Below is a draft of our plain-text bylaws for membership review, for 15 days prior to our meeting.

Constitution and Bylaws

Martin High School Orchestra Parent Booster Club, Inc. James Martin High School

Arlington, TX

ARTICLE I: NAME

A. The name of this organization shall be Martin High School Orchestra Parent Booster Club Inc. and referred to as Martin Orchestra Booster Club (MOBC)

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

A. Assist the Orchestra Director(s) in carrying out the activities of the Martin High School Orchestra (the Orchestra) and to give aid in areas that might require assistance toward realizing the objectives of the Orchestra.

B. Promote interest and support of the Orchestra.

C. Improve parents’ understanding of the student and family expectations within the Orchestra.

D. Improve the school spirit through attendance at Orchestra functions.

ARTICLE III: BASIC POLICIES

A. MOBC will perform services which are requested by the Orchestra Director(s) or those which have his/her concurrence.

B. MOBC will pursue money raising projects which are for funding out-of-district trips, any equipment not provided by the district that would be deemed necessary, local scholarships for private music lessons, orchestra banquet and awards, or other items designated by the Board of Directors or the Orchestra Director(s).

C. MOBC shall not interfere in the decision-making prerogatives of the Orchestra Director(s) in relation to the MHSO activities and its monies.

D. In the event of the dissolution of the club, its assets shall be given to James Martin High School for the sole use in orchestra related matters.

E. MOBC will comply with all applicable federal, state and local guidelines and regulations.

ARTICLE IV: FISCAL YEAR

A. The fiscal year of this organization shall be July 1 to June 30.

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

A. Membership in MOBC shall be made up of parents and guardians of students actively participating in the Orchestra program who have submitted their membership forms. Other interested individuals or organizations may participate in MOBC activities but may not be voting members.

B. Annual membership dues shall be proposed by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority vote of the membership.

C. The term of membership shall coincide with the school year. Members may be admitted at any time.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

A. The Board of Directors of MOBC shall consist of President, 1st Vice President Fundraising and 1st Co-Vice President Fundraising, 2nd Vice President Membership, 3rdVice President Communications, 4th Vice President Special Events, Secretary, Treasurer, and 2 Underclass Parent Representatives.

B. The duties of the officers shall be as follows:

1. President- Shall preside over all meetings of general membership and the Board of Directors; appoint committees and serve as an ex officio member of all committees; co-sign checks along with Treasurer and Secretary. The President shall cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

2. 1st Vice President and 1st Co-Vice President Fundraising- Shall assume duties of President in his/her absence; serve as Chair and Co-Chair of fundraising activities; perform other duties as so directed by the President.

3. 2nd Vice President Membership- Shall serve as Chair of the membership committee and be responsible for promoting and securing memberships.

4. 3rd Vice President Communication- Shall serve as Chairperson of the communications committee. The duties are as follows:

a. Be responsible for correspondence and notification of members of meetings. b. Manage MOBC media about upcoming events and awards won by the orchestras or individuals.

5. 4th Vice President Special Events – Shall have the following duties including but not limited to coordinating fundraising, decorations and catering for special events.

6. Secretary- Shall record and report the minutes of all board and general meetings; be custodian of all organization records and co-sign checks along with the President and Treasurer.

7. Treasurer - Shall receive monies of MOBC; keep accurate records of receipts and expenditures, pay out funds as authorized by the Board of Directors; present a statement at every meeting and present an annual financial recap to the general membership; co-sign checks along with the President and Secretary; and cooperate with the financial audit committee.

8. Underclass Parent Representatives will be non-voting members who will assist Fundraising, Membership, Communication & Special Event VPs as needed.

C. Election of officers shall be by simple majority of all members present and voting at a meeting held on or before May 31. Newly elected officers shall assume duties by the beginning of the new fiscal year, July 1.

1. A nominating committee, composed of three (3) members appointed by the President and/or Board of Directors, shall propose candidates for each office. Other candidates may be nominated from the floor. A candidate’s consent must be obtained before placing his/her name in nomination.

2. Should an office become vacant before new elections are held, the Board of Directors shall appoint a member to assume the office for the unexpired term.

3. No person shall occupy the same elected officer position for more than two consecutive terms, with the exception being a lack of a viable alternate.

4. Only one member of a family may serve on the Board of Directors as an officer during the same term.

5. The Board of Directors are expected to attend each meeting in order to effectively carry out the responsibilities of their position. Failure to attend more than three meetings may result in removal from the Board of Directors.

6. Any officer can be removed from office with a majority vote of the Board of Directors for failure to perform duties, criminal misconduct, blatant violation of the bylaws, or unethical behavior. The removal shall be with the entire Board present, including the head Orchestra Director.

7. There shall be a special transition meeting of the outgoing officers and incoming officers within one week of the last regular MOBC meeting in May. The outgoing officers (with the exception of Treasurer) will hand over their records to the incoming officers at that time.

8. The outgoing Treasurer will complete their duties through the end of the fiscal year, June 30. The new Treasurer will receive the Treasurer’s records in July after the financial audit has been performed by the audit committee.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

A. The Nominating Committee as described in Article VI, will be composed of three (3) active members appointed by the President and/or Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will meet and propose a slate of candidates for each office. A candidate’s consent must be obtained before placing his/her name in nomination. The committee will present the officer nominees at the election meeting. Additional nominations from the floor will be accepted, if the person agrees to the nomination.

B. The Financial Audit Committee will meet in July to perform a financial audit of the MOBC’s financial transactions. The committee will be composed of three (3) active members appointed by the President and/or Board of Directors. The members of this committee may not be check signers or family members of check signers. The committee will prepare a written report for the general membership. Any discrepancies noted shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors and resolved prior to presentation to the general membership.

C. Other committees may be appointed by the President or Board of Directors at any time.

ARTICLE VIII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers. The Orchestra Director shall serve as an ex officio member. The Orchestra Director and or Assistant Directors shall attend all board and general membership meetings.

B. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly, with the exception of December.

C. Members of the Executive Board may participate in a meeting through use of video or audio software/applications or similar communications equipment, or telephonically, provided that members participating in such meeting can hear one another.

D. Any person holding a position of elected office must be on the approved list of volunteers with Arlington ISD and a current member of the Martin HS Orchestra Booster Club.

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS

A. MOBC general membership meetings will be held at least every other month or when deemed necessary. Regular meetings shall not be in conflict with the school calendar.

B. Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or the Orchestra Director.

C. Those voting members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

D. Robert’s Rules of Order (latest revision) shall apply in the conduct of the MOBC’s business.

ARTICLE X: OPERATING LIMITS

A. No part of the funds of the MOBC shall be distributed to its members, officers, or any private person, except that the Booster Club shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth here.

B. No part of the activities of the MOBC shall endeavor to influence legislation or involve participation in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

C. MOBC funds shall be used for projects not normally funded by the Arlington Independent School District.

D. All activities of the MOBC shall be compatible with the policies and the program objectives established by the appropriate officials and employees of the school district.

ARTICLE XI: BYLAWS

A. Any article of this document may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the membership present and after it has been presented in writing to the membership by standard means of communication fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled meeting.

B. Bylaws shall only be amended with the head orchestra director in attendance.

C. The appointed bylaws committee shall meet prior to the end of the school year to conduct the annual review of the bylaws.

Revised 9/26/2024