FREEPORT COMMUNITY BAND
Freeport, New York
BYLAWS
(Amended and Restated   June 20, 2016)

ARTICLE 1.        NAME

The organization shall be known as the Freeport Community Band.

ARTICLE 2.        MISSION

The purpose of this organization is to make available to interested musicians experiences in band music of various stylistic periods, to give opportunities for developing techniques of sight reading and performing with a large ensemble, to give concerts for the enjoyment of the general public;  to demonstrate the broad spectrum of literature of the modern concert band,  and to increase community awareness and appreciation of concert band music.

ARTICLE 3.        MEMBERSHIP

(a)  Membership in this organization shall be open to all qualified musicians age 18 or over with concert band experience and shall not be denied to any person on the basis of race, color, religious or political beliefs, national origin, age or sexual orientation.

(b)  An exception to this age limit may be High School students in good standing in his/her high school band or orchestra who otherwise meets these By-Law requirements and who have the approval of the Band Director.  High school students shall be non-voting members and shall not be responsible for any district dues.

(c)  A candidate for membership must exhibit a desire to play concert music and a dedication to the band goals.

(d)  Membership in the Band may be revoked by the Board of Directors with the concurrence of the Band Director.

ARTICLE 4.        GOVERNMENT

(i)      Board of Directors:

(a)  The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers, the Band Director, Librarian and  Immediate Past President.

(b)  A majority of the Board of Directors  shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of any  business, and a majority vote of the Directors at a meeting where a quorum is present shall be required to take any action except where a greater number is required if any Statute  or these By-Laws.

(c)  Meetings – The Board shall hold meetings at the times and places fixed by the Board.

(ii)     Officers:

(1)  Officers – the Officers of the Band shall be President, First and Second Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Activities Chairperson, Community Relations Officer, Ombudsman and Webmaster. The Officers shall be elected by simple majority of members present and voting at the second scheduled rehearsal following the summer recess, and shall serve for one  (1) year and shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and installed.  The President shall appoint individuals should a position become vacant.

(2)  Duties of Officers – the duties of the officers shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.  In addition, the following responsibilities are assigned:

a.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the  Board and the Band  at which the President may be present and shall coordinate the work of the officers.  At the end of his/her term, resignation or suspension, he/she shall deliver to his/her successor all records and other property of the Band pertaining to the office of the President.

b.  The Vice-Presidents shall act as aides to the President and perform the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence, and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the Board.

c.  The Secretary shall also be Archivist of the Band.

d.  The Treasurer shall assume responsibility for all finances of the Band and shall be authorized to pay the necessary and proper expenses of the Band consistent with the budget approved by the Board and maintain an accurate and complete record of all receipts and disbursements. Any proposed expenditure in excess of $250.00 shall require prior Board approval.   At the end of his/her term, resignation or suspension, he/she shall deliver to his/her successor all records and other property of the Band pertaining to the office of the Treasurer.

e.  The Social Activities Chairperson shall chair the Social Activities Committee, and be responsible for its functions.

f.  The Community Relations Officer shall be responsible for the promotion and publicity of the Band.

g.  The Ombudsman is to be available for members to discuss concerns or issues with the band that they would prefer to keep anonymous.  The Ombudsman can then bring the issue to the board for resolution.

h.  The Webmaster shall keep the band website and other social media as current as possible.

(iii)   For good cause, an Officer may be removed from office by action of the Board.

ARTICLE  5.        BAND DIRECTOR

1.  The Band Director shall be selected by the Board.
2. The duties of the Band Director shall include directing rehearsals and performances, and selecting music for same. Suggestions of music proposed by the membership will be considered. Other duties may be included with the concurrence of the Board and Band Director.
3. The Band Director shall arrange for a substitute Director as necessary when unable to attend scheduled rehearsals or performances.

ARTICLE 6.        COMPENSATION

No member of the Board or any officer shall be entitled to, or receive any payment or other compensation by reason of service on the Board or as an Officer of the Band except for reimbursement for expenses incurred in conducting the business of the Band.

ARTICLE 7.        COMMITTEES

1. Membership Committee – The Membership Committee shall be  responsible for recruiting, interviewing and recommending applicants for membership.
2. Social Activities Committee – The Social Activities Chairperson shall supervise a committee responsible for the planning and execution of all social activities of the Band.
3. Music Committee – the Band Director and Librarian will be assisted with the selection, acquisition, storage and disposition of music for rehearsals and concerts by a committee of volunteers organized for that purpose.
4. Additional committees shall be organized on an ad hoc basis as needed, to be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board.
5. No committee shall incur any debt or expenditure involving the Band unless first authorized by the Board.

ARTICLE 8.        MEETING PROCEDURE

1. Roberts Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority of all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these By-Laws.
2. The order of business, at the discretion of the President , at regular meetings shall be:

Call to order
Reading and Approval of Minutes of previous meeting
Communications
Treasurer’s Report
Report of Committees
Unfinished business
New Business
Adjournment

ARTICLE  9.  ORGANIZATIONAL AND FISCAL YEAR

The organizational and fiscal year of the Band shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE  10.  AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended at any regularly scheduled rehearsal of the Band  by a 2/3 vote of members present at the rehearsal, provided that the amendment had been submitted in writing at the previous regularly scheduled rehearsal.

ARTICLE 11. NON-DISTRIBUTION PROVISION

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purposes.

ARTICLE 12.      RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATIVE PROVISION

No part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE 13.        DISSOLUTION

In the event of termination or dissolution of the Band, its remaining assets, if any, shall be distributed to (and only to) an organization with similar purposes.