Music Teachers National Association: annual meeting minutes Austin, Texas, March 28, 2006

American Music Teacher, June-July, 2006

Call to Order

MTNA President Paul Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. on March 28, 2006.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

The agenda was adopted as printed.

QUORUM

President Stewart declared a quorum present at the meeting.

MINUTES

The minutes of the March 2005 MTNA Annual Meeting of the Association stand as written.

RECOGNITIONS

President Stewart recognized the out-going members of the MTNA Board of Directors: Geri Cheney, NCTM, Southwest Division; Mary Jane Clarke, NCTM, Northwest Division; Karen Harrington, NCTM, South Central Division; Debra Ronning, NCTM, Eastern Division; Janice Wenger, NCTM, West Central Division; Ken Williams, NCTM East Central Division; and Roy Wylie, NCTM, Southern Division.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

In the absence of Secretary/Treasurer Kathleen Rountree, the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director Gary L. Ingle gave the report. Ingle reported that, as of January 31, 2006, MTNA has assets of $2,790,863.81, liabilities of $41,717.43 and unrestricted net assets of $2,749,146.38. The MTNA Board of Directors provides oversight of the finances and has established appropriate policies to protect the assets. It also monitors all financial reports prepared by the staff, who manages the day-to-day financial operations of MTNA.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Stewart reported on the accomplishments of the Board of Directors during the prior year: Approved the Biennium Agenda to include the following:

* Promote the Star program and commissioned composer Program

* Study the relationship of College/University curricula to MTNA Certification

* Develop College of Certification evaluators

* Create Model Bylaws and Handbook Documents for Local and State Associations

* Enhance the use of technology for Student Chapters

* Explore the expansion of Collaborative programs

* Evaluate the sites and times for the three stages of the MTNA competitions

* Approved the FY 2006 budget.

* Approved a Bylaws Change that gave the Division members a more direct voice in the selection of a nominating committee member

* Selected Pat Tuley for the 2006 MTNA Distinguished Service Award

* Established the Margaret Lorince Endowment

* Approved the partnership with the Group Piano and Piano pedagogy forum that makes it an MTNA Program.

* Approved the establishment of an online companion journal to the American Music Teacher Magazine

* Approved a New Piano Duet category in the Senior Performance competition with implementation in 2007-2008.

* Approved the establishment of a national award to recognize the collaborative skills of the accompanist in the Young Artist voice, piano, strings, woodwinds, and brass competitions. Implementation plan is due at the March 2006 Board meeting.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Executive Director Ingle introduced two new services for MTNA members:

1. Effective July 1, 2006, MTNA will provide "Legal Consultation Services" at no cost to the membership. These services will be provided by Scott Gilligan, a Cincinnati attorney selected because of his expertise with associational and professional legal issues. He provides similar services for other national associations. Legal consultation will be in areas directly related to our members' teaching, including zoning, bill collection, business formation, copyright, ethics, taxation, and the like. In addition, common legal forms will be made available on the MTNA website. On issues beyond the scope of this service, the attorney will direct the member to a local attorney, or the member may contract with Gilligan at a substantially reduced fee. Ingle recognized Mr. Gilligan, who addressed the membership and provided a summary of the exclusive service to MTNA members.

2. The day-to-day assistance provided by Rachel Kramer, Director of Educational Services, to our members has been "formalized." The service is now called the "MTNA Professional Support Line." In her staff role, Rachel answers pedagogical and business questions from our membership almost every day. Her extended personal suggestions and insights are highly valued by our members.

BUSINESS

Bylaws Amendment

The Board of Directors recommended the following bylaw amendment to the MTNA membership for approval. The purpose of the amendment is to change the method for selecting members of the Nominating Committee. Currently, nominations are made during a State Presidents Advisory Council (SPAC) meeting and, in accordance with the MTNA bylaws, are voted on by all members of the SPAC.

The proposed amendment would change the process so that each division would select its representative to the Nominating Committee at its annual division meeting. The name would be forwarded to the SPAC and the entire committee would be presented as a single slate for ratification by the SPAC. This would give members in each division a direct voice in the selection of their representative on the nominating committee.

ARTICLE VI. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

A Nominating Committee shall be elected at the annual session in odd-numbered years to nominate Division officers, and National officers to the Board of Directors. The committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President who shall serve as chair; two (2) members from the Board of Directors elected by the Board; and, one (1) Active Member from each Division of the Association elected by [begin strikethrough]the State Presidents Advisory Council[end strikethrough] each Division at the Division Annual Meeting and ratified by the State Presidents Advisory Council.