Constitution and Bylaws of Southwest Florida Music Teachers Association
Download a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of SWFMTA here.
CONSTITUTION OF THE
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
The Southwest Florida Music Teachers Association is a local affiliate and as such is in compliance with the bylaws of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA0 and Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA).
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Southwest Florida Music Teachers Association. This association, founded in 1953, is affiliated with the Florida State Music Teachers Association Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association. This Association was incorporated with the State of Florida in the year 2000. This Association qualifies for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of the association shall be:
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership shall consist of eight classes: Active, Associate, Collegiate, Honorary, Life, Senior, Retired and Patron.
Section 2. Qualifications for membership in each classification, the privileges afforded each, the manner of admission and the dues payable by each are established in the Bylaws of the FSMTA. Local fees are established by SWFMTA.
Section 3. The SWFMTA subscribes to the Code of Ethics as presented by the Music Teachers National Association and the Florida State Music Teachers Association. Any member not conforming to the Code of Ethics will be referred to the Ethics Committee.
Section 4: Actively participating member are expected to attend a minimum of two (2) meetings per school year, or must assume an active committee position within SWFMTA.
Section 5: Members participating in SWFMTA events must be actively participating members. If this requirement is not met, the member will not be eligible to enter a student into a SWFMTA event, either competitive or non-competitive the following year, upon notification by the Executive Board. Non-members who wish to participate in competitive events will be assessed an additional fee.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1. The Officers of the Association shall be: President, First Vice President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. The Officers of this Association, plus the Director (Immediate Past President) and the Parliamentarian (appointed), and any local Florida State Music Teachers Association Officers, and the District 7 President, shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 3. Vacancies occurring in Offices shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote (2/3%) of the membership present, and if a quorum is reached. Each member shall have been previously notified of the aforementioned action.
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Southwest Florida Music Teachers Association. This association, founded in 1953, is affiliated with the Florida State Music Teachers Association Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association. This Association was incorporated with the State of Florida in the year 2000. This Association qualifies for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of the association shall be:
- To advance the interest of music and musicians.
- To raise the standard of music teaching.
- To promote true culture by the interchange of ideas.
- To practice the highest ideals of professional ethics.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership shall consist of eight classes: Active, Associate, Collegiate, Honorary, Life, Senior, Retired and Patron.
Section 2. Qualifications for membership in each classification, the privileges afforded each, the manner of admission and the dues payable by each are established in the Bylaws of the FSMTA. Local fees are established by SWFMTA.
Section 3. The SWFMTA subscribes to the Code of Ethics as presented by the Music Teachers National Association and the Florida State Music Teachers Association. Any member not conforming to the Code of Ethics will be referred to the Ethics Committee.
Section 4: Actively participating member are expected to attend a minimum of two (2) meetings per school year, or must assume an active committee position within SWFMTA.
Section 5: Members participating in SWFMTA events must be actively participating members. If this requirement is not met, the member will not be eligible to enter a student into a SWFMTA event, either competitive or non-competitive the following year, upon notification by the Executive Board. Non-members who wish to participate in competitive events will be assessed an additional fee.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1. The Officers of the Association shall be: President, First Vice President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. The Officers of this Association, plus the Director (Immediate Past President) and the Parliamentarian (appointed), and any local Florida State Music Teachers Association Officers, and the District 7 President, shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 3. Vacancies occurring in Offices shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote (2/3%) of the membership present, and if a quorum is reached. Each member shall have been previously notified of the aforementioned action.
BYLAWS OF THE
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Executive Board of this Association shall consist of the duly elected Officers, the Director, The Parliamentarian, any local Florida State Music Association Officers and the District 7 President.
ARTICLE II – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The election of Officers shall be held at the regular April meeting, Bi-Annually. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee in January and their report shall be presented at the February meeting. An affirmative Majority Vote of the membership present is required for election.
Section 2. No members shall be eligible for the same Office more than two (2) consecutive years, except by Executive Board direction.
Section 3. The newly elected officers hall e installed By-Annually at the regular May meeting and assume their respective duties immediately.
ARTICLE III – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. PRESIDENT
The President shall:
The First Vice President shall:
Section 3. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The Second Vice President shall:
Section 4. THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
The Third Vice President shall:
Section 5. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
Section 6. TREASURER
The treasurer shall:
The Director (Immediate Past President) shall:
ARTICLE IV – STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. A. AUDITOR
B. BUDGET COMMITTEE
Committee purpose:
C. ETHICS COMMITTEE
D. HISTORIAN
E. INSPIRATION CHAIRMAN
F. MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
G. PARLIAMENTARIAN
H. PROGRAM CHAIRMAN
J. REMEMBRANCE
K. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
L. TELEPHONE COMMITTEE
M. YEARBOOK CHAIRMAN
ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall consist of eight classes:
An Active member is one who has been accepted as an Active member by the Florida state Music Teachers Association, and is presently teaching.
Senior membership shall be open to Active teachers seventy (70) years of age or older at a twenty-five percent (25%) reduction in dues.
