By-laws

I. Organization Name

The name of this organization shall be the Easton Music Parents’ Organization (TEMPO)

II. Objectives

The objectives of The Easton Music Parents’ Organization shall be:

A. To promote, foster and support enthusiasm and interest in the various activities and programs of the Music Department of the Easton Public Schools.

B. To lend moral, financial and physical support to the general music program in the Easton Public Schools.

C. To encourage families of those students who participate in the music programs of the Easton Public Schools to participate in TEMPO and Music Department activities.

III. Membership

A. All persons interested in the continuity, progress and development of the Music Department of the Easton Public Schools shall be eligible for membership. Parents and guardians of pupils in the Music Department are to be automatically considered members.

B. Each member shall have one vote on any matter presented for consideration by the membership at a general or special members’ meeting.

C. Dues may be assessed by a majority vote by the general body.

IV. Officers

A. The officers of this Organization shall be a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer.

V. Duties of the Officers

A. The President shall be the Chief Executive of the Organization and shall preside at all meetings of the Organization, appoint all committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

B. The Vice-President shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence and shall be responsible to assist the President as requested.

C. The Recording Secretary shall keep all records and minutes of all meetings.

D. The Corresponding Secretary shall chair the Publicity Committee and also handle any and all correspondence.

E. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Organization which shall be deposited in a checking account in a bank designated by the Executive Committee and paid out only on order of the Executive Committee. He/she shall keep an itemized account of receipts and expenditures, file vouchers of all payments, and present a full report at each meeting of the Organization and of the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President shall assume these responsibilities.

F. The President, immediate past president and two members of the Executive Board shall annually review the books and accounts of the Treasurer and shall report to the membership the results thereof. Further, from time to time, a simple majority of the Executive Board may request an independent review of the Organization’s books and accounts.

G. The President, or his/her designee shall have the power to make and execute, on behalf of and in the name of the Organization, contracts that have received the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

H. The President shall co-sign all drafts in excess of $1,000.00 from Organizational funds.

Article VI Executive Board

A. The Executive Board shall consist of all duly elected or appointed officers of the Organization and At Large Members.

B. At Large Members shall be elected by the members of the Organization. The number of At Large Members shall correspond with the active units of the Music Department, including the band, orchestra, and chorus with one At Large Member for each unit.

C. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Organization and shall conduct business matters in a timely manner in the intervals between the Organization’s meetings.

D. Three members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum and may conduct business including the expenditure of funds up to $1,500.00 on an emergency basis outside the regular monthly meetings of the Organization which actions shall be subject to a vote of ratification of the Executive Board at its next regular meeting.

E. Directors of Music in all the music programs of the Easton Public Schools shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Board and shall serve in an advisory capacity without voting rights.

F. Family members of faculty of the Easton Public School Music Department shall not serve on the Executive Board.

G. Immediate family members cannot hold Executive Board positions concurrently.

H. Any Executive Board Member who has three unexcused absences during the current school year of regularly scheduled meetings will have their position reviewed by a majority of the remaining Executive Board for the recommendation of possible dismissal at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Article VII Meetings

A. The regular meetings of this Organization shall be held on the second Tuesday of each calendar month beginning in September and ending in June. Any change in a scheduled meeting shall be posted forty-eight hours prior to the meeting on the TEMPO web site.

B. The annual meeting shall take place in June.

C. Special meetings may be called by the President, or by a request of three members of the Board.

D. At least one third of the Executive Board and three additional members of the Organization will pass any business items requiring a vote.

E. Meetings shall be open to all members and to the public.

F. Meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, except where the same conflicts with by-laws of the Organization.

G. The business year of the Organization shall start July 1 and end on

June 30.

Article VIII Committees

Committees will be formed when the President of the Organization determines the need or by vote of the Executive Board.

Article IX Elections

A. A nominating committee consisting of three members shall be appointed by the President at the Organization’s April meeting.

B. The Nominating Committee shall consult active members to determine their interest in serving as officers.

C. The Nominating Committee shall present the slate of officers to the general membership at the May meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

D. Officers and At Large Members will be elected during the annual meeting in June for a term of one year, and if a vacancy exists during the current school year nominations and elections shall be held at the next regular meeting for the duration of that term.

E. If there is only one candidate for an office, elections shall be by voice vote. Otherwise elections shall be by ballot.

F. Officers will assume office at the beginning of the annual year

(July 1).

Article X Amendments

The by-laws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting provided a notice of intention is given at the previous regular meeting of the Organization and posted forty eight-hours in advance of any such meeting on the TEMPO web site.