Bylaws of the
Northern San Diego County Branch
Music Teachers' Association of California
(revised & approved 8/6/06)

Preamble

We, the members of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, having dedicated ourselves to the advancement of the standards in music education shall:

* Maintain the highest moral standards and conduct towards colleagues, students and the community;
* Volunteer in the activities of the Association;
* Participate in the activities of the Association;
* Respect the dignity and work of our colleagues;
* Develop and maintain a professional relationship between teachers and students;
* Encourage, guide and develop students toward fulfillment of their musical potential;
* Participate in and encourage students to be involved in community music activities.

Article 1 - Name

The name of this non-profit corporation shall be THE MUSIC TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA, NORTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BRANCH.

Article ll - Purposes

The purposes of this Association shall be the promotion of musical culture and the pursuit of excellence in the field of music education. Northern San Diego County Branch, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, shall not discriminate. The Branch will make every effort to accommodate students with special needs in order to make participation in state programs accessible and available to them.

Article lll - Membership

Section 1. The members of this Association shall be qualified persons who have been duly elected by majority vote of the State Board of Directors. Membership shall be divided into six (6) classes: Active Teacher member, Provisional member, Business Affiliate member, Student member, Honorary member, (Honorary member applies to Branch only) and Life Member, (Life Membership shall be granted to each State President of this organization with all privileges of Active Teacher membership upon completion of the term of office).

Section 2. Membership shall be granted only by the State Board of Directors. Application shall be made directly to a Branch.

Section 3. Each application for Active Teacher member, Provisional member, Business Affiliate member and Student member shall be made upon the form prescribed by the State Board of Directors and signed by the applicant and two Active Teacher member sponsors. After approval by the majority vote of the Branch Board of Directors, each such application, together with application fees and dues as provided in Article IX of these Bylaws, shall be sent to the State Office which shall forward it to the State Membership Secretary. After action by the State Board of Directors, notification shall be mailed to the applicant and to the Branch.

Section 4. Active Teacher Membership shall be granted to qualified persons.
Qualifications are: a degree in music from an accredited institution; or the equivalent to a degree in music; active engagement in the profession of teaching music; a minimum of two years music teaching experience.

Section 4 (a). Contributory Membership. An Active Teacher member may become a Contributory member in one Branch other than that in which the Active Teacher membership is held by applying to the other Branch and then to the State, paying a State fee, paying additionally the dues of the second Branch, enjoying privileges extended by the branch, except to vote or to hold office, and following all rules of branch.

Section 4 (b). Any member in good standing may transfer from one branch to another upon application to the board of the current branch. The treasurer of the current branch must sign the transfer form confirming that the applicant is in good standing. The signed transfer form then shall be mailed to the Treasurer of the desired branch. Upon acceptance, the completed form with the signatures from the old and new branches shall be mailed by the new branch to the State Office to confirm the transfer.

Section 5. Provisional Membership shall be granted to those persons offering satisfactory evidence of the intention and ability to qualify for Active Teacher membership within a three-year period. If more time is needed to fulfill requirements, the Provisional member may apply in writing to the State Membership secretary for a two-year extension and the request will be presented to the State Board of Directors for approval.

Section 6. Business Affiliate Membership may be approved for non-teaching persons such as firms and institutions interested in the purposes of the Association.

Section 7. Student Membership shall be granted to students pursuing college degrees as music majors. Membership in this class shall not exceed a period of eight years.

Section 8. Honorary Teacher Membership (applicable on Branch level only) shall be held by past Active Teacher members who are now retired and are not allowed to hold office or vote and are exempt from paying dues. They will receive the Branch newsletters and are urged to attend all Branch functions.

Section 9. Voting, Holding Office. All members of the Association in good standing shall be able to take part in the activities of the Association, except that only Active Teacher members shall be allowed to vote or hold office.

Section 10. Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the Branch. The Branch shall notify the State Office and the State Membership Secretary at once of such resignations.

