Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution and By-Laws of the Puppetry Guild of Portland

(Last Amended 3/14/2019)

Article I - Name

The name of this association shall be the PUPPETRY GUILD OF PORTLAND

(herein referred to as PUPGO)

Article II - Purpose

Section 1. The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage and promkm ote puppetry as a means of communication and as a performing art; and to improve proficiency in the art of puppetry, both professional and amateur, through publications, workshops, conventions, meetings, education programs, advisory services, performances, and any other means.

Section 2. This organization shall never be operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit.

Article III – Membership

Membership in PUPGO shall be open to any person or group interested in promoting PUPGO purposes, subject to payment of annual dues.

Regular Membership

Persons age 18 or over, may apply for adult membership regardless of race, religion, creed, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Upon payment of annual dues, they may vote on PUPGO business matters, attend all meetings, receive all PUPGO publications, and are encouraged to participate in all regular and special events of the PUPGO calendar.

Honorary Membership

Upon the quorum vote of a regular meeting, PUPGO may elect to recognize the contribution of a member in long standing by naming this person(s) to an Honorary Membership. Such membership has all the privileges of Regular Membership but does not need to pay annual dues.

Article IV – Officers

The officers of PUPGO shall be President, Vice president in charge of Programs, Treasurer/ Member ship, Secretary, Communications and Outreach. All officers shall be members of the Puppeteers of America, Inc. These officers shall comprise the Executive Committee.

Article V – Duties of Officers

President

The President shall advise and oversee PUPGO activities, preside at meeting, decide on points of order, and appoint all committees (except the Nominating Committee). In the event of an office vacancy, the President will appoint a new officer to fill the unexpired term, with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Vice President – Programs

This person shall assume all presidential duties in the absence of the President and shall arrange the program agenda for the regular or special meetings of PUPGO during his/her term of office.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep proper records of all PUPGO proceedings, attend to correspondence and maintain a correspondence file. They shall submit the annual report from the Executive committee to the Puppeteers of America, Inc. and shall read the minutes of the previous meeting at all regular PUPGO meetings, as well as report on important communications.

Treasurer / Membership

The Treasurer shall collect dues and all other monies of PUPGO and may reimburse legitimate expenses incurred by PUPGO. However, any reimbursement over $100.00 must first be approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. They shall present an accurate treasury account at each regular meeting and present a comprehensive written breakdown at the January meeting.

This person shall distribute PUPGO information to prospective members and supervise the hospitable reception of guests and members (new and old) at PUPGO meetings. He/she shall keep a current member roster.

Communications and Outreach

The communications and Outreach officer shall publish to social media (Facebook, Instagram) news updates about guild activities, pictures, video. They shall report activities to the Puppeteers of America Guilds News Keeper at: Journal@puppeteers.org.

He/he will work in cooperation with the V. P. Programs to ensure Guild events are publicized to social media links of all members and groups. Also, they keep track of the Constitution and By-Laws and is keeper of guild media.

Article VI - Terms of Office

Term of office is one year. Officers will be installed at the December meeting, effective January 1, and may be re-elected for one additional consecutive term in the same office. After two consecutive terms in the same office, an officer may serve in another position and return to the original office after a year’s absence.

Article VII – Election of Officers

The election of officers shall be completed prior to the beginning of the PUPGO year, which begins January 1 and continues through December 31. The nominating committee shall present one slate of officers for candidacy at the last regular meeting of the PUPGO year. At this meeting, nominations may be made from the floor if the nominated persons are present, of have submitted written permission for their nomination. If more than one nomination is made per office, the vote shall be a secret ballot.

Article VIII – Amendment to the Constitution

The proposed changes shall be read at the regular meeting preceding the regular meeting at which the vote occurs and must be mailed to all members at least 14 days before the voting date. The amendment must be passed by two-thirds of the members present

By - Laws

Article I - Dues

Organizational dues shall be set by the Executive Committee and adopted by approval of two -thirds of the members present at the next regular meeting.

Presently, Dues are set on the following scale (effective 1/1/2019):

Adult (Ages 18 and over) $25.00

Family $30.00

Child (Ages 17 and under) $15.00

Senior (Age 65 and over) and College Student (Actively enrolled) $20.00

Article II - Quorum

A quorum shall be two thirds of the dues paying membership, in attendance at the meeting, plus two officers.

Article III - Meetings

Regular meetings will be held monthly (to include reports from officers, discussion of important business, and a program/workshop/demonstration/seminar). Special meetings may be held at the request of the Executive Committee if notification of members is timely.

Article IV- Committees

Section 1- Special Committees

Special committees shall be appointed by the President, as needed, upon approval of the Executive Committee (e.g. Publicity, Hospitality, Historical, Newsletter, Nominating etc.)

Section 2 - Budget and Finance Committee

A Budget and Finance Committee of five members shall; be formed at the beginning of each new PUPGO year, consisting of the President, Treasurer, and three members elected by the membership. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the President. This committee shall establish a budget for the upcoming year. The budget shall become official by approval of two -thirds of the members present at that meeting. The committee shall approve any expenditure over $100.00 or any expenditure over the approved budget. The budget may be amended by a majority vote of the committee members.

Section 3 - Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee of five members shall be elected by the members present at the October meeting. * The committee will elect their own Chair person.

Section 4 – Program Committee

The Program Committee of five members shall be headed by the Vice President in Charge of Programs. The committee shall be formed at the December meeting of the PUPGO year and present a program Calendar at the Jan and June meetings.

Article V – Amendments to the By- Laws

The By – Laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of members present at any regular meeting.

Insurance – Liability to be researched by Mary Nagler – COAI Insurance, Performer insurance

                                                                   Kris P of A

                                                                    Kelly?

Suggested Recommendations:

We are an all- volunteer organization, and life happens. People get busy, move, make babies, get sick etc. So, it was suggested that an amendment be drawn up for approval, via a vote to the Constitution, under Terms of office that any Officer who misses three consecutive meetings without communication or reason, be excused so the forward momentum of the guild not be hindered, and someone be appointed to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

Any other suggestions for revisions from the floor?