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VASTA Bylaws

Draft #8 8/5/00

VOICE AND SPEECH TRAINERS ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1

NAME

The name of the corporation is Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA). The principal office shall be defined as the residence of the current treasurer of the corporation.

ARTICLE 2

PURPOSES

The purposes for which the Association is organized are as follows, as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation:

The corporation is organized exclusively for educational, charitable, literary and scientific purposes, within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, including but not limited to the following:

(1) to encourage the development of, and commitment to, the highest standards in the education and training of voice and speech teachers, coaches, and consultants in theatre, film, television, video arts, and communication; hereafter, referred to as voice/speech professionals;

(2) to make available services, publications, programs, meetings, and other activities designed to meet the needs of voice/speech professionals;

(3) to encourage continuous exploration of approaches to voice/speech training;

(4) to promote recognition of the skills of the voice/speech professional as being integral to the teaching and performing of acting for theatre, film, and television and, to the development of all professional voice users;

(5) to promote the professional status and encourage hiring, promoting and/or granting of tenure of qualified voice/speech professionals;

(6) to encourage the healthful use of the voice;

(7) to establish and maintain interchanges with other professional organizations committed to the human, social and cultural values of the trained voice.

ARTICLE 3

DISSOLUTION

The provision for dissolution as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation is as follows:

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government or to a state or local government for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE 4

MEMBERSHIP

Section 4.1 CATEGORIES OF MEMBERS. The Association shall have at least four (4) classes of membership open to all persons interested in furthering the Purposes of the Association, as well as other classes provided from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.2. MEMBERS' RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine or to redetermine the rights, other than voting rights, of each membership class.

Section 4.3. MEMBERS' RIGHTS TO REVIEW. Decisions of the Board of Directors may be called for question and evaluation by a quorum of the members, as defined in Article 5.

Section 4.4. RESIGNATION. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary.

Section 4.5. MEMBERSHIP YEAR. Membership year shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Association.

ARTICLE 5

QUORUM AND MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 5.1. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the members shall be held at such place and time as the Board of Directors shall designate.

Section 5.2. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the members may be called and the time, place, and purpose of such meetings shall be designated either by the President, Board of Directors, or by a quorum of the members.

Section 5.3. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice stating the purpose, place, date, and hour of any meeting of members shall be delivered to each member entitled to vote at such meeting not less than thirty (30) days before the date of such meeting. In case of a special meeting or when required by statute or by these By-Laws, the purpose for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice. If mailed, the notice of a meeting shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail, with the member's address, as it appears on the records of the Association.

Section 5.4. QUORUM. Ten percent of the members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5.5. VOTING PROCEDURES. Any matters submitted for a vote of the members shall be acted upon at a duly held annual or special meeting, or a mail-in-ballot sent to all members eligible to vote. If, for any reason, an annual meeting of the Association does not take place, then the Secretary shall conduct necessary business by mail under the direction of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 6

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 6.1. GENERAL POWERS. The Board of Directors shall be a policy making and planning body and shall manage, direct, control and administer the property, affairs and business of the Association. The Board shall adopt, amend, or repeal By-Laws as needed.

Section 6.2. COMPOSITION. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, The Immediate Past President, and at least four (4) and not more than eight (8) individuals.

Section 6.3. QUALIFICATIONS. Anyone who has been an Individual member in good standing of the Association for at least two (2) years is eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors.

Section 6.4. ELECTIONS. The Immediate Past President shall chair a Nominating Committee comprised of the chair and two (2) Association members. For procedures of this election, see Nominating Committee, Section 8.1.A.

Section 6.5. TERM OF OFFICE. The elected directors shall serve for three (3) years. A director's term shall begin at the conclusion of the annual conference. No member of the Board of Directors shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms. The terms of office shall be staggered.

Section 6.6. VACANCIES. The remaining members of the Board shall determine who shall fill any vacancies left by the departure of a member who has not completed a full term of office of the Board of Directors.

Section 6.7. MEETINGS. The Board of Directors shall hold at least two (2) regular meetings each year. One meeting shall be held immediately before or after the annual meeting of the Association and the other meeting shall be at a time of year as designated by the Board. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by any two Directors. Persons calling the meeting may set the time and place for the meeting. Two-thirds of the Board, but never less than four (4) members, shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE 7

OFFICERS

Section 7.1. OFFICERS

A. The officers of the Association elected from and by the Board shall be:

1. President

2. President-Elect, who shall automatically succeed to the Presidency.

3. Past President

B. The officers of the Association appointed by the Board shall include the following:

1. Secretary

2. Treasurer

3. Director of Annual Conferences

4. Associate Director of Annual Conferences

5. ATHE Conference Planner

6. Assistant ATHE Conference Planner

7. Director of Membership

8. Director of Special Conferences

9. Newsletter Editor

10. Journal Editor

11. Director of Technology/Internet Services

12. Archivist

Section 7.2. ELECTIONS. The Board shall appoint all officers in a manner determined by a majority vote of the Board. All officers who are not members of the Board shall not have voting privileges.

