MTNA Bylaws - Music Teachers National Association

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the corporation is MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC., hereafter referred to as MTNA or the Association.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose for which this corporation is organized and operated is exclusively literary and educational, as defined in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended. The purpose of this corporation shall be the advancement of music education, and in specific furtherance thereof.

a. To conduct programs and activities to build a vital musical culture and an enlightened musical public for the benefit and the general welfare of all persons;

b. To ensure that every student shall have access to a balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction;

c. To improve the quality of teaching, research, and scholarship in music;

e. To foster the utilization of the most effective techniques and resources in music instruction; and,

f. To facilitate the education of music teachers.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

The following membership classes are open to those who meet the respective qualifications and pay the annual dues provided for the respective classification pursuant to Section 5 hereof:

a. Active Membership shall be open to all individuals residing in the U.S. or its territories who are professionally engaged in any field of music activity and who are also members of an affiliated association as defined in Article IV hereof. 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. Active Membership shall also be open to those persons eligible for Collegiate Membership or Retired Membership upon payment of the prescribed Active Membership dues, and subject to the affiliated association bylaws.

b. Collegiate Membership shall be open to all college students currently involved in music study, who are also members of an affiliated association as defined in Article IV hereof. Collegiate members shall be entitled to the same privileges as Active members, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions as a Collegiate Member.

c. Retired Membership is open to those who have been Active members for at least 20 continuous years, who have reached the age of 75, and who have essentially retired from teaching. A member must send written notice to the Executive Director for this class of membership to be activated. Retired members are entitled to discounted dues and may vote, but cannot hold elective office at division or national levels or enter students in MTNA competitions as a Retired Member.

d. Honorary Life Membership may be conferred by the MTNA Board of Directors upon individuals who have given distinguished service to MTNA or to the art of music. Honorary Life members qualifying for Active Membership shall have the rights and privileges of such membership.

e. International Membership shall be open to nationals of other countries and US citizens residing in countries outside the United States and its territories. International members shall not hold concurrent membership in an affiliated state association as defined in Article IV hereof and they shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions. They shall receive the official Association publications.

f. Institutional Membership shall be open to those institutions that have an interest in furthering the mission of MTNA. Institutional members shall receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions. However, the music executive of each Institutional Member who has paid the appropriate state membership dues shall have all the rights and privileges of Active Membership.

g. Corporate Membership shall be open to those businesses or corporations who have an interest in furthering the mission of MTNA. Corporate members shall receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote or hold office.

h. Patron Membership shall be open to all individuals who wish to support the programs of the Association. Patron members shall be entitled to attend programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee and to receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions as a Patron Member.

SECTION 2. TERMINATION 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 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.

SECTION 3. RESIGNATIONS

A member in good standing may resign from the Association by submitting a letter of resignation to the Executive Director who will remove that member from the membership roster. No dues refund will be given.

SECTION 4. REINSTATEMENT

A member who resigned in good standing or who allowed annual dues to lapse may reactivate his or her membership by requesting such action and paying the current dues. If continuous membership is desired, the member must pay all dues accruing from the time of non-renewal through the current year.

SECTION 5. ANNUAL DUES

a. Annual dues for all categories of membership shall be due as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall establish the annual dues amount and publish the dues information in the next issue of the official publication.

b. Dues are delinquent sixty days beyond the renewal date after which time members are not in good standing or entitled to any of the privileges of membership until dues are paid for the current membership year.

SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP YEAR

The Board of Directors shall determine the membership year for all membership categories.

ARTICLE IV. AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS

SECTION 1. AFFILIATION REQUIREMENTS

Any state or U.S. Territory music teachers association that fulfills the requirements established by the Board of Directors from time to time may become and remain affiliated with MTNA provided that it guarantees on the basis of submitted membership rosters that one hundred percent (100%) of its members who meet the requirements of MTNA Active or Collegiate membership are members in good standing of MTNA.

SECTION 2. LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS AND COLLEGE CHAPTERS

Any affiliated state or U.S. Territory association shall be authorized to establish local associations and college chapters. These organizations are affiliated with MTNA through the state or U.S. Territory Association.

SECTION 3. AFFILIATION STATEMENT

In referring to its affiliation, each association shall use the phrase, "Affiliated with Music Teachers National Association." This specified phrase shall be included in the constitution/bylaws of all state and local affiliated associations, college chapters, and in all publications and programs.

SECTION 4. ANNUAL RENEWAL

Annual renewal of a state or U.S. Territory affiliation is automatic unless the affiliate has formally notified the Board of Directors that it wishes to discontinue affiliation. It is the responsibility of the affiliate to certify that all governing documents: are in compliance with the MTNA documents, to maintain all requirements if covered under the MTNA 501(c)(3) group exemption, and to carry out the various programs of MTNA.

SECTION 5. AFFILIATED ASSOCIATION ORGANIZATION

The affiliated associations of MTNA shall be grouped into geographical divisions as designated by the Board of Directors with recommendations from the Advisory Councils. Such divisions are at all times considered an integral part of MTNA and shall operate under the MTNA Bylaws.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

SECTION 1. NATIONAL OFFICERS AND DUTIES

The elected officers of the Association shall be a President, President-elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary-Treasurer, such Vice Presidents as are necessary for the effective operation of the Association as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time, and Directors, one elected from each division.