MTNA bylaws - Music Teachers National Association

American Music Teacher, August-Sept, 2003

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the corporation is MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC., hereafter referred to as MTNA or the Association.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose for which this corporation 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. The purpose of this corporation shall be the advancement of music education, and in specific furtherance thereof:

a. To conduct programs and activities to build a vital musical culture and an enlightened musical public for the benefit and the general welfare of all persons;

b. To ensure that every student shall have access to a balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction;

c. To improve the quality of teaching, research, and scholarship in music;

d. To promote the involvement of persons of all ages in learning music;

e. To foster the utilization of the most effective techniques and resources in music instruction; and,

f. To facilitate the education of music teachers.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

The following membership classes are open to those who meet the respective qualifications and pay the annual dues provided for the respective classification pursuant to Section 5 hereof:

a. Active Membership shall be open to all individuals residing in the U.S. or its territories who are professionally engaged in any field of music activity and who are also members of an affiliated association as defined in Article IV hereof. Those persons holding Active Membership shall be entitled to participate in all Association activities and programs, to vote, hold office, and receive the official Association publications. Active Membership shall also be open to those persons eligible for Collegiate Membership or Retired Membership upon payment of the prescribed Active Membership dues, and subject to the affiliated association bylaws.

b. Collegiate Membership shall be open to all college students currently involved in music study, who are also members of an affiliated association as defined in Article IV hereof. Collegiate members shall be entitled to the same privileges as Active members, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions as a Collegiate Member.

c. Retired Membership is open to those who have been Active members for at least 20 continuous years, who have reached the age of 75, and who have essentially retired from teaching. A member must send written notice to the Executive Director for this class of membership to be activated. Retired members are entitled to discounted dues and may vote, but cannot hold elective office at division or national levels or enter students in MTNA competitions as a Retired Member.

d. Honorary Life Membership may be conferred by the MTNA Board of Directors upon individuals who have given distinguished service to MTNA or to the art of music. Honorary Life members qualifying for Active Membership shall have the rights and privileges of such membership.

e. International Membership shall be open to nationals of other countries and US citizens residing in countries outside the United States and its territories. International members shall not hold concurrent membership in an affiliated state association as defined in Article IV hereof and they shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions. They shall receive the official Association publications.

f. Institutional Membership shall be open to those institutions that have an interest in furthering the mission Of MTNA. Institutional members shall receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions. However, the music executive of each Institutional Member who has paid the appropriate state membership dues shall have all the rights and privileges of Active Membership.

g. Corporate Membership shall be open to those businesses or corporations who have an interest in furthering the mission of MTNA. Corporate members shall receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote or hold office.

h. Patron Membership shall be open to all individuals who wish to support the programs of the Association. Patron members shall be entitled to attend programs of the Association upon payment of the registration fee and to receive the official Association publications, but shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or enter students in MTNA competitions as a Patron Member.

SECTION 2. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

A person's membership may be revoked for cause, other than nonpayment of dues, by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the Board of Directors. The vote for revocation shall occur only after the member complained against has been advised of the complaint so lodged and has been given reasonable opportunity to present information on his or her behalf. Such member, if membership is revoked, may appeal for reconsideration of the decision by the Board. In no event will a dues refund be given. Revocation of membership for nonpayment of dues within the prescribed time period shall be automatic and not subject to any further procedure.