San Francisco Accordion Club
BY-LAWS
Revised April 2007
Article I. Name
This organization shall be called the San Francisco Accordion Club.
Article II. Purpose
Mission Statement
To stimulate a positive attitude toward the performance of music on accordion by strengthening relationships with fellow musicians, expanding knowledge of the accordion and accordion playing, and by developing various musical programs to acquaint the general public with the education and entertainment values of the accordion.
Article III. Membership
Qualifications
Regular membership is open to any individual expressing interest in the accordion and accordion music and wishing to join. The only qualification for regular membership is the payment of annual dues as established by the Executive Board.
Honorary and Junior Members
- Honorary Membership shall be extended to persons who the club feels have made a significant contribution to the accordion field. Honorary members are selected by a majority vote of the membership present at a given meeting.
- Junior Membership shall be extended without charge, for one year, to student accordionists under 18 years of age who perform before the club.
Member Benefits and Duties
All members are entitled to receive the monthly newsletter. All members are entitled to vote on matters brought up for vote of the general membership.
Termination of Membership
Members shall be terminated for reason(s) of non-payment of dues, resignation, or by two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.
Membership Year
The Membership Year shall be from October 1 through September 31.
Article IV. Fees, Dues, and Assessments
Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Fees
Annual Dues and event fees, if any, shall be set by the Executive Board.
Article V. Meetings
General Meetings shall be held on a schedule established by the Executive Board. These meetings generally take place once a month, subject to modification, if deemed appropriate, by the Executive Board.
Board Meetings
Meetings of the Executive Board shall be scheduled and held on a regular basis. Special meetings may be called by the President when deemed necessary. A vote of the Executive Board on a specific matter may be obtained, if necessary, by a polling of the board by the President or the Secretary, without a meeting. The results of any such poll shall be confirmed and reflected in the minutes of the following board meeting.
Meeting Conduct
Both Executive Board Meetings and General Meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.
Article VI. Officers
Officers
Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Term of Office
The term of office of all officers shall be one year.
President:
It shall be the duty of the President to guide the members toward fulfillment of the general Club goals, to become familiar with the “duties of the presiding officer of an assembly” found in Roberts Rules of Order, to preside over all meetings of the Executive Board using parliamentary procedure, to enforce the observance of the By-Laws.
Vice President
The Vice President shall assist the President in any way the President may direct, and, in the absence of the President, shall preside and perform all acts incumbent on the President.
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all proceedings of Executive Board meetings and of the Annual Election meeting (September), and give notice of meetings and functions as required. The Secretary shall prepare, with the President, an Agenda for each Executive Board meeting, including any items which have been previously unresolved and any future items for which discussion should be initiated.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive and disburse SFAC monies, as required, and keep an accurate account of all receipts and disbursements. He/She shall compile reports for the Board of Directors and/or for the membership according to directions from the Board of Directors.
Article VII. Executive Board (Officers and Directors)
Duties:
- Meetings: The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President
- Vacancies: Vacancies occurring between elections should be filled promptly
- Confirm Commitees: Confirm all committees except the Nominating Committee.
- Approve Expenses: Be empowered to approve necessary expenses of the club.
- Make Recommendations: Pass on routine business and recommend any major changes in policies, procedures, or financial affairs for the considerations of the membership.
- Chair Standing Committee: A Director-at-Large shall chair each standing committee, recruit its members and make regular committee reports to the Board of Directors.
Article VIII. Standing Committees
These shall be Programs and Membership. Ad hoc committees also may be appointed from time to time to carry out specific tasks not designated here.
Article IX. Directors-at-Large
There shall be four Directors-at-Large and they shall serve for a term of one year. The Newsletter Editor shall be considered a Director-at-Large.
Article X. Nominations and Elections
Nominations
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed, no later than July of each year, consisting of five members, of whom three shall be from the membership-at-large and two shall be from the current Executive Board, one of whom shall be the Chair of the committee.
Presenting Nominations
The Nominating Committee shall present its recommendations at the August meeting for Officers and for Directors-at-Large. Further nominations from the floor, if any, shall be accepted at the meeting. All nominations must have the consent of the potential nominees. Names of nominees shall be published in the September newsletter.
Elections
The election shall be held at the September meeting of each year. A nominee receiving the majority of votes of members present at that meeting shall be elected to office.
Article XI. Amendments to By-Laws
Proposals to amend the By-Laws by a club member may be presented in writing to any member of the Executive Board. Upon approval of the majority of the Executive Board, the proposed amendment shall be voted upon by the members. A two-thirds vote of members present at the specified meeting will be required for approval.
Article XII. Property
Any property acquired with San Francisco Accordion Club funds, and any property donated to the San Francisco Accordion Club, shall become the property of the San Francisco Accordion Club.
Article XIII. Dissolution of the Organization
In the event of the dissolution of the club, any assets shall be donated to a non-profit organization with the approval of the Executive Board.