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Missouri Association of Playwrights By-Laws |
These By-laws for the Missouri Association of Playwrights became effective on January 26, 1996.ARTICLE I. Name
Section 1. The name of the corporation is THE MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF PLAYWRIGHTS.ARTICLE II. Purpose
Section 1. The organization known as the Missouri Association of Playwrights is formed as a not-for-profit Corporation of the State of Missouri. The Assocation shall be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, its Articles of Incorporation, these By-laws, and any rules and regulations made by its Board of Directors. The By-laws and all rules and regulations governing the operation of the Missouri Association of Playwrights shall be consistent with its Articles of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Missouri governing not-for-profit organizations.This Corporation is formed for the following purposes: to foster public interest in the art of playwriting through instruction, workshops, and play readings; to provide new and experienced playwrights opportunities and assistance in getting their plays produced; and to foster and encourage the public appreciation of all aspects of theatrer.
ARTICLE III. Management
Section 1. Membership
Membership is open to anyone who shares the expressed purposes as stated above in Article II of these By-laws. Membership dues will be set by the Board of Directors.Section 2. Board of Directors
The Administration of the Missouri Association of Playwrights shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall adopt the By-laws and shall establish the general policies affecting the Missouri Association of Playwrights.
The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five or more than nine members of the Association. The Board of Directors may at their discretion, through majority vote, establish or disestablish the number and the kind of Board officers. If an office becomes vacant between elections, that office will be filled for the remainder of the term by a vote of the full Board of Directors. The Board shall approve rules, regulations, and budget for any competitions or staged productions which the Association may decide to undertake.Section 3. Election of Officers
In the spring of even-numbered years, the Board of Directors will present a slate of nominees for the Board of Directors to the general membership for a vote. Nominations for the Board may also be made by the general membership.
Current Board Members will continue to serve until replaced through the elective process or in special circumstances by the Board of Directors.
Officers will be elected by a majority of Board members present at a Board meeting. The officers may be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers will be elected for a two-year term.Section 4. Committees
Standing and Ad Hoc Committees may be established by the President with the consensus of the Board of Directors. A meeting of a committee may be called by the President or Committee Chairperson. No committee shall bind the Corporation to any obligation or contract.Section 5. Meetings
Board meetings shall be called by the President or by a majority of the Board of Directors. There shall be a minimum of two regular Board meetings per year. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time. But notice shall be given to the full Board one week prior to the special meeting. A quorum for Board meetings is established if a majority of the members of the full Board are present.Section 6. Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall appint chairpersons of committees and serve as an ex-officio member of each committee. The President, with Board approval, has the authority to disestablish any committee or replace any committee chair person/s. The President shall set the agenda and preside at all Board and general membership meetings. The President shall perform such other duties as pertain to his/her offices as is usual in Missouri Corporations.
The Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President in the event of the absence or incapacity of the President to perform his/her duties.
The Secretary shall keep and publish minutes of all Board meetings. The Secretary will be the repository of all important documents of the Corporation, including but not limited to Articles of Incorporation, copies of past and present minutes, copies of committees records, By-laws, and not-for-profit documents. The Secretary shall perform other duties as are usual and incidental to the office.
The Treasurer shall be custodian of all finances of the Corporation, shall make regular reports to the Board of Directors regarding the financial status of the Corporation, and keep permanent records to pass on to succeeding Treasurers. The Treasurer may be bonded in such amount as determined by the Board of Directors. Such bonding charge shall be paid by the Corporation. The Treasurer shall perform all such duties as are customary to this office.ARTICLE IV. Fiscal Responsibility
Section 1. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered. The compensation must be duly authorized and determined by the Board of Directors.Section 2. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall involve the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation. The Corporation shall not participate in any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office in any way.
Section 3. The Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any corresponding provisions of any future United State Internal Revenue law. The Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Revenue law.
ARTICLE VII. Dissolution
Section 1. In the event of dissolution of this corporation, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Corporation, the Board of Directors will dispose all assets of the Corporation to one or more organizations, organized and operated for similar exempt purposes within the purview of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.Under authority granted by ARTICLE VIII, Section 1 of the last prior By-laws of the Missouri Association of Playwrights, the members of the present Board of Directors hereby establish this document on 20 January 1996 to be the present and fully authorized By-laws of the Missouri Association of Playwrights.