I. NAME
The name by which this organization shall be known is the Baltimore Symphonic Band.
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Baltimore Symphonic Band is to provide a quality community band in the Baltimore area – one that allows for the musical growth of its members who are dedicated to making positive contributions to the musical environment. The Baltimore Symphonic Band seeks to reaffirm the concept of community bands in American music.
III. MEMBERSHIP
A. Eligibility
1. Any person who possesses the necessary artistic skills and temperament is eligible for membership. The Baltimore Symphonic Band will not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran’s status, marital status, or sexual orientation. Further, a disability will not keep an individual from membership providing s/he can perform to the level of the Band on his/her instrumental part, given appropriate accommodations.
B. Classes of Membership
1. Regular Active Members shall have been with the band for at least 23 consecutive months. Individual leaves of absence, which may affect membership class, will be considered by the Executive Board. Regular Active Members may run for elected positions if they have been with the Band for 23 consecutive months by August 1st of the year in which the term of the elected position begins.
2. Associate Active Members shall have been with the Band for less than 23 consecutive months. Associate Active Members do not have voting powers, yet they are eligible to serve on committees.
C. Responsibilities of Playing Members
Each playing member, regular or associate, is responsible for the following:
1. Practicing to maintain playing ability.
2. Being on time for and participating in rehearsals and performances.
3. Maintaining band rehearsal and activity attendance rates of 80% or better.
4. Attending at least two of the last three rehearsals prior to a performance.
5. Informing the Personnel Manager and Music Director when s/he is unable to attend a scheduled rehearsal or performance.
6. Maintaining proper decorum during rehearsals and performances.
7. Appearing in proper dress for concerts as specified in the Band Member Handbook.
8. Paying designated fees.
D. Voting Rights
Members of the elected Executive Board will represent band members in all decisions requiring voting except for the election of the Board and amendments of the by-laws, for which all Regular Active Members may vote.
IV. OFFICERS
A. The officers of the organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past-President. The Past-President is defined as the President of the previous term.
B. Executive Board members shall serve two-year terms. The officers shall be elected in even years and Members at Large shall be elected in odd years. (All initial elections shall occur in May 2000; the exact date to be determined by the Board. The Members at Large shall serve for one year this term only.)
C. Elections shall take place in May. A majority vote by band members who are eligible to vote (Regular Active Members) shall determine the new Officers. The Executive Board will elicit nominations beginning in April. The Board shall present a slate of officers to the organization at large at the final rehearsal in April.
D. Board members will take office August 1st of that election year. To ensure a smooth change of the Board, it is expected that a transitional meeting will occur between the outgoing and incoming Board members at the July meeting, at which time all records shall be transferred to the incoming officers.
E. One person may hold two offices, but that person only has one vote on the Board. In the event of a tie vote, the President will cast the deciding vote.
F. Only Regular Active Members of the band may hold office.
G. Any Officer who fails to attend two consecutive meetings without prior notice to the President, or who fails to fulfill the duties of his/her office, will be subject to dismissal by a majority vote of the remaining Board members.
H. Upon the resignation or dismissal of a member of the Executive Board, the Board shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. The appointment shall be decided by majority vote of the Board.
V. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
A. President – The President shall preside at all executive meetings. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside. When the President and Vice-President are absent, the Secretary shall call the meeting to order for the election of a Chairperson Pro Tem. The President shall perform other duties that normally pertain to the office of President. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and may appoint committee chairpersons. S/he shall form such committees as required from time to time.
B. Vice-President – The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice-President shall perform such duties as are determined by the Board, and provide support for coordination of the executive and committee chairs.
C. Secretary – The Secretary shall record, maintain, and post the minutes of all meetings and distribute written copies at or before the next meeting. S/he shall handle correspondence of the organization. A file shall be maintained of all written band documents. S/he shall perform such duties as may from time to time be determined by the Board.
D. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall, in cooperation with the conductor and the college, maintain records of monetary transactions, other than college registration fees. S/he shall present a report to the Board at regular meetings or upon request. S/he shall perform such duties as may from time to time be determined by the Board.
E. Past-President – The Past-President will sit on the Executive Board in an advisory capacity for one term but will not be a voting member of the Board. S/he shall perform such duties as may from time to time be determined by the Board.
VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the organization, the conductor, and three Members at Large.
