The Musical Feast Choral Society of Greater Lewisville, Inc.

BYLAWS

Approved September 21, 2006 by the Musical Feast Members and Board of Directors

Caveat

1) If any portion of these bylaws is found to be contrary to the laws of the State of Texas or the City of Lewisville, Texas, its ineffectiveness shall have no effect upon those portions remaining.

2) Any found grammatical error shall not infringe upon the intent of the sentence containing it.

3) Any found gender biases are unintended and not to be inferred. Thus, where a masculine form of a word appears, it is intended to refer to a person or persons of either gender.

4) If there is a conflict between the letter of the bylaw and the intent of the bylaw, the intent shall carry the most weight in any discrepancy.

Article I—Organization

Section 1—Government

The organization run according to these bylaws is known as The Musical Feast Choral Society of Greater Lewisville, Inc. hereinafter referred to as the Chorus. The governing body of the Chorus shall be The Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board.

Section 2—Configuration

The organization shall be composed of musically capable members who are proficient choral singers, a Music Director, and an Accompanist.

Section 3—Number

The Music Director shall determine the size of the Chorus.

Section 4—Legal Standing

The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 5—Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Board shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article II—Purposes

The Chorus shall exist for the basic and essential reasons stated in the following sections.

Section 1—Presentation

To present programs of choral music for the general public, adhering to the highest standards of excellence in performance.

Section 2—Promotion of the City of Lewisville, Texas

To promote, through the presentation of concerts and related activities, the image of Lewisville as a cultural and artistic center of Texas, a city with an enthusiastic interest in the arts.

Section 3—Exposure of Youth to Fine Music

To cooperate with Lewisville Independent School District schools at all levels whereby performances of music of great merit shall be presented with the highest possible prolific standards for the benefit of the students.

Section 4—Promotion of the Arts

To provide singers with opportunities to utilize and develop their talents in the community, and to afford members an economical means of personal enjoyment through the preparation and performance of the finest in choral literature.

Article III—Membership

Section 1—Expectations

(a) Persons desiring to become members of the Chorus shall:

i. Agree to pay any dues and fees, published in advance of enrollment, as a requisite to perform.

ii. Wear appropriate concert attire when performing.

iii. Serve on committees in non-vocal areas.

iv. Attend rehearsals as scheduled, arriving punctually and staying until the posted dismissal time or until the Director dismisses the Chorus for the day, whichever is earlier.

v. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to a scheduled performance at a predetermined place.

(b) If an active member misses two (2) rehearsals that are in preparation for a scheduled performance, he may still perform in that concert provided he has demonstrated his knowledge of the selected works to the satisfaction of the Music Director.

(c) Singers may audition formally for membership and solo opportunities at the discretion of the Music Director.

(d) Honorary memberships may be granted to those persons who have provided services or extended other courtesies to the Chorus at the discretion of the President or Membership Chairman of the Board.

Section 2—Requirements

It shall be the duty of all members to:

(a) Purchase, when necessary, and to prepare adequately the music for each rehearsal and performance in such manner as to uphold the standard of excellence established by the Music Director.

(b) Secure for themselves the proper attire for performances.

(c) Support the Chorus in non-musical ways by serving on one or more service committees annually.

Article IV—Staff

Section 1—Music Director

(a) The Music Director shall:

i. Select music to be performed by the Chorus.

ii. Conduct the rehearsal and performances.

iii. Determine suitable accompaniment for rehearsals and performances.

iv. Select soloists.

v. Select the Accompanist.

vi. Serve as a non-voting member of the Board.

vii. Interview a singer who has missed two (2) rehearsals that are in preparation for a scheduled performance to determine whether the member is adequately prepared to perform.

— If the singer is determined unprepared, the Music Director must submit a written report to the Board.

(b) The Music Director may:

i. Audition new singers and soloists.

ii. If funds are available and with board approval, contract instrumentalists and/or a qualified, competent singer to bolster a struggling section of the Chorus.

Section 2—Accompanist

(a) The Accompanist shall:

i. Know how to play piano with skills suited to the selections and style of Chorus music.

ii. Learn the accompaniments to all music (and in the case of a capella music, the voice parts) selected for a given performance.

i. During rehearsals, play all or part of a piece at the Director’s request.

ii. During performance, play accompaniments.

Article V—The Board of Directors

Section 1—Organization

(a) The Board shall consist of Chorus members but may include non-singing members of the Lewisville community. Elected officers of this organization shall be:

i. President

ii. Vice President

iii. Secretary

iv. Treasurer

v. Board Members at Large (two members)

(b) Appointed members of the Board may be the following (or other positions as needed):

i. Assistant to the Treasurer

ii. Resource Development Chair

iii. Membership Chair

iv. Librarian

v. Publicity Chair

vi. Historian

vii. Production/Properties Manager

viii. Chaplain

(c) Board members representing the community may be invited to serve by the elected and appointed members of the Board. Elected members are voting members; appointed members are non-voting members of the Board.

(d) The term of President and Treasurer shall be two (2) years elected on alternate years. All other officers will have a term of one (1) year. Upon presentation of a slate or officers by the Nominating Committee and after a call for floor nominations, the officers will be elected by a simple majority vote of the Chorus. This election shall take place prior to May 31 of each year. New officers shall assume their duties on June l with the outgoing officers remaining until July 1 in an advisory capacity.

(e) The Board shall meet regularly once each month, September through May. The President of the Board may call additional meetings when necessary.

(f) A quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting will consist of a simple majority of the voting members of the Board. The President will vote only in case of a tie.

Section 2—Responsibilities

(a) The Board shall:

i. Manage the business of the Chorus.

ii. Contract and terminate staff members, subject to the approval of the Membership.

iii. Allocate and disburse funds possessed by the organization.

— A majority vote of the Board is required to approve disbursements or allocations of funds.

— This authority may be delegated to two Board members after a ⅔ vote of the Board.

iv. Set dues.

v. Appoint, on an as needed basis, non-elected Board members.

vi. Create, appoint, and eliminate any non-elected positions it deems necessary.

vii. Serve as emissaries of the organization to the community.

viii. Review and vote to approve fund raising projects and grant applications.

Article VI—Duties of the Officers of the Board

Section 1—President

(a) The President shall:

i. Prepare and present an agenda for each meeting.

ii. Preside at all regular meetings of the Board.

— When unable to attend, the President will designate a representative to chair the Board meeting.

iii. Advise the Secretary concerning notification of Board members of all regular and special meetings of the Board.

iv. Appoint a Nominating Committee from within the membership of the Chorus by February of each year.

v. At the request of the Music Director, appoint an Audition Committee.

(b) The President may:

i. Call special meetings as needed.

ii. Fill vacant unexpired Board terms by appointment.

iii. Serve as an at-large member of each committee appointed or elected within the organization.

iv. Cosign checks with the Treasurer for payment for approved expenditures.

Section 2—Vice President

(a) The Vice President shall:

i. Assume, in the event of a vacancy in an unexpired term of President, all responsibilities of the Presidency until such time as a special election can be held.

Section 3—Secretary

(a) The Secretary shall:

i. Aid the Board and the Music Director in their duties with the Chorus

ii. Record all minutes of regular and special meetings of the Board and Chorus

iii. Notify members of the Board and/or Chorus members of all regular and special meetings

iv. Compile and maintain a membership directory

v. Handle necessary correspondence for the Board and provide copies for a permanent file

vi. Send written notes of appreciation to all persons and organizations that contribute money, goods, and/or services to the Chorus.

(b) The Secretary may:

i. Cosign checks with the Treasurer for payment of approved expenditures.

Section 4a—Treasurer

(a) The Treasurer shall:

i. Make all approved disbursements and cosign checks with the above Officers.

ii. Provide a monthly written financial report for the Board and the Music Director.

— The treasurer shall post a copy of the financial report at Chorus rehearsals.

iii. Submit all financial reports of the Chorus for audit or review to an accountant designated by the Board.

— This audit or review shall be completed by September 30 of each year.

Section 5b—Assistant to the Treasurer

(a) The Assistant to the Treasurer shall:

i. Assist the Treasurer.

ii. Collect monies accrued from membership dues, music, recordings, advertising, donations, fund-raising activities, and other sources.

iii. Act in the capacity of the Treasurer in his absence official Board meetings.

(b) The Assistant to the Treasurer may:

i. Vote as proxy for the Treasurer.

Section 6—Resource Development Chair

(a) The Resource Development Chair shall:

i. Research, propose, author, and recommend fund raising and grant writing projects to the Board

ii. Be in charge of advertising solicitations

Section 7—Membership Chair

(a) The Membership Chair shall:

i. Record and keep a record of all attendance and communicate with the Board concerning absences.

ii. Aid the Secretary with special communications to Chorus members.

iii. Implement a means of acclimating new members to the Chorus.

Section 8—Librarian

(a) The Librarian shall:

i. Catalog and maintain a permanent file for all music and recordings belonging to the Chorus.

ii. Distribute and collect music for rehearsals, performances, and all other Chorus activities.

— In the case of borrowed music, the Librarian shall return pieces to its owner in a timely fashion.

Section 9—Publicity Chair

(a) The Publicity Chair shall:

i. Develop an awareness of the Chorus within the community.

ii. Organize and schedule a publicity campaign for each concert, which will include invitations, posters, and media advertising.

Section 10—Historian

(a) The Historian shall:

i. Keep a permanent file of all publicity and relevant photographs concerning the Chorus.

Section 11—Production/Properties Manager

(a) The Production/Properties Manager shall:

i. Make physical arrangements for regular rehearsals, dress rehearsals, concerts, and all Chorus activities, based on written requests made to and approved by the Board.

ii. Keep an inventory and maintain storage of all properties other than the Music Library of the Chorus.

iii. Allow said properties to be used by organizations or individuals other than the Chorus upon approval of written requests made to the Board.

— The Production/Properties Manager shall maintain records of such agreements in a permanent file.

iv. Arrange for ushers for each concert.

Section 12—Program Chair

(a) The Program Chair shall:

i. Gather all pertinent material for the printing of programs, including program notes, advertisements, and a complete listing of all concert performers.

ii. Oversee program layouts and covers.

iii. Gather the names of all those who make monetary contributions to the Chorus for inclusion in all programs.

Section 13—Chaplain

(a) The Chaplain shall:

i. Provide a spoken prayer or brief inspirational text or quote prior to a performance, if appropriate.

Article VII—Bylaw Changes

Section 1—Amendments

Members of the Chorus or members of the Board may propose amendments of the bylaws it any time. Ratification of said proposals shall require a majority vote of the membership of the Chorus and approval by the Board.