Constitution and Bylaws of the Southeastern Composers League
revised and adopted 14 March 1980
ARTICLE I — NAME AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be the Southeastern Composers League.
Section 2.
The term 'Southeastern' as used in Section 1 above refers to the Southeastern region of the United States and includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
ARTICLE II — OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
The objectives of the Southeastern Composers League include:
(a) the encouragement of serious original composition in the area designated in Article I, Section2;
(b) the development of a hospitable climate sympathetic to such works;
(c) the maturation and the continuation of education for its members;
(d) the encouragement of performances of contemporary music in general and works by its members in particular;
(e) the preservation of works by its members by collecting, housing, publishing and recording;
(f) the improvement of the financial status and protection of the legal rights of its members;
(g) the establishment of a fruitful liaison with other musical organizations.
ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
There shall be four classes of membership: Composer, Alumnus (Alumna), Associate and Honorary.
Section 2.
Seriousness of purpose and basic competence in scoring for orchestra or for chamber ensemble rather than stylistic criteria or esthetic evaluations shall determine eligibility of composers.
Section 3.
Evidence of eligibility under Section 2 above musts be submitted to President in writing in the form of:
(a) an endorsement of the applicant by a member in good standing with the League; or,
(b) a recommendation by the Executive Board. Such a recommendation must be based upon an examination of one or more scores of the applicant.
Section 4.
A Composer member who moves temporarily or permanently out of the area then defined as the "Southeast" shall be designated as an Alumnus (Alumna). He shall retain all rights and privileges of Composer membership except to hold office.
Section 5.
Associate membership shall be open to any non-composer or institution interested in the objectives of the League. The associates shall be of the following three classes: Associate member, Donor and Patron. The associates may attend all programs and general meetings of the League but shall not vote or hold office.
Section 6.
Any serious American composer of distinction or any person who has rendered distinguished service to American composers may become an Honorary member by majority vote of the membership provided there is unanimous approval of the Executive Board. Honorary members shall not vote or hold office.
ARTICLE IV — ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
Section 1.
Authority for the management and administration of the general affairs of the League including the expenditure of funds shall be vested in the Executive Board consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
Section 2.
The President shall have the right to appoint such committees and subcommittees as he deems advisable with the approval of the Executive Board. He shall appoint editors of the various publications of the League with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 3.
Members of the Executive Board shall be elected from a different state within the Southeastern region as defined in Article I, Section 2. An officer may serve additional terms of the same office but not consecutively.
Section 4.
If a vacancy on the Executive Board should occur before a term of office has been completed, the President shall have the right to appoint a Composer member for the remainder of the term with the approval of the remaining board members.
ARTICLE V — DUES
Section 1.
All members shall pay annual dues with the exception of Honorary members.
Section 2.
Annual dues for Composer members and for Alumni (Alumnae) shall be the same amount and shall be fixed by a vote of the Composer membership and subject to revision periodically.
Section 3.
Annual dues of the various classes of Associates shall be fixed by the Executive Board and subject to revision periodically.
ARTICLE VI — MEETINGS
Section 1.
There shall be at least one General Meeting of the Southeastern Composers League each year, notice of which must be mailed to the membership at least thirty days in advance.
Section 2.
The Executive Board shall have the right to designate the time and place of such meetings.
Section 3.
The President shall have the right to call at least one regular meeting of the Executive Board per year but must give at least two weeks advance notice.
Section 4.
In the event of an emergency, the President shall have the right to call a Special Meeting of the Executive Board. In such a case, there is no specified advance notice required.
Section 5.
A quorum at any General Meeting of the League shall consist of a minimum of ten Composer members, which tem must include the President or one authorized to serve for him.
Section 6.
A quorum at a meeting of the Executive Board shall consist of the President and any two other members of the Executive Board.
Section 7.
The method of settling questions at meetings is by a majority vote of the qualified voters present, unless otherwise prescribed.
ARTICLE VII — BYLAWS
Section 1.
Bylaws may adopted or amended by:
(a) a majority vote at General Meetings provided there is a quorum; or by
(b) a majority of a mailed-in vote provided that this represents at least 25% of the Composer membership; or by
(c) a majority vote resulting from the combination of the vote of those present at a General Meeting (provided there is a quorum) plus a mailed-in vote.
ARTICLE VIII — AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any General Meeting providing that a quorum is present and providing further that less than one-third of those present prefer to poll the absentees by mail.
