West Michigan Orff Chapter Of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association
August 2018 revised
Constitution and Bylaws
Article I—Name
The name of the organization shall be the West Michigan Orff Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Article II—Aims and Objectives
· To apply Orff-Schulwerk philosophies as they relate to music education
· To disseminate relevant news and ideas with regard to Schulwerk philosophies and activities.
· To renew inspiration for the persons who are presently using Orff’s educational principles.
· To offer support and education to persons new to the Schulwerk philosophies and techniques.
· To provide meaningful professional development for area music educators.
Article III—Membership and Fees
· Membership is open to all persons interested in the aims and objectives of Orff-Schulwerk. Training in specific Orff Schulwerk pedagogy (Levels training) is encouraged, but not necessary to be a member. All members shall be encouraged, but not required to join the parent organization, American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA).
· Chapter members shall pay annual dues of twenty-five dollars per year. Payment of membership dues shall entitle an individual to voting privileges in the chapter business and the right to stand for election to chapter office. All board members must join the parent organization, American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
· Local and national membership fees for elected officers will be paid by the chapter.
· Program planning is done by the executive board. Input from the membership is encouraged.
Article IV—Officers: Duties and Election
Rotating elections shall be conducted at the last chapter meeting of each school year.
The slate of officers shall be nominated by the general membership at a meeting prior to the election.
I. President (required office—2-year term)
II. Past President (optional)
III. Vice President(s) (required—2-year term)
IV. Secretary (required—2-year term)
V. Treasurer (required—2-year term)
VI. Technology Marketing Manager
VII. Scholarship Manager
Elections shall be conducted at the last chapter meeting of each school year. The slate of officers shall be nominated by the general membership at the meeting before the election.
Article V—Meetings
· There shall be a minimum of four meetings during the year. The date, time and location for these meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board.
· Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of any member of the Executive Board.
· Executive Board meetings may be called at the discretion of the President, or a majority of the Executive Board.
Article VI—Amendments
· Amendments to the Constitution shall be made by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active membership. An amendment must be in the hands of each voting member two weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken.
· Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed to the membership at any time.
Article VII—Consistency with American Orff-Schulwerk Association
· The provisions of this Constitution are contingent upon their consistency with the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
· Revisions of and amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association shall be incorporated into this Constitution without vote of the membership.
· In all instances of dispute, the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association shall prevail.
August 2018 revised
Constitution and Bylaws
Article I—Name
The name of the organization shall be the West Michigan Orff Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Article II—Aims and Objectives
· To apply Orff-Schulwerk philosophies as they relate to music education
· To disseminate relevant news and ideas with regard to Schulwerk philosophies and activities.
· To renew inspiration for the persons who are presently using Orff’s educational principles.
· To offer support and education to persons new to the Schulwerk philosophies and techniques.
· To provide meaningful professional development for area music educators.
Article III—Membership and Fees
· Membership is open to all persons interested in the aims and objectives of Orff-Schulwerk. Training in specific Orff Schulwerk pedagogy (Levels training) is encouraged, but not necessary to be a member. All members shall be encouraged, but not required to join the parent organization, American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA).
· Chapter members shall pay annual dues of twenty-five dollars per year. Payment of membership dues shall entitle an individual to voting privileges in the chapter business and the right to stand for election to chapter office. All board members must join the parent organization, American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
· Local and national membership fees for elected officers will be paid by the chapter.
· Program planning is done by the executive board. Input from the membership is encouraged.
Article IV—Officers: Duties and Election
Rotating elections shall be conducted at the last chapter meeting of each school year.
The slate of officers shall be nominated by the general membership at a meeting prior to the election.
I. President (required office—2-year term)
- Presides at all meetings
- Completes and submits Annual Report to AOSA Executive Director by May 30; saves a copy in an electronic or paper folder labeled Annual Reports
- Delegates duties of unfilled Board positions as required by local constitution
- Is responsible for the smooth operation of the chapter
- Attends Advisory Board meetings at national conferences or designates a representative. The person representing the chapter will receive a $100 stipend for attending the Advisory Board meetings to compensate for lost class time.
- Assists with national AOSA conferences held in region as requested
- Assists with AOSA functions at state, regional, and national music conferences
- Presides over annual review of bylaws
- Prepares and submits the Federal 990 tax document after June 30
II. Past President (optional)
- Offers advice to the Board
- Ensures continuity in chapter operation
- May or may not have voting privileges
- May attend Advisory Board meeting at national conference
III. Vice President(s) (required—2-year term)
- May be considered officer-in-training for President
- Presides in absence of President
- Serves as program Chairman with the following duties:
- Contacting clinicians for workshops two years in advance
- Writing and sending letters of contract to clinicians
- Making travel arrangements for clinicians to and from workshops
- Determining workshop locations
- Maintaining documentation of email contacts and contracts
- May attend Advisory Board meetings at national conferences
IV. Secretary (required—2-year term)
- Record keeping duties include:
- Distributing minutes as instructed by chapter, including posting minutes from the meetings on the WMOC website
- Assisting President in completing the Annual Report
- Recording attendance and processing paperwork for professional development hours
- Maintaining documentation of all chapter business—membership lists, meeting minutes, workshop information, newsletters, etc.
- Correspondence duties include:
- Writing courtesy letters, thank you notes, and invitations
- Writing letters of chapter business, such as certificates of Liability Insurance for chapter workshops
- Creating and sharing the annual programming document to members and area school music educators by mid-August
- Coordinating membership information (mailing addresses and contact information) with the Treasurer to be updated each fall
- Sending out reminders of Chapter meetings and workshops 2 weeks in advance (including requests for snacks)
V. Treasurer (required—2-year term)
- Oversees, collects, and records all National dues and financial transactions
- Presents financial reports to Chapter members when requested
- Generates list of members for fiscal year
- Collects National AOSA dues and sends to Executive Headquarters within one week of collection
- Prepares Chapter Statement of Financial Activity and submits to AOSA by September 15 each year
- Creates annual budget for future workshops and operational expenses to be reviewed and approved by the Executive Board each spring
VI. Technology Marketing Manager
- Posts workshop information (i.e.: descriptions & locations) to Chapter website and Facebook group
- Posts current printable workshop registration form
- Posts newsletter, photos, and other Chapter information
VII. Scholarship Manager
- Organizes fundraisers for the Chapter Scholarship Fund to be used for: Levels courses, National Orff Conference, etc. These fundraisers may include music store sales, silent auctions, garage sales, etc.
- Collects scholarship applications due April 1st
- Heads the selection committee (including the Chapter President or Vice President) to review applications for scholarship funds. Announces scholarship recipients at the April workshop.
Elections shall be conducted at the last chapter meeting of each school year. The slate of officers shall be nominated by the general membership at the meeting before the election.
Article V—Meetings
· There shall be a minimum of four meetings during the year. The date, time and location for these meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board.
· Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of any member of the Executive Board.
· Executive Board meetings may be called at the discretion of the President, or a majority of the Executive Board.
Article VI—Amendments
· Amendments to the Constitution shall be made by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active membership. An amendment must be in the hands of each voting member two weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken.
· Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed to the membership at any time.
Article VII—Consistency with American Orff-Schulwerk Association
· The provisions of this Constitution are contingent upon their consistency with the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
· Revisions of and amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association shall be incorporated into this Constitution without vote of the membership.
· In all instances of dispute, the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association shall prevail.