Alabama Music Teachers Association
Affiliated with Music Teachers National Association

Constitution

Adopted by vote of Conference – March 5, 1960
Revised by the Conference in July, 1970
and the Executive Board in January, 1971
August, 1979
Revised by Executive Board, January 20, 1980
and the State Conference, June, 1980
Revised by the Executive Board, January 1984 and 1985
and the State Conference, June, 1984 and 1985
Revised by Executive Board, January 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998, 1999, and 2006
and the State Conference, June, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998, 1999 and 2006

Article I: NAME and AFFILIATION

Section 1. The name of this association is the Alabama Music Teachers Association, hereafter referred to as AMTA.

Section 2. This association is an affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association, hereafter referred to as MTNA.

Article II: PURPOSES

Section 1. The purposes of the Association are:

(a) To promote the interests and welfare of the music teachers in Alabama through annual meetings and professional cooperation.

(b) To conduct clinics and workshops in various areas of the state.

(c) To provide such means as are feasible for the encouragement of continued growth and development on the part of the individual teacher.

(d) To encourage good fellowship in the teaching profession.

(e) To promote the cause of music wherever and whenever the opportunity occurs.

(f) To encourage the young student by providing the opportunity for public performance.

(g) To cooperate fully with the policies and purpose of the Music Teachers National Association.

Section 2. The purposes for which the association is organized are exclusively charitable and educational within the meaning of section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.

Section 4. In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the organization will be turned over to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations described in sections 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or corresponding sections of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, or to the Federal, State, or local government of exclusive public purpose.

Article III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Any person engaged in or interested in the teaching of music may apply for membership.

Section 2. The payment of the annual dues ordinarily justifies membership in the Association.

Section 3. There are three classes of membership: active, student, and honorary.

(a) Active members may hold office and participate in all of the benefits of the Association upon payment of the annual dues.

(b) Student members may not hold office nor have a vote in the annual meeting but may enter students in the AMTA auditions. Their membership becomes active in the Association upon payment of student dues. Payment of dues as an Active member entitles him/her to full Active status (see Section 3a).

(c) Honorary members may participate in the benefits of the state association but may not hold office, have the right to vote, nor enter students in any events. No dues are assessed.

Section 4. Membership in the Association may be terminated by the member or revoked by the Association as prescribed in the Bylaws.

Article IV: OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. The officers of this Association are: President, First Vice President (Conference), Second Vice President (Membership), Secretary, Treasurer, Clinician, MTNA Auditions Coordinator, MTNA-AMTA Judges Coordinator, and State Auditions Coordinator, all of whom must be members in good standing in the state association (subject to AMTA Bylaws, Article I).

Section 2. The Executive Board consists of the elected officers, the Immediate Past President, the Presidents of the Local Affiliates, and the following appointed members: MTNA Foundation Chairman, Awards Chairman, Coordinator of Local Affiliates, Historian, Independent Music Teacher Forum Chairman, Soundboard Editor, Public Relations Chairman, Advertising Chairman, Certification Chairman, College Faculty/Student Chapters Chairman, Educational Technology Chairman, and Community Outreach and Education Chairman. Other members may be appointed by the president. All members serving on the Executive Board must be in good standing in the state association (subject to AMTA By-Laws, Article V).

Section 3. All officers are elected or appointed, as appropriate, for a term of two years, coinciding with the fiscal year, at the even-year conferences. There is no limit on the number of terms an officer may serve, except for the president, who may not serve two consecutive terms.

Section 4. A nominating committee of five members is selected by the Executive Board at least sixty days prior to the annual meeting. The slate of nominees shall be presented to the membership for vote at the annual meeting. Notice of the slate shall be printed in the last AMTA Newsletter printed prior to the conference. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed, provided the nominee is eligible for election and has given prior consent to be a candidate. Election by the members must be by secret ballot, and each office shall be voted on separately. In the event of only one nominee for an office, the President may entertain a recommendation of election by general consent.

Section 5. In case of a vacancy occurring in an elected office, the President shall appoint a member to fill such vacancy. At the next annual meeting, the general membership shall vote on the permanent replacement for said office. If the vacancy occurs in the office of the President, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to fill such vacancy. At the next annual meeting, the general membership shall vote on the permanent replacement for said office.

Article V
MEETINGS

Section 1. The AMTA State Conference and General Business Meeting shall be held annually at a time and place selected by the Executive Board.

Section 2. Notice of the annual conference shall be mailed to all members at least ninety days in advance.

Section 3. At the General Business Meeting, recommendations from the Executive Board will be presented to the general membership for discussion and approval. The President shall also permit the general membership to present concerns for consideration.

Section 4. A quorum of the Executive Board plus fifteen active members in good standing constitutes a quorum for business meetings of the Association (see Bylaws, Article III, Section 3).

Article VI: DISTRICTS

Section 1. The counties in Alabama shall be organized into the following districts:

District I: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington, and Wilcox

District II: Barbour, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike

District III: Autauga, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Russell, and Tallapoosa

District IV: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa

District V: Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall, and Randolph

District VI: Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Limestone, Marion, Morgan, and Winston

District VII: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, and Walker

District VIII: Jackson and Madison

Section 2. Each district is represented by a chairman who is appointed by the State Auditions Coordinator in consultation with the AMTA President.

Article VII: PUBLICATION OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

The AMTA Constitution and Bylaws shall be posted on the AMTA website.

Article VIII: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended upon the recommendation of the Executive Board at any annual meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the members present. No proposition to amend may be acted upon unless a copy of the proposition is mailed to each active member at least thirty days prior to the meeting.