Constitution and By-Laws
Olympia Chapter
Washington State Music Teachers Association

Preamble: The object of this Association shall be;

1. To establish and uphold a high standard of Professional ethics.
2. To promote and maintain a fraternal sprit among members.
3. To stimulate mutual improvement through interchange of ideas.
4. To aid in the furtherance of musical culture.
5. To promote certification of every private music teacher.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be: The Olympia Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers’ Association (OWSMTA)

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this chapter shall consist of persons teaching music in any branch or form recognized by this Association.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS

The officers of this association shall be president, president-elect, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and immediate past-president. These officers shall be elected for a one (1) year term, with a limit of two consecutive years. The Executive Board shall consist of all the above named officers.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

The chapter shall hold at least one regular monthly meeting, except during July and August. The monthly meeting shall be on the second Tuesday of the month. A change of the meeting shall require a vote by the members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this chapter by a two-thirds vote of those voting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing to the secretary and shall have been read by the secretary to the assembly.

SECTION 1: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the chapter is open to any dues paying member currently teaching music.

Members are encouraged to participate in state projects, i.e., certification, musicrafters, adjudications, young composers, such chapter activities as student programs or be active on a chapter committee; or have state, division or national responsibility

Associate Membership: Shall be open to all persons who are professionally engaged or interested in musical activity other than the applied field, and who wish to support the program of the Association. Such memberships shall provide admission to programs of the Association upon payment of dues and of the registration fee and all issues of the CLARION and the AMERICAN MUSIC TEACHER; but does not include the right to vote or hold office.

SECTION 2: DUES

Annual dues for active membership shall include Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) dues, state dues, and local dues as recommended by the Executive Board and approved by a majority vote of the membership voting. Any changes in dues shall be presented by the Executive Board at a regular business meeting and then voted at the next regular business meeting. Annual dues are due May 30th of each year.

A member who wished his or her name to appear in the chapter directory will pay dues in May.

SECTION 3: DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

It shall be the duty of the president to preside over all meetings. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The president may authorize payment of necessary expenses of guest musicians and speakers who appear at chapter meetings.

SECTION 4: DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

The president-elect shall serve as Executive Board Representative of the Adjudications Committee. The president-elect shall also serve as Chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee.

SECTION 5: DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT

The vice-president shall act as Program Chairman and be charged with carrying out planned programs during the term of office and making plans for programs to be presented the following year. In the absence of the president, the vice-president shall preside.

SECTION 6: DUTIES OF RECORDING SECRETARY

The recording secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of this chapter and of this chapter and of the Executive Board; call the meeting to order in the absence of the president and vice-president; preserve all documents of the chapter; bring to each meeting a copy of the Constitution and By-laws, together with a list of all standing and special committees. The recording secretary will submit a summary of the policies enacted for that year to the Executive Board at the end of the year.

SECTION 7: DUTIES OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

The corresponding secretary shall attend to all official correspondence. Such correspondence will include a monthly newsletter mailed to the chapter’s membership with announcements as contributed by the Executive Board and other committee chairman.

SECTION 8: DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

The treasurer of this chapter is the custodian of the funds. All money received by the treasurer shall be deposited immediately in the bank. The treasurer shall keep a record of all money received and paid out. The treasurer shall prepare a budget each year.

SECTION 9: DUTIES OF PAST-PRESIDENT

The immediate past-president will serve a one-year term on the Executive Board to provide continuity and expertise to incoming officers. The past-president will also serve as a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee.

SECTION 10: COMMITTEES

Committees shall be the Adjudications Committee, Directory Committee, Finance Committee and the Long-Range Planning Committee whose members will be appointed by the president in addition to those named within these By-laws. The Adjudications Committee shall be comprised of seven (7) members to include the President-elect as Executive Board Representative, and perform all duties necessary to carry out the chapter’s Adjudication Project. The Directory Committee shall have three (3) members and will be charged with publishing a directory listing of our membership and the calendar of events. The Long-Range Planning Committee shall host five (5) members to include the president-elect, and the past-president and will be charged with developing an overall 3 year plan. The Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer and two other members. Standing and special committees hall be formed as the needs of the chapter demand. Members are to be appointed by the president.

SECTION 11: ELECTIONS

The president shall appoint a nominating committee of three (3) members in October. In December the committee shall present the name of one candidate for each office. The election of officers shall take place at the February meeting – opportunity being given for nominations from the floor. A majority vote will elect to office. New officers are expected to attend at least two (2) Executive Board meetings prior to their installation at the June meeting to enable a transition period of duties. Outgoing officers will meet one on one with incoming officers to transfer the responsibilities of office.

SECTION 12: BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS

This chapter shall use its moneys solely for its own individual use.
 

SECTION 13: MTNA CODE OF ETHICS

Vision and Values

The mission of MTNA is to advance the value of music study and music making in society and to support the professionalism of music teachers.

The mission is accomplished by members who teach with competence, act with integrity, volunteer services to MTNA programs, provide professional support for colleagues and communities, and comply with all laws and regulations that impact the music teaching profession.

The mission calls for an ethical commitment to students, to colleagues, and to society.

COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS

-The teacher shall conduct the relationship with students and families in a professional manner.
-The teacher shall respect the personal integrity and privacy of students unless the law requires disclosure.
-The teacher shall clearly communicate the expectations of the studio.
-The teacher shall encourage, guide and develop the musical potential of each student.
-The teacher shall treat each student with dignity and respect, without discrimination of any kind.
-The teacher shall respect the student’s right to obtain instruction for the teacher of his/her choice.

COMMITMENT TO COLLEAGUES

COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY