GRDTA BY-LAWS
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ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
A. CHARTER MEMBER. Charter Members shall be all qualified members who paid annual dues by September 15, 1984.
B. FULL MEMBER. Full Members shall be limited to those who have been teaching R/Dancing at least three years and have taught at least two series of Basic R/D instructions, each with a minimum of five couples; have had an area R/D club, minimum of five couples, for at least one year; currently active in R/D teaching and are current in payment of dues.
Both persons of a teaching couple are eligible for Full Membership.
C. ASSOCIATE MEMBER. Associate Membership shall be limited to those who are actively engaged in R/D teaching, but do not meet standards for Full Membership. When requirements have been met, Associate Members may apply for Full Membership. If approved by the Membership Committee and a majority of voting members present, they become Full Members.
An Associate Member does not have privileges reserved by the Constitution for Full Members and may not serve as Chairperson of a Committee, or teach or cue at the GSSDA State Convention.
D. HONORARY MEMBER. Honorary Membership may be awarded to persons the Association may desire to honor for contributions to R/D. Such persons need not be R/D teachers. Honorary Members may not vote or hold office.
E. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
Applicants for New or Reinstatement Membership must:
1.) submit application to the Association;
2.) be recommended by two Association Full Members;
3.) receive approval of the Membership Committee;
4.) receive a majority vote from voting members present at a meeting;
5.) pay dues.
Associate Member Applicants for Full Membership, not previously Full Members, must:
1.) have been Associate Members in Good Standing for at least one year;
2.) submit application to the Association;
3.) demonstrate teaching and cueing abilities for the Membership Committee;
4.) be recommended to the Association by said Membership Committee.
F. MISCELLANEOUS. A R/D Teacher is one capable of instructing a class in basic movements, teaching the mechanics of a dance routine, and cueing the dance. A partner may or may not be a teacher, but must be an Association Member. Should member couples become separated, divorced, or widowed, a non-teaching member must re-apply for appropriate membership in accordance with By-law stipulations.
ARTICLE II
GOOD STANDING
A. A Full or Associate Member in Good Standing is a Member who:
1.) has dues current;
2.) attends at least one meeting a year;
3.) teaches/cues/MC's at a GSSDA Regional Dance at least once in every two year period;
4.) teaches/cues/MC's at the GSSDA State Convention at least once in every two year period.
The Executive Board shall have the authority to approve exemptions based on extenuating circumstances.
B. Members in Good Standing may attend GRDTA sponsored activities at no charge.
C. Members not in Good Standing will pay full price when attending GRDTA sponsored activities. The Secretary will keep records of activity attendance and notify any Members who lose Good Standing as soon as feasible.
D. A Full Member not maintaining Membership in Good Standing shall be dropped to Associate Membership not in Good Standing. To be reinstated to Full Membership in Good Standing, such member must participate in a state or regional GSSDA function as an Associate Member and apply for reinstatement in person at the following GRDTA meeting.
A. The President shall be Executive Officer of this Association, generally supervise its activities; appoint committees stipulated in the By-laws, and any other committees deemed necessary; provide for refreshments at general meetings; and act as guardian of the GRDTA Banner and the GRDTA Display for the GSSDA State Convention.
B. The President-elect shall chair the Membership Committee and assume the duties of the President at the direction of the President or Executive Board.
C. The Secretary shall maintain a record of meetings, membership and other records as directed by the Executive Board, notify members of meetings, and maintain a supply of copies of the Constitution and By-laws, membership applications, ROQ certificates, and contracts for clinicians.
D. The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Association, deposit such funds in an authorized to do business under the laws of Georgia, disperse such funds only under the Treasurer's or President's signature, render financial reports at each meeting, notify members if they become 30 days in arrears in payment of dues, and order Membership Badges.
E. The Executive Board shall transact interim business of the Association and perform such additional functions as may be authorized by majority vote of voting members of the Association.
A. Nominations for officers of the Association shall be by a Nominating Committee of Full Members appointed by the President. Nominations also will be accepted from the floor.
B. The Nominating Committee and any Member making a nomination from the floor shall have secured from each nominee agreement that he/she is willing to be nominated and will serve if elected.
A. The term of office shall be one year, beginning January 1.
B. All officers, with the exception of the President and President-elect, may be succeed themselves.
A. A quorum shall consist of 30% of voting membership.
B. The time and place shall be set by the President and/or the Executive Board.
C. Written notice of called general meetings shall be given to all members at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
D. The rules of parliamentary procedure shall be Robert's Rules of Order.
A. Annual dues of Full Members shall be recommended by the Executive Board and approved by a majority of voting members present and voting.
B. Annual dues of Associate Members shall be the same as of Full Members.
C. Annual dues are due and payable by January 1st of each calendar year.
D. Honorary Members shall pay no dues.
E. Members more than 90 days in arrears in payment of dues shall be dropped from membership. Subsequent reinstatement shall be as per Article I, Section E. of these By-laws.
A. The Membership Committee shall consist of all members of the Executive Board, be chaired by the President-elect, and handle all matters pertaining to application for Membership.
B. The following committees shall be appointed for one year terms by the President.
1.) Publicity Committee to handle publicity and general promotion of R/D activities of the Association.
2.) Education Committee to secure materials for and handle the operation of a resource library and to select clinicians, subject to Executive Board approval, for any education clinics for members.
3.) Festival Committee to encourage scheduling of and participation in area and state wide R/D Festivals or related activities as set forth in the purposes of the Association; for the annual GRDTA Festival-Clinic, to manage all aspects for the current year's event, to secure facilities for the next year, and to secure clinicians, subject to Executive Board approval, two years in advance; and, for any other solely GRDTA related activity, to operate as the President directs.
4.) Program Committee for GSSDA sponsored round dance activities to cooperate with GSSDA in planning programs, to solicit GRDTA member and out-of-state R/D leader participation, to assign duties for leader participants, and to assemble and organize material for appropriate R/D syllabi.
5.) Nominating Committee to act as specified in Article IV, ELECTIONS, of these By-laws.
A. Unless otherwise provided by the Constitution or By-laws, the Executive Board may authorize mail ballots in deciding matters of pressing importance to the Association. In no event shall mail ballots be held on issues which have been officially before an Association meeting that has adjourned without settling the issue, unless that meeting shall have specifically authorized such mail ballot.
B. Approval shall require 3/5 of ballots returned by the time specified on the ballot.
AMENDMENTS
Amendments may be introduced and passed by a majority vote at a meeting.
A. Conduct yourself as a Lady or Gentleman at all times.
B. Maintain a reputation for personal integrity.
C. Maintain a professional attitude toward other Teachers and Callers.
D. Keep scheduled engagements.
E. Promote good fellowship.
F. Constructively help beginner dancers and teachers in every way.
G. Strive for the fullest participation and enjoyment of each function by the group attending.
H. See that proper decorum is observed at dances.
I. Support your R/D Teachers Association, other teachers and groups in every way possible so that we may continue to further this fine form of recreation.
J. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
As amended November 14, 1999.