MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
BYLAWS

Revised October 11, 2008

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this Association is Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association.  It is also designated as MEIEA.  MEIEA is a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Tennessee.


ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

MEIEA is an international organization formed to bring together educators with leaders of the music and entertainment industries.  The primary goal of MEIEA is to facilitate an exchange of information between educators and practitioners in order to prepare students for careers in the music and entertainment industries.

The purpose for which the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) is organized and operated is exclusively literary and educational as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

In order to seek professional practical knowledge and functional strategies in education, MEIEA will endeavor to:

•    Provide resources for the exchange of information and knowledge about all aspects of the music and entertainment industries;

•    Foster scholarly research on the music and entertainment industries as well as on music and entertainment industries education;

•    Assist institutions with the development of music and entertainment industries programs and curricula;

•    Facilitate interaction between the music and entertainment industries and music and entertainment industries' educators and affiliated educational institutions;

•    Promote student interests in the music and entertainment industries through guidance and support of the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA).



ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1    The classes of membership of this Association are a) Active, b) Student, and c) Educational Institution

Section 2    Membership Categories

a)    Educators and practitioners in the music and/or entertainment industry are eligible for Active membership,

b)    Students are eligible for Student membership in MEISA (Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association), the student chapter of MEIEA,

c)    Educational institutions are eligible for Educational Institution membership,

Section 3    A member current in payment of dues is a member in good standing.


ARTICLE IV – GOVERNANCE

MEIEA is governed and directed by an Executive Board comprising Executive Officers, Board Members, Executive Directors as deemed necessary, and the Immediate Past-President.

Section 1    Executive Board:

a)    shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association,

b)    has general supervision of the affairs of the Association,

c)    determines the hour and place of meetings of the Executive Board meetings and the Association’s annual meeting,

d)    makes recommendations to the Association,

e)    examines books and records and all funds of the Association prior to the annual Association meeting,

f)    is subject to the direction of the Association, and none of its acts may conflict with action taken by the Association.

Section 2      Executive Officers and Board Members:

a)    are elected by Active members in good standing.
b)    are nominated and elected according to the timeline and policies as set forth in the Policy and Procedure Guide.

c)    are elected to alternating terms according to the following schedule:

Odd years            Even years
    President            Secretary
    Vice President            Treasurer
    Director of Membership    Director of Student Relations
    Board Member        Board Member
    Board Member        Board Member
    Board Member        Board Member
    Board Member        Board Member

Section 3     Executive Officers:

a)    are comprised of:

President            Treasurer
Vice-President            Director of Membership
Secretary            Director of Student Relations

b)    terms are two years and subject to term limits.
 
c)    may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

d)    may not hold more than office at a time.

Section 4    Board Members:

a)    terms are two years and are not subject to term limits.

b)    may not hold more than office at a time.


Section 5    Executive Directors:

a)    are appointed as deemed necessary by the Executive Board, for task-oriented responsibilities.

b)    have a clearly defined purpose and term of appointment.
 
c)    are established or eliminated by (1) a written proposal submitted by a member in good standing of the Association, and (2) a majority vote of the Executive Board.

d)    shall have all rights and voting privileges as assigned to the elected Executive Board positions. 

e)    may not hold more than one Executive Board position at a time.

Section 6         Immediate Past President:

a)    most recently held the position of President.

b)    must be a member in good standing.

c)    is limited to a two year term.

d)    is a non-voting position. 

Section 7    Removal of Executive Board Member

Any member of the Executive Board can be removed from office by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Executive Board present at any meeting where a quorum exists.  Subject to Article IV, Section 8(b)(iv), the Executive Board is empowered to appoint individuals to the remaining term of any office vacancy created by resignation or forced withdrawal. Time served as a replacement will not apply toward any term limit.

