Constitution & Bylaws
GAINESVILLE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
Adopted 2001
REVISED November 9, 2018
Adopted 2001
REVISED November 9, 2018
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization is the GAINESVILLE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, referred to as GMTA, affiliated with Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA) and with Music Teachers National Association, Inc. (MTNA), Cincinnati, Ohio, a Code Section 501(c)(3) organization.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of the Association is the advancement of musical knowledge and education. Activities of the Association are aimed at the promotion of the art of music and the advancement of musical educational activities and the appreciation of music among the people of the community.
Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any individual.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall consist of four classes: Active, Associate, and Honorary. All members of this Association (except Honorary) shall hold membership in FSMTA and MTNA.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Officers shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. The authority and duties of each office shall be defined in the bylaws.
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. Each retiring President of the Association shall automatically become a Director of the Association for life, thus continuing as a permanent member of the Executive Board.
Section 3. The duties of the Directors are to be advisory, particularly to the incoming president and new officers.
Section 4. The Executive Board shall conduct the general business of the Association; shall be responsible for the management and control of its funds; shall determine the general policies of the Association; shall carry out such other duties as prescribed in the By-Laws.
Section 5. Non-liability of OfficersAny officers, past or present, elected or appointed, shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the Association.
Section 6. Indemnification by Association of OfficersAny officers, past or present, elected or appointed, shall be indemnified by the Association to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of this state.
ARTICLE VI. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association shall be reckoned from the first day of July.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. In the spring the President shall appoint a committee of three members to nominate officers to serve for the ensuing two years. Their report shall be presented at the annual meeting
– the last meeting of the year – and election of officers shall follow immediately. Nominations may also be made from the floor, in which event voting shall be by secret ballot. Election shall be determined by a majority vote of the Active members present.
Section 2. Except for the Treasurer, each officer shall be elected to a two-year term. No person shall be elected to the Presidency for more than two consecutive terms. The Treasurer may serve continuously so long as it is agreeable to him/her and to the Association.
Section 3. A vacancy in any office, except that of President, shall be filled for the unexpired term by presidential appointment and approval by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS
Section 1. The Association shall hold meetings at the discretion of the Executive Board. A meeting shall be held in April or May of alternate years for the election of officers.
Section 2. The presence of one-fourth of the Active members of the Association at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX. DELEGATES
Section 1. By virtue of the office, the President shall represent the Association at all conferences deemed advisable by the Executive Board.
Section 2. In the event that the President is unable to attend a conference, the Executive Board may appoint an alternate delegate to represent the Association.
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present who are eligible to vote, at any regular meeting of the Association, provided the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted to the membership at a previous meeting of the Association or presented electronically or in writing to all members at least two weeks in advance.
The name of this organization is the GAINESVILLE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, referred to as GMTA, affiliated with Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA) and with Music Teachers National Association, Inc. (MTNA), Cincinnati, Ohio, a Code Section 501(c)(3) organization.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of the Association is the advancement of musical knowledge and education. Activities of the Association are aimed at the promotion of the art of music and the advancement of musical educational activities and the appreciation of music among the people of the community.
Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any individual.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall consist of four classes: Active, Associate, and Honorary. All members of this Association (except Honorary) shall hold membership in FSMTA and MTNA.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Officers shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. The authority and duties of each office shall be defined in the bylaws.
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. Each retiring President of the Association shall automatically become a Director of the Association for life, thus continuing as a permanent member of the Executive Board.
Section 3. The duties of the Directors are to be advisory, particularly to the incoming president and new officers.
Section 4. The Executive Board shall conduct the general business of the Association; shall be responsible for the management and control of its funds; shall determine the general policies of the Association; shall carry out such other duties as prescribed in the By-Laws.
Section 5. Non-liability of OfficersAny officers, past or present, elected or appointed, shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the Association.
Section 6. Indemnification by Association of OfficersAny officers, past or present, elected or appointed, shall be indemnified by the Association to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of this state.
