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BYLAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION
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MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS
Revised December 11, 2005

ARTICLE I – NAME
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
ARTICLE III – CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
ARTICLE VI - THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
ARTICLE VIII – DUES
ARTICLE IX - FUNDS AND CONTRACTS
ARTICLE X - ADVISORY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY BOARD
ARTICLE XI - MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY STUDENT ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE XII - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
ARTICLE XIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS


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:
ARTICLE III – CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1    The classes of membership of this Association are: a) Active, b) Student,        c) Educational Institution, and d) Industry Sponsorship.

Section 2    The qualifications for membership are:

a) professional educators and practitioners involved in the music and entertainment industry are eligible to apply for Active membership and voting status,

b) students interested in music industry and entertainment education are eligible to apply for Student membership in MEISA (Music and Entertainment Student Association), the student chapter of MEIEA,

c) educational institutions are eligible to apply for Educational Institution membership,

d) any music or entertainment related business is eligible to apply for Industry membership.

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ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

MEIEA is governed and directed by an Executive Board comprising six (6) Executive Officers and a Board of Directors consisting of members drawn from professionals of the educational community and music and entertainment industries.

Section 1    The Executive Officers of the Association comprise:

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Director of Membership
6. Director of Student Relations

Section 2    The Board of Directors of the Association comprise:

Currently active members involved as professionals of the educational community or music and entertainment industries.

Section 3    The Executive Board of the Association:

a) Perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association,

b) Are elected by the population of active membership solely by and from among those currently holding membership in the category specified in Article III, Section 1a, "Active" of these bylaws,

c) Are elected at the annual meeting during the annual conference of the Association.  Their term of office will begin at the close of the meeting at which they are elected,

d) Executive Officers and Board members will serve for a term of two years and may not hold more than one executive office or Director position at a time.

e) Executive Officers are limited to two consecutive terms in the same executive office.  Board Members will serve two years and are not subject to term limits.

f) Officers and Directors are elected to alternating terms according to the following schedule:

f.1)    Odd years:

    President
    Vice President
    Director of Membership
    Board Member
    Board Member
    Board Member
    Board Member

f.2)    Even years:

    Secretary
    Treasurer
    Director of Student Relations
    Board Member
    Board Member
    Board Member
    Board Member

Section 4    As deemed necessary by the Executive Board, additional task-oriented appointed Board positions may be established or eliminated.  Such positions must have a clearly defined purpose and term of appointment and will be established or eliminated by (1) a written proposal submitted by an active member of the Association, and (2) a majority vote of the Officers of the Association.  Once established, such positions shall have all rights and privileges as assigned to the elected Executive Board positions.  However, should a sitting elected board member also hold an appointed task-oriented position that individual with have voting rights equivalent to one (1) vote.

Section 5    Any Executive Officer or Board Member can be removed from office by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present in any Association meeting, including board meetings.  This includes voting by electronic means as long as there is enough participation to create a quorum.  The acting president will call such quorums.  The Executive Board is empowered to appoint individuals to fill any office vacancy created by voluntary or forced withdrawal.  Replacement will be considered to be temporary until the next general election takes place. Time served by the replacement will not be counted towards the two-year maximum tenure of the office.

Section 6    The President: a) presides at all meetings, b) submits an annual report at the first annual meeting of the Association, c) cannot make motions, d) votes only in case of a tie, e) is an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee, f) sees that all orders and resolutions of the Executive Board are carried into effect, subject, however, to the right of the Executive Board to delegate to any other officer, committee, or employee any specific power, except such as by statute that is exclusively conferred upon the President.

Section 7    The Vice-President: a) performs the functions of the office of the President in his/her absence or in case of his/her disability, b) performs duties as are assigned from time to time by the President and/or the Executive Board, c) supervises the general elections.

If a president, for any reason, vacates the position, the Vice President will serve as acting president until the next general member vote. The time that the Vice President serves as president will not count towards the two-year maximum term of the Presidential position.

Section 8    The Secretary: a) keeps a correct roll call of the membership at meetings, b) keeps full and true minutes of meetings and submit such minutes for approval at the next succeeding regular meeting, c) issues notice of meetings of the Association and Executive Board as required by the bylaws, d) conducts correspondence of the Association, e) performs such other duties as may be prescribed by the President and/or the Executive Board.

Section 9    The Treasurer, subject to the supervision and direction of the President and the Executive Board, holds the responsibility of the overseeing of funds and securities of the Association.  The Treasurer: a) is responsible for full and accurate account of Association receipts and disbursements in reports presented by the Executive Director, b) is responsible for the deposit of all moneys and other valuable effects in the name of and to the credit of the Association in such depositories as designated by the Executive Board.

Section 10    The Director of Membership is responsible for the development and implementation of methods and opportunities that maintain and increase membership in the Association.