ARTICLE IX — EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 1.
This constitution shall take effect immediately upon approval by a majority of those voting providing that the entire eligible membership is given the opportunity of voting in person, by proxy or by mail (1 May 1959).
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I — NAME AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be the Southeastern Composers League.
Section 2.
The term 'Southeastern' as used in Section 1 above refers to the Southeastern region of the United States and includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
ARTICLE II — OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
The objectives of the Southeastern Composers League include:
(a) the encouragement of serious original composition in the area designated in Article I, Section2;
(b) the development of a hospitable climate sympathetic to such works;
(c) the maturation and the continuation of education for its members;
(d) the encouragement of performances of contemporary music in general and works by its members in particular;
(e) the preservation of works by its members by collecting, housing, publishing and recording;
(f) the improvement of the financial status and protection of the legal rights of its members;
(g) the establishment of a fruitful liaison with other musical organizations.
ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
There shall be four classes of membership: Composer, Alumnus (Alumna), Associate and Honorary.
Section 2.
Seriousness of purpose and basic competence in scoring for orchestra or for chamber ensemble rather than stylistic criteria or esthetic evaluations shall determine eligibility of composers.
Section 3.
Evidence of eligibility under Section 2 above musts be submitted to President in writing in the form of:
(a) an endorsement of the applicant by a member in good standing with the League; or,
(b) a recommendation by the Executive Board. Such a recommendation must be based upon an examination of one or more scores of the applicant.
Section 4.
A Composer member who moves temporarily or permanently out of the area then defined as the "Southeast" shall be designated as an Alumnus (Alumna). He shall retain all rights and privileges of Composer membership except to hold office.
Section 5.
Associate membership shall be open to any non-composer or institution interested in the objectives of the League. The associates shall be of the following three classes: Associate member, Donor and Patron. The associates may attend all programs and general meetings of the League but shall not vote or hold office.
Section 6.
Any serious American composer of distinction or any person who has rendered distinguished service to American composers may become an Honorary member by majority vote of the membership provided there is unanimous approval of the Executive Board. Honorary members shall not vote or hold office.
ARTICLE IV — ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
Section 1.
Authority for the management and administration of the general affairs of the League including the expenditure of funds shall be vested in the Executive Board consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
Section 2.
The President shall have the right to appoint such committees and subcommittees as he deems advisable with the approval of the Executive Board. He shall appoint editors of the various publications of the League with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 3.
Members of the Executive Board shall be elected from a different state within the Southeastern region as defined in Article I, Section 2. An officer may serve additional terms of the same office but not consecutively.
Section 4.
If a vacancy on the Executive Board should occur before a term of office has been completed, the President shall have the right to appoint a Composer member for the remainder of the term with the approval of the remaining board members.
ARTICLE V — DUES
Section 1.
All members shall pay annual dues with the exception of Honorary members.
Section 2.
Annual dues for Composer members and for Alumni (Alumnae) shall be the same amount and shall be fixed by a vote of the Composer membership and subject to revision periodically.
Section 3.
Annual dues of the various classes of Associates shall be fixed by the Executive Board and subject to revision periodically.
ARTICLE VI — MEETINGS
Section 1.
There shall be at least one General Meeting of the Southeastern Composers League each year, notice of which must be mailed to the membership at least thirty days in advance.
Section 2.
The Executive Board shall have the right to designate the time and place of such meetings.
Section 3.
The President shall have the right to call at least one regular meeting of the Executive Board per year but must give at least two weeks advance notice.
Section 4.
In the event of an emergency, the President shall have the right to call a Special Meeting of the Executive Board. In such a case, there is no specified advance notice required.
Section 5.
A quorum at any General Meeting of the League shall consist of a minimum of ten Composer members, which tem must include the President or one authorized to serve for him.
Section 6.
A quorum at a meeting of the Executive Board shall consist of the President and any two other members of the Executive Board.
Section 7.
The method of settling questions at meetings is by a majority vote of the qualified voters present, unless otherwise prescribed.
ARTICLE VII — BYLAWS
Section 1.
Bylaws may adopted or amended by:
(a) a majority vote at General Meetings provided there is a quorum; or by
(b) a majority of a mailed-in vote provided that this represents at least 25% of the Composer membership; or by
(c) a majority vote resulting from the combination of the vote of those present at a General Meeting (provided there is a quorum) plus a mailed-in vote.
