Music Teachers' Association of California
West Los Angeles Branch
organized 1954

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MTAC-WLA Bylaws

AMENDED BYLAWS of the WEST LOS ANGELES BRANCH
MUSIC TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA
(Organized October 1954)

ARTICLE I - NAME 
The name of this association shall be West Los Angeles Branch of the Music Teachers' Association of California.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
The purposes of this association shall be the promotion of musical culture and the pursuit of excellence in the field of music education. The West Los Angeles Branch of the Music Teachers' Association of California, 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 and branch programs accessible and available to them. 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP 
Section 1
The members of this association shall be qualified persons who have been duly elected by a majority vote of the State Board of Directors. Membership shall be divided into four classes: Active Teacher member, Provisional member, Business Affiliate member and Student member.

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

Section 3
Each application for membership 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 a 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. 

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 4a
Contributory membership: An Active Teacher Member of any branch of MTAC may become a Contributory member in one other branch by applying to the other branch, paying, additionally, the dues of the second branch. The contributory member shall enjoy all the privileges extended by the second branch except that of voting or holding office. 

Section 4b
Branch Transfer: Any member in good standing in another branch may transfer to West Los Angeles Branch upon application to the Board of Directors of the branch. Upon acceptance, notification shall be sent to the Treasurer and Membership Secretary of the member's former branch. Both branches shall confirm the transfer of membership to the State Office. Current branch dues shall then be pro-rated and transferred appropriately by agreement between the branches.

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
Voting, Holding Office: All members of the branch in good standing shall be able to take part in the activities of the branch, except that only active teacher members shall be allowed to vote or to hold office. All members shall be allowed to chair branch activities or projects.

Section 9
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 10
uspension or Revocation of Membership: The State Board of Directors, by a two - thirds vote, may suspend or revoke the membership of any member violating the State bylaws or acting in a manner harmful to the Association.

Section 11
Good Standing: To be a member in good standing all monetary fees and dues must be current with both the state and the branch.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

Section 1
The elected officers shall conduct the routine business of the Branch as detailed below, and shall constitute its Board of Directors.

President
First Vice-President - Program
Second Vice-President - Hospitality
Third Vice-President - Membership 
Treasurer
Recording Secretary
Newsletter Editor
Three Directors

Duties of Officers:
The President
Shall preside at all board and regular meetings;
Shall sign all contracts and other instruments which have first been approved by the board;
Shall countersign all checks drawn by the treasurer;
Shall call the board together whenever necessary;
Shall appoint an auditing committee of three members to examine all accounts of officers handling money, or shall hire an auditor; 
Shall request presentation of the audit as soon as possible after the closing of the books at the end of the financial year; 
Shall prepare a report of the activities of the branch for the annual convention of the State Association; 
Shall appoint all committee chairs except that of the nominating committee; 
The retiring President shall wear the President's badge at the annual State Convention, although this follows the installation of new branch officers; 
Shall appoint an alternate, when possible the incoming President, in the event of non-attendance at the convention;
Shall be ex officio a member of all committees except for the nominating committee.
The Vice-Presidents, in order of their rank, shall perform all duties of the President, in the absence of that officer.

The First Vice-President

Shall have charge of programs for the general meetings.

The Second Vice-President
Shall act as hospitality chair.

The Third Vice-President

Shall be membership chair;

Shall verify that each application for membership meets membership requirements;

Shall then present each application form with check to the Board.

The Treasurer

Shall receive from members all monies except for dues which are payable directly to the State;  

Shall pay all bills as authorized by the Board;

Shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements;

Shall forward to the State Board a report on the financial status of this branch on or before the date set by the State Office. 

The Recording Secretary
Shall keep an accurate account of all Board and General meetings of the branch.
These minutes (called the Historical Record) shall be bound at the end of the year.

The Newsletter Editor

Shall edit and mail the newsletter and other items as may be necessary to the membership.

The three Directors

Shall assist the officers and act in an advisory capacity to the Board.

Section 2
Each officer shall have been an active member of the branch for at least one year. The term of office shall be from August 1 through July 31. Any officer absent for more than two consecutive meetings without valid reason shall, after due notice, be relieved of office. A vacancy among the officers shall be filled for the unexpired term by a vote of the remaining officers at a board meeting within thirty (30) days after such a vacancy has occurred. Retiring officers shall brief the new officers and shall transfer within thirty days all records, books, funds and other material pertaining to their respective offices.

Section 3
The members of the Board shall not report discussions which take place at meetings of the Board. The Board shall have the power to suspend any officer or member violating these bylaws or acting in a manner harmful to the Association and shall have the power to recommend to the State Board suspension or expulsion of such person from membership in the Association.

