Constitution – 2/20/2024
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Alabama Music Educators Association, hereinafter designated as AMEA or the Association. This Association shall function as the Alabama unit of NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, hereinafter referred to as NAfME, in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of that organization.
Article II – Object
The object of this Association shall be:
- To effect mutual assistance and the promotion and advancement of music education through educational institutions and other organizations;
- To encourage music activities among the schools of the state by means of festivals, clinics, workshops and other related events;
- To secure greater recognition for music as an integral part of the school curriculum;
- To encourage the development of post school music opportunities in each community.
Article III – Membership
Section 1. Active Membership. Active membership in the AMEA with the right to vote and to hold office shall be open to persons engaged in music teaching or other music-related educational work in Alabama. Annual dues shall be the amount stipulated for NAfME membership, plus the amount specified in the AMEA Bylaws. Only active members may have voting privileges or hold office.
Section 2. Retired Membership. Retired membership shall be open to former music educators who have retired from teaching, administrative, or research positions in music education and are members of NAfME at the time of retirement. Retired members shall have the same privileges as active members except the right to vote and to hold office.
Section 3. Student Membership.
a. Collegiate membership shall be open to students of music education at the college level who are not employed as full-lime teachers. Student members shall have the same privileges as active members except the right to vote and to hold office.
b. Tri-M Music Honor Society Membership. Student membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society shall be open to high school or junior high students who are enrolled in a school sponsored music ensemble, of excellent character, exhibit a good attitude toward teachers and fellow students, be cooperative and helpful in their classes and school community, and maintain a high standard of achievement in music and academic subjects.
Section 4. Industry Membership.
Industry membership shall be open to businesses, ensembles, organizations, colleges, and universities which support the mission of AMEA. This membership shall have the same privileges as active members except the right to vote and to hold elective office.
Section 5. Life Membership.
Life Membership in NAfME will be recognized by AMEA, and will have all privileges of Active Membership described in Article III, Section 1.
Section 6. Eligibility.
The decision of the Governing Board regarding the eligibility of any candidate for membership shall be final.
Article IV – Government
Section 1. Authority.
Authority for the management, policies, and actions of the AMEA is vested in the AMEA Governing Board.
Section 2. Officers.
The officers of the AMEA shall be the President, the Past-President, the President-Elect, and the Recording Secretary. The President-Elect and Recording Secretary shall be elected in every even-numbered year.
Section 3. Governing Board.
The Governing Board shall be composed of the President, Past-President, President-Elect, Recording Secretary, the Collegiate (cNAfME) Faculty Advisor, and the President or Chairperson of each of the Divisions.
Ex-officio non-voting members of the Governing Board shall be the Arts Education Specialist of the Alabama State Department of Education, the Editor of Ala Breve Magazine, the Executive Director of the AMEA, the AMEA Assistant Executive Director, the Treasurer/Register appointed by the President, the Industry Member Representative, and the State Collegiate (cNAfME) President. Additional ex-officio, non-voting members of the governing board may be appointed and serve at the discretion of the Governing Board.
Advisory members shall be the Presidents-Elect and/or Vice-Presidents of each of the Divisions and shall serve in a non-voting capacity.
Section 4. Quorum.
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the elected members of the Governing Board or their representatives. Such representatives shall be restricted to the Past-President, President-Elect and/or Vice-Presidents of the Divisions.
Article V – Elections
Nominating Committee. No later than 60 days prior to the annual AMEA Professional Development Conference, the President shall appoint a committee for the purpose of nominating two candidates for the office of President-Elect and two candidates for the office of Recording Secretary. The Committee shall consist of one member from each of the Divisions and one member-at-large who shall be chairperson, none of whom shall be members of the Governing Board. The Nominating Committee shall present its slate at the next general business meeting of the membership, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor.
Article VI – Meetings
Section I. The Governing Board shall establish the time and dates of all general meetings, business meetings, and conventions.
Section 2. The Governing Board shall meet at the call of the President or upon the joint request of not less than five members of the Board.
