BYLAWS OF MUSIC CLUB AUSTIN
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be Music Club Austin, an affiliate of the Texas Federation of Music Clubs and of the National Federation of Music Clubs.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to develop and maintain high musical standards in our community, to encourage music education, to promote American music and American artists, and to provide opportunities for performance for members and guests.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. Members shall be those who support the advancementof music and who are interested in participating in club programs.
All members shall be encouraged to support club and federation activities.
Section 2. Members in good standing may sponsor newcomers for membership. Applications signed by a sponsor shall be presented to the Membership Chair. Upon payment of dues, membership shall be granted.
Section 3. Legacy Membership shall be granted by request or upon recommendation of the Membership Committee to a member in good standing who has forty years of active service. No dues shall be required.
Section 4. Honorary Membership shall be conferred at the recommendation of the Board.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Executive Committee
Section 1. The elected officers of Music Club Austin shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Parliamentarian, all of whom shall serve on the Board of Directors. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by MCA.
Section 2. The President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary shall constitute the Executive Committee, which shall be empowered to transact business when the Board is not in session or when immediate action is required. Three members of the Committee shall be considered a quorum. Any actions taken shall be reported to the full Board.
Section 3. Officers shall serve a term of two years, with terms running from July l to June 30 (fiscal year).
Section 4. Should a vacancy occur among officers during the biennium, the Nominating Committee shall present a nominee to fill that position.
ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside at meetings of the club, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee; shall appoint all committees except the Nominating Committee; and shall perform all duties pertaining to this office. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee and as such shall participate fully with the same rights as the other committee members.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of Vice Presidents in their order to perform the duties of the President in the event of absence or inability to serve.
Section 3. The First Vice President shall chair the Program Committee and shall be responsible for planning all club programs.
Section 4. The Second Vice President shall chair the House Committee.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall collect all dues, keep account of all receipts and disbursements, and make a quarterly financial report to the club. The Treasurer shall advise the Board of members not in good standing because of non-payment of dues. When necessary for tax purposes, the Treasurer shall send donors acknowledgement of fundsreceived.
Section 6. The Recording Secretary shall record and read or post the minutes of club meetings, as well as meetings of the Executive Committee and Board.
Section 7. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to all necessary correspondence and shall perform secretarial duties in the absence or inability of the Recording Secretary.
Section 8. The Parliamentarian shall advise the presiding officer or club members on points of parliamentary law and shall offer a ruling when requested by the President.
ARTICLE VI
Election of Officers
Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of five members, elected biennially.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall report nominations for all offices and also for the next Nominating Committee at the February meeting in the second year.
Section 3. The election of officers and the Nominating Committee shall be held biennially at the March meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot if there is more than one nominee for an office; otherwise election shall be by acclamation. Officers shall be installed at the May meeting.
Section 4. Should circumstances prevent in-person meetings, voting by electronic means shall be allowed.
ARTICLE VII
Board of Directors
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the club, the chairs of standing committees, and the Immediate Past President. Other past presidents may continue to serve the Board in an advisory role.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the club. It shall be empowered to transact the business of the club.
ARTICLE VIII
Standing Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees necessary for the functioning of the club, except for the Nominating Committee, shall be appointed by the President.
Section 2. The President shall add or delete Standing Committees, with the approval of the Board.
Section 3. Standing Committees shall serve a term of two years with terms running from July 1 to June 30 (fiscal year), concurrent with club officers. Their duties are outlined in the Standing Rules.
ARTICLE IX
Meetings
Section 1. At least eight club meetings shall be held October through May. If business is conducted, a quorum shall consist of members present and voting.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall meet three times a year. Special meetings of the Board shall be called at the discretion of the Presidentor upon the request of seven Board members. Seven members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. All meetings – including Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings – shall be held either in person, by telephone, or via electronic transmission.
ARTICLE X
Finance
Section 1. Dues shall be payable in May and delinquent if not paid by November 1. In November, the Treasurer shall notify those members whose dues are unpaid. Amount of dues shall be determined by the Board, with the approval of the membership.
Section 2. New members admitted into the club from May 1 to December 31 shall pay full dues; those admitted from January 1 to April 30 shall pay half dues.