ARTICLE VI. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association shall be reckoned from the first day of July.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. In the spring the President shall appoint a committee of three members to nominate officers to serve for the ensuing two years. Their report shall be presented at the annual meeting
– the last meeting of the year – and election of officers shall follow immediately. Nominations may also be made from the floor, in which event voting shall be by secret ballot. Election shall be determined by a majority vote of the Active members present.
Section 2. Except for the Treasurer, each officer shall be elected to a two-year term. No person shall be elected to the Presidency for more than two consecutive terms. The Treasurer may serve continuously so long as it is agreeable to him/her and to the Association.
Section 3. A vacancy in any office, except that of President, shall be filled for the unexpired term by presidential appointment and approval by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS
Section 1. The Association shall hold meetings at the discretion of the Executive Board. A meeting shall be held in April or May of alternate years for the election of officers.
Section 2. The presence of one-fourth of the Active members of the Association at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX. DELEGATES
Section 1. By virtue of the office, the President shall represent the Association at all conferences deemed advisable by the Executive Board.
Section 2. In the event that the President is unable to attend a conference, the Executive Board may appoint an alternate delegate to represent the Association.
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present who are eligible to vote, at any regular meeting of the Association, provided the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted to the membership at a previous meeting of the Association or presented electronically or in writing to all members at least two weeks in advance.
GAINESVILLE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
Adopted 2001
REVISED November 9, 2018
Adopted 2001
REVISED November 9, 2018
ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. For Active membership, the eligibility criteria and privileges of membership shall be the same as for Active membership in the Florida State Music Teachers Association.
Section 2. Associate membership shall be open upon application to those who are not professionally engaged in teaching music but wish to support the program of the Association. Associate membership shall provide all the privileges of membership in GMTA, FSMTA, and MTNA except the right to vote or to hold office. No one actively engaged in teaching music shall be admitted to Associate Membership.
Section 3. Honorary membership may be conferred upon a non-member by the local association upon recommendation of the Executive Board. Honorary members shall not pay dues, vote, hold office, or enter students in activities.
Section 4. All members must aspire to the standard of conduct in the current MTNA Code of Ethics.
ARTICLE II. DUES
Section 1. GMTA annual dues for Active and Associate members shall be paid in amounts established by the Executive Board and approved by the general membership. Honorary members shall not be required to pay dues.
Section 2. Dues for Florida State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association are determined by the respective associations. Local, state, and national dues are billed by Music Teachers National Association in the spring and are payable according to their deadline.
ARTICLE III. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, shall appoint chairmen of all committees and be an advisory member of each committee, and shall make pro-tem appointments to fill vacancies until a meeting of the Association of the Executive Board is held.
Section 2. It shall be the special duty of the First Vice-President to serve as Program Chairman. The First Vice-President shall assume all duties of the President in case the latter is unable to preside and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 3. It shall be the special duty of the Second Vice-President to serve as Student Activities Chairman. The Second Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President and First Vice-President and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 4. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Association and the Executive Board, distribute the Minutes of all business meetings to the membership, and be present at meetings to read the Minutes.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall receive, hold, and disburse all monies of the Association, present a detailed report at each meeting of the Association and present an annual report at the final meeting of the fiscal year. The Treasurer’s books shall be reviewed annually by a committee appointed by the President. The Treasurer shall acknowledge in writing any monetary donations made to the association.
ARTICLE IV. STANDING COMMITTEES AND LIAISONS
Section 1. Standing committees shall be Archivist, Hospitality, Newsletter, Referral Service, Scholarships and Awards, Yearbook, and Website. Standing Liaisons shall be Alachua County Youth Orchestra, Certification, Membership and Publicity.
Section 2. A chair for each Standing Committee shall be appointed by the incoming President immediately after election to office. The President shall be an ex-officio member of each committee.
Section 3. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President in the spring (preferably in March), to select a slate of officers for the ensuing two years. This Committee shall present the slate at the last meeting of the Association in the spring. The Association shall proceed immediately to the election of officers from the proposed slate or from nominations from the floor. Those elected will take office immediately.
Section 4. Special committees may be appointed by the President when needed.
ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND LIAISONS
Section 1. Alachua County Youth Orchestra. The President shall appoint a GMTA Alachua County Youth Orchestra Liaison who shall notify the membership of activities of the orchestra including auditions and concerto events.
Section 2. Archivist. The President shall appoint an Archivist, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. The duties of the Archivist shall be to collect and send all items of historical interest to the FSMTA Webmaster for inclusion in the GMTA Local Archives on the FSMTA website. Items could include programs, publications, newspaper and magazine articles, photographs, correspondence, applications for membership together with disposition of such applications, and any other data of importance or interest to the Association.
Section 3. Certification. The Certification Liaison, appointed by the District III President, shall serve as the local representative and shall a) be well informed on certification, its requirements and procedures in order to aid members in becoming certified; b) attend the Certification meeting at the annual FSMTA Conference; c) keep an up-to-date list of certified teachers of the local Association.
Section 4. Hospitality. The Hospitality Chair shall coordinate the serving of refreshments at all GMTA student recitals.
Section 5. Membership. The Membership Chair shall contact prospective members providing them with pertinent information and application forms.
Section 6. Newsletter. The Editor shall welcome new members and answer any prospective member inquiries
Section 7. Publicity. The Publicity Chair shall publicize all Association activities including meetings, concerts and special events.
Section 8. Referral Service. The Referral Chair shall keep a list of available teachers and provide those requesting information with names of several possible teachers.
Section 9. Scholarship and Awards. The Scholarship and Awards Committee shall be responsible for the annual selection of the winners of Summer Study Awards and the Alma Fennell Scholarship Awards: Bernice Mansfield Hack Piano Award, Jeremy Avram Kushner Orchestral Instrument Award (non-piano), and Jane Richards Sterrett Voice Award
Section 10. Yearbook. This committee shall, at the beginning of the year, prepare and publish a Yearbook containing information necessary to the business of the year; a) a list of the Board of Directors (Past Presidents), Executive Board (Officers), and Standing Committees and Liaisons;
b) dates of Executive Board and Association meetings; c) notice of special events for the year, including Student committees; f) an In Memoriam list of those who were members at the time of their death; g) current MTNA Code of Ethics; h) Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 11. The Website Coordinator shall manage and update the website.
ARTICLE VI. ANNUAL AUDIT
Section 1. An annual internal review of the Treasurer’s books shall be conducted. The President shall select a committee of three persons to perform the review.
Section 2. An external audit, in lieu of the internal annual review, shall be conducted before a new Treasurer takes office.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present who are eligible to vote, at any regular meeting of the Association, provided the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted to the membership at a previous meeting of the Association or presented electronically or in writing to all its members at least two weeks in advance.
Section 2. All amendments must be consistent with Article II of the Constitution.
Section 1. For Active membership, the eligibility criteria and privileges of membership shall be the same as for Active membership in the Florida State Music Teachers Association.
Section 2. Associate membership shall be open upon application to those who are not professionally engaged in teaching music but wish to support the program of the Association. Associate membership shall provide all the privileges of membership in GMTA, FSMTA, and MTNA except the right to vote or to hold office. No one actively engaged in teaching music shall be admitted to Associate Membership.
Section 3. Honorary membership may be conferred upon a non-member by the local association upon recommendation of the Executive Board. Honorary members shall not pay dues, vote, hold office, or enter students in activities.
Section 4. All members must aspire to the standard of conduct in the current MTNA Code of Ethics.
ARTICLE II. DUES
Section 1. GMTA annual dues for Active and Associate members shall be paid in amounts established by the Executive Board and approved by the general membership. Honorary members shall not be required to pay dues.
Section 2. Dues for Florida State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association are determined by the respective associations. Local, state, and national dues are billed by Music Teachers National Association in the spring and are payable according to their deadline.
ARTICLE III. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, shall appoint chairmen of all committees and be an advisory member of each committee, and shall make pro-tem appointments to fill vacancies until a meeting of the Association of the Executive Board is held.