Section 11. Suspension of Revocation of Membership. The State Board of Directors may suspend or revoke the membership of any member violating the Bylaws or acting in a manner harmful to the Association according to their procedures.

Section 12. A rejected application for membership may be resubmitted at any time after six(6) months from the date of such rejection.
Article IV - Of?cers

Section 1. The elected officers of the local Branch shall be as follows: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Membership Secretary. No officer shall be elected to the same office for more than two consecutive years.

Section 2. The appointed officers of the local Branch shall be as follows: First director, Second Director, and Third Director and Fourth Director. Said officers are to be appointed by the President-Elect.

Section 3. No member shall hold more than one (1) office at a time.

Section 4. A Nominating Committee of three (3) members shall be chosen by the Board of Directors at the February meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate a slate of officers to be voted on at the annual meeting in May, at which time additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.

Section 5. The officers shall be elected by voice to serve for one year or until their successors are elected, and their terms of office shall coincide with the fiscal year (August 1-July 31). The officers shall be installed at the June meeting.

Section 6. A vacancy among officers shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a vote of the remaining officers at a meeting of the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days after such vacancy has occurred.

Article V - General Duties of Officers

Section 1. President.
(a) The President shall be the principal officer of the Association and shall, subject to the control of the State
Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business, activities, and officers of
the Branch Association.
(b) The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and at all meetings of the Branch Board.

(c) The President shall have the power to appoint all committees, shall be ex-officio member of all Standing
Committees, except the Nominating Committee, and shall have the general powers and duties usually vested
in the office of president of a corporation together with such other powers and duties as may be prescribed
by the State Board of Directors or the Bylaws.
(d) The President shall represent the Branch in all inter Branch or inter Community activities. The President
Elect shall be the first delegate to the annual MTAC convention. Other delegates will be in-coming officers
in order of position on the Board. The Standing Board must approve delegates.
(e) The President is responsible for the overall plan for the Association's activities with the approval of the
Board of Directors
(f) The President shall have ability to sign checks, along with the Treasurer. One (1) signature is required.
(g) The President shall appoint the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Directors.
(h) The President shall be responsible to keep the branch website updated. The President may appoint someone
to do this who has computer skills. The website also must have an administrator appointed by the President.

Section 2. 1st Vice President.
(a) In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President
and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President.
The Vice President shall have such other powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be
prescribed by the State Board of Directors, or by the Bylaws.
(b) The Vice President shall act as Program Chairperson, subject to approval of the President and the Board of
Directors.
(c) The Vice President shall arrange for the facilities for Branch activities.

Section 3. 2nd Vice President
(a) In the absence of disability of the 1st Vice President, the 2nd Vice President shall perform all
the duties of the 1st Vice President.
(b) The 2nd Vice President will primarily be responsible for establishing public relations and shall act as the public relations chairperson, subject to the approval of the President and the Board of Directors.
(c) The 2nd Vice President will be responsible for all membership communication (primarily e-mail) and work with membership secretary to keep membership list and e-mail addresses current.

Section 4. Treasurer.
(a) The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of
the properties and business transactions of the Association, including accounts of its assets, liabilities,
receipts, disbursements, gains and losses.
(b) The Treasurer shall deposit or cause to be deposited all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the
credit of the Association with such depositories as may be designated by the State Board of Directors or
Branch Board and shall render to the Board, whenever said Board shall request, an account of all transactions as Treasurer and the financial condition of the Association.
(c) The Treasurer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as prescribed by the State Board
of Directors or the Branch Board or Bylaws.
(d) The Treasurer shall perform all duties of the President in the absence of the President and Vice President.
(e) The Treasurer shall receive all moneys and make proper disbursements under the direction of the Board of
Directors.
(f) The Treasurer shall sign all Branch checks. (Or, the Branch President can sign). One (1) signature is
required.
(g) The Treasurer will prepare an annual financial report and submit it to the Auditing Committee by July 10,
with copies to the President and Recording Secretary, and will mail the approved annual financial report to
the State Office on official forms on or before August 15 of each year.