Associate membership shall be open upon application to SWFMTA, FSMTA, and MTNA to those who are not professionally engaged in the teaching of music, who desire to support the programs of the Association. Associate members may not have voting privileges, make motions, or hold office at the state or local level.
Collegiate (student) membership shall be open to any college music major through age twenty-six (26). A qualified student member age twenty-seven (27) or older may continue to be a student member for the duration of study up to four (4) years. Teachers who have held full membership in MTNA and FSMTA may not be considered for Collegiate membership status.
Honorary membership may be conferred at the State level with recommendation from the Local Association, the Executive Board of the FSMTA, and having met the qualifications set forth by the Honorary Membership Committee of FSMTA.
Honorary members shall enjoy all the privileges of Active members.
Life membership shall be open upon request to those members who have reached the age of eights (80).
They shall provide eligibility to attend conferences upon payment of the registration fee and maintain the right to vote.
They shall retain their Certified Status, but those who are not certified may not apply for Certification.
They shall receive the official publication of FSMTA without charge.
P. PATRON
Patron membership shall be open to an individual, Business, or Arts Organization not professionally engaged in the teaching of music, who wishes to support the programs of SWFMTA. Patron members shall receive member publications and may attend meetings and programs, but will have no vote and may not hold office.
ARTICLE VI – FEES AND DUES
Section 1. The Fiscal Year is from July 1 to June 30. National, State and Local dues are payable by June 1st, and are considered to be delinquent by July 1st.
Section 2. Annual dues for Active, Association, Senior and Collegiate members shall be paid in amounts as established by the Executive Boards of FSMTA and MTNA and Local dues by SWFMTA Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
Section 1. The time and place of the regular meetings of the Association shall be determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2. All Active members must attend two (2) meetings per year and/or serve on a committee in order to enter students in SWFMTA events.
Section 3. A total of ten (10) voting members of good standing shall constitute a quorum for a general meeting and a total of five (5) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for a Board meeting.
Section 4. Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the deliberation of the association.
ARTICLE VIII – DELEGATES
Section 1. By virtue of the office, the local President shall be a delegate to all conventions deemed advisable by the Executive Board.
Section 2. By recommendation of the Executive Board of the SWFMTA, the registration fee for the delegate to the State Conference may be chosen by the Executive Board.
Section 3. An alternate for the delegate to the State Conference may be chosen by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The local Bylaws of the SWFMTA may be amended or revised at any regular or special meeting, according to Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 2. Proposed amendments or revisions must be introduced at a general meeting at least thirty (30) days before being acted upon.
Section 3. A two-thirds (2/3%) vote of members of the Association present and voting (quorum) shall be necessary for adoption of any amendment or revision. The same action shall be required for the suspension of an Article.
Revised March 2019
Section 1. The Executive Board of this Association shall consist of the duly elected Officers, the Director, The Parliamentarian, any local Florida State Music Association Officers and the District 7 President.
ARTICLE II – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The election of Officers shall be held at the regular April meeting, Bi-Annually. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee in January and their report shall be presented at the February meeting. An affirmative Majority Vote of the membership present is required for election.
Section 2. No members shall be eligible for the same Office more than two (2) consecutive years, except by Executive Board direction.
Section 3. The newly elected officers hall e installed By-Annually at the regular May meeting and assume their respective duties immediately.
ARTICLE III – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. PRESIDENT
The President shall:
- Preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board
- Appoint chairmen of all standing committees and the Parliamentarian, subject to ratification by the Executive Board
- Be a member Ex-Officio of all committees, except the Nominating Committee
- Be apprised of all the financial obligations of the local chapter by the Treasurer
- Perform all the duties of the President, attend the State conference, present a yearly written report.
- Present a yearly written report at the District 7 Conference
- Serve as a member of the Bylaws Revision Committee and Budget Committee.
The First Vice President shall:
- Be the Membership Chairman, preside at meetings in the absence of the President, and perform other duties assigned by the President
- Keep a current list of all members in good standing with their addresses and phone numbers
- Attend the Membership Meeting at the FSMTA State Conference
- Be a member of the Ethics Committee
Section 3. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The Second Vice President shall:
- Organize the Meeting Programs
- Preside at meetings in the absence of the President and the First Vice President
Section 4. THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
The Third Vice President shall:
- Be responsible for the organization, completion, and distribution of the Yearbook
- Shall preside in the absence of the President and the First and Second Vice Presidents
Section 5. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
- Keep minutes of all the meetings of the Association and the Executive Board.
- Attend to all correspondence pertaining to the activities of the association
- Record the attendance at every regular meeting
Section 6. TREASURER
The treasurer shall:
- Receive, hold and disburse all monies as directed by the Executive Board
- Notify all members whose dues are in arrears
- See that all bills over $30 are validated by the President and the Executive Board and paid by check.
- Be a member of the Budget Committee
The Director (Immediate Past President) shall:
- Act as an advisor to the Executive Board
- Is a member of the Ethics Committee
ARTICLE IV – STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. A. AUDITOR
- The Auditor shall audit the Treasurer’s books annually.
