MISSOURI MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
Revised: November 2017
PREAMBLE
The Missouri Music Teachers Association, Incorporated, an affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), in order to further the art of music; and to promote the growth and professional development of its members by providing programs that encourage and support teaching, performance, composition and research; and being a not-for-profit organization whose funds are used solely to accomplish these objectives, does hereby adopt this Constitution and Bylaws.
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Membership classifications and privileges shall be prescribed in the Bylaws of Missouri Music Teachers Association, hereinafter designated as MMTA or as the Association.
Section 2.
Membership dues shall be proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by the MMTA Board.
Section 3.
Membership in the Association may be terminated by the member or revoked by the Association as prescribed in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE II – AFFILIATED LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
Section 1.
Any city, town or area music teachers association may become and remain affiliated with MMTA by fulfilling the requirements of membership as stated in the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 2.
The Executive committee may suspend or terminate any affiliated Association at any time for justifiable cause, as outlined in the Bylaws, subject to ratification of this action by the MMTA Board.
ARTICLE III – OFFICERS
Officers of the Association shall be a President, President-Elect, Vice president for Auditions, Vice president for Local Associations and Student Chapters, Vice president for Publications and Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. The manner of election and the duties of each officer shall be defined in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, President-Elect, three Vice presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and Executive Secretary (ex officio).
Section 2.
The Executive Committee shall determine policies of the Association in consultation with the MMTA Board and within the limits of the Constitution and Bylaws. 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 the powers granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary.
Section 3.
In order to transact business, a quorum consisting of five (5) voting members of the Executive Committee, at least one of them being the President or President-Elect, must be present.
ARTICLE V – MMTA BOARD
Section 1.
The MMTA Board shall be composed of the Executive Committee, MTNA Competitions Chairs, MMTA Auditions Chairs, Local Association Presidents, and any other Chairs as approved by the Executive Committee.
Section 2.
The MMTA Board shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding policy and membership concerns.
Section 3.
The MMTA Board shall have the power to rescind by a two-thirds vote any decision of the Executive Committee.
Section 4.
Fifty percent of the MMTA Board shall constitute a quorum of the Board.
Section 5.
The Executive Committee may submit items of business by mail and/or email to the full membership of the MMTA Board requesting a vote via a mail and/or email ballot. The contents of the proposals and the results of such mail and/or email ballots shall be reported to the Secretary, approved and incorporated in the minutes of the next meeting of the MMTA Board.
ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES
The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint such standing and ad hoc committees and chairs as may be required by the Constitution and 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 VII – MEETINGS
Section 1.
There shall be an annual meeting of the Association, time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee. Notice of such meeting shall appear in the official Association publication at least thirty (30) days prior to the time appointed. At this meeting, the President shall permit the general membership to bring forward items for consideration.
Section 2.
Fifteen (15) of the current membership entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the election of officers and for the transaction of business at any annual or special membership meeting.
Section 3.
Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President, or upon the request of not less than five (5) members of the Executive Committee, or upon a signed petition from ten percent of the Active members of the Association.
Section 4.
The MMTA Board shall meet at least one time per year. Prior to such meeting the Executive Committee will meet to prepare various items to be presented before the MMTA Board.
Section 5.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association or any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
Section 6.
The President may appoint a parliamentarian to provide opinion during various meetings.
ARTICLE VIII – PUBLICATION OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
The MMTA Constitution and Bylaws shall be printed and distributed to the membership annually.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
This Constitution may be amended upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and the MMTA Board at any annual session of the Association by a two-thirds vote. Written notice of the proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the membership of MMTA at least thirty (30) days in advance of the session.
Section 2.
Upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and the MMTA Board, this Constitution may be amended by a mail and/or email ballot. Approval by a two-thirds vote shall constitute amendment. The ballot and proposed amendments must be submitted to the members of MMTA at least thirty (30) days in advance of the required return date. The date for return of the completed ballots must be clearly stated on the ballot.