Section 5. Recording Secretary.
(a) The Recording Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, a Book of Minutes of all meetings of directors and
members.
(b) The Recording Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the members and of the
Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by
the State Board of Directors, Branch Board or Bylaws.
(c) The Recording Secretary shall perform all duties of the President in the absence of the President, Vice
President, and the Treasurer.
(d) The Recording Secretary shall keep accurate records of all meetings and keep attendance records.
(e) The Recording Secretary shall keep on file all official reports, including reports by the Treasurer and
Chairpersons. Said reports are to be maintained for a period of three (3) years.
(f) The Recording Secretary shall attend to all business correspondence under the direction of the President.
(g) The Recording Secretary shall notify each member of the Board of Directors of the time and place of each
Board Meeting.

Section 6. Membership Secretary.
(a) The Membership Secretary shall be responsible for evaluating all applications for membership. Applications
are then presented to the Branch Board of Directors with recommendations for acceptance or rejection
including a statement of classification of membership. Accepted applications shall be sent to the State Office,
which will forward them to the State Membership Secretary, and after evaluation shall be presented to the
State Board of Directors with recommendations for acceptance or rejection.
(b) The Membership Secretary shall encourage new memberships and induction into Active Membership status.
(c) The Membership Secretary shall keep an adequate supply of current membership forms on hand.
(d) The Membership Secretary shall provide an accurate statement of all financial obligations of membership
(e) The Membership Secretary shall keep "forever" all membership records and verifications of membership
acceptance.
(f) The Membership Secretary shall provide a written report of membership in triplicate to the President,
Recording Secretary and Membership Secretary on September 1, December 1, April 1 and July 1.
(g) The Membership Secretary will keep an accurate record of current paid memberships and status on hand at
all times. (This is necessary for determining teacher-student eligibility for Branch activities).
(h) The Membership Secretary shall be responsible to keep the membership address and e-mail address list
current and accurate.

Section 7. Directors.
(a) Directors shall attend all Board meetings or give notice of absence to the presiding officers.
(b) Directors shall act in advisory capacity to the Officers.
(c) First Director (Past President): Shall act as an advisor to the President.
(d) Second, Third, and Fourth Director shall do specific duties as requested by the President and/or Board.

Section 8. Retiring officers shall transfer to the new officers all records, books, funds, and other materials pertaining to their respective officers by July 31 of each year.

Article VI - Board of Directors

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected and appointed officers.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have the power to make and devise measures for conducting the business of the Branch, subject to the approval of the Branch Membership.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet upon request of the President or the request of two (2) members of the Board with at least 5 days notice.

Section 4. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) officers.

Section 5. Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by a vote of the Board within thirty (30) days of the vacancy.

Section 6. The Board of Directors shall authorize all expenditures made by the Branch.

Section 7. The Board of Directors must submit all expenditures in excess of $2,500.00 to the Branch Membership for authorization.

Section 8. The Board of Directors shall appoint a financial auditor or a three (3) person Auditing Committee one (1) month prior to the final meeting of the year (in May). This financial report is to be mailed by the Treasurer to the State office on or before August 15.

Section 9. The Board of Directors shall appoint a three (3) person Nominating Committee in February.

Article VII – Committees

Section 1. The special Committees shall be the Nominating Committee and the Auditing Committee.

Section 2. An Auditing Committee (or appointed financial auditor) shall be appointed by the Board of Directors with the approved financial report sent to the State Office on or before August 15 of each year.

Section 3. A three (3) person Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors in February. Their report shall be made to the Board prior to the April meeting.

Article VIII - Duties of Members

Section 1. Every member of the Branch is expected to attend a minimum of two (2) meetings during the current year.

Section 2. Every member is expected to contribute time and labor to the duties of the Association in order to maintain a high standard of productivity and to assure the Association's continued contribution to the community.

Section 3. Every member is expected to serve as a board member, director, festival chair or co-chair, festival assistant, C.M. chair, or any other position of responsibility in the branch. Member must be willing to consider serving in these positions at some point during their membership in this branch and be willing to learn the requirements of these jobs.

