may be called by the President, or upon the request of not less than four (4) members of the Executive Committee, or upon a signed petition from two-thirds of the active members of the Association.

Section 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall meet two times each year, once during the Spring quarter and once during the Fall quarter. Special meetings of the PMTA Board may be called by the President, or upon the request of not less than eleven (11) members of the PMTA Board, or upon signed petition from two-thirds of the active members of the Association.

ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all meetings of the Association in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws of the Association or any special rules of order the Association may adopt.

ARTICLE XI – FINANCE

Section 1. FISCAL YEAR

The Association shall operate under a fiscal year of July 1 to June 30.

Section 2. AUDIT

An annual audit of the Association’s finances shall be prepared by a committee appointed by the President.

Section 3. FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee, as appointed by the President, shall coordinate the Board’s financial oversight responsibilities by recommending policy to the Board, interpreting it, and monitoring its implementation. The Committee shall propose a budget for approval by the Board of Directors. It may have other duties assigned to it by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall serve as chair of this committee.

ARTICLE XII – PUBLICATIONS

Section 1. OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS

At periodic intervals PMTA shall publish official notices and articles in a format determined by the Board of Directors. Other publications may be issued as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. BYLAWS PUBLICATION

The PMTA Bylaws shall be made available to the membership.

Section 3. PMTA JOB DESCRIPTION HANDBOOK

The duties of each elected and appointed officer of PMTA shall be published in the “PMTA Job Description Handbook” and copies made available to all officers, committee chairs, and other appointees. The Job Description handbook shall be made available to the general membership upon request.

ARTICLE XIII – BYLAW AMENDMENTS

Section 1. AMENDMENT PROCESS

Amendments may be proposed by the Board of Directors or upon petition by no fewer than twenty-five (25) members in good standing. Any proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for its consideration for recommendation at least sixty (60) days prior to presentation to the membership.

Section 2. VOTING AND ADOPTION

  1. These Bylaws may be amended at any General Membership Meeting of the Association by a two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting.
  2. These Bylaws may be amended via a mail or electronic mail ballot by a two-thirds majority vote. The date for the return of the completed ballots must be clearly stated on the ballot. The membership will be notified of the results of the balloting along with any revised amendments within sixty (60) days of the return deadline.

ARTICLE XIV – STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of this Association, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, distribute all assets of the Association to an organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes, provided that at such time the recipient qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).