Article VII – Funds
Section 1. All monies received from any source whatsoever for Association sponsored activities shall be turned over to the Executive Director or Treasurer/Registrar and properly receipted.
Section 2. Funds of the Association shall be disbursed by the Executive Director or Treasurer/Registrar in accordance with an annual budget adopted by the Governing Board.
Section 3. There shall be a bi-annual financial review of the Association’s finances by an independent accounting agency. Results of this review shall be published on the Association’s website, www.myamea.org
Article VIII – Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees. Standing committees may be established as needed by the Governing Board. Members of such committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Governing Board. They shall serve during the term of the administration in which they are appointed. The President shall be a voting ex-officio member of all standing committees. AMEA shall include the following standing committees:
a. Nominating Committee – as set forth in Article V.
b. Budget Committee – The Budget Committee shall consist of five members: the President, Past-President, President-Elect, Treasurer/Registrar, and one member at-large. The Past-President shall serve as chair. The Executive Director shall serve as a non-voting member. It shall be the responsibility of the Budget Committee to prepare and present an annual budget to the Governing Board for their approval. The budget shall be ready for presentation to the Governing Board at the summer board meeting. After approval, by the Governing Board, it shall be published on the AMEA website by August 31.
Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees. Ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the President as the need arises, and shall serve until their specified task is completed, or during the term of the administration in which they are appointed, unless otherwise authorized by the Governing Board.
Article IX – Disposition of Assets
Upon dissolution, all of the assets of the Association shall be turned over to such non-profit organizations qualifying as exempt from Federal tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any successor provision thereto as the then Governing Board shall select.
Article X – Provision for Divisional Bylaws
Each Division of this Association shall have the right to establish bylaws governing its specific organization and activities provided that they are in accord with the articles of this Constitution and the General Bylaws of the Association.
Article XI – Amendments
This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of all members present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Association, or by a two-thirds referendum vote of the entire ballots cast online. All members shall be notified in writing of the amendment under consideration at least 30 days before a vote is taken. Prior to being submitted to the membership for a final vote, any amendment shall have been approved by a two-thirds vote of the Governing Board.
Bylaws – 5/01/2024
Article I – Duties of the Officers
Section I. President. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Governing Board, to enforce due observance of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Resolutions; to exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the Association; with the concurrence of the Treasurer/Registrar to have the power to make emergency decisions; to appoint all committees not otherwise provided for and to serve as ex-officio member of each. The President shall represent this Association in all matters pertaining to its relationship with NAfME. When any function involves more than one Division of the Association it shall be the responsibility of the President, with the approval of the Governing Board, to secure facilities for the event and to coordinate all related activities.
Section 2. Past-President. The Past-President shall serve as advisor to the President, and shall have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Governing Board.
Section 3. President-Elect. The President-Elect shall succeed to the office of the presidency at the end of the current President’s term of office, and shall assume the duties of the President in the event of the disability or absence of the President, and shall have other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Governing Board.
Section 4. Recording Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to take and disseminate minutes of AMEA business sessions at the annual Professional Development Conference and Governing Board meetings.
Article II – Duties of Division Presidents or Division Chairpersons, Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, and Governing Board
Section 1. Divisions of the Alabama Music Educators Association. The divisions of the Alabama Music Educators Association are the Alabama Bandmasters Association (ABA), Alabama Orchestra Association (AOA), Alabama Vocal Association (AVA), Elementary/General Division, Collegiate NAfME (cNAfME), and Higher Education Division.
Section 2. Division Presidents or Chairpersons. Division Presidents or Chairpersons shall serve as members of the Governing Board, promote the interests of their respective divisions, and make recommendations to the Governing Board regarding the organization and administration of those festival events, which are the concern of their divisions. At the annual meeting of the Association, Division Presidents or Chairpersons shall be responsible for a report of the activities of their Divisions. Before relinquishing their offices, Division Presidents or Chairpersons must prepare an outline of the duties of their Divisions, with information concerning the organizational structure.
