BYLAWS OF
TENNESSEE WIND SYMPHONY INC.


 
I.          NAME- This corporation shall be known as Tennessee Wind Symphony.


II.         PURPOSE- This corporation is formed for educational purposes within the meaning of Section

501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.  In addition, its objectives shall be:


A.        To contribute positively to the musical environment of the areas it serves, whether local,

state, national or international;


B.        To provide an opportunity for the highest quality musical education, expression and

development;


C.        To provide an opportunity for contact between and among musicians of advanced

Proficiency;

 

D.        To reaffirm and foster the role of adult bands in America.


III.   MEMBERSHIP

 

A.        ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP


            1.         Membership is by invitation only to musicians of advanced proficiency.  There

shall be two classes of Membership:


            a.    Full-time Membership

 

            b.    Full-time Student Membership


2.          Temporary Members may be invited to fill a need for a specific concert.

 

B.        MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

 

1.          Band Size- The following shall serve as an instrumentation guideline:


                                    8 flutes                                               8 horns

2 oboes                                              14 trumpets

4 bassoons                                       8 trombones

14 clarinets                                       4 euphoniums

4 alto saxophones                           6 tubas

2 tenor saxophones                                    1 string bass

1 baritone saxophone                     7 percussion

2 bass clarinets

 

2.         How Selected- To achieve and maintain the preferred instrumentation, new

musicians will be invited to become Members only as needed.  All prospective Members may be required to audition.  The audition may be conducted by the director or his designee.  Primary Membership emphasis shall be adult, and, if a potential adult Member and a potential student Member are equally qualified, consideration shall be given to the adult.

 

3.         Termination-  Membership may be terminated for failure to maintain musical

proficiency, excessive absences, or inability to contribute to the general

objectives of the Band.

 

C.        DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

                        1.         Musical Proficiency-  Members are expected to maintain a level of musical

proficiency consistent with the general objectives of the Band.

2.         Attendance-  Members shall make every effort to attend all rehearsals and

concerts. Absences should be communicated to the Personnel Manager through the established channels. Excessive absences without proper notification to the Personnel Manager may result in termination. Requests can be made for a short or long term leave of absence by emailing the Personnel Manager. Leaves of absence are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. In the event that the personnel manager is unavailable, the membership will be advised of an alternate point of contact.

3.         Membership Dues are payable during the month of January, and are

delinquent after January 31. Members joining after July 1 shall pay one-half the

dues for their Membership.  Students continuing their education may elect to pay

one-half their dues with full voice and no vote. Once dues are delinquent, “members” cannot perform until dues are paid. Failure to pay dues may result in termination from the group. Financial hardships should be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors.


                        4.         Elections-  Members shall elect the Board of Directors; shall recall same by

majority vote; and shall have final say in selection and dismissal of the

Conductor(s).

 

5.         Concert Dress-  Concert dress shall be determined by the Board and adhered to

by the entire Membership.

6.         Recruitment- All Members are urged to bring to the attention of the Conductor

and Board of Directors talented musicians for possible Band Membership.

 

7.         Fund Raising- The Membership shall approve major fundraising activities.

            8.         Resignation-  A Member intending to resign shall give notice to the Board of

Directors and the resignation will be accepted after all Band properties have been returned.

 

9.         The Conductor or Board of Directors may request an individual in each section

to assist with record keeping and other appropriate tasks as needed.

 

 

IV.   BOARD OF DIRECTORS

            A.        EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY- The executive authority of the corporation is vested in a

Board of Directors whose duties shall include:

            1.         Management of the general affairs of the corporation, taking all action which is in

the best interest of the corporation

2.         Management of the financial affairs of the corporation

            a.
         Establish an annual budget including the amount of dues and any Staff

compensation

b.         Ensure adequate funding of the annual budget

c.         Plan and execute major fund raising projects, subject to approval by a

majority of the Band

 

3.         Determination of the timing and location of concerts

            4.         With the approval of the Membership, the appointment and dismissal of the

Conductor(s)

5.         Appointment and dismissal of any additional Staff

6.
         Annual review of all Staff

 

B.   COMPOSITION

                        1.         Officers

                                    a.
         Elected Officers- To the extent possible, elected officers are to be elected

by the Membership for terms beginning immediately following elections.

