Bylaws
Tampa Bay Chapter - NATS Bylaws (Full Document) [Download PDF copy]
Revised by Bylaws Committee April 13, 2008
Article I Chapter Name and Location
The name of this organization shall be the Tampa Bay Chapter (hereinafter referred to as
TBNATS or “the Chapter”) of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (referred
to as NATS).
Article II Mission and Code of Ethics
The purpose of the TBNATS is to support the profession of teaching of singing in the
Tampa Bay area, to provide meetings for discussion of matters relevant to the profession,
to provide performance and audition experience for young and non-professional singers,
and to promote interest and stimulate participation in the national program of NATS.
The Chapter adopts fully the mission of NATS:
“to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the
teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels, both for
the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the
talented.”
The Chapter as an organization subscribes without reservation to the NATS Code of
Ethics.
Article III Chapter Membership
Members of NATS in good standing are eligible for membership in the TBNATS. Such
NATS members shall be admitted to membership in the TBNATS upon payment of
chapter dues as determined by the Chapter. Chapter membership will be terminated when
a member resigns or is dropped from membership in NATS. (See also Article VII.)
Elected Positions
Chapter President: represents the Chapter at Regional and National events as
needed; coordinates with Regional Governor regarding membership and other regional
issues that affect the Chapter; answers to Regional and National representatives as
needed; assists the Student Auditions Chair; maintains communication with chapter members and
prospective members regarding events and projects.
Vice President: serves as Membership Coordinator; actively seeks new members;
assists with Student Adjudications and other important events; helps seek speakers and
coordinate special projects with subcommittee chairs; serves in President’s place in
emergency situations; serves as Chapter President Pro-Tem should a President be unable
to complete his/her term of office.
Secretary: takes minutes at Chapter Meetings and prepares them for distribution;
creates and maintains the yearly Membership List for the Chapter; writes additional
materials as needed.
Treasurer: writes checks for the Chapter at auditions and related events; collects
chapter dues and event fees; balances the bank statements for the Chapter; assists with
budget planning and recommendations; assists secretary in maintaining the yearly
Membership List for the Chapter.
Historian: takes digital photos at events; writes descriptions of events for website
and other archives.
The above positions are 2-year, renewable terms via election. Terms end May 1st
of their second year of office.
Optional appointments
Webmaster: any chapter officer or designated non-member with skills and
interest in this area may be called upon to assist with the chapter website; this position is
appointable by the Chapter President.
Other special officers, committees, or chairpersons may be appointed by the President to
serve in such temporary capacities as occasions may demand.
Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon
termination of his/her membership in NATS. Upon proof of due cause, any elected or
appointed officer may be removed from office by two-thirds vote of the Chapter
membership.
Article V Meetings
There shall be at least two meetings of the Chapter each year. An announcement of a
meeting, with proposed agenda and program should be mailed or emailed to the chapter
members with reasonable notice prior to the date of each meeting. As the Chapter serves
a large geographical area, chapter meetings should rotate to various parts of that area.
Chapter meetings may be called by the president or any responsible segment of the
membership, provided that Chapter officers and the remainder of the Chapter
membership are given reasonable notice in advance of such a meeting.
Article VI Elections and Quorum
At a spring meeting of the Chapter, in appropriate years, elections will be held.
Individuals may be nominated or self-nominated. The meeting at which an election will
take place will be announced as such to all members of the Chapter in advance of the
meeting date and the slate of nominees will be given. If a quorum is not present, a mail or
email vote of the full membership will be taken. Officers elected will take office on May
1st of the year, and serve to that same date two years hence. (See under Officers for an
exception to this.)
A quorum at any regular meeting or called meeting of the entire Chapter membership
shall consist of one-third of the members in good standing.
Article VII Dues and Assessments
The annual Chapter dues, to be determined by the members of the Chapter, are payable
by an annual dues date established and published by the Chapter. Notices of non-payment
of dues shall be sent to delinquent members immediately after that date. If any remain
unpaid after a determined length of time after the notice has been sent, said membership
should automatically cease. Resignation shall not be accepted from delinquent members.
Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events
necessitating unusual expenditures only where such a motion is entertained at a meeting
where a quorum is present and said motion is passed by a majority vote.
Article VIII Checks and Balances
A dual-signature of the President and Treasurer will be required on any TBNATS check
of $300 or more.
Article IX Audit
At any time, the President with the approval of a simple majority of the Chapter may
appoint an outside auditor to audit the financial records of the Treasurer. The auditor
shall report the subsequent findings to the Chapter.
Article X Programs and Procedures
The programs of this Chapter may properly include social, promotional, professional, and
educational activities at the discretion of its officers and members, so long as such
activities are consistent with the Purposes and Code of Ethics stated in Article II above.
Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Article XI Amendments
The Bylaws of this Chapter may be amended or repealed, or new Bylaws adopted, by a
majority of the Chapter membership voting in person, by written proxy, or by mail or
email, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership in
advance of the voting date.
