Constitution of the South-Central Chapter of the American Musicological Society

Ratified March 18, 2016—Athens, Georgia

Amended March 23, 2018—Asheville, North Carolina

Article I: Name

This organization shall be known as the “South-Central Chapter of the American Musicological Society.” Henceforth the American Musicological Society shall be referred to as “the Society” and the South-Central Chapter as “the Chapter.” The official abbreviation for headings, checks, etc. shall read “AMS-SC.”

Article II: Objectives

The objectives of the chapter shall be to foster:

1. The advancement of research in the various fields of music as a branch of learning and scholarship.
2. The cooperation among members of the Society residing in a specific geo­graphical area.
3. The exchange of ideas through dissemination of professional information and exhibition of performance practice.
4. The regional implementation of policies, programs, and directives as adopt­ed by the government of the Society.

The chapter is organized exclusively for educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article III: Area

The geographical area of the chapter includes all of the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, and parts of other states defined by their Zip codes, as follows:

• Alabama, 35601–35999;
• Georgia, 30001–30399 and 30501–30799;
• North Carolina, 28701–28999;
• Virginia, 24201–24399 and 24601–24699.

(See map in the Appendix below.)

Article IV: Membership

The membership of the Chapter shall consist of all members of the Society whose address on file falls within the Chapter’s geographical area.

Article V: Government

The officers of the Chapter shall constitute its permanent government. The officers shall consist of a Chapter President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Vice-President shall serve as Program Chair and shall ordinarily become President the following year. The Vice-President/Program Chair shall appoint members of the Program Committee. The President, on the advice of fellow officers, may from time to time appoint committees to function ad hoc. Such committees include, but are not limited to, such functions as nominations and program planning.

Article VI: Meetings

The Chapter shall meet at least once during the calendar year. General meetings shall be open to all interested persons. The business meeting, ordinarily conducted at lunch during the annual meeting, shall be open to all attending the regular meet­ing, but only chapter members may vote.

Article VII: Amendments

The Constitution or Bylaws of the Chapter may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Chapter members attending the meeting at which the vote is held. All such amendments shall be in consonance with the Bylaws of the Society.

Article VIII: Ratification

This Constitution shall be ratified and come into force by a vote of two thirds of the members voting in a ratification ballot.

Bylaws of the South-Central Chapter of the American Musicological Society

Ratified March 18, 2016—Athens, Georgia

Amended March 23, 2018—Asheville, North Carolina

Article I: Duties and Privileges of Officers

1. The President shall be the chief administrative officer of the Chapter and shall preside at general meetings of the Chapter. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees (except nominat­ing committees), but shall not have voting privilege in such other commit­tees.
2. The Vice-President shall assist the President-Treasurer and shall serve as Program Chair. The Vice-President shall ordinarily become President-Treasurer the following year.
3. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt and disbursal of Chapter funds, shall keep an accurate and full account of all Chapter financial transactions, and shall submit an annual financial report to the Chapter membership and the Secretary of the Society. The Treasurer shall also submit annual paperwork required by the IRS to maintain the Chapter’s non-profit, tax-exempt status.
4. The Secretary shall be responsible for the Chapter’s membership records, membership mailings, and elections; shall submit the annual membership report to the Vice-President for publication in a Membership Directory if such is issued; and shall facilitate communication between the Chapter and the Society, including filing of paperwork and dissemination of news.
5. The National Council Chapter Representative shall represent the Chapter to the Council of the Society.
6. The two National Council Student Representatives shall represent the stu­dent members of the Chapter to the Council of the Society.
7. The official correspondence privilege on behalf of the Chapter shall be re­served to the officers.

Article II: Terms of Office

1. The term of every office, except the Treasurer and the various representatives to the national Council, shall be one year. The Treasurer has a term of three years. The National Council Chapter Representative has a term of three years, and the two Student Representatives have overlapping terms of two years, in accordance with the policy of the Society.
2. All officers must be current members of the Chapter and thereby of the So­ciety. Any member may become a candidate for any elective office, except that the Student Representatives must be students at the time of election and foreseeably through their terms in office.
3. No member may be a candidate for the office of President or Vice-President more than twice in succession. The National Council Representatives may not succeed themselves.
4. Officers must resign if their residence of record is no longer within the Chapter boundaries, if they become physically or mentally incapacitated, if they leave the Society, or if their removal has been requested by the Execu­tive board of the Society or by a two-thirds majority of the membership of the Chapter voting in a referendum called for that purpose.
5. Unexpired terms of office shall be filled by special election.
6. Officers shall begin their term of office following the annual meeting.

Article III: Elections

1. Elections will be held during the business meeting of the annual meeting. Officers will be elected by a voice or hand vote unless an objection is raised. If an objection occurs, ballots will be distributed.
2. The consent to serve if elected must be obtained from every nominee or write-in candidate.
3. In special circumstances, the President-Treasurer or an ad hoc committee may conduct an email ballot, administered by the Secretary under rules ap­proved by all officers.
4. Candidates receiving the greatest number of valid votes shall be considered elected. In case of a tie, a run-off election shall be held.
5. The outgoing Chapter officers shall close all business by June 30 and trans­fer all Chapter documents to their successors by July 31.

Article IV: Meetings

1. The prospective President-Treasurer for any given meeting will (with the advice of the other officers) determine its date.
2. The Secretary, in consultation with the Vice-President/Program Chair, will distribute the Call for Papers and meeting dates and location to the mem­bership at least three months before the meeting is to take place. The Secre­tary in consultation with the other officers, will distribute subsequent infor­mation about the meeting, including the final program and travel informa­tion, one month before the meeting.
3. A simple majority of the officers or one third of the active membership shall be the authority for calling a special meeting.
4. The voting privilege at business sessions of general meetings shall be restric­ted to chapter members only.
5. The number of Chapter members attending the regular annual business meeting, or the number of members voting in a special email election, shall be considered a quorum for all transactions.
6. Except as provided in the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Society or the Chapter, or in rules adopted pursuant to it, the business meetings shall be governed by the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order in matters of parliamentary procedure.

Article V: Finances and Membership

1. Annual dues may be determined by the members from time to time.
2. The Chapter will maintain a checking account with a reputable bank, pre­ferably near the Treasurer’s residence, and a savings account if desirable. Checks shall be signed by the Treasurer, the President, or the Vice-President.
3. Upon the dissolution of the Chapter, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Inter­nal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local go­vernment, for a public purpose.

Article VI: Amendments

1. Amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws of the Chapter may be formulated by any five members, and submitted to the Secretary by January 31. The text of the proposed amendment(s) shall be mailed to the membership by the Secretary on or before February 10, for a vote at the annual meeting in the spring.

Appendix: Map of the South-Central Chapter