ARTICLE I – Name

1. The name of the organization shall be Music Therapy Student Association of Colorado State University (MTSA of CSU).

ARTICLE II – Purpose

1. To promote music therapy by advocating through the CSU student body and in the community.

2. To enhance the education of music therapy students at CSU.

3. To provide opportunities for career development.

4. To form unity among music therapy students at CSU as well as national and other collegiate music therapy organizations.

ARTICLE III – Membership

1. Membership shall have three categories: active, associate, and alumni. Active membership shall be open to all CSU students with the right to vote and hold office. Membership shall be open to faculty and anyone interested outside the CSU campus and to MTSA of CSU alumni. Associate and alumni members may not vote or hold office. As a recognized student organization at Colorado State University, our organization shall not deny membership to any student on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

2. Members must abide by the following rules of order. Members must have a desire to further their educational experience through participation in the group. Members must have a willingness to positively represent and support the overall good of the music department at CSU, especially the division of music therapy. Members must conduct themselves in a way which maintains an open and inviting atmosphere at all MTSA functions. Disrespect of fellow members or of people working in conjunction with MTSA of CSU shall never be tolerated.

3. Every member must strive to meet include: attendance at all possible MTSA functions, good overall academic standing specifically in providing or receiving mentoring opportunities within MTSA, completion of at least five volunteer hours exclusively for MTSA, and participation in outside music therapy organizations and their events. Members are also expected to participate in CAMT events, specifically relating to state legislation.

4. Rights and privileges and/or membership may be revoked for disciplinary. An adequate written notice will be issued to the member in question (7 days minimum), after which they shall have the right to speak on their own behalf, and to make an appeal. A specific meeting shall be set up for the member in question to discuss the notice of membership removal with the executive board.

ARTICLE IV – Elected Officers

1. The MTSA of CSU office-holding positions are: President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary all of which shall serve as the executive board. A minimum of two officers is required.

2. The MTSA of CSU office-holding positions are: President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary.

President Duties: The president shall be in charge of planning and coordinating all MTSA events and functions, call and preside over meetings, assist and oversee other officers, delegate responsibilities within the group, and serve as the main contact for those working in conjunction with the group. The president shall oversee content of mtsacsu.com. The president shall delegate duties as they relate to MTSA's relationship with the Health Professions Student Association.

President-Elect Duties: The vice president shall assist in planning and coordinating events and assist in preparation for meetings. President-Elect will update the MTSA bulletin board and maintain MTSA’s social media platforms. This includes, but is not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the Past Events page of mtsacsu.com. The president-elect shall create advertising content for MTSA meetings and events.

Treasurer duties: The treasurer shall have custody and supervision of the all financial aspects of the group. The treasurer will provide financial information to officers within one week of the request. The treasurer will also serve as a liaison to SLiCE and manage the SOFA account. The current treasurer’s name will be kept on the off campus bank account. The treasurer shall maintain the mtsacsu13@gmail.com google calendar, which is linked to mtsacsu.com. The treasurer shall create and maintain an annual budget, which shall be available to all officers by the beginning of the fall semester.

Secretary: The secretary shall keep accurate and current meeting minutes and serve as the keeper of the bylaws. Meeting notes from officer elections shall be available to all officers. The secretary shall keep record of meeting attendance in order to track and maintain the points system. (See article V)

a. Upon the completion of their term as president-elect, this individual shall become the president for the subsequent term. President-elect entials 2 years of service.

b. If the outgoing president-elect is unable to fulfill their continual obligation as the new president, an election shall be held for the office of president.

3. Removal of officers: All removal procedures should follow due process, including adequate written notice (7 days minimum), the right to speak on one’s behalf, and right to an appeal. This process will take place in another scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE V- POINTS SYSTEM

Points shall be awarded to individuals based on attendance at MTSA meetings, events, and volunteer opportunities.

Points shall be awarded as follows

MTSA meeting- 5

Volunteer opportunity- 10

Other- at the discretion of the officers

An individual must have earned at least 30 points the previous academic year in order to run for elected office.

If an individual earns more than 100 points during their academic career, they shall be presented with a cord to wear upon their graduation.

Any individual who serves as an officer shall earn a cord.

ARTICLE VI- MEETINGS

1. Meetings for all members to discuss current issues and events will be held at the discretion of the present officers after assessing the needs of MTSA for the year. Officers will decide the time and place of the meetings. Meetings will for the semester will be set before the semester begins.

ARTICLE VII-ADVISOR

1. At the beginning of the semester the current officers may choose to request a new advisor.

2. The advisor must be a CSU faculty/staff member or graduate student (with a consent form from their academic advisor) who has an interest in serving as an advisor.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

1. This constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of the organization by two-thirds vote of active members in attendance. Any proposed amendment must be submitted to the membership in writing at least one week prior to the business meeting for consideration.

ARTICLE IX- FINANCIAL STRUCTURE

1. All financial transactions must be approved by all officers and signed off by the treasurer. The off campus bank account with be monitored by the treasurer. In the event of a request for money out of the SOFA account, one other officer will sign paperwork.

Financial transactions shall be documented on a budget spreadsheet.

*Created Fall 2012 with updates Spring 2017