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Revised by Bylaws Committee April 13, 2008
Article I Chapter Name and Location
The name of this organization shall be the Tampa Bay Chapter (hereinafter referred to as
TBNATS or “the Chapter”) of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (referred
to as NATS).
Article II Mission and Code of Ethics
The purpose of the TBNATS is to support the profession of teaching of singing in the
Tampa Bay area, to provide meetings for discussion of matters relevant to the profession,
to provide performance and audition experience for young and non-professional singers,
and to promote interest and stimulate participation in the national program of NATS.
The Chapter adopts fully the mission of NATS:
“to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the
teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels, both for
the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the
talented.”
The Chapter as an organization subscribes without reservation to the NATS Code of
Ethics.
Article III Chapter Membership
Members of NATS in good standing are eligible for membership in the TBNATS. Such
NATS members shall be admitted to membership in the TBNATS upon payment of
chapter dues as determined by the Chapter. Chapter membership will be terminated when
a member resigns or is dropped from membership in NATS. (See also Article VII.)
Elected Positions
Chapter President: represents the Chapter at Regional and National events as
needed; coordinates with Regional Governor regarding membership and other regional
issues that affect the Chapter; answers to Regional and National representatives as
needed; assists the Student Auditions Chair; maintains communication with chapter members and
prospective members regarding events and projects.
Vice President: serves as Membership Coordinator; actively seeks new members;
assists with Student Adjudications and other important events; helps seek speakers and
coordinate special projects with subcommittee chairs; serves in President’s place in
emergency situations; serves as Chapter President Pro-Tem should a President be unable
to complete his/her term of office.
Secretary: takes minutes at Chapter Meetings and prepares them for distribution;
creates and maintains the yearly Membership List for the Chapter; writes additional
materials as needed.
Treasurer: writes checks for the Chapter at auditions and related events; collects
chapter dues and event fees; balances the bank statements for the Chapter; assists with
budget planning and recommendations; assists secretary in maintaining the yearly
Membership List for the Chapter.
Historian: takes digital photos at events; writes descriptions of events for website
and other archives.
The above positions are 2-year, renewable terms via election. Terms end May 1st
of their second year of office.
Optional appointments
Webmaster: any chapter officer or designated non-member with skills and
interest in this area may be called upon to assist with the chapter website; this position is
appointable by the Chapter President.
Other special officers, committees, or chairpersons may be appointed by the President to
serve in such temporary capacities as occasions may demand.
Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon
termination of his/her membership in NATS. Upon proof of due cause, any elected or
appointed officer may be removed from office by two-thirds vote of the Chapter
membership.
Article V Meetings
There shall be at least two meetings of the Chapter each year. An announcement of a
meeting, with proposed agenda and program should be mailed or emailed to the chapter
members with reasonable notice prior to the date of each meeting. As the Chapter serves
a large geographical area, chapter meetings should rotate to various parts of that area.
Chapter meetings may be called by the president or any responsible segment of the
membership, provided that Chapter officers and the remainder of the Chapter
membership are given reasonable notice in advance of such a meeting.
Article VI Elections and Quorum
At a spring meeting of the Chapter, in appropriate years, elections will be held.
Individuals may be nominated or self-nominated. The meeting at which an election will
take place will be announced as such to all members of the Chapter in advance of the
meeting date and the slate of nominees will be given. If a quorum is not present, a mail or
email vote of the full membership will be taken. Officers elected will take office on May
1st of the year, and serve to that same date two years hence. (See under Officers for an
exception to this.)
A quorum at any regular meeting or called meeting of the entire Chapter membership
shall consist of one-third of the members in good standing.
Article VII Dues and Assessments
The annual Chapter dues, to be determined by the members of the Chapter, are payable
by an annual dues date established and published by the Chapter. Notices of non-payment
of dues shall be sent to delinquent members immediately after that date. If any remain
unpaid after a determined length of time after the notice has been sent, said membership
should automatically cease. Resignation shall not be accepted from delinquent members.
Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events
necessitating unusual expenditures only where such a motion is entertained at a meeting
where a quorum is present and said motion is passed by a majority vote.
Article VIII Checks and Balances
A dual-signature of the President and Treasurer will be required on any TBNATS check
of $300 or more.
Article IX Audit
At any time, the President with the approval of a simple majority of the Chapter may
appoint an outside auditor to audit the financial records of the Treasurer. The auditor
shall report the subsequent findings to the Chapter.
Article X Programs and Procedures
The programs of this Chapter may properly include social, promotional, professional, and
educational activities at the discretion of its officers and members, so long as such
activities are consistent with the Purposes and Code of Ethics stated in Article II above.
Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Article XI Amendments
The Bylaws of this Chapter may be amended or repealed, or new Bylaws adopted, by a
majority of the Chapter membership voting in person, by written proxy, or by mail or
email, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership in
advance of the voting date.
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