MISSOURI MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Active Membership shall be open to all individuals professionally engaged in any field of music activity. Those persons holding Active Membership shall be entitled to participate in all Association activities and programs, to vote, hold office and receive the official Association publications. MTNA strongly encourages its members to adopt the Code of Ethics as their personal model of professional conduct.
Section 2.
Student Membership shall be open to all full-time students currently involved in music study, who are also members of an affiliated association. Student members shall be entitled to attend programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee and to receive the official Association publication, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, apply for national certification, or enter students into MTNA competitions.
Section 3.
Patron Membership shall be open to all individuals and businesses who wish to support the programs of the Association. Patron members shall be entitled to attend programs of the Association, and to receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote or hold office.
Section 4.
Honorary Life Membership shall be named by the MMTA Board by a two-thirds majority vote. Honorary Life members shall have been active members for at least twenty-five years and shall have performed outstanding service to MMTA and to the music profession in Missouri or in the nation. Annual dues in MMTA shall be waived. MTNA and Local Association dues shall be paid by the member, if appropriate.
ARTICLE II – REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP
A person’s membership may be revoked for cause, other than nonpayment of dues, by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the MTNA Board of Directors. The vote for revocation shall occur only after the member complained against has been advised of the complaint so lodged and has been given reasonable opportunity to present information on his or her behalf. Such member, if membership is revoked, may appeal for reconsideration of the decision by the Board. In no event will a dues refund be given. Revocation of membership for nonpayment of dues within the prescribed time period shall be automatic and not subject to any further procedure.
ARTICLE III – FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall commence on May 1 and shall end on April 30.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP YEAR
Section 1.
The membership year for all membership categories except that of student membership shall coincide with the fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. The student membership year shall be October 1 to September 30.
Section 2.
Annual dues for all categories of membership shall be due on the first day of the membership year, after which date members are not in good standing nor entitled to any of the privileges of membership until dues are paid for the current membership year.
ARTICLE V – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1.
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the MMTA President. The committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President and at least two other active members of the Association. The committee shall select its own chair. 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 publication at least ninety (90) days before the date of the annual session of the Association.
Section 2.
The Active members of MMTA shall elect by a majority vote the officers of the Association. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed, provided the nominee is eligible for election and has consented to be a candidate. This consent must be given in writing or given in person at the meeting. Election by the members must be by secret ballot, and each office shall be voted on separately. In the event of only one nominee for an office, the President may recommend election by general consent. The election shall take place at the annual session of the members in even numbered years.
Section 3.
The President-Elect, upon completion of his or her term of office, shall become President of the Association. Should the elected President-Elect be unable to assume the Presidency, the President shall be elected, for that term only, in the same manner as that of the other officers.
Section 4.
Each officer shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. The President and President-Elect may serve only one term.
Section 5.
The term of office commences thirty (30) days following the election.
Section 6.
No officer may hold a national, division or state office concurrently except the Immediate Past President.
Section 7.
A vacancy in any office, except that of President, shall be filled by the President in consultation with the Executive Committee, and be subject to the approval of the MMTA Board. A President-Elect selected in this manner cannot assume the office of President without being elected to that office.
ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF MMTA OFFICERS
Section 1.
The President shall be the principal elective officer of the Association and shall preside at meetings of the Association, the Executive Committee, and the MMTA Board. He or she shall oversee the organization of expansion of membership and operation of student auditions. He or she shall implement instructions and decisions of the Executive Committee and the MMTA Board. He or she shall authorize suitable expenditures in accordance with the budget, designate bank depositories, and has authority to countersign all checks drawn against the funds of the Association. He or she shall appoint chairs and members of standing committees and of other committees created by the Executive Committee and the MMTA Board. He or she shall chair the Executive Committee and the MMTA Board. The President shall serve as a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee. He or she shall perform other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association. An annual report of the activities of the Association and its condition shall be submitted to the Association and the MMTA Board and placed by the Historian in the MMTA Archives, Missouri Historical Society, Columbia, Missouri.
Section 2.
