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Article I
Purpose Statement
We exist as the
Mesquite Symphonic Band ("MSB" or the
"Band") for the purpose of "enriching the harmony
of life."
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To enrich
musicians so that they enjoy quality music, express their
musical talents at performances and enhance their
musicianship.
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To enrich the
community so that the community enjoys family entertainment,
the community is exposed to music and musical instruments,
and the community is educated and its awareness of music is
expanded.
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To enrich our
organization so that the Mesquite Symphonic Band has a
positive atmosphere; strives to be diverse in our ages,
talents and professions; and continues to be a caring group
of musicians.
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To enrich our
organization so that the Mesquite Symphonic Band develops,
organizes, promotes and participates in projects designed to
fund and support our organization's needs. This includes,
but is not limited to, music, instruments, programs,
materials, supplies, personnel and other items or issues
that require funding.
Article II
Offices
A. The principal
office of the Mesquite Symphonic Band shall reside in the State
of Texas located in the City of Mesquite, County of Dallas.
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The corporation shall have, and continuously
maintain in the State of Texas, a registered office, and a
registered agent whose office is identical with such
registered office, as required by the Texas Non-Profit
Corporation Act. The registered office may be, but not be,
identical with the principal office of the corporation in
the State of Texas, and the address of the registered office
may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Article III
Membership
A. Qualifications
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Any individual who is interested in the
purpose of the Mesquite Symphonic Band may be considered a
candidate for membership provided that:
a. The individual plays an instrument which is considered a
part of a concert band.
b. The individual attends Band rehearsals regularly and
performs in scheduled performances.
c. The individuals brings the supplied band music to
rehearsals and performances.
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Each member shall remain in good standing
provided that the member shows a genuine musical
appreciation for band music, agrees to the conditions of
membership as stated in the Bylaws and accepts the purpose
statement.
B. Duties
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All members shall take part in all the
activities of the Band.
a. Attendance shall be taken at every rehearsal. Band
members who are absent excessively may be dropped from the
roster, although each case will be reviewed on an individual
basis.
b. Rehearsals shall be held on Monday evenings beginning at
7:00 p.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m.
c. Members shall be responsible for their music and
practice. They are required to return the music to the
Section Leader before any scheduled rehearsal or concert at
which they will not be present.
d. Concert dress shall be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Mesquite Symphonic Band.
e. Annual membership dues of $25.00 per member will be
collected by the Treasurer during the month of September for
the year beginning September 1 and ending August 31. New
members joining the Band after February 1 will pay $7.50 per
member. However, no Band member will be dropped from the
Band if he/she is unable to pay dues.
f. Auditions or challenges for chair positions may be held
if all parties involved are in agreement and have the
approval of the conductor. The final decision of chair
position shall ultimately lie with the conductor.
g. Each section shall have a section leader. The section
leader may be the first chair or a member designated by the
conductor. The section leader shall be responsible for
communication within the section, including attendance,
music, schedule and conveying same to conductor.
h. Fund-raising projects involving extensive member
participation shall be approved by a majority of the
membership.
i. Concerts outside the Mesquite area shall require the
approval of the Band membership.
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All members hall participate in assembling
their section and disassembling their section: chairs, music
stands and instruments.
Article IV
Board of Directors
A. Executive Authority
The executive authority of the Band is vested in a Board of
Directors whose duties shall include:
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Management of the general affairs of the
Band, taking all action which is compatible with the best
interests of the Band.
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Management of the financial affairs of the
Band, establishment of an annual budget and the procurement
of additional funds and monies by way of grants,
fund-raising and ticket sales.
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The appointment and dismissal of the
conductor.
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The replacement of members of the Board of
Directors who are unable to complete their term of office.
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The establishment of a schedule of
rehearsals and concerts.
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The Board of Directors will establish
permanent or temporary subcommittees as the need arises.