ARTICLE V - NOMINATION & ELECTION of OFFICERS:
A nominating committee of five members shall be appointed each year. Two members shall be appointed by the Board at the first board meeting of the calendar year. Three members shall be appointed by the membership at large at the next general meeting. This committee shall prepare a report of candidates to be included in the following newsletter. The committee shall elect its own chair. Election of officers shall be at the general meeting preceding the installation in June. Nominations may be made from the floor. The consent of prospective candidates shall be obtained before submission of nominations either by the nominating committee or by a member from the floor. Voting shall be by ballot, but where there is only one candidate for office, a viva voce vote may be taken in place of the ballot. The President may appoint a committee of three to act as election judges. The candidate receiving the majority of votes shall be elected. All balloting shall be secret.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
Section 1
At least four general meetings shall be held from October to June inclusive, dates to be decided by the Board. Special meetings may be called by the President or the Board, and shall be called on request of five members, provided that seven days’ notice is given to all members. Only business stated in the notice may be considered.
The quorum for a meeting shall be 15, including two officers.

Section 2
There shall be at least four board meetings at the call of the President. Additional meetings may be held at the request of four members, provided seven days’ notice is given to all members. A simple majority of board members constitutes a quorum of the board. The final board meeting of the year shall include newly elected and retiring board members and chairs.

ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES
Standing committees of this branch, appointed by the President and approved by the Board, shall be listed in the Branch directory every year. All chairs shall be invited to attend the board meetings and give a report of their chairmanships when the Board pleases. They shall have no vote. They shall prepare a written report at the conclusion of their office. The duties of the standing committees shall be prescribed by the Board. The President shall be ex-officio a member of all committees except the nominating committee. Special committees may be created when necessary by the Board of Directors or by the membership.

ARTICLE VIII - FEES & DUES
Section 1
Application Fees: Each new applicant shall pay a non-refundable State Association application fee, Student members excepted.

Section 2
Dues: Branch and state dues are payable upon receipt of an invoice from the State office. 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; reduced branch dues will then apply. Such application shall be made through the branch Membership Secretary and the state office. State and branch 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. Such a member shall be designated an Honorary Member of the branch.

Section 4
Reinstatement: Application for membership reinstatement from a person who has been a member of the Association previously shall be handled as follows:
The applicant sends to the Branch Membership Secretary:
the current State dues, Branch dues, the total reinstatement fee set by the State Office, a Change of Status form, and verification of past membership.
The Branch Membership Secretary sends to the State Office:
the State dues, the proportion of the reinstatement fee due to the State, the Change of Status form, and verification of past membership. The Branch Membership Secretary must verify previous membership from past records or MTAC programs, etc.

ARTICLE IX - RELATIONSHIP with the STATE
Section 1
The West Los Angeles Branch shall have representation at the annual meeting of the association by official delegates, one delegate for each 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. 

Section 2
The branch board 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
These bylaws and amendments of these bylaws shall be in conformity with 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 of the State association.

Section 5
This branch shall have the same fiscal year as the State association, from August 1 through July 31, and shall send financial reports to the State Office each year on or before the date determined by the State Office.

Section 6
The 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 attorneys' 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 X
The latest edition of Roberts' "Rules of Order, Newly Revised" shall govern this branch, unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws.

ARTICLE XI
These branch bylaws conform with MTAC State bylaws as revised July 2002. The branch bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those branch members present at a regular meeting, after notification that the said amendments would be available to every member upon request.

ARTICLE XII - CODE OF ETHICS
The Code of Ethics is made a part of the bylaws of this branch as a guide for the professional conduct of all members of the association:

Preamble:

We, the members of the Music Teachers' Association of California, West Los Angeles Branch, shall:

Maintain the highest moral standards and conduct towards colleagues, students and the community;

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 activities.

Code:

Therefore be it resolved that it shall be unethical for a teacher or an institution:

To do personal proselytizing of students from the classes of others;

To present any student as one's own until after an enrollment of six months, unless by consent of the former teacher;

To accept a pupil if aware of an unresolved indebtedness to a former teacher;

To disparage the work of a colleague;

To make specific promises and hold out illusory hopes to students.

Bylaws revision completed on August 29, 2002 and passed unanimously at a general meeting of the branch on October 1, 2002. At the subsequent request of the State Board, two minor changes in wording were made on February 13, 2003.

MTAC-WLA Bylaws Committee:
Ellen Batzdorf, Emilie Fong and Susan Rosett

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