Section 3. Executive Director. It shall be the duty of the Executive Director to maintain a list of the names and addresses of all members and to conduct elections as described in the Constitution and By-Laws. He/She shall assist the President in implementing plans for the Professional Development Conference by procuring hotel and convention center rates and planning and conducting the exhibits. He/She shall serve as chief financial officer, collect money due to the association, pay bills incurred by the association, and present a written report at the annual meeting of the Association and at each meeting of the Governing Board. He/She shall submit his/her records for audit at the request of the Governing Board. He/she shall maintain membership in AMEA and perform such other duties as may be required by the Constitution and By-Laws and the Governing Board.
Section 4. Assistant Executive Director. It shall be the duty of the Assistant Executive Director to aide and assist the AMEA Governing Board in planning professional development programs for the association and assist the Executive Director in implementing those plans. He/She maintain the AMEA Constitution, Bylaws, and Executive Handbook in cooperation with the President and Executive Director. He/She will oversee and manage AMEA’s website, social media accounts, and the conference app. He/She will assume the duties of the Executive Director in the case of disability or absence of the Executive Director. He/she shall maintain membership in AMEA and perform such other duties as may be required by the Constitution and By-Laws, the Governing Board, and the Executive Director.
Section 5. Governing Board. The Governing Board shall schedule at least three Board meetings annually. The Board shall be responsible for establishing the official calendar of the Association, including an annual business meeting. The Board shall arrange for an audit of the Association’s financial records at least once each 12 months. No later than June 1, the Board shall report the official calendar of the Association and Division events of the coming year to the National office of the NAfME, to the Chairperson of the Activities Committee of the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals, and to the editor of Ala Breve Magazine.
Article III – Rules Governing Elections
Section 1. AMEA officers shall be elected by ballots on each even-numbered year to take office on June 1 of that year and to serve until May 31 of the next election year.
Section 2. A plurality of votes cast shall be necessary for election.
Section 3. An Election Committee shall be appointed by the President and will meet within one week of the closing date on the ballot to canvass the returns. The President shall give public notice immediately. The election ballots shall be filed in the office of the Executive Director for a period of at least one year.
Article IV – Fiscal Year
The Governing Board shall determine the fiscal year.
Article V – Dues
The Governing Board shall set the amount of dues to be paid in all categories of AMEA membership. Changes in the amount of these AMEA dues may not be enacted more frequently than once per year and may not exceed $10. Any increase in excess of this amount shall be approved by a majority of the active AMEA members voting.
Article VI – Voting
Section 1. The election of AMEA officers shall be conducted by ballot in accordance with the instructions of the Governing Board. Provisions will be made for active AMEA members to vote online according to guidelines specified by the AMEA Governing Board.
Section 2. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws, and all other matters, for which a vote is appropriate, may be conducted either online or at any business meeting scheduled by the Governing Board.
Article VII – Rules of Order
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority for this organization.
Article VIII – Amendments
The Bylaws may be altered or amended by an approving vote of the majority of those members who cast ballots at any regular or special meeting of the Association, or by a majority of those members who cast ballots online, provided that thirty days notice of such proposed amendment or alteration shall be given by email, website posting, or otherwise to all members of record who are eligible to vote. Proposed amendments may be initiated by the Governing Board or by a petition signed by five percent (5%) of the membership of record.
Article IX – Official Publications
Section 1. The official publication of AMEA shall be Ala Breve Magazine.
Section 2. Ala Breve Magazine shall be published as determined by the Governing Board.
Section 3. A portion of each AMEA member’s annual dues shall be allocated as a subscription fee for Ala Breve Magazine. The Governing Board shall establish the amount of the annual subscription fees for members and non-members.
Section 4. The Governing Board shall appoint the editor of the Ala Breve Magazine. The Governing Board shall appoint the term of office. The Editor shall be responsible for gathering and editing materials to be published (including articles, announcements, business items, and advertisements), printing and distributing each issue of the magazine to the membership and subscribers. The Governing Board may appoint additional personnel to assist the Editor with the duties of the office.
Section 5. The Governing Board shall act as or appoint an Editorial Board for Ala Breve Magazine and determine its duties.