1. Conductor/Music Director – The Conductor/Music Director’s main responsibility is to maintain and improve the musical quality of the Band. S/he will have the final say in the seating of the sections, music performed, rehearsals, and concerts. At his/her discretion, the conductor/music director may appoint an assistant conductor.
2. Members at Large – The three Members at Large shall perform duties as determined by the officers.
B. Any Executive Board member who fails to attend two consecutive meetings without prior notice to the President, or who fails to fulfill the duties of his/her office, will be subject to dismissal by a majority vote of the remaining Board members.
C. Upon the resignation or dismissal of a member of the Executive Board, the Board shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. The appointment shall be decided by majority vote of the Board.
D. Elections shall take place in May. A majority vote by band members who are eligible to vote (Regular Active Members) shall determine the new Board. The Executive Board will elicit nominations beginning in April. The Board shall present a slate of candidates to the organization at large at the final rehearsal in April.
VII. COMMITTEES
Each of the following committees is responsible for reporting to the Executive Board upon request.
A. Equipment Manager: The Equipment Manager shall be responsible for set-up and tear-down of equipment required for performances and rehearsals, with the aid of his/her appointed stage crew. Priority for this position will be given to work-study students; however, this appointment is not guaranteed.
B. Fundraising: The Fundraising Committee shall plan and execute means of generating the revenue needed to support the Band’s annual expenses and future touring expenses. This includes the organizing of tape, CD, and other Band-related sales. This committee shall abide by the rules and structures established by the CCBC, and shall work in conjunction with the Band Treasurer.
C. Historian: The Historian shall maintain an archival record of the Band.
D. Librarian: The Librarian shall maintain the Band’s music library. Responsibilities include marking and cataloging all music, distributing and collecting music as needed and conferring with Section Managers to assure that all members have appropriate parts.
E. Personnel Manager: The Personnel Manager shall keep an updated listing of all band members, including names, phone numbers, addresses, instruments, membership dates, and committee memberships. The Personnel Manager shall maintain the telephone tree and shall keep a record of weekly attendance. The Personnel Manager shall provide new members with the BSB Handbook. The Personnel Manager shall work in conjunction with the Band Secretary.
F. Section Managers: The Section Manager will be the first-chair player in a section unless s/he declines the responsibilities. In this case, s/he will submit a list of candidates for review to the Board.
Within their designated sections, Section Managers are responsible for the following:
1. Serving as liaison between Band members, the Personnel Manager, the Music Director, and the Executive Board.
2. Calling sectionals as needed.
3. Maintaining the phone tree for the section.
4. Welcoming new musicians to rehearsals, and answering any questions.
G. Publicity: The Publicity Committee shall publicize the Band’s activities and performances, and prepare press information.
H. Tour Planning: The Tour Planning Committee shall work to collect and evaluate information regarding future tours for the Band.
J. The Executive Board will form other committees as needed.
K. Any committee chairperson who fails to fulfill his/her duties will be subject to replacement by a majority vote of the Board.
VIII. MEETINGS
Executive Board meetings shall be held on the first Tuesday of the month while the band is in session unless otherwise determined by the President or a majority of the Board. The President or a majority of the Board may call special meetings. The Board will be notified within 24 hours of the decision. Board meetings shall be open for all Band members to attend; however, only the Executive Board may vote. A quorum is required for all meetings; a quorum shall consist of 5 Board members.
IX. FISCAL YEAR
The Band’s account shall be maintained by the Community College of Baltimore County -Essex Campus. The Treasurer will be responsible for submitting checks/monies to the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex Campus. The fiscal year shall coincide with that of the Community College of Baltimore County.
X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Baltimore Symphonic Band in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws.
XI. AMENDMENTS
Proposed changes to the by-laws may be brought to the Executive Board by any band member for consideration. The proposed change(s) will be discussed and voted upon at the next scheduled Board meeting. Proposed changes accepted by the Board will be brought to the full membership where written notice of the intended changes is to be given two consecutive rehearsals prior to the vote by the band. A majority vote by Regular Active Members will amend the by-laws.
These by-laws are submitted by the Executive Board and were approved at
a GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING of the Baltimore Symphonic Band on February 29, 2000.
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Secretary of the Baltimore Symphonic Band
Theodore P. Antonakos