B. BUDGET COMMITTEE
- The Budge Committee shall consist of a Chairman well versed in monetary matters, the Treasurer, and the President. The Chairman is appointed by the President.
Committee purpose:
- To provide a forum for financial expenditures
- To provide a means of consultation
- To assure our financial ability to pursue various programs, gratuities, community memberships and support for other community musical endeavors
- To support the work of the Treasurer in her (his) accounting
C. ETHICS COMMITTEE
- The Ethics Committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President, the Membership Chairman, and a Member-at-Large appointed by the current President
D. HISTORIAN
- The Historian shall keep records of the Association events in the Association’s scrapbook
E. INSPIRATION CHAIRMAN
- The Inspiration Chairman shall bring an inspirational message to each meeting
F. MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
- The Membership Chair shall maintain a list of all members with their current addresses and phone numbers
- Will be helpful to prospective members with applications for Local, State, and National Association membership
- Shall be a member of the Ethics Committee
G. PARLIAMENTARIAN
- The Parliamentarian shall advise the President and the membership on procedure governing the meetings, according to Robert’s Rules of Order and shall have no vote.
H. PROGRAM CHAIRMAN
- The Program Chairman will dispense all local and general publicity for the Association.
J. REMEMBRANCE
- The Remembrance Chairman shall be responsible for contacting those in need of comfort
- Shall provide a necrology report for the Vice President of Membership of the Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA)
K. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
- The Scholarship Chairman and Committee shall set the day, time, and place of the yearly competitions and disburse information about this event and the Winners’ Recital and Awards Ceremony.
- The committee shall be at these events and be of assistance to the Chairman
L. TELEPHONE COMMITTEE
- The Telephone Chairman and Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall call members with any information or reminders that are deemed necessary by the President
M. YEARBOOK CHAIRMAN
- The Yearbook Chairman shall be responsible for the organization, completion and distribution of the Yearbook/Roster
ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall consist of eight classes:
- ACTIVE
An Active member is one who has been accepted as an Active member by the Florida state Music Teachers Association, and is presently teaching.
- SENIOR
Senior membership shall be open to Active teachers seventy (70) years of age or older at a twenty-five percent (25%) reduction in dues.
- ASSOCIATE
Associate membership shall be open upon application to SWFMTA, FSMTA, and MTNA to those who are not professionally engaged in the teaching of music, who desire to support the programs of the Association. Associate members may not have voting privileges, make motions, or hold office at the state or local level.
- COLLEGIATE
Collegiate (student) membership shall be open to any college music major through age twenty-six (26). A qualified student member age twenty-seven (27) or older may continue to be a student member for the duration of study up to four (4) years. Teachers who have held full membership in MTNA and FSMTA may not be considered for Collegiate membership status.
- HONORARY
Honorary membership may be conferred at the State level with recommendation from the Local Association, the Executive Board of the FSMTA, and having met the qualifications set forth by the Honorary Membership Committee of FSMTA.
Honorary members shall enjoy all the privileges of Active members.
- LIFE
Life membership shall be open upon request to those members who have reached the age of eights (80).
They shall provide eligibility to attend conferences upon payment of the registration fee and maintain the right to vote.
They shall retain their Certified Status, but those who are not certified may not apply for Certification.
They shall receive the official publication of FSMTA without charge.
- RETIRED
P. PATRON
Patron membership shall be open to an individual, Business, or Arts Organization not professionally engaged in the teaching of music, who wishes to support the programs of SWFMTA. Patron members shall receive member publications and may attend meetings and programs, but will have no vote and may not hold office.
ARTICLE VI – FEES AND DUES
Section 1. The Fiscal Year is from July 1 to June 30. National, State and Local dues are payable by June 1st, and are considered to be delinquent by July 1st.
Section 2. Annual dues for Active, Association, Senior and Collegiate members shall be paid in amounts as established by the Executive Boards of FSMTA and MTNA and Local dues by SWFMTA Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
Section 1. The time and place of the regular meetings of the Association shall be determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2. All Active members must attend two (2) meetings per year and/or serve on a committee in order to enter students in SWFMTA events.
Section 3. A total of ten (10) voting members of good standing shall constitute a quorum for a general meeting and a total of five (5) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for a Board meeting.
Section 4. Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the deliberation of the association.
ARTICLE VIII – DELEGATES
Section 1. By virtue of the office, the local President shall be a delegate to all conventions deemed advisable by the Executive Board.
Section 2. By recommendation of the Executive Board of the SWFMTA, the registration fee for the delegate to the State Conference may be chosen by the Executive Board.
Section 3. An alternate for the delegate to the State Conference may be chosen by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The local Bylaws of the SWFMTA may be amended or revised at any regular or special meeting, according to Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 2. Proposed amendments or revisions must be introduced at a general meeting at least thirty (30) days before being acted upon.
Section 3. A two-thirds (2/3%) vote of members of the Association present and voting (quorum) shall be necessary for adoption of any amendment or revision. The same action shall be required for the suspension of an Article.
Revised March 2019
