of
The Ann Arbor Area
Piano Teachers Guild
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be The Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild (abbreviated as AAAPTG).
Article II – Purpose
The purposes of this organization are:
1. The promotion and advancement of education in the field of music, specifically the piano.
2. The improvement of members’ piano teaching skills through lectures, studies, and exchange of ideas at AAAPTG meetings.
3. The opportunity for musical growth and performance of both members and students.
The promotion of musical studies through the use of scholarships and awards to students.
Said organization is organized as a business league, as that term is defined in section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code, is not organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings of the organization will inure to the benefit of any private individual, whether a member, a trustee, an officer, or otherwise. The organization is authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of the organization. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization qualified under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Article III – Membership
Prospective members will complete an application form listing educational and teaching background and submit it to the Membership Chairman;the Board will vote on the application. When approved, new members must simultaneously join AAAPTG, Michigan Music Teachers Association (MMTA), and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Full Membership is open to any piano teacher with teaching experience and a college degree or its equivalent in music, including a major or minor in applied piano. Full Members may attend all meetings, are accorded voting privileges, may hold an elected office, may serve on committees, may present students in AAAPTG-sponsored activities, may receive the newsletter and yearbook, and are named on the membership list distributed locally. Full Members pay full annual dues (consisting of dues for AAAPTG, MMTA, MTNA). Local dues will be established by vote of the membership. All Full Members are encouraged to attend meetings regularly and participate in AAAPTG activities.
If a former Member (Full, Senior, or Provisional) wishes to be reinstated as a current Member, he/she should contact the current Membership Chairperson for the appropriate procedure. For a one-year lapse in membership, a simple request to be reinstated may be sufficient; for a two- or more year lapse, a new membership application may be required.
Senior Membership is open to any piano teacher 65 years of age or older who has held Full Membership in AAAPTG or the equivalent in another local, state, and/or national organization for at least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding application for senior status. Senior Members of AAAPTG are Full Members, except they are assessed only one-half the dues for AAAPTG (and dues as assessed by MMTA and MTNA).
Provisional Membership: Applicants who do not meet the requirements for Full Membership and who have a college degree or its equivalent, with at least a minor in music, and/or who are currently working towards a music degree, may be approved for Provisional Membership by the Board.The board may waive the requirements if the Provisional member completes further education, and/or becomes a certified member of MMTA and/or MTNA, or requires special consideration. Provisional Members may attend all meetings, may serve on committees, may present students in AAAPTG-sponsored activities, and may receive the newsletter and yearbook; they will not have voting privileges, hold an elected office, or be named in the membership list distributed locally. Provisional members pay full annual dues (AAAPTG, MMTA, MTNA). All Provisional Members are encouraged to attend meetings regularly & participate in AAAPTG activities.
Provisional members must petition the Board to be considered for Full Membership and must meet the following requirements:
1. Attend at least six General meetings in a given year.
2. Have three students participate in Student Achievement Testing Day. Student scores will be reviewed by the Board.
A Provisional Member will have a maximum of five years to convert to Full Membership. These requirements may be waived by the Board if the Provisional Member completes further education and/or becomes certified by MMTA and/or MTNA.
Honorary Membership (Emeritus) may be awarded by the Board to Full Members who have given outstanding service to AAAPTG and who have retired from teaching or moved away from the area or may no longer be able to participate regularly in AAAPTG activities. Honorary members may attend all meetings, may receive the newsletter and yearbook, and will not be assessed local dues or have voting privileges.
Friends of the Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild are not members but may attend General meetings. The Board will determine appropriate fees and possible mailings. Friend status shall not be allowed for any individual who meets the eligibility requirements for Membership in AAAPTG and who is currently teaching piano and living in the greater Ann Arbor area.
Visitors may attend meetings and may be requested to pay a small fee, as determined by the Board.
Conduct: The Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild supports and subscribes to the Code of Ethics published by the Michigan Music Teachers Association. In cases of consistent, unethical behavior by a member of the Guild, the Board will take the following steps to intervene only if the conflict cannot be resolved by those with complaints about a members’ behavior and the member in question:
a. A board member will be appointed to seek resolution to the situation.
b. Failing such resolution, the offending member will be asked to meet and discuss the situation with the Executive Board
c. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved in Executive session, then it will go to the full Board for discussion. If deemed necessary at this point, the member may be expelled from the organization by two-thirds vote of the Board.
