Bylaws

The following are the rules adopted by the Syracuse Guild for the Visual Arts (SGVA) in order to regulate its affairs and guide the behavior of its members. These bylaws provide a framework for the operation and management of the guild and serve as a contract for members.

Article I: Name

• The name of this organization shall be the Syracuse Guild for the Visual Arts (or SGVA) an unincorporated nonprofit association, hereafter referred to as the organization.

Article II: Purpose

• The purpose of this organization is to provide the North Davis community an outlet for encouraging and supporting those who wish to learn, share, motivate, market, and inspire their creative and artistic talents.

Article III: Affiliations

• The organization is an affiliate of the Syracuse City Arts Council and is sponsored by the city of Syracuse Utah, hereafter referred to as the city.

Article IV: Membership

• Membership in this organization is open to all fine artists who qualify without regard to residency, race, color, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, or public assistance status.

• Members must pay the annual membership fee or serve as an officer.

• Only members in good standing may vote and serve as officers.

Article V: Finances

• Membership fees shall be determined by the Operations Board.

• Membership fees shall be paid annually on a calendar year basis. Fees for the ensuing calendar year are payable October 1st through December 31st and are delinquent on January 1st. Existing membership privileges are effective through the calendar year for which dues are paid. New membership privileges are effective immediately upon receipt of payment.

• Fees collected for the purpose of paying the costs associated with an individual event (such as a class, workshop, exhibit, and other sponsored event) may be collected so long as the collected monies are not used for other purposes. All monies collected from members shall hereafter be referred to as member funds.

• None of the fees collected by the organization are tax-exempt to the contributor.

• Any non-profit grants obtained by the organization shall be administered by the city staff. Funds allocated to the organization by the city shall hereafter be referred to as organization funds.

• Distribution of organization funds shall be executed following city authorized distribution mechanisms.

• The allocation of all funds shall be determined by the Operations Board.

• No funds shall be used to benefit any member, officer, or private individual except where reasonable compensation is paid for services rendered to or for the organization.

Article VI: Meetings

• Meetings shall be held based on the needs determined by the Operations Board.

• All business meetings must include a quorum of the Operations Board of not less than one-fifth of board members. Unless otherwise noted in these bylaws, approval shall consist of a simple majority of members attending the meeting.

• Where possible meetings will be held in public places conducive to the meeting purpose.

• Meeting schedules and purposes shall be clearly stated and published in time to give reasonable notice to all members.

Article VII: Officers

• Officers include, but are not limited to, President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Publicity Chairman, Education Coordinator, and Exhibition Coordinator. Collectively, the officers are referred to as the Operations Board.

• Officers are expected to serve a minimum of two years.

• Officer duties are as follows:

  • President

    • The President shall preside at meetings of the organization.

    • The President shall organize and conduct all business meetings.

    • With assistance from the Treasurer, the President shall endorse the distribution of organization funds consistent with the approved budget.

    • The President shall ensure that the duties of other officers are performed as described in the bylaws.

  • Vice President

    • The Vice President shall act in the absence or incapacity of the President and render every assistance and capacity to the President as needed.

    • The Vice President shall serve as the contact to the city leadership and staff as needed.

  • Secretary/Treasurer

    • The Secretary/Treasurer shall act in the absence or incapacity of the President and Vice President and render every assistance and capacity to either as needed.

    • The Secretary/Treasurer shall receive and distribute member and organization funds.

    • The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all financial receipts and expenditures and promptly report any inconsistencies found to the Operations Board.

    • The Secretary/Treasurer shall work with city personnel to ensure that organization funds are distributed following appropriate accounting practices (such as, distribution of checks, payment of bills, collection and distribution of participation fees, and so forth).

  • Publicity Chairman

    • The Publicity Chairman shall ensure that all organization events and meetings are communicated to members.

    • The Publicity Chairman shall ensure that all public events sponsored by the organization are publicized through multiple channels to promote community awareness and participation.

  • Education Coordinator

    • The Education Coordinator shall select topics of interest to members and organize classes or workshops as appropriate.

    • The Education Coordinator shall approach local professionals and other qualified artists to teach classes.

    • The Education Coordinator shall arrange for class facilities, request required funds, collect needed paperwork, and provide class information to the Publicity Chairman.

  • Exhibition Coordinator

    • The Exhibition Coordinator shall solicit member artists, local artists, local schools, and other qualified art institutions to exhibit art in the Community Center Gallery.

    • The Exhibition Coordinator shall arrange for external venues and events where member art can be displayed and promoted.

    • As the number and interest of members allows, the Exhibition Coordinator shall organize and conduct an annual gala where all members are encouraged to socialize and display their artwork.

Article VIII: Officer Appointments

• Nominations for officers shall be made in the fall every other year by the Operations Board.

• Candidate officers can volunteer or they can be nominated with the candidate’s approval.

• The Operations Board shall prepare a slate of candidate officers and submit them to the members for approval.

• Upon approval, new officers shall take office January 1st and shall hold office until the subsequent appointment or until a successor is named.

• In the case where candidate officers cannot be found, the organization shall be dissolved.

• In the case where an office is vacated mid-year, the remaining members of the Operations Board shall appoint a new officer.

Article IX: Amendments

• Amendments to these bylaws can be proposed by any member in good standing.

• Proposed amendments shall be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the Operations Board and then submitted in writing to the organization’s members.

Article X: Liability

• The organizations shall not be liable for loss or damage to art items due to vandalism, natural disasters, theft, or other unforeseen incidents.

• The organization shall not be liable for fees associated with cashing personal checks with insufficient funds.

Article XI: Dissolution

• In the event of the dissolution of the organization, all liabilities and obligations of the organization shall be paid, satisfied, discharged, or dismissed.

• Any remaining funds in the treasury at the time shall be returned to the city.

• Any remaining assets shall be distributed to organization members or charities as determined by the majority of the remaining members.