ARTICLE VIII — AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any General Meeting providing that a quorum is present and providing further that less than one-third of those present prefer to poll the absentees by mail.
ARTICLE IX — EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 1.
This constitution shall take effect immediately upon approval by a majority of those voting providing that the entire eligible membership is given the opportunity of voting in person, by proxy or by mail (1 May 1959).
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I — NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1
Nominations of officers for the Executive Board shall be made by a Nominating Committee composed of five members, each being from a different state within the Southeastern region. The President shall appoint two members and the three remaining shall be nominated from the floor during the annual General Meeting and elected by a majority vote. The President shall not be a member of but may confer with this committee.
Section 2
After a majority vote by the Nominating Committee has elected one candidate for each Executive Office (the current Vice-President may be given first consideration for the President's Office) and the candidates and a space for a write-in under each for the last issue of the League Newsletter before the beginning of the term of office. The vote by the League members shall be in accordance with Article VII, Section 1, (b) of the Constitution.
ARTICLE II — EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS
Section 1
The duties of the President are to include:
(a) preside at meetings;
(b) the general management of the affairs of the League. The President shall have the authority to appoint committees and subcommittees and shall be empowered to delegate authority to members of the Executive Board and also to other members unless opposed by the Executive Board or prevented by the Constitution.
Section 2
The duties of the Vice-President are to include:
(a) presiding at meetings in the absence of the President; and, at the request of the President;
(b) fulfilling the other functions of the President in his absence;
(c) acting as Membership Chairperson for the League;
(d) acting as Student Composition Chairperson;
(e) acting as Publicity Chairperson for the League.
Section 3
The duties of the Secretary are to include:
(a) the keeping of an accurate record of meetings for the League;
(b) furnishing of a transcript or abstract of such records to the membership by means of the League Newsletter; and, at the request of the President;
(c) fulfilling the functions of the President or of the Vice-President in their absence;
(d) serving as League Historian and furnishing an annual resume of the League's activities;
(e) serving as Symposium and Festival Coordinator;
(f) research and development of outside funds and grants;
(g) sending a copy of the Constitution/Bylaws to each member upon notification from the Treasurer; notifying the Vice-President monthly of the names and addresses of new members;
(h) mailing a current membership list to each member or publishing in the League Newsletter such list no later than September of each year.
Section 4
The duties of the Treasurer are to include:
(a) the receiving of all League funds and the depositing of said funds as directed by the Executive Board;
(b) the disbursing of funds as approved by the Executive Board;
(c) the rendering of an annual financial report setting out details of receipts and disbursements which shall be available to any League member;
(d) notifying monthly the President, Secretary and Newsletter Editor the names and addresses of new members.
ARTICLE III — DUES
Section 1
Composer and Alumnus (Alumna) members shall pay annual dues of fifteen dollars subject to revision by general election. A member is considered delinquent and subject to an added late charge of $5.00 if the dues remain unpaid past April first of the current year.
Section 2
Associate members shall pay annual dues of ten dollars. Donors $100.00 to $499.00, and Patrons $500.00 or more, subject to revision by approval of the Executive Board. Associates are considered delinquent if the dues remain unpaid past April first of the current year.
Section 3
Annual library subscription rate of the League's Newsletter shall be $3.00 subject to revision by approval of the Executive Board.
Section 4
Honorary Members pay no dues.
ARTICLE IV — ASSESSMENTS
Section 1
The Executive Board, with the approval of two-thirds of the voting membership shall have the power to levy special assessments against the Composer and Alumnus (Alumna) membership but not against the Associate membership.
ARTICLE V — RENUMERATION
Section 1
Officers of the Executive Board shall serve without wages and other appointed position shall serve without wages.
ARTICLE VI — COMMITTEE REPORTS
Section 1
Standing Committees are required to submit an annual report in writing at a General Meeting of the League and such other Progress Reports as the President shall require.
Section 2
Special and/or Temporary Committees shall upon reasonable notice submit reports as the President shall require.
ARTICLE VII — DISBURSEMENTS
Section 1
Disbursements of $25.00 or less shall be made by the Treasurer and shall require the approval of the President and one other member of the Executive Board.
Section 2
Disbursements in excess of $25.00 shall be made by the Treasurer but shall require the unanimous approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII — FISCAL YEAR
Section 1
The Fiscal Year of the Southeastern Composers' League shall extend from January 1 through December 31.