Section 2. It shall be the special duty of the First Vice-President to serve as Program Chairman. The First Vice-President shall assume all duties of the President in case the latter is unable to preside and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 3. It shall be the special duty of the Second Vice-President to serve as Student Activities Chairman. The Second Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President and First Vice-President and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 4. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Association and the Executive Board, distribute the Minutes of all business meetings to the membership, and be present at meetings to read the Minutes.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall receive, hold, and disburse all monies of the Association, present a detailed report at each meeting of the Association and present an annual report at the final meeting of the fiscal year. The Treasurer’s books shall be reviewed annually by a committee appointed by the President. The Treasurer shall acknowledge in writing any monetary donations made to the association.
ARTICLE IV. STANDING COMMITTEES AND LIAISONS
Section 1. Standing committees shall be Archivist, Hospitality, Newsletter, Referral Service, Scholarships and Awards, Yearbook, and Website. Standing Liaisons shall be Alachua County Youth Orchestra, Certification, Membership and Publicity.
Section 2. A chair for each Standing Committee shall be appointed by the incoming President immediately after election to office. The President shall be an ex-officio member of each committee.
Section 3. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President in the spring (preferably in March), to select a slate of officers for the ensuing two years. This Committee shall present the slate at the last meeting of the Association in the spring. The Association shall proceed immediately to the election of officers from the proposed slate or from nominations from the floor. Those elected will take office immediately.
Section 4. Special committees may be appointed by the President when needed.
ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND LIAISONS
Section 1. Alachua County Youth Orchestra. The President shall appoint a GMTA Alachua County Youth Orchestra Liaison who shall notify the membership of activities of the orchestra including auditions and concerto events.
Section 2. Archivist. The President shall appoint an Archivist, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. The duties of the Archivist shall be to collect and send all items of historical interest to the FSMTA Webmaster for inclusion in the GMTA Local Archives on the FSMTA website. Items could include programs, publications, newspaper and magazine articles, photographs, correspondence, applications for membership together with disposition of such applications, and any other data of importance or interest to the Association.
Section 3. Certification. The Certification Liaison, appointed by the District III President, shall serve as the local representative and shall a) be well informed on certification, its requirements and procedures in order to aid members in becoming certified; b) attend the Certification meeting at the annual FSMTA Conference; c) keep an up-to-date list of certified teachers of the local Association.
Section 4. Hospitality. The Hospitality Chair shall coordinate the serving of refreshments at all GMTA student recitals.
Section 5. Membership. The Membership Chair shall contact prospective members providing them with pertinent information and application forms.
Section 6. Newsletter. The Editor shall welcome new members and answer any prospective member inquiries
Section 7. Publicity. The Publicity Chair shall publicize all Association activities including meetings, concerts and special events.
Section 8. Referral Service. The Referral Chair shall keep a list of available teachers and provide those requesting information with names of several possible teachers.
Section 9. Scholarship and Awards. The Scholarship and Awards Committee shall be responsible for the annual selection of the winners of Summer Study Awards and the Alma Fennell Scholarship Awards: Bernice Mansfield Hack Piano Award, Jeremy Avram Kushner Orchestral Instrument Award (non-piano), and Jane Richards Sterrett Voice Award
Section 10. Yearbook. This committee shall, at the beginning of the year, prepare and publish a Yearbook containing information necessary to the business of the year; a) a list of the Board of Directors (Past Presidents), Executive Board (Officers), and Standing Committees and Liaisons;
b) dates of Executive Board and Association meetings; c) notice of special events for the year, including Student committees; f) an In Memoriam list of those who were members at the time of their death; g) current MTNA Code of Ethics; h) Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 11. The Website Coordinator shall manage and update the website.
ARTICLE VI. ANNUAL AUDIT
Section 1. An annual internal review of the Treasurer’s books shall be conducted. The President shall select a committee of three persons to perform the review.
Section 2. An external audit, in lieu of the internal annual review, shall be conducted before a new Treasurer takes office.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present who are eligible to vote, at any regular meeting of the Association, provided the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted to the membership at a previous meeting of the Association or presented electronically or in writing to all its members at least two weeks in advance.
Section 2. All amendments must be consistent with Article II of the Constitution.