Section 7.3. QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS. Anyone who has been a member in good standing of the Association for at least two (2) years is eligible to be appointed as an officer; with the exception of assistant positions which require one (1) year of membership.

Section 7.4. VACANCIES. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the President-Elect shall complete the unexpired term. In the event of vacancies in any other office, the Board shall select a successor to serve the unexpired term.

Section 7.5. TERM. Appointed officers shall serve a term of two (2) years. The Board may reappoint officers.

Section 7.6. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. In the event that an appointed officer or committee chair is deemed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board to have demonstrated a lack of activity or a lack of compliance with organizational by-laws, said person can be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board.

Section 7.7. DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Officers shall meet with the Board for all designated Board meetings, as described in the Manual of Operations. Officers shall perform such duties as are customary or are designed by the Board of Directors and described in the Manual of Operations. Officers’ specific duties are as follows:

A. The President shall be designated as the chief executive officer and representative of the Association, and, as a member of the Board, participate in policy formulations. In this capacity the President shall:

1. Exercise leadership that will strengthen and expand the Association;

2. Call, prepare agenda for, and preside over meetings of the Board of Directors, and the membership;

3. Appoint persons to such offices and positions with the advice and consent of the Board, as designated by the By-Laws;

4. Establish Ad Hoc Committees, and positions;

5. Represent the Association in dealing with other organizations;

6. Consult with the President-Elect and the Treasurer in preparing the annual budget;

7. Apprise the Board members and the General Membership of the Associations’ activities;

8. Serve as liaison to the Advisory Board;

9. Perform all other such duties as pertain to the office.

B. The President-Elect shall:

1. Assist the President and perform the duties of the President in the event the President is unable to fulfill those duties;

2. Serve as the VASTA liaison to ATHE;

3. Direct Ad Hoc Committees as designated by the President.

C. The Past-President shall:

1. Assist and advise the President;

2. Serve as Chair of the Nominations Committee for Board elections.

D. The Secretary shall:

1. Keep official minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the General Membership meetings, and distribute copies of those minutes to the members of the Board and officers;

2. Maintain and update records pertinent to the operation of the Association;

3. Handle correspondence as directed by the President;

4. Summarize actions of the Board of Directors for publication;

5. Maintain and distribute Manual of Operations to Board members and officers;

6. Maintain and update membership records and disseminate the mailing list and mailing labels.

E. The Treasurer shall:

1. Prepare the annual budget in consultation with the President and President-Elect;

2. Oversee and be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of funds and securities of the Association;

3. Collect membership dues, send membership cards to members in good standing and membership packets to new members;

4. Maintain adequate books of account for the Association for all financial records;

5. Prepare a full written report of the financial status and transactions of the Association to issue to the membership at the Annual Meeting and to the Board at its request;

6. Submit tax returns and statements as required by law;

7. Make available annual financial records available for periodic audit;

8. Maintain and update the membership records and apprise the Secretary and President of the current membership roll.

F. The Director of Annual Conferences shall:

1. Develop, in consultation with the Board, plans for the Annual Conference;

2. Supervise, coordinate, and contract all persons, all programming and activities at the Annual Conference, symposia and other such events;

3. Apprise the Board of Directors and General Membership of the planning and progress of conferences;

4. Prepare a budget and financial report for proposed conferences for the President and Board. Submit all pertinent records of expenditures to the Treasurer;

5. Assist the Board of Directors in evaluating conferences.

G. The Associate Director of Annual Conferences shall:

1. Assist the Director of Annual Conferences; and

2. Succeed the Director of Annual Conferences.

H. The ATHE Conference Planner shall:

1. Develop, in consultation with the Board, plans for the VASTA programming at the ATHE Conference;

2. Solicit and evaluate VASTA program submissions for the Annual ATHE Conference;

3. Select VASTA programs and panels for the ATHE Conference in consultation with the Board;

4. Oversee, coordinate, and contract the VASTA programming, attend all required ATHE planning meetings, submit all necessary reports, and submit articles to the VASTA Newsletter;