The President-Elect shall assume all duties of the President in the absence of that officer, shall be responsible for the State Convention program and the activities of all committees related to preparation of the annual convention. He or she shall submit to the President an annual report to be distributed to the MMTA Board.
Section 3.
The Vice President for Auditions shall administrate all competitions and auditions at the state level, coordinate performance area/repertoire chairs and competition chairs, secure judges for competitions in consultation with the President and arrange for appropriate space for the state auditions and competitions. He or she shall submit to the President an annual report to be distributed to the MMTA Board.
Section 4.
The Vice president for Local Associations and Student Chapters shall maintain communication with and direct services for Local Associations and Student Chapters. He or she shall organize efforts to form additional Local Associations and Student Chapters as needed. He or she shall submit to the president an annual report to be distributed to the MMTA Board.
Section 5.
The Vice president for Publications and Public Relations shall be in charge of the compilation, printing, and distribution of MMTA NOTES. He or she shall develop other printed materials that are of use to the Association. He or she shall submit to the President an annual report to be distributed to the MMTA Board.
Section 6.
The treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing, in cooperation with the President, all financial affairs of the Association, and shall serve as chair of the Finance Committee. He or she shall be responsible for the preparation of periodic reports to the Executive Committee, a written annual report to the entire membership, and perform other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
Section 7.
The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee, the MMTA Board and the Association. He or she shall maintain files of reports from various offices, shall distribute copies of minutes in legal form to all members of the Executive Committee and the MMTA Board, and perform other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
ARTICLE VII – AFFILIATED LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
Section 1.
Any city, town, or area music teachers association may petition to the Executive Committee for affiliation in MMTA by providing evidence that the following requirements have been fulfilled:
-
- That two (2) copies of the Local Association governing document(s) (e.g., Constitution and Bylaws) have been filed with the Secretary and that they are consistent with those of MMTA.
- That its fiscal and membership year coincide with that of MMTA.
Section 2.
Upon determining that a petitioning local music teachers association has fulfilled the requirements of Section one (1) of this Article, MMTA shall approve the petition.
Section 3.
In referring to its affiliation, each Local Association shall use the phrase “affiliated with the Missouri Music Teachers Association.” This specified phrase shall be included in the constitutions of all affiliated Local Associations.
Section 4.
Annual renewal of a Local Association shall be made without reconsideration by MMTA provided:
-
- That the affiliate has not formally notified MMTA that it wishes to discontinue affiliation.
- That it guarantees on the basis of submitted membership rosters that one hundred percent (100%) of its members who meet the requirement of MTNA Active Membership, and one hundred percent (100%) of its Student members, who meet the requirements of MTNA Student Membership, are members in good standing of MTNA.
- That all changes in the Constitution and Bylaws of the affiliated Local Association have been filed with MMTA, that they are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of MMTA and have been approved by MMTA.
- That all provisions of Section one (1) of this Article continue to be fulfilled.
ARTICLE VIII – STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1.
The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect, and Treasurer. The Treasurer shall serve as chair of this committee. The Committee shall submit to the Executive Committee for approval an annual budget based on recommendations of the MMTA Treasurer. The Committee shall authorize an audit at the end of each even-numbered fiscal year. The Committee shall be responsible for all financial records of the Association.
Section 2.
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall have three (3) members appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee. The committee shall review and prepare changes to the MMTA Constitution and Bylaws as are deemed necessary.
ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Upon dissolution and liquidation of the Association, all assets of the Association remaining after all liabilities and obligations of the Association shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provisions shall be made therefore, shall be transferred, conveyed and distributed to such nonprofit organization(s) determined by the Executive Committee, provided such distribute organization(s) shall be organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, literary or scientific purposes.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
These Bylaws may be amended upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee at any meeting of the MMTA Board by a two-thirds vote. Written notice of the proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the MMTA Board at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting.
Section 2.
Upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee these Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote via mail and/or email ballot open to the members of the MMTA Board. The ballot and proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the MMTA Board at least thirty (30) days in advance of the required return date. The date for return of the completed ballots must be clearly stated on the ballot.