Odd numbered years: President and Secretary

Even numbered years: Vice-president, Treasurer, and Personnel Manager

 

b.         Appointed Officers- To the extent possible, appointed officers are to be

appointed by the Elected Officers for terms beginning immediately following appointments.

Odd numbered years:  Communications/Marketing Coordinator and

Librarian

Even numbered years:  Fund Coordinator and Stage/Property Manager

 

c.         All officers shall be Full Members; each shall have one vote.

2.         Staff-  The Conductor(s) and other Staff shall be ad hoc Members of the Board

with voice but no vote.  If the Conductor is a Full Member and pays dues, he/she shall have voice and vote as a TWS Member.

 

C.         ELECTlONS/TERMS

1.         Nominating Committee-  The Nominating Committee shall be elected in October

and shall consist of three Full Members. Two shall be elected by the Membership and one shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve as chairperson.  No more than one Member shall be currently serving on the Board.

2.         Election of the Board

a.         The slate of officers selected by the Nominating Committee shall be

presented at least two weeks before the Annual Meeting.  At the meeting

in which the slate is presented, the floor shall open for nominations and

remain open until the election.

b.         The elections shall take place at the Annual Meeting and shall be

conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.

c.         Only Full Members shall cast votes.

d.         A majority vote is necessary for election.

 

3.         Term

                        a.         Term of office shall be two years beginning immediately following

elections. In the event that the calendar date of elections falls slightly

before or after the two year mark, the new officer will still begin

his/her term immediately following elections.

b.         Officers may serve a maximum of two full consecutive terms. However, in

the event of extenuating circumstances, upon the approval of the Board of Directors, an officer may be nominated and may run for additional terms or may be appointed for additional terms.

c.         Resignations/Replacements-  Board Members may be subject to recall by

a majority vote of the Membership.  Terms of replacements shall coincide

with the terms of those replaced.  Appointed positions made empty by

resignation or recall shall be filled by replacements appointed by the

Board.  Elected positions made empty by resignation or recall shall be

filled by election of the Membership.

 

D.        DUTIES

 

1.         President-  The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Band; shall

preside at all meetings of the Membership and the Board; shall see that all orders

and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect; shall have the power to sign

and execute all contracts, instruments and conveyances, to sign checks, drafts,

notes and orders for the payment of money as directed by the Board in the name

of the Band, and to appoint and discharge agents and employees with approval

of the Board; and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and

management usually vested in the office of President.

2.         Vice President-  The Vice President shall be responsible for social and special

events, for concert house management such as programs, tickets, ushers, and

shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the Board of Directors.  If the

President is absent or is unable for any reason to perform the duties of office, the

Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President.

3.         Secretary-  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board

and of the Membership; shall perform all the duties incident to the office of

Secretary; shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board;

and shall have charge of all non-financial papers not otherwise specified

herein.

4.         Treasurer-  The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Band and of their

collection and disbursement under the direction of the Board; shall keep a record

of all monies received and paid out, making a report of same to the Board on at

least a quarterly basis; and whenever necessary and proper shall endorse on

behalf of the Band for collection, checks, notes, and other obligations and shall

deposit same to the credit of the Band in a financial Institution selected by the

Board; shall annually present a budget for approval by the Board; shall prepare

and report information to government bodies as necessary to maintain tax

exempt and not-for-profit status; shall maintain a list of equipment owned by, or

on loan to, the Band, and shall assign a monetary value to each item; and shall

perform other duties appropriate to the position of Treasurer.

5.         Communications/Marketing Coordinator-  The Communcations/Marketing

Coordinator shall promote and publicize all activities of the Band and serve as

Band historian. He/she shall also help maintain the TWS Website and social

media outlets.

