PLATTE COUNTY MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

As amended 06/05/2006

Article 1:  Name

This non-for-profit organization shall be known as the Platte County Music Parents Association (MPA).

Article II:  Purpose

In order to support and enhance the Platte County music programs, the association shall provide encouragement and recognition for the students; furnish assistance to the music directors; promote parental involvement; and supply a communications network between the school, the home, and the community.  While we support the music department, it is the music directors’ responsibility to clarify what type of support is needed and when it is desired.

Article III:  Membership

Section 1:             Membership shall be open to anyone who wants to become a member of the Platte County Music Parents Association and has paid membership dues.

Section 2:             Annual dues per person for the Platte County Music Parents Association shall be an amount set by the executive board at its last meeting of the year.

Section 3:             Membership year shall be August 1 through July 31

Article IV:  Officers and their Election

The elected officers of the Platte County Music Parents Association shall be a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.    All officers must be members of the association.  Election of officers shall be held at the annual (April) meeting.  Officers shall be elected for a term of 1 year, and may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.  Anyone serving in an office more than six months shall be credited as serving a full term.   Terms shall begin at the end of the May meeting.  Only one member per family shall be eligible to be a joint signatory* on the association’s checking account.

Section 1:          President:  The president shall preside at all Platte County Music Parents Association meetings; develop agendas; represent this association in meeting with other organizations or groups; and be a joint signatory* on the association’s checking account.

Section 2:          Vice President:   The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president; provide communications between the school and the general membership; provide communications between the executive board and the general membership; and coordinate publicity for music activities.  The vice president shall be a joint signatory* on the association’s checking account.

Section 3.          Secretary.   The secretary shall establish and maintain a permanent record of all the association’s activities.  Duties shall include recording of minutes.  The secretary shall be a joint signatory* on the association’s checking account.

Section 4.          Treasurer.   The treasurer shall be responsible for all financial payments and receipts of the association, record all financial transactions; present monthly financial reports; keep all records as are necessary for a complete audit; and prepare a proposed annual budget.  The treasurer shall be a joint signatory on the association’s checking account.

Article V:   Voting

Only members of this association, present at the meeting, shall be allowed to vote.

Article VI:  Executive Board

The executive board shall consist of the elected officers and chairpersons of the standing committees.  The music directors shall be ex-officio** members of the executive board.

Section 1.   The executive board shall meet monthly and may make such decisions as require immediate action.

Section 2.    In the event of a tie vote by the executive board, the issue shall be taken to the general membership for resolution.

Article VII:     Standing Committees

The standing committees of the Platte County Music Parents Association shall be Ways and Means, Events, Membership, Communications, Awards/Recognitions, and Band Trailer Policy.  Standing committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the combined elected officers and music directors.  All committee members shall be members of the association.

Section 1.          Ways and Means.    The ways and means committee shall be responsible for selecting and coordinating ways to raise funds for the association.  All projects must be pre-approved by the executive committee.

Section 2.          Events.  The events committee shall be responsible for organizing the non-fundraising special events for the music programs.  Examples could include picnics, tailgate parties, meals during band camp, socials, and helping at competitions.

Section 3.          Membership.  The membership committee shall be responsible for recruiting members and keeping an accurate membership roster.  All dues collected shall be promptly turned over to the treasurer.

Section 4.          Communications.    The communications committee shall be responsible for organizing and implementing a communications network within the association.  The communications committee will share communications responsibilities with the Vice President.  Examples include the MPA Newsletter, public news releases, MPA school announcements, and phone-calling communications.

Section 5.          Awards/Recognitions.  The awards/recognitions committee shall be responsible for ordering board approved patches and plaques, and planning and implementing social recognitions for significant music accomplishments (examples include posters, decorations, or treats following a high rating at a competition.)

Section 6.          Band Trailer Policy.  The band trailer policy committee shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a policy for the MPA owned and operated band trailer.

Article VII.  Special Committees

Special committees shall include an audit committee and a nominating committee.  Other special committees may be appointed as necessary by the executive board.

Section 1.          Audit Committee.   The executive board shall appoint an audit committee annually at the April meeting, and whenever there is a change of treasurers.  This committee shall audit the treasurer’s books and report its findings at the next general meeting.

Section 2.          Nominating Committee.  The nominating committee shall consist of three members elected by the general membership.  The president shall not serve on the nominating committee.  The committee shall present a slate of nominees at the April meeting.  No person shall be nominated for office without his/her consent.

Article IX.   Vacancies

Section 1.          In the event that the office of the president is vacated, the vice president shall become the president for the remainder of the term. 

Section 2.          In the event that any other elected office is vacated, the executive board shall appoint someone to fill that office for the remainder of the term.  The appointment shall be subject to approval by the general membership.

Section 3.          In the event that a standing or special committee chairperson is vacated, the executive board shall appoint a new chairperson for the remainder of the term.

Article X.    Meetings

Section 1.          The executive board shall meet monthly.  A majority of the executive board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2.          Full membership meetings may be scheduled as needed, with a minimum of four per year.  Meeting dates shall be established by the executive board at the beginning of the year.  Whenever possible, members shall be given one week’s notice of special meetings and/or changes in the meeting schedule.  Ten members shall constitute a quorum for general membership meetings.

Section 3.          The annual meeting shall be the regularly scheduled April general membership meeting.

Article XI:   Amendments

Bylaws may be amended by a vote of the general membership.  One month’s notice shall be given.  Proposed amendments shall be presented to the executive board, then to the general membership.  A two-thirds vote of members present is required to amend bylaws.

Article XII:  Disbandment

If at any time the Platte County Music Parents Association votes to disband, any balance remaining in the Association’s account after all bills are paid shall be given to the Platte County High School Music Departments.  A vote to disband may only be taken at a special general membership meeting set for this purpose.  Written notice must be given to all members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.  A two-thirds vote of members present shall be required to disband.

*Joint signatory means that all checks on the association’s account must be signed by TWO of the officers specified.

**Ex-officio means that this person has full voting and discussion privileges, but is not required to attend and does not count in the number required to constitute a quorum.