CONSTITUTION
I. Name and Purpose
A. This organization shall be known as the Bloomington Community Band.
B. Its purpose shall be:
1.To contribute positively to the musical environment of the community it serves, whether local or otherwise.
2.To provide an opportunity for individual musical expression and growth among the membership.
3.To provide an opportunity for social contact among musicians.
4.To reaffirm the community concert band position in American music.
II. Membership
A. Qualifications for membership
1. Any person who is interested in the purposes of the Bloomington Community Band may be considered as a candidate for membership provided that:
a. A written application for membership is made to the Secretary‑Treasurer/Personnel Manager.
b. The applicant demonstrates a musical proficiency satisfactory to the conductor, and agrees to devote an appropriate amount of time andeffort to the Band’s activities.
c. A vacancy exists.
2. Such a candidate shall become a member of the Band when:
a. A successful audition has been completed. The form of the audition shall be determined by the conductor.
b. The applicant has been approved by the Board of Directors.
Persons who are members of the Band at the time this Constitution and By‑laws are adopted will be exempted from the above requirements.
c. Current membership dues have been paid.
B. Duties of members
All members shall take part in the activities of the Band.
III. Board of Directors
A. Executive authority
The executive authority of the Band is vested in a Board of Directors whose duties shall include:
1. Management of the general affairs of the Band, taking all action which is compatible with the best interests of the Band.
2. Management of the financial affairs of the Band and establishment of an annual budget.
3. Appointment and dismissal of the Conductor and Assistant Conductor.
4. Replacement of members of the Board of Directors who are unable to complete their terms of office.
5. Establishment of a schedule of rehearsals and concerts.
B. Titles
The Board of Directors shall consist of:
1. The following elected members, who must be members of the Band:
a. Business Manager/Publicity Coordinator
b. Secretary‑Treasurer/Personnel Manager
c. Librarian
d. Property Manager
2. The Conductor
3. The Assistant Conductor
4. A delegate from the sponsoring organization.
C. Organization
1. Each new board shall elect a chairman, who shall be its presiding officer.
2. Each. member of the Board shall have one vote.
3. A quorum shall consist of the members attending, after reasonable notification of a meeting has been given.
D. Election of Board Members
1. On or before the first rehearsal in April of each year, the Chairman of the Board shall appoint a three‑member Nominating Committee (one, and only one, of whom shall be a Board member; all of whom shall be members o f the Band) for the purpose of preparing a slate of candidates. Candidates in odd‑numbered years will be:
Business Manager/Publicity Coordinator
Librarian
Candidates in even‑numbered years will be:
Secretary‑Treasurer/Personnel Manager
Property Manager.
2. The Nominating Committee shall present its report at the first rehearsal in May, listing one candidate for each of the positions listed in‑paragraph 1. above, as appropriate for the current year.
3. It shall require a two‑thirds majority vote of the Band members present and voting to sustain the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. Lacking the required vote, the Nominating Committee shall be instructed to prepare a revised slate for the following rehearsal.
4. Each elected member of the Board will serve a two‑year term, beginning immediately upon election to the office.
E. Interim Electoral Procedure
1. Members elected to the Board in the year that this Constitution and By‑laws are adopted shall serve shortened terms, as necessary to bring their terms into harmony with the above schedule.
2. Elections shall be held at the time of the next rehearsal following adoption of this Constitution and By‑laws, on the basis of candidates nominated and seconded by the Band membership.
3. Election of a candidate shall require a majority of the votes of Band members present and voting. If no majority is attained. on the first ballot, a run‑off ballot shall be held between the two candidates receiving the highest numbers of votes.
IV. Meetings
Meetings o f the Board of Directors and meetings of the full Band membership may be called at the request of the Chairman of the
Board or of any Band member.
V. Effective date
This Constitution and By‑laws shall become effective on adoption by a vote of three‑fourths of the Band members present and voting.
VI. Amendments
A. This Constitution may be amended by a three‑fourths vote of Band members present and voting.
B. Previous notice of a proposed amendment to the Constitution, along with a copy of the proposed amendment, must be presented at a duly constituted meeting of the Band membership at least 30 days or three full rehearsals prior to voting.
BY-LAWS
A. Membership
1. Attendance
Attendance shall be taken at every rehearsal and concert. Members are expected to play all scheduled concerts, and to attend as many scheduled rehearsals as possible.
a. Students who are members of the Bloomington Community Band are expected to give priority to their school band or orchestra in the event of a conflict of schedules.
b. Members are expected to give notice, far in advance as possible, if they will be unable to take part in a concert.
2. Dismissal
Members may be dropped from the roster, by vote of the Board of Directors, for excessive absences, for musical incompetence, or for conduct not compatible with the Band’s best interests.
3. Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be held on Monday evening.
4. Concert dress
Concert dress will be determined by the Board of Directors and adhered to by the entire membership.
5. Auditions
Auditions for new members shall be held by the conductor, in whatever form he considers appropriate for the candidate
under consideration.
6. Membership dues
The Board of Directors shall establish membership dues annually.
7. Fund raising
Major fund raising projects involving extensive member participation shall be subject to approval by a majority vote of the
membership.
8. Concerts
Concerts outside the Bloomington area shall require approval by a majority vote of Band members present and voting.
B. Board of Directors ‑ duties and responsibilities
1. Business Manager/Publicity Coordinator
The Business Manager shall handle all business that comes before the Band, making arrangements for concerts, trips, and purchases of equipment, arid shall be responsible for the printing of handbooks, programs and brochures, advertising matter, and other appropriate material. The Publicity Coordinator shall promote and publicize all activities of the Band, and serve as band historian.
2. Secretary‑Treasurer/Personnel Manager
The Secretary‑Treasurer shall keep records of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the full membership, and other permanent records as may be appropriate. He will collect and disburse all funds as approved by the Board, and will prepare appropriate financial reports. The Personnel Manager shall maintain an up‑to‑date membership list, a waiting list of all prospective members, and an accurate weekly record o f attendance. The Personnel Manager shall appoint two members of the Band to serve as a membership committee, and serve as chairman of this committee. The membership committee shall, in consultation with the conductor, make necessary recommendations to the Board of Directors for the dismissal of a Band member.
3. Librarian
The Librarian will care for music, will distribute the music folders at all rehearsals and concerts, and will be responsible for the transportation of music to all concert sites.
4. Property Manager
The Property Manager shall be responsible far setting up chairs, stands, and equipment at all rehearsals and concerts.
5. Membership at large
It is expected that Band members will, both by volunteering and on request, assist members of the Board of Directors in carrying out their duties.