Article IV – Officers
The Officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers are elected for a one-year term which begins immediately after the General Meeting in May. A second term is allowed, with a limit of two consecutive years in the same office. The term of office for Treasurer may be extended; renomination must be approved by the Board.
Article V – Officer’s Duties
President – will preside at all meetings of the organization, appoint all committee chairs, be ex officio member of each committee except the Nominating Committee, and have general oversight of all plans and work of the organization.
Vice-President – will plan the yearly programs, perform all duties pertaining to the office, and preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
Secretary – will record and keep the minutes of all Board and General Meetings and handle all correspondence.
Treasurer – will keep the financial records of the organization.
Article VI – Executive Board
The Executive Board Officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President.
Article VI – Meetings
General Meetings will be held monthly, September through May. Twenty-five percent of the members holding Full Membership, including at least three Board members, will constitute a quorum at General meetings.
Board meetings will be scheduled monthly, with a minimum of six meetings being held during a twelve-month period; the Executive Officers will determine the meeting schedule. One-third of the Board of Directors, including at least two Executive Officers, will constitute a quorum at Board meetings. A Special Board Meeting may be called by the President, or by three other Board members, with 3 days’ advance notice; only the business specified in the call of that meeting may be transacted. Board meetings will be open to the membership.
With Board approval, small groups (such as Repertoire group, Seminar group) may hold informal monthly meetings as scheduled by the group.
Robert’s Rules of Order will be the authority for all questions of procedure not covered by these bylaws.
Article VII – Board of Directors
The Board of Directors (Board) will consist of the Executive Board, the AAAPTG Foundation Liaison and Chairs from each Standing Committee. The Board will handle routine business of the organization; major decisions will be made at General Meetings.
Article VII – Recitals & Activities
In addition to meetings, AAAPTG may sponsor recitals each year in which members’ students perform. The Repertoire Group may present concerts each season. Students of MMTA members may participate in the MMTA-sponsored Student Achievement Testing Day; teachers of registered students must help with the event. Other events may include Music Explorer Day, special workshops/seminars for teachers and/or students, master classes, scholarship auditions, etc.
Article VIII – Elections
A Nominating Committee, consisting of a chair and two members appointed by the President, will present nominations to the Board. The election of Executive Officers will occur annually at the General Meeting in April. At least one week prior to any election, members will receive written notification of the candidates. Members may nominate from the floor. If a vacancy occurs during the year, the Nominating Committee or the President may appoint a replacement, with election taking place at the next General meeting.
Article IX – Standing Committees
All committee Chairs are appointed by the President and serve one year terms, with reappointments allowed, for a recommended maximum of four consecutive years. The Standing Committees will be Certification, Community Outreach and Education, Membership, Newsletter, Publicity/Historian, Recitals, Repertoire Group, SATD, Seminar, Social, Telephone, and Yearbook.
Article X - Parliamentary Authority
Section 1. Parliamentarian
The President may appoint a parliamentarian to provide parliamentary opinion during meetings of the Board and the annual General business meeting of the Guild.
Section 2. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Guild’s meetings in all cases in which they are applicable, allowing for any special rules of order the Guild may adopt.
Article XI – Meetings
General Meetings will be held monthly, September through May. Twenty-five percent of the members holding Full Membership, including at least three Board members, will constitute a quorum at General meetings.
Board meetings will be scheduled monthly, with a minimum of six meetings being held during a twelve-month period; the Executive Officers will determine the meeting schedule. One-third of the Board of Directors, including at least two Executive Officers, will constitute a quorum at Board meetings. A Special Board Meeting may be called by the President, or by three other Board members, with 3 days’ advance notice; only the business specified in the call of that meeting may be transacted. Board meetings will be open to the membership.
With Board approval, small groups (such as Repertoire group, Seminar group) may hold informal monthly meetings as scheduled by the group.
Robert’s Rules of Order will be the authority for all questions of procedure not covered by these bylaws.
Article XII – Recitals & Activities
In addition to meetings, AAAPTG may sponsor recitals each year in which members’ students perform. The Repertoire Group may present concerts each season. Students of MMTA members may participate in the MMTA-sponsored Student Achievement Testing Day; teachers of registered students must help with the event. Other events may include Music Explorer Day, special workshops/seminars for teachers and/or students, master classes, scholarship auditions, etc.
(revised May, 2008)