5. Apprise the Board of Directors of progress of the conference;

6. Assist the Board of Directors in evaluating the conference.

I. The Assistant ATHE Conference Planner shall:

1. Assist the ATHE Conference Planner;

2. Succeed the ATHE Conference Planner.

J. The Director of Membership shall:

1. Develop, adopt and implement strategies and materials for membership recruitment;

2. Publicize the Association and promote its purposes.

K. The Director of Special Conferences shall:

1. Review all proposals for conferences other than the annual conference;

2. Develop proposals for special conferences;

3. Make recommendations to the Board regarding implementations of special conference proposals;

4. Organize and administer special conferences when designated to do so by the Board.

L. The Newsletter Editor shall:

M. The Journal Editor shall:

1. Be responsible for the publication of the journal.

N. The Director of Technology/Internet Services shall:

1. Be responsible for maintaining the VASTA website.

O. The Archivist shall:

1. Be responsible for maintaining the VASTA archives.

ARTICLE 8

COMMITTEES

Section 8.1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEES. Committees may be established and dissolved by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The rest will be relegated to the Manual of Operations.

Section 8.2. STANDING COMMITTEES. Standing Committees shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

A. NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Nominating Committee shall be charged with preparing a slate of Nominees for the election to the Board of Directors. The Committee shall be chaired by the Immediate Past President and shall include two (2) members appointed by the Past President, with the advice and consent of the Board. Current officers shall be ineligible to serve on the Nominating Committee. The Board may submit Nominees for consideration to the Committee, which the Committee may consider, but is not bound to accept. The Nominating Committee shall submit to the members a slate of two (2) candidates for each position to be filled on the Board of Directors. The slate shall be mailed to the membership at least sixty (60) days before the annual meeting of said year, or published in the newsletter nearest to the date of the annual meeting. The Nominees shall be elected by a mail-in-ballot to be received by the Past President no later than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. The election shall be considered to be valid if twenty-five percent (25%) of the ballots are returned.

B. AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS. The Awards and Scholarship Committee shall administer scholarship funds in consultation with the President and Treasurer, and shall solicit funds for endowed scholarships. The Committee, with Board approval, shall determine categories and criteria for awards and scholarships and recommend prospective recipients of awards and scholarships to the Board of Directors.

C. BIBLIOGRAPHY. The Bibliography Committee shall compile, update and make available to members bibliographic information on significant research, resources, and publications in voice, speech and related fields.

Section 8.3. AD HOC COMMITTEES. Ad Hoc Committees may be established by the Board and/or President as needed, or as otherwise provided for in the Manual of Operations.

A. APPEALS COMMITTEE. The Appeals Committee shall hear, review and mediate grievances at the request of a member. The Chair of this Committee shall be elected by the members and the term of the Chair, and the two (2) members appointed by the Chair, shall end upon the resolution of the appeal.

ARTICLE 9

ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Board is a Committee comprised of professionals in voice, speech and related fields whose expertise and professional standing make their opinions uniquely valuable to the Association in its attempts to formulate policies. The members of the Advisory Board do not have the duties or privileges of regular members. The members serve by invitation of the President and Board and their term is a courtesy lasting until such time as a member asks to resign his/her place on the Advisory Board.

ARTICLE 10

FINANCES

Section 10.1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer, agent or agents of the Association, in addition to the officers so authorized by the By-Laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 10.2. CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of and on behalf of the Association, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Association 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 the President-Elect.

Section 10.3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Association in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

Section 10.4. GIFTS. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the general purposes or for any special purposes of the Association.

Section 10.5. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

ARTICLE 11

BOOKS AND RECORDS

The Association shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members and Board of Directors and shall keep at the principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the members entitled to vote. All books and records of the Association may be inspected by any member, or member’s agent or attorney for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.

ARTICLE 12

RULES OF ORDER

All meetings of all bodies of the Association shall be conducted according to the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, provided that in no case shall these rules supercede the By-Laws of the Association.

ARTICLE 13

AMENDMENTS

By-Law amendments may be proposed by the Board of Directors and adopted by a majority vote of the Board. Amendments may also be initiated by a petition signed by a quorum of the members of the Association, and submitted to the Board at least sixty (60) days prior to the Board meeting at which the petition is to be considered. The Board shall consider and vote on all amendments initiated by a petition. All amendments authorized by a vote of the Board shall become effective immediately following approval, unless the amendment includes a specific date of implementation.

This site is maintained by VASTA Director of Technology, Michael J. Barnes, with assistance from Chris Neher.
Original site design is by Eric Armstrong.

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