Untitled

OFFICIAL BYLAWS OF THE TEXAS GLASS ARTISTS' ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I. - NAME

The name of this Association shall be the Texas Glass Artists' Association

hereinafter referred to as the Association.

ARTICLE II. - OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Association shall be:

A. To support and promote artisans in all mediums of glass art.

B. To function as a recognized organization of distinction and to

conduct its affairs in a manner that will reflect credit upon its image

and craft.

C. To maintain the highest possible standards for excellence in

craftsmanship, integrity and business practices.

D. To provide facilities offering active membership participation,

extensive craft training, organizational and craft related information,

and trade related consulting and documentary services.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. APPLICANTS

Applicants shall be professional artisans, hobbyists and craft

suppliers/manufactures. All shall be persons actively designing and/or

manufacturing stained and/or decorative art glass products and whose

general reputation for integrity, financial responsibility, business

practices and quality of craftsmanship have been appraised to be such as

to reflect credit upon the Association. Members in good standing and

present at any of the general meetings shall be eligible to vote on any

issue that is brought before the membership in the general meeting or

brought before the membership by e-mail. Members if qualified, shall be

eligible for elective office. Members who are unable to attend meetings

shall have the right to vote by absentee ballot on Bylaw Amendments and

election of Officers which are known in advance of said meetings.

Section 2. RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND REGULATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

A. Rights and Privileges

1. E-mail of general membership meetings

2. A copy of any informational data distributed to the membership

3. An invitation to attend all general membership meetings and specially called meetings.

4. The opportunity to share in the benefits of all marketing and educational programs of the Association.

5. Listing in the Membership Directory

6. Any new member who wants to participate in a TGAA show and have not met the attendance requirement may submit examples of their glass art to the Executive Board to be juried in. Members not in current standing, dues paid but not attending meetings, must submit a request to participate to the executive board.

B. Application for Membership

Admission procedures shall be established by the Executive Board as follows:

1. Upon receipt of a properly prepared application, the application will

be turned over to the Membership Committee.

2. Membership shall be evaluated by the Membership Committee. (The

Executive Board will serve as Membership Committee until such time it is

determined by the Executive Board that there are enough members from

which to elect/appoint a Membership Committee.) All applications

reviewed shall be notified of the Committee's and Board's decision

within one (1) week.

C. Resignation, Reinstatement, Forfeiture.

1. Resignation

a. A member in good standing may resign by sending a letter of

resignation to the Executive Secretary.

2. Reinstatement

a. A member who resigns in good standing may be granted

reinstatement if application is made within two (2) years.

b. After two (2) years, a former member who resigned in good

standing may apply as a new member and meet the requirement then in force.

3. Forfeiture - A former member who forfeited membership for

nonpayment of dues cannot be reinstated until all past dues and obligations to the Association are paid.

4. Discipline

The General Membership shall elect an Ethics Committee who are

not members of the Executive Board to receive all complaints and requests for

suspension or expulsion of membership with Cause. (The Executive Board will serve as

the Ethics Committee until such time it is determined by the Board that

there are enough members from which to elect/appoint an Ethics Committee.)

b. The Ethics Committee will have representation of an Executive

Board member to act as a (nonvoting) liaison.

c. Sufficient cause for such suspension or expulsion may be

violation of these Bylaws, Rules, or Procedures adopted by the Association or any

other conduct deemed by the Executive Board to be against the best

interest of the Association.

d. Suspension or Expulsion shall be determined by two/thirds (2/3)

vote of the Executive Board.

e. All charges and procedures shall be conducted according to the

current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

5. Appeal Process - A member who is suspended or has had their

membership revoked may appeal to the Ethics Committee and Executive

Board for review and resolution.

ARTICLE IV. - ATTENDANCE

A. All members are encouraged to participate in TGAA general meetings to remain in good standing.

B. Former TGAA members are prohibited from attending TGAA general

meetings without the express permission of the TGAA Board.

C. Nonmembers are allowed two (2) opportunities to attend two (2)

consecutive TGAA general meetings and after that, they must become

members to attend any further meetings.

ARTICLE V. - DUES AND FINANCE

Section 1. ANNUAL DUES

A. Individual Member - $35.00

B. Plus Spouse or Child - $45

Officers will not be required to pay dues during their term of office.

Section 2. DUES

A. Date Payable. Dues shall be due and payable to the Treasurer on April 1st .

1. Dues not received by April 1 will be considered delinquent.

2. Dues not received by June 1, membership will be revoked.

3. New members joining after October 1 will pay ? membership for remaining fiscal year.

B. The amount of Dues and additional Fees will be determined by

majority vote at any general membership meeting.

