SOUTH TEXAS CHAPTER of NATS BY-LAWS
Article I- Name
As chartered on April 12, 1983 by the Executive Committee of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc., and subject to its by-laws, the name of this organization is the South Texas Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc.
ARTICLE II- Purposes and Code of Ethics
The South Texas Chapter adopts fully the stated purposes of the National Association which are; (1) to establish and maintain the highest possible standards of ethical principles and practices in the profession of teaching singing and vocal arts, (2) to establish and maintain the highest possible standards of competence in said teaching profession, to encourage and conduct research to disseminate information to the profession at large and to stimulate effective co-operation among vocal teachers for their mutual welfare and advancement. The South Texas Chapter, as an organization, subscribes without reservation to the “Code of Ethics”, adherence to which is one of the conditions of individual membership in the National Association.
ARTICLE III- Membership
All teachers of singing who have been accepted by the National Association into full, affiliate, or emeritus membership, and who reside in the geographical area which the South Texas Chapter has been chartered or otherwise encouraged to serve, are immediately eligible for membership in the Chapter. No such member shall be refused membership in the South Texas Chapter, however, such chapter membership is not obligatory on the part of the individual. Chapter membership will be terminated when a member resigns from or is dropped from, membership in the National Association. (Also, see Article VII)
ARTICLE IV-Officers
Chapter officers shall consist of President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer. The term of office shall be two years.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and present such matters as may properly come before the meeting. The President will serve on the Board of Control of the Texoma Region, and will make all reports necessary as directed by the Board and Region Governor.
The Vice-President shall assist the President in his/her duties and preside at meetings when the president is absent. The Vice-President shall serve as Auditions Chair of the annual chapter auditions and coordinate the Honors Recital. The Vice-President of Auditions will assist the Auditions Chair and ascend to the position of Vice-President following a term as Vice-President of Auditions.
Neither the President nor Vice-Presidents shall serve consecutively for more than two terms, though they may properly succeed others in these offices. In the interest of proper representation, the President and the Vice-Presidents at the time of their elections, should not be from the same campus.
The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and conduct necessary correspondence unless another chapter member is designated for this task. On an annual basis, the Secretary will submit a copy of the current chapter roster to the Regional Governor.
The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the finances of the Chapter, receive payment of dues, send statements for unpaid dues to members on such date as the Chapter officers shall determine, notify delinquent members that they have been dropped from membership on such further date as the Chapter Officers shall determine, and pay all approved bills of the Chapter. At the end of each biennial term of office the Treasurer will submit in written form a report of the chapter’s finances.
The Web Master and Social Media Officer shall maintain and update the South Texas Chapter website, Facebook group, and other social media accounts. The Web Master and Social Media Expert will present a report at each business meeting and work with the other chapter officers to ensure that the website and social media content is up to date and representative of the purposes of South Texas Chapter NATS.
Special officers, committees, or chairpersons may be appointed by the president to serve in such temporary capacities as occasions may demand. Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon the termination of his/her membership in the National Association. Any elected officer may be removed from office, upon due cause, by two-thirds vote of the Chapter membership. Geographic representation shall be determined and representatives appointed by the chapter officers.
ARTICLE V-Meetings
There shall be at least two meetings of the Chapter each year. Announcements of meetings with proposed agenda and program would be mailed to chapter members at least twenty-one days prior to the date of each meeting. Chapter meetings will be held at times and places most convenient to the largest number of members. Chapter meetings may be called by the President or by any responsible segment of the membership, provided in the latter instance that Chapter officers and the remainder of the Chapter membership are notified at least twenty-one days in advance of such meeting.
ARTICLE VI-Elections and Quorum
Elections will be held at the spring meeting of the Chapter. A nominating committee appointed by the President will provide a slate of nominees solicited from among the membership for the offices named above. The meeting at which an election will take place will be announced as such to all members of the Chapter at least twenty-one days in advance of the meeting date and the slate of nominees will be given. Officers elected will take office at once, serving until the spring meeting two years hence. In the event of the resignation of an officer, the president shall appoint a chapter member to fulfill the remainder of the term.
A quorum will consist of one-third of the active membership. For purposes of determining quorum, an active member is defined as a chapter member who is current on their dues and who has attended a meeting within the past 18 months. At any regular meeting, each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in person or by written proxy upon any motion or question properly brought before the Chapter.
ARTICLE VII-Dues and Assessments
The annual $40.00 South Texas chapter dues are payable with the National dues, which are due January 1st of each year. If any remain unpaid by March 1 of that year, said membership shall automatically cease. Should a teacher wish to enter students in the spring auditions, he/she must be current with dues. Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events necessitating unusual expenditures only where such a motion is entertained at a meeting where a quorum is present and said motion is passed by a majority vote.
ARTICLE VIII-Programs and Procedures
The program of this Chapter properly may include social, promotional, professional, and educational activities at the discretion of its officers and members, so long as such activities are consistent with the PURPOSES AND CODE OF ETHICS stated in ARTICLE II, above. Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE IX-Amendments
With the exception of Articles I, II, and III, which may not be amended or revoked, the by-laws of this Chapter may be repealed or amended, or new by-laws adopted, by a majority of the Chapter membership voting in person, by written proxy, or by mail, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership at least twenty-one days in advance of the voting date.