Suburban Concert Band Bylaws

Revised as of April 2, 2009

Article I - Name

The name, by which this organization shall be known, is the Suburban Concert Band.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of this Band is to promote and further the playing of quality concert music in the City of West Allis, Wisconsin, and the neighboring communities.

Article III - Membership

Regular Active Members shall be at least 18 years old, pass an informal audition after attending three consecutive rehearsals, and maintain a minimum of 80% attendance.

Student Active Members must be at least 15 years old and under 18 years of age and pass an informal audition after attending three consecutive rehearsals, and maintain a minimum of 80% attendance.

Student Members may not hold an office or chair a committee.

Inactive Members are any members failing to maintain 80% attendance and may face loss of membership.

 

Article IV – Membership Dues

 

Membership dues will be determined by Executive Board and announced at the first rehearsal of the season. Membership dues are to be paid in full to the Treasurer by the fourth rehearsal of the season.

Article V - Attendance

Members are expected to attend all performances, concerts, and rehearsals unless there is an illness or an employment conflict. If unable to attend, the Member is to contact the Section Leader or Music Director as soon as possible. Attendance will be taken at each rehearsal and concert. The Music Director will address an excessive amount of unexcused absences.

 

 

 

 

Article VI - Executive Board

1.      The elected officers of the Suburban Concert Band, in order, shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Members at Large.

2.      Additionally, there will be two appointed positions: Music Director (appointed by the Board of Directors), and Assistant Music Director (appointed by the Music Director).

3.      All officers shall perform the duties usually required of such officers and shall hold office for one year or until their successors have been elected. Officers will be required to have been a member in good standing for a minimum of eight (8) months prior to taking office.

4.      The Business records of the current year shall be turned over to the new office holder on or before the first Executive Board Meeting of the new season.

5.      The Executive Board shall have the power to control the disbursement of funds and shall appoint a committee to conduct an annual internal audit of all financial records.

6.      Any Board Member who fails to attend two consecutive meetings without prior notice to the President will be subject to dismissal by a unanimous vote of the remaining Board Members.

7.      A new year, season, and terms of elected officers will start on June 1 and end on May 31 of the following year.

Article VII - Election of Executive Board

1.      Election of the Executive Board shall be held the last rehearsal in April and shall be decided by a majority of the Active Members present. Nominations shall be taken from the floor for all elected positions during this rehearsal.

2.      One person may hold two offices, but only if no one else makes themselves available for the position with the exceptions of the Music Director cannot also hold the office of President, and the President cannot hold the office of Music Director.

3.      Persons holding the Office of Treasurer shall be limited to 4 consecutive terms.

4.      Vacancies occurring during the year shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

5.      The Board shall select a Music Director for Band approval. The Music Director shall be appointed upon approval by a majority ballot vote (Greater than 50%) of 100% of the regular active members of the band. The Music Director shall remain in his/her position in the band until a written resignation is presented to the executive board or he/she is removed from office.

6.      The Music Director may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the regular active members of the band.

 

Article VIII - Duties of Executive Board

1.      The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Band and shall preside over all meetings of the Band, and shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees. The President shall also assign the jurisdiction of the committees to the appropriate officer.

2.      The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice-President shall also assist the President in duties as assigned.

3.      The Music Director shall have the final decision on all musical matters and is responsible for presiding over all concerts and rehearsals. The Music Director shall have final say in selection of members for all performances.

4.      The Assistant Music Director shall assume all the duties of the Music Director in his/her absence. The Assistant Music Director shall also assist the Music Director in duties as assigned.

 

 

5.      The Secretary shall take minutes of all meetings, handle correspondence, and maintain the files of past business records spanning a minimum of seven years.  The Secretary shall also maintain the roster of active and inactive members as well as final attendance records.  Shall also be responsible for sending minutes out to members/board within two weeks of a board meeting.

6.      The Treasurer shall prepare and maintain records of all band monetary transactions. The Treasurer shall file all financial information required for governmental authorities, including the West Allis Recreation Department.

7.      The (2) Members at Large may have duties as requested by the Board and shall serve as full voting members of the Executive Board.

Article IX - Appointed Positions

The Appointed Positions of the Suburban Concert Band include those that are appointed by the President, which are the Membership Recruitment Chairperson, Public Relations Chairperson, and Webmaster. The Music Director shall appoint the following positions: Assistant Music Director, Jazz Ensemble Director, Section Leaders, and Music Librarian.

Article X - Duties of Appointed Positions

1.      The Membership Recruitment Chairperson shall oversee the recruitment of new members through mass media and present members. This shall include introducing new members to the band, and handing out schedules, bylaws, rosters, etc. to the new members.

2.      The Public Relations Chairperson shall handle publicity of all concerts as directed by the Secretary. This includes press releases to local publications and websites.

3.      The Jazz Band Director shall be responsible for all Jazz Ensemble rehearsals and concerts, including music selection. The Jazz Band Director shall be appointed by, and follow the leadership of the Music Director.

4.      The Section Leaders shall be appointed by the Musical Director for the brass, woodwind, and percussion sections and shall be responsible for the administrative duties of the sections.

5.      The Music Librarian shall be responsible for the distribution and collection of all music and the maintenance of the music library.

6.      The Webmaster shall be responsible for supplying and maintaining a website solely for the Suburban Concert Band. Must include the concert schedule and contact information.

Article XI - Executive Board Meetings

1.            Executive Board Meetings shall be held monthly, and shall be open to all band members as an observer only. Band members must receive permission from the band President at least one week in advance to have the opportunity to be placed on the meeting agenda, and to address the Executive Board or the Board President, at his/her own discretion, may allow members–at–large to address the board.

2.   Board Members shall make all decisions of band matters by a majority vote for the good and welfare of the band. A quorum shall consist of at least five members of the Executive Board.

3.      Minutes of Board Meetings shall be read or posted within two weeks of the meeting and any band member who wishes to disagree or challenge any of the Board's decisions may call for a band vote on the matter at any gathering of the band prior to the next board meeting. The issue may be approved, disapproved, or tabled until the next regularly scheduled band practice by a 3/4 vote of band members present.

 

 

Article XII - Parliamentary Procedure

"Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall be the parliamentary authority.

Article XIII - Amendments

Band By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3-majority vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled rehearsal providing written notice of the intended change has been given two consecutive weeks prior to the vote.

 

Article XIV - Dissolution

 

In the event of dissolution of the band, members and officers are not entitled to any of its assets. Upon the dissolution of the organization, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of the organization shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be turned over, free of charge to the West Allis/ West Milwaukee Recreation Department to be used for a public purpose. Such distribution shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

 

 

Bylaws Approved by the Executive Board on April 2, 2009, and presented for vote to the Regular Active Membership on April 23, 2009.

 

 

President: Robert Barwick

 

Vice President: Dan Wolters                    

 

Secretary: Cheryl Groth

 

Treasurer: Jessica Turtenwald

 

Music Director: Steve Streator

 

Asst. Music Director: Robert Rothwell

 

Member at Large: Michael Lueck

 

Member at Large: Diane Bagguley