Section 3. BUDGET

A. A proposed budget shall be submitted by the Executive Board

(until such time as a Budget Committee is established) to the membership each

January for consideration and recommendation.

B. The final budget shall be adopted by majority vote of voting

members present at the February TGAA general meeting.

Section 4. AUDIT

A. The financial records may be audited at any time at the request of the Executive Board by a Certified Public Accountant approved by the Executive Board.

Section 5. - UNBUDGETED EXPENDITURE

The President shall, upon receiving verification of available funds from

the Treasurer be empowered to authorize any unbudgeted expenditure in an

amount not to exceed $250.00 which in his or her judgment is in the best

interest of the Association.

Section 6. - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year shall be from April 1 through March 31.

ARTICLE VI. - OFFICERS

Section 1. OFFICERS

The elected officers shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and

Treasurer, Ethics Chairperson.

Section 2. QUALIFICATIONS

A. To be eligible for election as an Officer or Director, an active

member must be in good standing and shall have held membership for at least one (1) year.

B. Two officers may not reside under one (1) roof.

Section 3. TERM OF OFFICE

Officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year or until the next

regularly scheduled election.

A. No member shall hold more than one office at a time.

B. No elected officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 4. VACANCY IN OFFICE

A. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice

President for the unexpired term.

B. A vacancy in any other office shall be filled by an election at

a general membership meeting. The membership shall be notified in

advance that this election will take place. A vacancy will be announced

at the next general membership meeting, with the election to be held at

the following meeting.

Section 5. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A. The President shall:

1. Be the chief executive officer and official representative of

the Texas Glass Artists' Association.

2. Preside at all General Membership and Executive Board meetings

and have general supervision of the affairs of the Association.

3. Appoint the chairmen of all standing committees with the

approval of the Executive Board.

4. Make any necessary appointments subject to the approval of the

Executive Board.

5. Have the authority, with the approval of the Executive Board, to

remove any appointees who fail to perform the duties of their assigned

position.

6. Perform duties and execute functions that pertain to the office

to the best of his or her ability.

7. Sign all contracts and instruments that have been properly

authorized and accepted by the Executive Board.

8. Report on the general condition of the affairs of the

Association to the Executive Board and membership at the general meetings.

9. Appoint one or more members to the Budget Committee with the

approval of the Executive Board.

10. Have the power to sign checks for the Association's expenses and

payments.

C. The Vice President shall:

1. Assume and perform the duties of the President during his or her

absence or disability.

2. Perform all duties and assignments as directed by the President

or the Executive Board.

3. Succeed to the office of President for the unexpired term in the

event of a vacancy in that office.

4. Share the responsibility of a Committee directed by the

President.

5. Have the power to sign checks for the Association's expenses and

payments if president is unavailable.

6. Preside over the Speaker/Program committee

B. The Treasurer shall:

1. Receive all Membership Dues. Maintain records accordingly and

make deposits.

2. Receive all bills rendered, verifying them per budget. Maintain

records accordingly and make necessary payments to said vendors.

3. Make timely and proper preparation and filing of all tax returns

and documents required by law.

4. Serve as Chairman of the Budget Committee and be responsible for

the preparation of the annual budget of the Association.

5. Be the custodian of the Association's checkbook.

6. Have the power to write checks for the Association's expenses

and payments that must then be signed by another board member.

D. The Secretary shall:

1. Record minutes of all Executive Board, Special and General

Membership meetings.

2. Be responsible for the mailing or emailing of minutes and all

other relevant information to the membership in a timely manner.

3. Maintain a roster of members.

4. Be responsible for giving notices in accordance with these

bylaws or as required by law.

E. The Ethics Chairman

1. Recruit committee members when deemed necessary by the Executive Board.

2. Gather information on any alleged gross misconduct and recommend action to Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII. - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. NOMINATIONS. A nomination committee of three (3) members

who are not members of the Executive Board will serve for a term of one (1) year.

A. Duties. The Nominating Committee shall consider the

qualifications of all candidates proposed by members or by the members of the

Nomination Committee.

B. Report. The Nominating Committee shall submit nominations for

each office to be filled. The report of the committee shall be presented at

the February membership general meeting where additional nominations may

be made from the floor. All nominations must have the consent of the

nominee. The President at the expiration of his or her term may elect

to be a nominee for an elected Director.

C. The Nomination Committee shall direct the election.

Section 2. ELECTIONS. Election of officers shall be by ballot at the

March general membership meeting. A majority of all votes cast for a

particular office shall elect. A plurality vote shall elect Directors.

