Constitution

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:20:38 GMT

Edgewood Fine Arts Academy

Vocal Music

Voices in Harmony

Constitution

Article I

Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be “Voices in Harmony.”

Section 2. The purpose of this organization shall be to unite singers, create enthusiasm, develop and encourage musicianship, character, and leadership within the Vocal Music department, and to experience the world of music outside the classroom.

Section 3. The purpose of this organization shall further be to raise funds for the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and clothing for the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy Vocal Music Department; to raise funds for the purchase of transportation, food, lodging, contest fees, concert tickets, and other opportunities to enhance the total music experience of the members beyond what is available in the classroom; and, to purchase products, materials, and services used for products sold to the public.

Article II

Advisor

The Advisor for this organization shall be the current Director of Vocal Music (also known as the Choir Director) at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (hereafter referred to as “The Academy”), and as such shall have the final authority over decisions made and action taken by this organization, subject to approval by the current Principal of the school.

Article III

Membership

Section 1. Membership in this organization shall be known as active and graduate. Active members become graduate members upon graduation from high school. The graduate members shall not have a vote.

Section 2. Membership in Voices in Harmony shall be based on enrollment in The Academy, leadership, character, and service.

Section 3. All students enrolled in Grades 9-12 at the Academy and registered for any vocal music class shall be eligible to become members of this organization.

Section 4. Members must uphold the rules, regulations, and procedures of The Academy at all times. Members’ scholarship, leadership, service, attitude, and behavior must always set a good example for other students at The Academy to follow.

Article IV

Dismissal

Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards set forth in Article III, Section 4, may be dismissed from this organization.

Section 2. Members who disobey the school conduct code and/or the Vocal Music classroom rules will receive a verbal or written warning. Members who violate these codes or rules a second time may be dismissed from membership, at the discretion of the Advisor.

Section 3. In the case of a pending dismissal:

A. The member will receive a verbal or written notification of the reason for the pending dismissal from the Advisor. Dismissal will be at the discretion of the Advisor.

B. The Advisor will have the option to suspend the offending member for a period of time in lieu of dismissal. The member may be allowed to return to the organization on a probationary basis at the end of the suspended period, at the discretion of the Advisor.

Article V

Officers

Section 1. The officers of the organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Librarian, Quartermaster, Head Section Leader, Stage Manager, and Sound Manager.

Section 2. Candidates for office shall apply and interview for the desired position with the Advisor. Officers will be chosen at the beginning of each school year. These officers shall hold their office during the next school year, for both the fall and spring semesters, providing no disciplinary action is taken against such officer either by The Academy, the Edgewood Independent School District, or Voices in Harmony.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of the President to assist the Advisor in presiding at the regular organization meetings and scheduled activities, and to preside alone when the Advisor is not present. The President shall set an outstanding example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 4. The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the Advisor and President, and shall also keep a record of members’ contribution to the organization and its activities. The Vice-President shall set a good example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 5. The Secretary shall be responsible for attendance, correspondence, and other paperwork necessary to the organization. The Secretary shall set a good example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 6. The Treasurer shall assist the Advisor in keeping records of income and expenses for the organization. The Treasurer shall set an excellent example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 7. The Historian shall maintain the chronicles of the organization’s activities, take pictures throughout the year to compile into a scrapbook or website, arrange for others to take pictures, as well as providing copies of these pictures for any and all school or district publications as may be appropriate to promote the organization. The Historian shall also assist the Advisor in coordinating the publicity of organization events with the Edgewood ISD Public Relations department. The Historian shall set an excellent example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 8. The Librarian shall assist the Advisor in maintaining an organized library of printed music, forms, and other handouts for the organizations and the Academy’s Vocal Music Department. The Librarian shall set an excellent example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 9. The Quartermaster shall assist the Advisor in maintaining an organized array of uniforms, shirts, shoes, and accessories used by the organization and the Academy’s Vocal Music Department. The Quartermaster shall set an excellent example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 10. The Head Section Leaders shall each represent their voice part for the entire Vocal Music department, and are not limited to but shall include Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone. Head Section Leaders shall assist the Advisor in organizing and conducting section rehearsals on Voices in Harmony meeting days, and shall also conduct periodic private section rehearsals at other times on or off campus as needed. The Head Section Leaders shall be responsible for learning all assigned repertoire quickly so as to help his/her fellow section members during class and section rehearsal. The Head Section Leaders shall assist the Advisor in making tapes and CDs for use by section members to improve their individual knowledge of the repertoire. The Head Section Leaders shall compile information gathered from each class section leader in their voice part, and use this to assist the Advisor in analyzing this data for trends that have developed across the board in their section. The Head Section Leaders shall set an outstanding example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 11. The Stage Manager shall assist the Advisor and other faculty members in preparing the stage for performances, wherever they may be, and transporting furniture and equipment to the performance location. The Stage Manager, together with the Advisor, may appoint three regular assistants to help perform his/her duties. Temporary stagehands may also be appointed for each performance. The Stage Manager shall set an excellent example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Section 12. The Sound Manager shall assist the Advisor and other faculty members in preparing the sound equipment for performances, wherever they may be, and transporting such equipment to the performance location. The Sound Manager, together with the Advisor, may appoint three regular assistants to help perform his/her duties. Temporary soundhands may also be appointed for each performance. The Sound Manager shall set a very good example of leadership, scholarship, service, character, attitude, diligence, loyalty, and attendance for the other members to follow.

Article VI

Activities

Section 1. Regular meetings and/or rehearsals shall be held twice a week after school, or as otherwise designated by the Advisor or voted upon by the members of the organization.

Section 2. Members are expected to participate in all appropriate meetings/rehearsals in a timely and regular manner. Absences may be excused at the discretion of the Advisor when prior written notice is provided. Three unexcused absences shall be cause for suspension from the organization. Three suspensions are cause for dismissal from the organization. Three tardies are equal to one absence.