BYLAWS of the Association

Revised Sep 22, 2022 

Approved by MEIEA Board Sep 30, 2023 

PDF VERSION

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 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.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

The categories of membership of this Association are Individual and Institutional.  A member is considered in good standing if membership dues are up to date. 

ARTICLE IV – GOVERNANCE

MEIEA is governed and directed by a Board comprised of four Executive Officers, eight General Board Members, and Directors as deemed necessary, and the Immediate Past President.

Section 1 - 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 Board 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 - Elected Board Members:

a) are elected by individual members in good standing.

b) are nominated and elected according to the timeline and policies as set forth in the Policies and Procedures.

c) are elected according to the following schedule:

Term begins: Odd Years	Term begins: Even Years
President Vice President Board Member (General)  Board Member (General)  Board Member (General)  Board Member (General)	Secretary Treasurer Board Member (General)  Board Member (General)  Board Member (General)  Board Member (General)

Section 3 - Executive Officers:

a) are comprised of: President, Treasurer, Vice-President, and Secretary.

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 one Executive office at a time.

Section 4 - General Board Members:

a) terms are two years.

b) may not serve more than two consecutive

terms as a general board member

               • A general board member may

               serve additional consecutive terms

               on the board if 

1) elected to an Executive Officer position, or2) are appointed to a general board position

c) may not hold more than one office at a time.

Section 5 - Directors:

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

b) must have a clearly defined purpose.

c) term of appointment shall be for one year or until the task is completed. If the task is ongoing or takes more than one year the individual may be reappointed by the board for an additional year or until completion of the task.

d) are established or eliminated by (1) a proposal submitted by any member in good standing of the Association, and (2) a majority vote of the Board.

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

Section 6 - Immediate Past President:

a) most recently held the position of President.

b) must be a member in good standing.

c) serves a one-year term.

d) is a non-voting position.

Section 7 - Removal or Resignation of an Executive Officer or General Board Member:

a.             Any member of the Board can be removed from office by an affirmative vote of two-thirds.  Any member of the Board present at any meeting where a quorum exists.   

i. The Board is empowered to elect individuals to the remaining term of any office vacancy created by resignation or forced withdrawal. 

ii. 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. leads the board in programming content for the Summit and approving all sponsorships

v. ensures all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.

b) The Vice President:

i. performs functions of the office of the President in their absence,

ii. performs duties as assigned by the President and/or the Board,

iii. supervises the elections committee.

iv. provides primary leadership in the selection of and

negotiations with the Summit hotel

c) The Secretary:

i. maintains a record of attendance at all meetings,

ii. records minutes of Board and general membership meetings and submits minutes for approval at the next meeting,

iii. issues notices of meetings iv. conducts correspondence of the Association,

v. performs other duties prescribed by the President and/or 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 Board,

iii. prepares and submits financial reports as requested by the Board,

iv. supervises the preparation and submission of all regulatory documents.

Section 9 - General Board Member Responsibilities:

    a). General Board Members shall advise and assist the Executive Officers concerning the operations of the Association.

b). The President may appoint General Board Members to serve on committees as needed, including but not limited to:

                                                            I.         Awarding Research Grants

                                                          II.         Distribution of MEIEA Journal

                                                         III.         Awarding Student Enrichment Grants

• ·      Satisfactorily completing Summit duties as assigned, including but not limited to:
• ·      Food Selection
• ·      Registration SWAG
• ·      Secure and/or serve as session moderator
• ·      Creation of a program, printed and/or electronic, of the Summit schedule
• ·      Recruitment of guest speakers, panelists, etc.       

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1:

A general membership meeting is held once a year during the annual Summit, 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 Board or twenty-five percent (25%) of the Members.  Such call must be in writing, submitted to any member of the Board, and shall contain the purpose of the meeting. Except in cases of emergency, at least two weeks’ notice will be given for any called meeting.  The modality and time of such meetings will be determined by the Board.

Section 3 - Meetings of the Board:

a) Regular meetings of the 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 Board may be called by the President.  Except in cases of emergency, at least two weeks’ notice will be given.  c) Special meetings may also be called by a majority of the members of the Board.  Such a call must be in writing and contain the purpose of the meeting. Except in cases of emergency, at least two weeks’ notice will be given.  

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Section 1:

The Board, by majority vote, may form committees.

Section 2:

Committees may include non-members of the Association.

Section 3:

Committees will submit written reports to the Board as requested. 

ARTICLE VII – DUES

Annual dues are based on the level of membership as determined by the Board.  Dues are administered as set forth in Policies and Procedures.

ARTICLE VIII – VOTING

Section 1:

Only members in good standing are entitled to vote.

Section 2:

Twenty-five percent (25%) of the members in good standing constitute a quorum. A simple majority of the Board constitutes a quorum.

Section 3:

The voting procedure and timeline is outlined in the Policies and Procedures.

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 Policies and Procedures document.

Section 2:

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

Section 3:

The Board may authorize any ember 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 Policies and Procedures document.

ARTICLE X - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Association prohibits any policy indicating any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, 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 XII - 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 XIII – AMENDMENTS

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