Article IX - Meetings

Section 1. A minimum number of four (4) regular meetings shall be held at designated times and places. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the written request of five (5) Active Teacher Members provided at least five days notice are given to all members.

Section 2. A quorum of members of this Branch shall consist of twenty (20) members. (In lieu of a quorum of the membership, major decisions may be made by a quorum of the Board of Directors).

Section 3. The regular meeting in May shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

Section 4. The Branch or State Membership Mailing List, in any form, may only be used for music-related purposes.

Article X - Fees and Dues

Section 1. Application Fees. Each new applicant shall pay a non-refundable State Association fee. Student Members excepted until they apply for Active Membership.

Section 2. Dues.
(a) The State Board of Directors shall set the amount of dues to be paid for all categories of membership and the
amount of all other fees.
(b) Each member shall pay both State Association and Branch dues annually to the State Office.

(c) An Active Teacher member upon reaching the age of 70 and upon a one-time application to the State Board
of Directors, may thereafter be allowed to pay half the normal State Association dues, maintaining all rights
of Active Teacher membership; such application shall be made through the Branch Membership Secretary.
(d) Dues will be waived for a member who has reached age 80, and has been an Active member in good standing
for at least ten (10) Years.
(e) Dues advanced by an applicant for membership shall be returned immediately if the application is denied.
(f) Dues must be postmarked by July 1 for a member to be listed in the State Directory.

Section 3. Delinquencies. Annual dues are due on May 1 and will become delinquent if not postmarked to the State Office on or before July 1, after which a late fee is assessed. Members shall be notified by the State Office when in arrears. If dues and late fee are not postmarked to the State Office on or before August 1, the membership is forfeited.

Section 4. Reinstatement. Application for membership from a person who was a previous member of the Association shall be handled as follows: membership may be restored upon payment of a reinstatement fee and all dues for the current year to the branch where membership terminated. The Branch Membership Secretary shall send a change-of status form, verification of pervious membership in good standing, the State reinstatement fee, and the State dues to the State Office Membership Coordinator.

Article XI - Relationship with the State Association

Section 1. The Northern San Diego County Branch shall be represented at the Annual Meeting of the Association by the official Delegates, one Delegate for each twenty-five (25) (or fraction thereof) Active Teacher members whose current dues are paid. Voting at the business meeting shall be by Delegate vote only. Any other Active Teacher member may have a voice in the discussions of the Association. The Branch Recording Secretary shall send a list of the authorized delegates and alternates to the State Recording Secretary at least one week prior to the
Voting session.

Section 2. Branch Board of Directors shall allocate an appropriate sum from the Branch treasury whenever possible to assist the authorized Branch delegates in their expenses for attending official State meetings.

Section 3. The Bylaws and amendments of these Bylaws shall be in conformity with the State Bylaws and shall be submitted to the State Board of Directors for approval before they may become operative. When a State Bylaw amendment affects these Bylaws or produces a lack of conformity with these Bylaws, these Bylaws shall be amended as needed and submitted to the State Board for approval.

Section 4. This Branch has no authority to incur any indebtedness or contract any obligations which might be construed or could be considered a liability to the State Association.

Section 5. This Branch shall have the same fiscal year as the State Association, from August l through July 31, and shall send financial reports to the State Office on official forms on or before August 15 of each year.

Section 6. Indemnification. The Northern San Diego County Branch shall defend and indemnify the Music Teachers' Association of California and its officers, directors, agents and employees and save them harmless from and against any and all liability, damages, costs, or expenses, including attorney's fees, arising from any act, omission or negligence by the Branch, or its officers, directors, employees or agents, arising from any claim of any nature whatsoever.

Article XII- Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern this Branch in all cases where they apply and where they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order that the State Association may adopt.

Article XIII - Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote at a regular meeting, provided that previous written notice has been given in the newsletter and a quorum is present. The vote should be 2/3 of those voting, which may be more than a quorum.