Section 3. The fiscal year of the club shall be July l through June 30.
ARTICLE XI
Awards and Donations
Section 1. The Executive Committee and the Finance Committee, acting together, shall be empowered to establish awards, accept donations, and administer donated funds in accordance with the objectives of MCA, the bylaws of the club, and Guidelines for Gifts and Donations as adopted by MCA.
Section 2. MCA shall retain the rights, powers, and duties with respect to the management and investment of all funds received, subject to the laws of the State of Texas and the tax-exempt status of MCA under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE XII
Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern Music Club Austin in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Club may adopt.
ARTICLE XIII
Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the club by a two-thirds vote of members present, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
ARTICLE XIV
Hold Harmless
In accepting election to an office or Board, or an appointment to any committee of MCA, MCA, on the one hand, and each officer or member of any Board or Committees on the other hand, respectively understands and acknowledges that each such member is (i) not serving in the capacity of a trustee and (ii) shall be held harmless and shall not be personally liable, either jointly or severally, as to any action taken or not taken during his or her service to MCA as an officer or member of any Board or Committee; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit: the liability of any such member or officer if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such member or officer establishes that his or her acts or omissions were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, or thathe or she personally gained a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled.
ARTICLE XV
Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of Music Club Austin, all funds and assets shall be presented to an organization whose purpose is in accord with the musical objectives of our club and meets with the approval of the membership at said time.
STANDING RULES
I. Standing Committees and Their Duties
A. B. C. D. E. Bonnie Cummins Fielder Grant Committee – shall be responsible for administering and awarding the Bonnie Cummins Fielder Career
Advancement Grant. The Selection Committee shall consist of a chair and four members, appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Executive Committee.
Communications Committee – shall be responsible for promoting community awareness of our club, for fostering good relationships with other musical organizations and with the news media, and for overseeing our newsletter, website, and yearbook.
Community Service Committee – shall coordinate special clubprojects, including music outreach in the community.
Finance Committee – shall prepare and present the annual club budget to the fall meeting of the Board of Directors and to the club membership, shall audit the Treasurer’s books at the close of each year, and shall advise the club on financial matters.
The Hospitality Committee – in coordination with the President and the Treasurer, shall arrange for the meals at the luncheons and forrefreshments at the Holiday Coffee and the Pops meeting if desired, and for the meal for the District VI meeting when held in Austin.
F. House Committee – shall organize club meetings, keep the attendance record, distribute name tags, greet member attendees, and handle other business details as needed.
G. Membership Committee – shall maintain a correct listing of membership data; shall accept and process new member applications; shall perform other duties as outlined under Article IV. Membership data shall be for club use only. The Membership Committee shall also oversee and direct club activities related to orientation.
H. Nominating Committee – shall perform duties as outlined under Article VII.
I. Program Committee – shall plan all club programs and be responsible for their presentation.
J. Wilcox, Maurer, Rudd, and Putter High School Awards Committee – shall conduct auditions and supervise awards for the contests.
II. Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award (not more than one per year) shall be conferred upon any member who has rendered outstanding service to the club, on the recommendation of the Membership Committee and the Board, and by a two-thirds vote of the club. No dues shall be required for one year.
III. Courtesy Honorary Members
A. Conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra
B. Director of the Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin
C. Director of Austin Opera
IV. Past Presidents Assembly
The Immediate Past President of the club shall serve as chair of the Past Presidents Assembly, collecting PPA dues and contributions tosupport NFMC Young Artist Awards.
V. Financial Support of Delegates Representing the Club at District and State Meetings
A sum not to exceed $370.00 annually shall be allowed for delegate expenses.
VI. Non-budgeted Expenses
The Finance Committee shall review non-budgeted expenses and make a recommendation to the Board. The Board shall decide whether to approve these expenses.
Music Club Austin Bylaws Revision Dates
Revised January 20, 1999
Revised 2009
Revised April 17, 2013
Revised May 6, 2015
Revised November 2, 2016
Revised March 15, 2017
Revised November 1, 2017
Standing Rules Revised August, 2016
Revised October 21, 2020
Revised February 3, 2021
Revised February 2025