B. Titles
The Board of Directors shall consist of:
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Eight (8) elected members from the Band,
four (4) members from the Mesquite Business Community and
four (4) from the Mesquite Educational Community. (Sixteen
(16) members)
a. President by Appointment
b. Vice President Elect (Vice President becomes President)
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
e. Program Manager
f. Public Relations Manager
g. Property Manager
h. Librarian
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Four (4) appointed members, including:
a. President (former Vice President of the previous year)
b. Past President
c. Historian
d. Conductor
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Each member of the Board with the exception
of the Conductor shall have one vote.
C. Election of the Board of Directors
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On or before April 1 of each year, the
Band-at-large shall elect a three (3)-member nominating
committee (the Past President shall chair the nominating
committee) for the purpose of preparing a slate of
candidates.
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The nominating committee shall present its
report at the first rehearsal in May. Additional nominations
from the floor shall be permitted at this time. However, the
consent of each candidate must be obtained before his/her
name is placed in nomination. The Board members shall be
elected by ballot; however, if there is only one candidate
for any position, the election may be by vote.
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Candidates will be recommended for
nomination by current Board members. In addition to any
candidates recommended by the current Board members, sixty
(60) calendar days prior to the annual meeting of the
general membership, a mailing must be sent to all members of
the Board requesting candidates for membership to the Board
of Directors.
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After the Board of Directors has received
any additional recommendations from the Band, the Board
shall contact the nominated individuals to ascertain their
interest and qualifications for serving on the Board. The
Board shall then eliminate any candidates that are not
interested or do not qualify for election to the Board. A
complete list of candidates, their qualifications for
selection and a brief statement by each candidate of their
reasons for serving will be available to the general
membership with voting privileges.
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Each elected and appointed member of the
Board of Directors shall serve a one (1)-year term,
beginning September 1, following election to office.
D. Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of
Directors
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Description of duties of each office will
be:
a. The President shall oversee the planning and
administration of the Band. The President shall preside at
all Board meetings and shall break the tie when opposing
votes are even. The President shall work closely in
establishing an open communication network between the
conductor, Board members and the Band-at-large. The
President shall also remain in contact with the Mesquite
Arts Council, Mesquite Arts Council Board and the Managing
Director of the Mesquite Arts Program. The President, with
the assistance of the Treasurer, shall be responsible for
preparing and submitting grant proposals each year to the
Mesquite Cultural Grants Program in order to receive
matching funds from the State of Texas. The President shall
have served at lease one (1) year as a Board member.
b. The Vice President shall work closely with the President,
assisting where needed. The Vice President shall also become
familiar with the overall administration of the Band,
conduct meeting in the absence of the President and perform
such duties as the President assigns. The Vice President
shall enlist volunteers from Band members to fulfill the
programs and projects of the organization, ensuring that all
Board members are aware of and fulfilling their job
responsibilities as required.
c. The Past President shall work closely with the President
and the Board to ensure a smooth transition from the prior
year to the current administration. The Past President shall
chair the nominating committee. The Past President shall
coordinate group social functions throughout the calendar
year, and shall assist the President and Vice President in
enlisting volunteers and administration of the organization.
d. The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings and
permanent records as deemed necessary. The Secretary shall
maintain an up-to-date membership list of the Band, a list
of new or prospective members and an accurate weekly record
of attendance. The Secretary shall send out correspondence
welcoming new members and to members who have missed three
(3) consecutive rehearsals. The Secretary shall mail out
notices to the general membership at least ten (10) calendar
days prior to quarterly meetings or called meetings and
shall notify and mail notices of Board meetings to all Board
members at least ten (10) calendar days prior to scheduled
meetings.
e. The Treasurer shall collect and disburse all monies, as
approved by the Board of Directors, for payment of bills,
services received, new music, rental of facilities, etc. The
Treasurer will maintain the financial books and records
preparing appropriate financial reports as required and
shall assist the President in submitting the grant proposals
each year to the Mesquite Cultural Grants Program in order
to receive matching funds from the State of Texas. The
Treasurer shall make biannual reports to the Board of
Directors. These reports shall coincide with the conclusion
of each grant project.
f. The Public Relations Manager shall promote and publicize
all activities of the Band. The Manager shall also make
appropriate contact with the local media and radio/TV
stations to publicize Band concerts and special events. The
Manager shall provide copies to the Historian. The Manager
shall seek sponsors from the Mesquite Business Community to
financially support and advertise the Band.
