This as an old copy from March, 1996. It's been revised several times, since:
Approved and adopted by unanimous voice vote of general membership vote on the 26th of March, 2009.
Article I
NAME
As stated in the Article of Incorporation, the name of this non-profit organization, hereafter referred to as “the USA Group”, is the Ukulele Society of America in Carlsbad, CA.
Article II
VISION AND MISSION
1. Our Vision.
Reaching hearts, one ‘ukulele at a time.
2. Our Mission.
To serve and support the special group of people (Eia he pu`u hulu) of the ‘Ukulele Society of America; By furthering the highest standards of conduct and music; By seeking out, informing, and assisting outstanding men and women to master playing the ‘ukulele; and, By initiating and sponsoring activities which will perpetuate the history, traditions, memories, and growth of the ‘ukulele and bind members together in support of ‘ukulele music.
Article III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. Term.
The seven (7) members Board of Directors, whose terms shall run from May 1 of the year elected through April 30 of the following year, shall consist of present officers, the outgoing President, and a sufficient number of members elected at large to bring the board to a total of 7 persons.
2. Nominating committee.
A nominating committee, consisting of the Vice-President as chairman and at least two (2) other board members appointed by the President, shall place in nomination for the elective board members the names of not less than ten (10) nominees. All nominees shall possess current USA membership. No member of the nominating committee shall nominate a member of that committee. The committee shall be formed at the March meeting and shall present its recommendations for the board approval at the April meeting. An election ballot will be sent to all members, accompanying the renewal of membership form, to be returned by the last day of April.
3. Nomination by petition.
In addition to nomination by committee, any member’s name may be placed in nomination by a petition signed by fifteen (15) active members. To be valid such petition shall:
a. Be received by the chairman of the nominating committee no later than the first day of April.
b. Contain legible signatures and dates of signatures indicating that the signatures were obtained during the immediately prior six month period.
c. Indicate the originator of the petition and be for an individual candidate only.
4. Meetings.
The board shall meet at least three (3) times each year at a time and location to be determined: All meetings of the board shall be open to any active member. Twice each year, the board shall meet, with notices having been emailed and posted on the USA web site for at least three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the meetings. In addition, meetings of the board may be called from time to time by the President upon giving each Director not less than one (1) week’s notice of said meeting. These additional meetings may be held at any convenient location.
5. Quorum.
A quorum shall consist of five (5) members of the Board of Directors.
6. Responsibilities of Directors.
Directors shall maintain their club memberships in good standing at all times. Failure of a Director to renew his membership by the date of the April meeting will result in replacement of said Director at that meeting. Replacement will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors, with consideration of unsuccessful candidates in the immediately preceding election. Any Director failing to attend at least two of the three annual meetings of any one year without having reported acceptable extenuating circumstances which preclude their attendance shall be replaced at the time of the April meeting in the manner described above.
7. Amendment of by-laws.
The board may amend the by-laws by an affirmation vote of not less than five (5) members of the full Board of Directors (7).
Article IV
OFFICERS
The Group’s officers shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary/Treasurer, and a Sergeant at Arms who shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the Board of Directors from members of that body on the April meeting. Their term of office shall run from May 1 to April 30. An officer who fails to carry out his duties to the satisfaction of the board may be replaced by a 2/3 vote of the board at the regular or special meeting of the board to which all board members must have been sent written notice of such intended action.
1. President (Pelekikena)
The duties of the President shall be to:
a. Preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors as chairperson with voting privileges.
b. Sign as President all contracts and other instruments which have been approved by the board.
c. Call all the officers together whenever he deems it necessary and generally discharge such other duties as may be required of him by the by-laws of the club.
d. The President shall assign club duties to members to act as group web site Moderator, Kokua Team Leader, Kokua Team, and Special Event Coordinators as necessary to meet the USA group Vision and Mission.
e. The President will coordinate with the group Conductor to encourage the development and growth of other ‘ukulele groups in support of the USA group Vision and Mission.
2. Vice-President (Hope Pelekikena).
If at any time the President shall be unable to act, or in his absence, all duties shall be performed and his powers exercised by the Vice-President.
3. Secretary/Treasurer (Kuhina).
The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of all meetings and serve all notices required by the by-laws of the USA group. Further, the Secretary/Treasurer oversees the funds of the USA group in a banking account properly identified as the USA group account with record of all receipts and disbursements. All checks must be signed by two authorized, duly elected board members.
4. Sergeant at Arms (Kakiana).
The Sergeant at Arms shall assist the President while presiding over meetings to preserve order and assure that proper procedure and decorum is followed at all times. Further, the Sergeant At Arms will convey to all members of the Board of Director what is reasonably expected of them.
Article V
CONDUCTOR (ALAKA’I)
1. Eligibility.
Any person who has a bona-fide interest in the ‘Ukulele Society of America, that can play the ‘ukulele at an advanced level, that can teach how to play the ‘ukulele, that can lead the musical development of the group, and that can conduct the group in Song (Kanikapila).
2. Selection
The Board of Directors will seek out the best qualified candidates, then select and appoint the Conductor by majority vote.
3. Membership fee.
Membership fees shall be waived for the Conductor (Alaka’i). The Conductor may be compensated for services as determined by the Board of Directors in such amounts as, in their judgment, is for the best interest of the USA group.
4. Responsibilities of Conductor (Alaka’i).
The Conductor (Alaka’i) shall play the ‘ukulele and sing, prepare and manage the Kanikapila schedule, teach ‘ukulele techniques and concepts, approve and assign Guest Conductors, review and approve music for the club Music Book, act as principal advisor the President, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors to advance the USA group Vision and Mission.
