Words in normal text are standard chapter by laws. Words in italics are Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters additions.

Index

2.01 Purpose

2.02 Mission

3.01 Qualifications for membership

3.02 Classification

3.03 Manner of admission

3.04 Suspension or expulsion

3.05 Appeal

3.06 Re-admittance of expelled members

4.01 Initiation fee

4.02 Service charge and reinstatement fee

4.03 Annual dues

4.04 Finances

4.05 Fiscal year

5.01 Membership meetings: (how often)

5.02 Board of directors

6.01 Officers

6.02 Directors

6.03 Removal of officers or directors

6.04 Vacancies

6.05 Delegates

7.01 Nominating Committee

7.02 Opposing nominations

7.03 Voting

8.01 Committees

8.02 Music and performance committee

8.03 Finance committee

8.04 Barbershopper of the year (BOTY) committee

8.05 Installation banquet committee

8.06 Show committee

8.07 Sunshine committee

9.01 Chapter and Board meetings

10.01 Affiliation

10.02 Policy

12.01 By Society Board

12.02 By Chapter

The name of this organization shall be Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters Chapter of the SPEBSQSA, Inc, (therein after called the "chapter"). The chapter is organized and exists pursuant to the provision of Article III of the Bylaws of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of BarberShop Quartet Singing in America, Incorporated, a not-for-profit corporation (sometimes called SPEBSQSA, Inc. and hereinafter called the "Society").

1. Purpose

The purpose of this chapter shall be to perpetuate the old American institution, the barbershop quartet, and to promote and encourage vocal harmony and good fellowship among its members and the public in music appreciation; to initiate, promote and participate in charitable projects; and to promote public appreciation of barbershop harmony.

The chapter activities shall be conducted without personal gain for its individual members and any profits or other inurements to the chapter shall be used in promoting the purposes of the Society, district or chapter.

2. Mission

The Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters is a performing arts organization to preserve and encourage the barbershop style in our community, our schools and with our young people by participating in performances, concerts, and contests and by donating its time and talents through chorus and quartets.

Any adult male of good character and reputation may be considered for membership or for transfer from another chapter, subject to the applicant’s agreement to abide by the Society’s governing documents and Code of Ethics and subject to such further and reasonable restrictions as may be adopted by the chapter and incorporated in its code of regulations.

A "member" is one whose chapter, district and Society dues are fully paid and who is not under suspension by his chapter or the Society Board of Directors (Society Board). A "former member" is one who has not paid his yearly diues by his membership expiration date.

There shall be but one classification, that of active membership. No honorary membership shall be allowed.

Applications for membership, including applications for transfer from another chapter, shall be submitted in writing upon forms furnished therefore and must be supported by two members in good standing. The applicant must have attended three meetings and have passed an audition before an application will be processed by the chapter. Such applications must be accompanied by the initiation fee and initial dues and must receive either (1) a majority favorable vote of the chapter Board of Directors or (2) a majority favorable vote of the members present (providing a quorum is present), using a written ballot, following a favorable report from the chapter membership committee. Following such approval, the applicant’s admission to membership in the Society shall become effective upon receipt and approval of the Society office of a report of the chapter approval of the application, and his expiration date will be set accordingly. A former member seeking to renew his membership shall be required to reapply for membership, which application shall be subject to the approval of the chapter board of directors or members as provided above. A former member who renews shall pay the fees and charges set forth in section 4.02. The chapter may, for reasonable cause, refuse to accept renewable dues tendered by a meber prior to the expiration of his current membership. Such refusal must be supported by either (1) a majority vote of the chapter board of directors or (2) a majority vote of the members present (providing a quorum is present), using a written ballot, following a recommendation from the chapter membership committee to refuse such a renewal. Such refusal shall not be deemed to be the suspension or expulsion of the member, and he shall be eligible to renew his membership in any other chapter, incuding the Frank H. Thorne Chapter.

Any person aggrieved by suspension or expulsion may appeal the same within 30 days to the Society Board whose decision in the matter shall be final.

(a) No former Society member having been expelled for cause by the chapter, or having resigned to avoid expulsion for cause, shall be readmitted to membership except by a two thirds affirmative vote of the chapter board of directors and confirmed by a majority affirmative vote of the chapter members present and voting at a regular chapter meeting at which a quorum is present.

2. Re-admittance of members expelled by the Society Board shall be governed by the conditions of Section 3.01(e) of the Society Bylaws, that is, by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Society Board.

1. Initiation fee

The initiation fee shall be that required by the Society Bylaws.

2. Service charge and reinstatement fee

Former members who renew their membership within six months of their expiration date must pay, in addition to the Society dues, the "late renewal" service charge set by the Society Board. Former members who renew their membership later than six months following their expiration date must pay, in addition to the Society dues, the "reinstatement fee" set by the Society Board.

3. Annual dues

The annual dues of this chapter shall be $15.00 and shall include Society dues. The Harmonizer subscription, district dues and shall be payable in advance. Dues are fully earned when paid, and there shall be no refund of any portion of the dues in the event of resignation, death suspension or expulsion of a member.

4. Finances

All finances and monies collected by the chapter from dues, penalties, donations or payments for shows and performances shall be under the control of the chapter board of directors and shall only be used in promoting the purposes of the Society without personal gain to any individual members.

5. Fiscal year

The fiscal year of the chapter shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

1. Board of directors

The board of directors shall meet at least once each month at the Hillsboro Bank of America on the fourth Monday at 7:30 pm.