g. The Property Manager shall be responsible for securing
chairs, stands and other equipment as needed for all
rehearsals and concerts. If chairs and/or stands are
unavailable for particular events, the Property Manager
shall make sure all Band members are aware of providing
their own. The Manager shall be responsible for Band setup
to include banner setup and other equipment as needed for
rehearsals and concerts. (Each Band member is responsible to
help set up their section.)
h. The Program Manager shall be responsible for creating
programs, flyers, brochures, tickets, etc. for concerts and
special events that the Band is participating in. The
Manager shall enlist assistance from Band members.
i. The Librarian shall be responsible for inventory of
music, distribution, filing and appropriation of new music
under the instruction of the conductor.
j. The Historian shall maintain records of past Band
concerts, events and special activities both in written and
pictorial formats. Mention of the Band in local media pieces
shall be retained permanently in the historical records. The
Historian shall also prepare a yearly scrapbook, including
photographs, for display at rehearsals, meetings and
concerts.
Article V
Conductor
The Conductor shall
be responsible to the Board of Directors. Duties shall include,
but are not limited to, the following:
A. Assume responsibility for rehearsing and conducting the Band.
B. Assume responsibility for the artistic operation of the Band.
C. Work closely with the President and Treasurer in planning and
coordinating the artistic aspects of the concert season within
the scope of available budget. The proposed concert season shall
be submitted for the Board of Directors' approval.
D. Be responsible for selecting principal players and arranging
seating for the Band, and other matters relating to the Band
personnel.
E. Work closely with the Board of Directors in developing
Symphonic and community relations.
F. Serve on the Board of Directors in a non-voting advisory
capacity.
G. Perform any other duties as may be deemed necessary by the
President of the Board of Directors.
Article VI
Contracts, Checks, Deposits and Funds
A. The Board of
Directors may authorize any officer(s), agent or agents of the
Band, in addition to the officers so authorized by these Bylaws,
to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument
in the name of and on behalf of the Band. Such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances.
B. All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes
or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the
Mesquite Symphonic Band shall be signed by such officer or
officers, agent or agents of the Band and in such manner as
shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board
of Directors. In the absence of such determination by the Board
of Directors, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer
and countersigned by the President or other officer designated
by the Board of Directors.
C. All funds of the Band shall be deposited to the credit of the
Band, for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the
Band.
Article VII
Support Organizations
"The Mesquite Symphonic Band Society"
A. The Board of
Directors of the Mesquite Symphonic Band shall have the sole
right to authorize any and all groups to act on behalf of the
Band, or in the name of the Mesquite Symphonic Band, for any
official or unofficial purpose.
B. The purpose of such organization shall be to support the
purpose as outline in Article I of the Mesquite Symphonic Band
Bylaws.
C. The policies and Bylaws of such organization shall be in
harmony with the policies and Bylaws of the Mesquite Symphonic
Band for approval.
D. Bylaws of support organization must be submitted to the Board
of Directors of the Mesquite Symphonic Band approval.
E. All activities that include contact with the public, outside
of regular organization meetings, must be approved by the Board
of Directors of the Mesquite Symphonic Band.
F. Each support organization shall select a representative to
serve on the Mesquite Symphonic Band Board of Directors.
Article VIII
Meetings
A. The Board of
Directors shall meet quarterly with the President retaining the
right to call additional meetings as needed. Any three (3) Board
members shall have the right to call a specific meeting of the
Board of Directors, allowing sufficient time for all Board
members to be contacted and notified of the meeting time, place
and purpose.
B. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall constitute twelve
(12) members.
Article IX
Amendments
A. Previous notice
of a proposed amendment of these Bylaws, along with a copy of
the proposed amendment, must be presented a duly constituted
meeting of the Mesquite Symphonic Band at least 30 or three (3)
full rehearsals prior to voting. However, in case of an
emergency, an amendment may be brought before the Band for
approval without prior notice.
B. A two-thirds (b) vote of those present and voting shall be
necessary for its adoption.
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