PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA FRATERNITY OF AMERICA, INC.
CENTRAL OHIO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
Ratified July 12, 2004
Effective upon approval of Alumni Association Petition
ARTICLE I
Name, Purpose, and Governing Documents
Section 1. Name. This organization shall be known as
the Central Ohio Alumni Association of Phi Mu Alpha
Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. (hereafter
referred to as “the COAA”).
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of the COAA shall be
consistent with the purposes outlined in Article XIII,
Section 1 of the National Constitution, which reads:
“Alumni associations shall encourage and enable alumni
members to retain identity with the fraternity, shall
maintain a continuing spirit of brotherhood among men
of music, shall act in support of collegiate chapters,
shall engage in or support such musical projects in
the community as promote the ideals of the fraternity,
shall aid deserving students of music in whatever way
possible, and shall encourage and support local music
programs.”
Section 3. Governing Documents. The documents
governing the COAA shall be National Constitution of
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., the
Initiation Ritual, the Province Three By-laws, and
these by-laws.
ARTICLE II
Membership
Section 1. Eligibility. Membership in the COAA is
open to all alumni or honorary members of the
fraternity living in Central Ohio.
Section 2. Participation. A member shall not have to
pay dues in order to participate in functions of the
COAA. Non-paying members shall have no voting
privileges and shall be ineligible to hold an office.
Section 3. Dues. Association dues shall be in the
amount of $40 per year per member to the national
fraternity, and also $5 per year per member to
Province 3. Dues for the upcoming year shall be
payable by each year's Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE III
Offices
Section 1. Elected Offices. The COAA shall annually
elect a Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and
Province Council Representative. Each of these
offices, along with the President, shall have one vote
on the Executive Committee. No person may hold more
than one Executive Committee position.
Section 2. Appointed Offices. In addition, the COAA
shall have the appointed offices of Membership
Committee Chairman, Music Director, and Webmaster.
These offices shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee.
Section 3. Terms of Office. The terms of office for
the Secretary, Treasurer, and Province Council
Representative shall be limited to one year. The
Vice-President is elected to the Executive Committee
for a term of two years, the second of which he shall
serve as President. All officers are eligible for
reelection to successive terms except the
Vice-President.
Section 4. President. The President shall preside
over all meetings of the COAA. He shall also preside
over all meetings of the Executive Committee. He
shall, in conjunction with the Secretary and
Treasurer, see that the annual personnel report is
filed with the National Fraternity in a timely manner.
In addition, the President, with the advice of the
Executive Committee, may appoint persons for specific
purposes. These appointees serve at the discretion of
the President for the remainder of his term of office.
The President shall hold a seat on the Province 3
Council.
Section 5. Vice-President. The primary role of the
Vice-President shall be to prepare to assume the
Presidency in the following year. The Vice-President
shall work under the tutelage of the President in such
preparation. In the absence of the President, the
Vice-President shall preside over meetings. Should
the office of President become vacant, the
Vice-President shall assume the office of President,
and the office of Vice-President shall be filled,
pursuant to Article III, Section 12 of these by-laws.
In addition, the Vice-President shall serve as the
master-of-ceremonies, and shall coordinate all
ceremonies of the COAA.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall be in
charge of all internal COAA correspondence. He shall
keep a record of all meetings of the COAA. He shall
work with the President and Treasurer to ensure that
the annual personnel report is filed with the national
fraternity in a timely manner. In addition, the
Secretary shall also serve as events coordinator, and
shall be responsible for keeping the COAA calendar.
He shall chair and appoint the members of an Events
Coordination Committee, should he deem it necessary to
form one.
Section 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep a
record of all finances of the COAA. This shall
include, but not be limited to, a bank account, petty
cash, and dues. The Treasurer shall report to the
COAA at each meeting on its financial affairs. He
shall work with the President and Secretary to ensure
that the annual personnel report is filed with the
national fraternity in a timely manner. The Treasurer
shall also be responsible for all fundraising
endeavors of the COAA. He shall chair and appoint the
members of a Fundraising Committee, should he deem it
necessary to form one.
Section 8. Province Council Representative. The
Province Council Representative (”PCR”) shall hold a
seat on the Province 3 Council. In addition, he shall
serve as the chief correspondent to the collegiate
chapters in the area. The PCR shall hold a seat on
the Membership Committee.
Section 9. Membership Committee Chairman. The
Membership Committee Chairman shall be responsible for
all recruitment of members to the COAA. He shall
appoint all members to the committee, with the
exception of the PCR, who shall automatically have a
seat on the committee. The Membership Committee
Chairman shall work with the PCR to maintain an
accurate list of Alumni living in the area. This
position may be held by any member except the
President.
Section 10. Music Director. The Music Director shall
direct all musical rehearsals and activities of the
COAA. He shall work with the Secretary in the
planning of all musical activities of the COAA. He
shall perform all other duties as the Executive
Committee may specify. This position may be held by
any member except the President.
Section 11. Webmaster. The Webmaster shall be in
charge of all revisions and maintenance of the COAA
website. In addition, he shall oversee the COAA
listserve, and shall perform all other duties as the
Executive Committee may specify. This position my be
held by any member of the COAA.
Section 12. Vacancies. Any vacancies in elected
offices shall be filled by a simple majority of
members present and voting at the next regular
meeting. This person shall fill the office for the
remainder of the term.
Section 13. Removal. Any officer can be removed from
office by a two-thirds vote of all members at a
regular meeting of the COAA. Notice of the motion to
remove an officer must be given to the Executive
Committee no less than one week prior to the regular
meeting. The officer shall have the option to speak
in his defense prior to the vote.
Section 14. Nominations. The President shall appoint
a nominations committee at least six weeks prior to
the Annual Meeting of the COAA. The committee shall
report back a slate of officers at least three weeks
prior to the Annual Meeting. Nominations will remain
open from the floor at the Annual Meeting.
Section 15. Elections. Elections shall be held yearly
at the Annual Meeting of the COAA. Election shall be
by secret ballot, and each office shall require a
majority of votes cast for that office. If such a
majority cannot be obtained, a second ballot shall be
held between the top two vote-getting candidates.
ARTICLE IV
Meetings
Section 1. Annual Meeting. An Annual Meeting shall be
held yearly on the third weekend of May for the
election of officers.
Section 2. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting shall
be held at least once per month.
Section 3. Quorum. To conduct business, the following
conditions must be met:
Section 4. Majority. All business must carry by simple majority (that is, greater than 50%), except where otherwise specified in these by-laws.
ARTICLE V
Amendment and Revision
Section 1. Regular Amendment. These by-laws may be
amended or replaced at any regular meeting of the
COAA, provided notice has been given to the
membership. Any and all amendments require a
two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present.
Section 2. Amendment Committee. The Executive
Committee may appoint a committee to amend and revise
these by-laws at its discretion. Any report given by
such a committee shall be considered notice.
Section 3. Revision. The Executive Committee shall
appoint a by-laws revision committee immediately
following each National Assembly to revise these
by-laws. Any report given by this committee shall be
considered notice.