Section 11    Director of Student Relations is responsible for fostering relationships between the parent MEIEA association and MEISA, serving as the liaison between MEIEA and MEISA.

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ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1    General meetings of the Association are held as determined by the Executive Board and are for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.  A general meeting is held once a year during the yearly conference.

Special meetings of the Association are called by the Executive Board or upon the written request of twenty members of the Association.  The purpose of the meeting will be stated in the call.  Except in cases of emergency, at least one month’s notice will be given for any meeting call.  The location of such meetings will be determined by vote of the Executive Board.

Section 2    Regular meetings of the Executive Board are called by the Executive Board for the purpose of receiving reports of officers, directors, and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President or by the written request of four members of the Executive Board.  The purpose of the meeting will be stated in the call.  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.

Section 3    Twenty members of the Association constitute a quorum.

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ARTICLE VI - THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1    The Executive Board of the Association consists of:

a) Executive Officers,
b) Executive Directors,
c) Members of the Board of Directors,
d) Immediate Past President, who is limited to a period of two years.

Section 2    The Executive Board:

a) Has general supervision of the affairs of the Association between its business meetings,
b) Fixes the hour and place of meetings,
c) Makes recommendations to the Association,
d) Performs such other duties as are specified in these bylaws.

The Executive Board is subject to the orders of the Association, and none of its acts may conflict with action taken by the Association.

Section 3    The President has the right to request an Executive Board vote by confirmed mail or electronic transmission.  Provision will be made for all Executive Board members to receive ballots and necessary supporting information in ample time to return their ballots before the closing of the polls.  Such closing date will be designated by the Executive Board and stated on all ballots and other material issued to the member preliminary to the vote by confirmed mail or electronic transmission.

Section 4    The Executive Board examines books and records and all funds of the Association prior to the first annual Association meeting.

Section 5    A simple majority of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum.

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ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

The Executive Board by majority vote may form, and appoint a chair of, a committee that a) comprises currently active members of the Association and interested individuals from the educational or music and entertainment industries, and b) has a focus and interest respective of the Association’s interests.  Committees charged to investigate timely, unique, or pressing interests of the Association and may be formed upon request by any active Association member.

Section 1    Committees formed on behalf of the Association 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 2    Committee members may be drawn from qualified individuals of the active membership of the Association, the educational community, and/or the professional population of the music and entertainment industries.

Section 3    Committees must meet, either in person or by electronic means, at least once per quarter year.

Section 4    All committees will prepare and submit reports to the Executive Board for review on the first day of each quarter.  The President will report all findings of interest from all Officer, Director, and Committee reports to the Association.

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ARTICLE VIII – DUES

Section 1     The annual dues are based on the level of membership listed as:

a) Active
b) Student
c) Educational Institution
d) Industry

Section 2    Dues are payable on or before the date specified by the Executive Board.  Notice of nonpayment of dues are sent to delinquent members on the date specified by the Executive Board each year, and those whose dues are not paid by the date specified by the Executive Board will automatically be dropped from membership in the Association.

Section 3    Dropped members may have their membership reinstated by paying the required dues.

Section 4    Individuals serving on the Executive Board will have conference admission fees waived for their period served.

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ARTICLE IX - FUNDS AND CONTRACTS

Section 1    All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation are signed by the Executive Officer of the corporation and reviewed by the Treasurer.

Section 2    Schedules of Expenditures:

a) Up to $500.00 – Executive Officer approval.
b) From $500.00 to $2,500.00, - President and Treasurer approval.
c) Above $2,500.00 - Executive Board, President and Treasurer approval.

Section 3    All funds of the corporation are deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Executive Board selects.

Section 4    The Executive Board may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the corporation.

Section 5    The Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers of the corporation, in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation. Such authority must be in writing and shall be general or confined to specific instances.

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ARTICLE X - ADVISORY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY BOARD

There is an Advisory Council and an Advisory Board appointed by the President for an indefinite term.

The Advisory Council consists of music and entertainment industry executives and professionals who wish to stay informed and participate in the activities of MEIEA.

The Advisory Board consists of music and entertainment industry executives and professionals who wish to become active in MEIEA and be able to advise and council the Executive Board.  This group may meet with the Executive Board or its Directors and be available for consultation.

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ARTICLE XI - MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Section 1    The Association maintains and supports an international student association as a division, branch, chapter, or section 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 of higher education 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 rules of order that provide for its organizational structure, activities, responsibilities, legal, and fiscal obligations.

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ARTICLE XII - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Association prohibits any policy for all members and membership applicants that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, age, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

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ARTICLE XIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised governs the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Association adopts.

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ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended, revised, or repealed at a regular or special meeting of the Executive Board or the general meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote, providing that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the Executive Board members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.

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© 2006 MEIEA, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville TN, 37212