As chartered in 1990 by the Executive Committee of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc., and subject to its Bylaws, the name of this organization is Tahoma Chapter of the National Association of teachers of Singing, Inc. This document replaces all previous Bylaws of this chapter.

The Tahoma Chapter adopts fully the stated purpose of the National Association which are: (1) to establish and maintain the highest possible standards of competence in said teaching profession; (2) to encourage and conduct research; (3) to disseminate information to the profession at large: and, (4) to stimulate effective cooperation among vocal teachers for their mutual welfare and advancement. The Tahoma Chapter, as an organization, subscribes without reservation to the "Code of Ethics," adherence to which is one of the conditions of individual membership in the National Association.

All teachers of singing who have been accepted by the national Association into full, affiliate, or emeritus membership, and who reside in the geographical area in which the Tahoma Chapter has been chartered or otherwise encouraged to serve, are immediately eligible for membership in the chapter. No such member shall be refused membership in the Tahoma Chapter; however, such chapter membership is not obligatory on the part of the individual. Chapter membership will be terminated when a member resigns from, or is dropped from membership in the National Association. (Also, see ARTICLE VII.)

Chapter officers shall consist of President, First Vice-President/President Elect, Vice-President in Charge of Auditions, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President and First Vice-President/President-Elect shall be elected in the same year. The terms of all officers shall be two (2) years or until their successors shall have been elected. There shall also be three (3) board members who shall be elected as follows: one for one (1) year, one for two (2) years, and one for three (3) years. The officers and board members shall constitute the Executive Board.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and of the Executive Board, and present such matters as may properly come before the membership. The President shall have served as First Vice- PresidentlPresident-Elect for two years.

The First Vice President/President-Elect shall assist the President in hisiher duties and preside at meetings when the President is absent. Neither the President nor First Vice-Presidenth'resident-Elect shall serve consecutively for more than two terms, though they may properly succeed others in these offices.

The Vice-President in Charge of Auditions shall be responsible for the Student Auditions held each year and shall select committee members from the chapter to assist. The Vice-President in Charge of Auditions shall make decisions of procedure and content with the Executive Committee of Student Auditions.

The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and conduct necessary correspondence. Unless another chapter member is designated for this task, the secretary will submit chapter news for each issue of INTERNOS in conformity with published deadline dates and as requested by the Regional Governor. At the end of each biennial term of office, the Secretary will submit in written form a report of the chapter's activities. Elections of chapter officers shall be immediately reported to the Regional Governor.

The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the finances of the chapter, receive payment of dues, send statements for unpaid dues to members on such date as the Executive Board shall determine, notify delinquent members that they have been dropped from membership on such further date as the Board shall determine, and pay all approved bills of the chapter. At the end of each biennial term of office, the Treasurer shall submit in written form a report of the chapter's finances.

In chapters which find it expedient, the officers of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by one person, in which case the office shall be known as Secretary-Treasurer.

The Executive Board shall outline the programs and activities of the chapter and make recommendations for the approval of the membership at regularly scheduled chapter meetings. The Executive Board shall manage the affairs of the chapter during the interim between regularly scheduled chapter meetings, except that the Executive Board may not make any changes in the Bylaws. The Executive Board shall be authorized to fill any vacancies on the Board which may occur unexpectedly between regularly scheduled elections. Such officers or board members shall complete the term of the said office.

Special officers, committees, or chairs may be appointed by the President to serve in such temporary capacities as occasions may demand. Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon termination of hisher membership in the National Association. Any elected officer may be removed from office, upon due cause, by two-thirds vote of the chapter membership.

There shall be at least two meetings of the chapter each year. Announcement of meetings with proposed agenda and program shall be mailed to chapter members at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of each meeting. Chapter meetings will be held at times and places most convenient to the largest number of members; in the case of those chapters which serve a large geographical area, chapter meetings shall rotate to various parts of that area. Chapter meetings may be called by the President or by any responsible segment of the membership provided in the l a m instance that chapter officers and the remainder of the chapter membership are notified at least twenty-one days in advance of such a meeting.

At a spring meeting of the chapter, elections shall be held. A nominating committee appointed by the President will provide a slate of nominees for the offices named above. The meeting at which an election will take place will be announced as such to all member of the chapter at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the meeting date and the slate of nominees will be given Officers elected will take office at once, serving until the spring meeting two years hence. (See Article IV, paragraph (1) for terms for the board members.)

By Laws 4/6/2003
Tahoma Chapter, NATS

A quorum will consist of a five (5) members present. At any regular meeting, each full and emeritus member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in person or by written proxy upon any motion or question properly brought before the chapter.

Dues are payable annually by October 1, in such an amount as may be suggested by the Executive Board and confirmed by the chapter membership. Notices of non-payment of dues shall be sent to delinquent members on October 15th of each year. If any remain unpaid by November 1 of that year, said chapter membership shall automatically cease. Resignation shall not be accepted from delinquent members. Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events necessitating unusual expenditures only where such a motion is entertained at a meeting where a quorum is present and said motion is passed by a majority vote.

The program of the chapter properly may include social, promotional, professional, and educational activities at the discretion of its officer and members, so long as such activities are consistent with the PURPOSES AND CODE OF ETHICS stated in ARTICLE 11, above.

Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.

With the exception of Articles I, 11, and 111, which may not be amended or revoked, the Bylaws of the chapter may be repealed or amended, or new Bylaws adopted, by a majority of the chapter membership voting in person, by written proxy, or by mail, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the voting date. With the consent of a majority of the active members present, at a regularly scheduled meeting, the ruling regarding advance notice of voting on amendments may be suspended in order to expedite needed action on repealing, amending, or making new Bylaws.

Approved and adopted September 19,2002