Section 8    Executive Officer Responsibilities

a)    The President:
i.    presides at all meetings,
ii.    submits a report at the annual meeting,
iii.    cannot make motions,
iv.    votes only in case of a tie,
v.    is an ex officio member of all committees,
vi.    ensures all orders and resolutions of the Executive Board are carried into effect.

b)    The Vice-President:
i.    performs functions of the office of the President in his/her temporary absence,
ii.    shall serve as acting President until the next general member vote, if the office of President is vacated.  Time served as a replacement will not apply toward any term limit.
iii.    performs duties as assigned by the President and/or the Executive Board,
iv.    supervises the general elections. 

c)    The Secretary
i.    maintains a record of attendance at all meetings,
ii.    records minutes of Executive Board and general membership meetings and submits minutes for approval at the next meeting,
iii.    issues notice of meetings as required by the Bylaws,
iv.    conducts correspondence of the Association,
v.    performs other duties prescribed by the President and/or Executive Board.

d)    The Treasurer:
i.    maintains an accurate account of receipts and disbursements,
ii.    supervises the deposit and investment of all funds as directed by the Executive Board,
iii.    prepares and submits financial reports as requested by the Executive Board,
iv.    supervises the preparation and submission of all regulatory documents.

e)    The Director of Membership:
i.    develops and implements methods and opportunities that maintain and increase membership.

f)    The Director of Student Relations:
i.    serves as the liaison to MEISA.



ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1    A general membership meeting is held once a year during the annual conference, for the purpose of receiving reports from officers and committees, and for other business that may arise.

Section 2     A special general membership meeting may be called by a majority of the Executive Board or twenty-five percent (25%) of the Active Members.  Such call must be in writing, submitted to any member of the Executive Board, and shall contain the purpose of the meeting. Except in cases of emergency, at least one month’s notice will be given for any called meeting.  The location and time of such meetings will be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 3    Meetings of the Executive Board

a)    Regular meetings of the Executive Board are held for the purpose of receiving reports of officers, directors, and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

b)    Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President.  Except in cases of emergency, at least one month’s notice will be given.  The location of such meetings will be determined by vote of the Executive Board.
c)    Special meetings may also be called by a majority of the members of the Executive Board.  Such call must be in writing and contain the purpose of the meeting.   Except in cases of emergency, at least one month’s notice will be given.  The location of such meetings will be determined by vote of the Executive Board.


ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Section 1    The Executive Board, by majority vote, may form committees.

Section 2    Committees must be "chaired" or "co-chaired" by a current member of the Executive Board and must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 3    Committees may include non-members of the Association.

Section 4    All committees will submit written reports to the Executive Board as requested. 


ARTICLE VII – DUES

Section 1     Annual dues are based on the level of membership as determined by the Executive Board.  Dues are administered as set forth in the Policy and Procedure Guide.


ARTICLE VIII – VOTING

Section 1        Only Active Members in good standing are entitled to vote.

Section 2    Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Active Members in good standing constitute a quorum.   A simple majority of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum.

Section 3    The President may request an Executive Board vote by confirmed mail or confirmed electronic transmission. 

Section 4     The voting procedure and timeline is outlined in the Policy and Procedure Guide.


ARTICLE IX - FUNDS AND CONTRACTS

Section 1    All financial transactions on behalf of the Association shall be signed by designees as set forth in the Policy and Procedures Guide.

Section 2    The Executive Board may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift, or bequest for any special purpose of the Association.

Section 3    The Executive Board may authorize any Active Member in good standing to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association as set forth in the Policy and Procedure Guide.


ARTICLE X - ADVISORY BOARD


Section 1     Advisory Board members offer advice and counsel to the Executive Board.

Section 2   Advisory Board members may be appointed or removed by the President.



ARTICLE XI - MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Section 1    The Association maintains and supports an international student organization as a subsidiary of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association.  The organization is known as the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA).  MEISA consists of students in good standing with MEIEA and their respective institutions.

Section 2    The Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association will abide by the Bylaws of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association, and its own Policies and Procedures Guide, as approved by the Executive Board of MEIEA.


ARTICLE XII - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Association prohibits any policy indicating any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, age, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected classes, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.


ARTICLE XIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable.



ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

Bylaws may be revised, amended, or repealed by two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, or two-thirds vote of the Active members in good standing at a general meeting, or two-thirds vote of Active members in good standing participating in an electronic vote.  Proposed amendments or revisions must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board.  Active Members shall be notified of proposed changes at least thirty (30) days prior to a vote.    
 

©2008 MEIEA, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN, 37212