1. Officers

The officers of this chapter shall be president, chapter development vice president, music and performance vice president, marketing and public relations vice president, secretary and treasurer. Officers shall be elected to one year terms and may succeed themselves. Officers shall take office on January 1 of the following year and serve until their successors are duly elected and take office. The officers shall perform the usual duties of their office and such other duties as the board of directors shall direct. Each officer shall be an active member of the chapter.

2. Directors

The board of directors shall consist of the officers, the immediate past president, and two other active members of the chapter, called board members-at-large, who shall be elected in the same manner and at the same time as the officers. The board members-at-large shall be elected annually and shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified; provided, however, that there shall not be less than that number of directors required by state law.

3. Removal of officers or directors

Any officer or director of this chapter may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members at any regular meeting when a quorum is present; provided, however, that notice of such meeting and the purpose of same has been given to the membership by mail at least two weeks prior to the date of said meeting.

4. Vacancies

Vacancies among officers or directors shall be filled by the board of directors for any unexpired term. A vacancy in the office of the president may be filled automatically by any vice president at the option of the chapter.

In the event that any officer or director, after election at the annual meeting, shall be unable to take office and serve after January 1 of the following year, a vacancy shall be declared, the nominating committee shall propose another member for such office and a special election shall be held after a notice of not less than two weeks and such elected officer or director shall take office on January 1 following his election.

5. Delegates

Chapter delegates and alternates to the district House of Delegates shall be elected at the annual chapter meeting and shall take office on January 1 of the following year and shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected and installed. (It is recommended that one delegate be the chapter president.)

 

 

 

 

When there is more than one nominee for an office, voting shall be by written ballot. Each member in good standing is entitled to cast one vote and voting by proxy is not permitted.

On or before January 1 of each year, the president-elect shall appoint the nominating committee and such committees and task forces he deems necessary. During the year, the president may appoint such other committees and task forces as he shall deem necessary or which shall be approved by the board of directors. The president shall be ex officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee and shall instruct them in their duties.

2. Music and performance committee

The music committee shall be composed of the vice president of music and performance, the director, the assistant director(s), section leaders, performance coaches, librarian and chorus manager.

The chairman of the music and performance committee shall be the vice president of music and performance.

The music and performance committee shall be responsible for the performing product of the chorus and the rehearsals to achieve those desired outcomes.

The chorus manager shall handle all requests for performances and verify that there would be a director and a representative performing chorus available to fill the request. All performances will have a signed contract covering staging, sound, lighting, and other responsibilities as well as payment.

The librarian shall be responsible for maintaining a library of the current repertoire, polecat tunes and tags. Guest books will be maintained by the librarian and provided to the vice president of chapter development’s committee for distribution at meeting nights. They are to be collected and returned at the end of each meeting.

The director shall audition any chapter quartets wishing to sing at chorus performances for preparation and suitability for a performance.

3. Finance committee

A budget committee consisting of the treasurer and at east two others shall be appointed to audit the books in January after the close of books for the preceding year.

The treasurer shall prepare the budget report based on the budget figures provided from the board of directors whose responsibility it is to prepare a balanced budget at the start of the year and no later than January 31.

4. Barbershopper of the year (BOTY) committee

The BOTY committee will be composed of active previous BOTY recipients. The immediate past recipient shall be the chairman. The committee shall plan and execute the program for the presentation.

5. Installation banquet committee

The installation banquet committee shall consist of the still active past presidents and the current president shall serve as the chairman. The committee shall plan and organize the banquet.

6. Show committee

1. Chapter meetings: Thirty percent of the membership of the chapter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the chapter, except where (following the procedure authorized by Section 3.03(2) of the Bylaws) the business being considered is the acceptance of new members. In the latter case, a majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on all matter brought before the membership and there shall be no voting by proxy.
2. Board meetings: At board meetings a simple majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

1. Affiliation

This chapter shall be affiliated with the Society for the Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., a nonstick, nonprofit corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, and shall be a member of the Evergreen District association of chapters of SPEBSQSA, Inc.

2. Policy

This chapter shall be subject to all of the rules and regulations contained in the Society’s Charter, Bylaws, and Statements of Policy adopted and promulgated from time to time, and shall adopt no rule or policy inconsistent therewith.

In the event of dissolution of this chapter, voluntarily or otherwise, the person or persons having custody of the chapter funds, property, and assets, after payment of all obligations, within 30 days of such dissolution, shall give, convey, assign, transfer and set over to the district association of chapters of which it is a member, all of said chapter funds, property and assets. All such property accruing to said district shall be used to promote the aims and purposes of the Society.

1. By Society board

The Society board may amend these Bylaws under their power given in the Society Bylaws, and any such amendments shall become binding upon this chapter.

2. By Chapter

1. Amendments by chapter: These Bylaws may be amended by this chapter only as may be necessary to comply with the laws of any nation, state or province, or otherwise as approved by the Society Laws and Regulations Committee, acting on behalf of the Society Board. Any such amendment shall not become effective until approved by the Society Laws and Regulations Committee.
2. Notice and voting: Proposed amendments shall be in writing and shall be mailed, together with a notice of the meeting, to each chapter member at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which they are to be voted on. Amendments are to be considered at any regular or special meeting of the chapter at which a quorum is present, and shall be adopted upon two-thirds vote of the members present.