There shall be no proxy voting. Officers and Directors shall assume

their duties on April 1. If there are no nominations from the

membership in addition to those presented for nomination by the

Nomination Committee, a vote may be taken without a prepared printed

ballot.

ARTICLE VII. - MEETINGS

Section 1. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS.

General Membership Meetings will be held the first (1st) Thursday of

every month at Merry-Go-Round or until a different location is agreed

upon by the membership. All general business will be conducted at this

meeting. The membership will be advised via e-mail of the

meeting agenda. If a member desires to be on the agenda, the subject

will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Section 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS

A special meeting of the Association shall be called upon a

two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board taken at a meeting, by e-mail or

telephone conference.

Section 3. QUORUM

A quorum for the transaction of business at any general meeting

shall be a minimum of 30% of the membership. A quorum having been established

at the beginning of the meeting shall be considered a quorum throughout.

Section 4. VOTING

No member shall vote in more than one capacity and there shall

be no proxy voting.

Section 6. CANCELLATIONS

In case of an emergency, the Executive Board, by a two-thirds

(2/3) vote in a meeting, e-mail or telephone conference may cancel any

meeting. All members shall be notified of the cancellation and the

ARTICLE IX. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. COMPOSITION

The members of the Executive Board shall be elected Officers.

Section 2. DUTIES

The duties of the Executive Board shall include but not be limited to:

1. Administer the affairs of the Association.

2. Carry out all lawful orders and instructions of the General

Membership meetings.

3. Present to the General Membership meetings recommendations and

proposals it deems necessary for the good of the Association.

4. Establish guidelines and instructions for members, committees

and appointees.

5. Consider all appeals from decision of the Ethics Committee.

6. Grant membership to new applicants.

7. Accept all resignations that are in order and grant

reinstatement if applied with two (2) years.

8. Consider budget requirements and recommendations.

9. Approve any unbudgeted items not to exceed $250.00 by a majority

vote of the members of the Executive Board.

10. Report to the members all business transacted by the Executive

Board.

11. Should the Executive Board have to respond to confidential and

sensitive matters, those matters will remain same to protect all parties

involved.

12. Appoint or engage such agents, attorneys and others as deemed

necessary.

13. Review proper amendments to Association Bylaws and determine

those to be presented to the general membership and a general membership

meeting.

14. Review proposed resolutions and determine those to be presented

to the general membership and a general membership meeting.

165. Vote by e-mail or telephone conference, the result to be

tabulated in the minutes of the next General Membership meeting.

Section 3. MEETINGS

Executive Board meetings will be held prior to the Thursday General Membership meeting. Special meetings may be called by the

President and shall be called upon written request of a majority of the

Executive Board.

Section 4. QUORUM

A majority of members shall constitute a quorum of the Executive

Board.

ARTICLE X. - COMMITTEES

Section 1. CLASSIFICATION AND DUTIES

A. Standing Committees

1. Standing committees of the Association shall be established by a

General Membership meeting and shall continue to exist until a General

Membership meeting acts to terminate them.

2. All Standing Committee chairmen shall be responsible for their

committee's action and shall submit an activities report to the General

Membership meeting and also to the Executive Board at its request.

3. Each Standing Committee shall perform within the confines of its

budgeted allotment. Any costs in excess of budgeted funds shall be

presented to the Executive Board for consideration.

B. Special Committees

Special Committees of the Association shall be established by a General

Membership meeting or the Executive Board and shall automatically

terminate upon completion of the task for which they were established.

Section 2. APPOINTMENT

The chairmen of all committees, except the Auditing and Nominating

Committees, shall be appointed by the President. Members of committees

may be appointed by the Chairmen and shall serve for one year or until the committee terminates.

Section 3. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all

committees except the Nominating Committee

ARTICLE XI. - WEB SITE

The Association will maintain an official web site. The content and

guidelines of the web site will be determined by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XII. - DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the Texas Glass Artists Association, the

Executive Board, with the approval of the general membership, shall,

after making provision for the payment of all its liabilities,

distribute all remaining funds back to the membership or as the

membership so chooses.

ARTICLE XIII. - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, Current Edition shall govern

the proceedings of the Texas Glass Artists Association in all cases not

provided for in these Bylaws or the Standing Rules.

ARTICLE XIV. - AMENDMENT

These Bylaws may be amended at any General Membership meeting by a

two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided the amendment has been submitted in

writing to all voting members at least two (2) weeks prior to a general

meeting at which voting on such proposal is to take place.