6.         Property/Stage Manager-  The Property/Stage Manager shall be responsible for

arranging for rehearsal and concert halls; shall be responsible for setting up

chairs, stands, and equipment for all rehearsals and concerts; shall obtain

special instruments as requested by the Conductor(s), shall monitor the loaning

and care of Band instruments.

7.         Librarian-  The Librarian shall obtain, file, store, and distribute band music; shall

distribute and collect music folders at all rehearsals and concerts; and shall be responsible for the transportation of the folders to all concert and rehearsal sites.

 

8.         Fund Coordinator-  The Fund Coordinator shall develop and coordinate projects

to raise funds; shall serve as the Band representative to the Knoxville Arts

Council and oversee the Band’s participation in any fund raising activities of the

Council; and shall originate, write and manage grant applications and manage

the Band's participation in matching fund programs.

9.         Personnel Manager-  The Personnel Manager shall maintain an accurate record

of attendance; shall maintain and distribute a Membership list; shall greet new

Members, obtain pertinent information from them, and give them a "New Member

Packet” containing at least a Membership list and the constitution and bylaws.

 

 

V.        STAFF

            A.        CONDUCTOR(S)

                        1.
         Duties

                                    a.
         The Conductor(s) shall be accountable for all musical decisions, including

selection and interpretation of music, number of musicians for specific small group performances, guest artists, and all other things which are logically and reasonably the responsibility of the Conductor(s) as determined by the Board.

 

b.         With the approval of the Board and in cooperation with the Personnel

Manager, shall utilize temporary musicians when it is in the best interests of the Band. Payment and performance/rehearsal requirements of Temporary Musicians must be approved by the Board.

 

c.         The Conductor’s specific responsibilities, compensation, and other

details will be outlined in a contract established by the Board. The contract will be reviewed annually.

 

2.         Selection

                        a.         A Search Committee of from three to five Full Members shall be appointed

by the Board.  The Search Committee, using its discretion, shall follow these general guidelines:

(1)  Make appropriate advertisements of the opening

(2)  Request and review resumes

(3)  Interview prospective candidates

(4)  Recommend candidates to the Board

 

b.         The Board shall

                        (1)  Interview the proposed candidates

                        (2)  Invite qualified candidates to conduct one or more rehearsals of the

Band, some music to be chosen by the candidate and some by the Board

 

c.         A simple majority of the full Membership shall select a Conductor. Full

members with dues paid in full will receive a ballot to vote.

 

3.         The number of Conductors shall be determined by the Board.

B.        OTHER STAFF may be appointed by the Board as necessary to carry out such

functions of the Band as the Board directs.

 

C.        ANNUAL REVIEW of Staff shall be conducted to ensure satisfactory job performance.

This includes a review of the contract, and should occur in October.

 

 

VI.   MUSIC

            A.        SELECTION-  Suggestions of music may be made by any Member to the Conductor(s).

            B.        APPROVAL-  Every effort shall be made by the Conductor(s) to consider suggestions

of music from the Membership.

 

 

VII.  MEETINGS

            A.        BOARD MEETINGS

                        1.
         Meetings of the Board shall be called when the President or three Board

Members deem it necessary.

2.         Board meetings shall be open to the Membership.

3.         There shall be no fewer than one Board Meeting per quarter.

 

B.        ANNUAL MEETING

                        1.         The annual meeting shall be held at the second rehearsal of a new calendar

year.

2.         The annual meeting shall be held for the purpose of electing officers, receiving

reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

 

C.        QUORUM

                        1.         Board of Directors: a simple majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

                        2.         Membership: a simple majority of the current voting Membership shall constitute

a quorum.

 

3.         The President can declare a quorum of the Board of Directors in emergency

situations when all reasonable forms of communication have been

exhausted.

 
            D.        VOTING

1.         A quorum is necessary at any meeting in order to conduct business.


2.         Voting shall be completed either by electronic ballot or in person.

            3.         Each Full Member shall have voice and one vote.

            4.         Each Student Member under age 18 shall have voice but no vote.  Student

Members age 18 and older shall have voice and vote.

5.         Temporary Members shall have neither voice nor vote.

6.         Staff shall have voice but no vote.  In the event a Staff person is also a Full

Member paying dues, they shall retain all rights and responsibilities of Full

Membership, including voice and vote.

 

 

VIII. BUDGET AND FUNDS

            A.        FISCAL YEAR-  The fiscal year shall begin January 1.

            B.        ANNUAL BUDGET-  An annual budget for their area of responsibility shall be submitted

to the Treasurer by each officer or standing committee as appropriate.

C.        COMPLIANCE-  In its organization, operation and dissolution, the Band shall in every

instance comply with the terms of the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation Act.

D.        FUNDS-  shall be deposited in a local financial institution in the name of  Tennessee

Wind Symphony. All monies drawn on the account shall bear the signature of the

Treasurer, or the President, or, only when acting for the President, the Vice President.

All monies drawn in excess of $1,000 shall require a second signature.

 

 

IX.   PROPERTY

            A.        CARE OF BAND PROPERTIES-  Users of the Band's instruments and properties shall

be responsible for their routine maintenance and repair.  Cost of major repairs not due

to negligence shall be borne by the Band.  Determination of responsibility for costs shall be made by the the Board.

 

B.        RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO LOSS-  Users of the Band's instruments and properties

shall be responsible for returning them in a condition acceptable to the Board. In the

case of accident, theft, or negligence, the borrower shall be responsible for replacement

with an acceptable equivalent.  Determination of an acceptable equivalent shall be

made by the Board.

 

 

X.         COMMITTEES- Special committees may be appointed by the Board and/or the Chair of the

Nominating Committee.  Standing committees shall include the Nominating Committee and

any other deemed necessary.

            A.        NOMINATING COMMITTEE

                        1.         Duties

                                    a.
         Nominate candidates for the elected offices

                                    b.         Report these candidates to the Membership at the first rehearsal of the

calendar year

c.         Maintain a list of interested prospective Board Members

 

2.         Term shall be one year or when the next Nominating Committee is elected in

October.

 

 

XI.       PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY- The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of

Order shall govern the corporation in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any special or standing rules, or rules of order which the corporation may adopt.

 

 

XII.      DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION- Should this corporation ever be dissolved,

or should its existence terminate, all the assets of the corporation shall be distributed to adult

bands/an adult band that are/is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue

Code of 1954 and such distribution shall be in accordance with the terms of Tennessee Code

Annotated 48-64-101, et seq.  In case there are no suitable adult bands, all assets may be

disbursed only to organizations exempt from income tax under the provisions of Section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or to the federal, state, or local government

for a public purpose.  No part of the assets of this corporation shall ever be distributed to or

used for the benefit of any Member, Director, or Officer of the corporation, or any private

individual or private entity.  The selection of which organization(s} shall receive the distribution

of assets on dissolution shall be chosen by a simple majority vote of the Board at their last

meeting.


XIII.     AMENDMENTS- Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by any Full Member or by

the Board. The proposal shall be placed on the website for the duration of two calendar weeks

and the Membership shall have this time period to post any request for clarification via email to

the President.  If a quorum exists, a two-thirds majority may pass the proposed change.



XIV.     RATlFICATlON- The Constitution and Bylaws shall take effect when it has been accepted by

two-thirds of the Full Members present and voting at a regular meeting of the corporation.

 



Originally ratified as separate Constitution and Bylaws the fourth day of February, 1992.

Combined into one document and approved by the Membership on June 19, 2001.

Organization name changed from Knoxville Concert Band to East Tennessee Concert Band by a change to the bylaws, approved by the Membership on June 19, 2001.

Revised by the Board of Directors in July/August 2008.

Revised and Approved by the Membership on November 18, 2008

Revised by the Board in February/March/April 2018.