Austin Pastel Society By-Laws includes information about our mission, our Board of Directors, Leadership Team and membership, and our juried shows.
APS-Bylaws (view or download, in PDF)
AUSTIN PASTEL SOCIETY
By-Laws
Article I MEMBERSHIP
Regular Membership consists of persons interested in the medium of soft pastels.
Non-voting Patrons Membership is available to businesses and/or other persons and groups wishing to advance or encourage advocates of pastel art.
Other Membership Levels denoting artistic proficiency attained shall be identified by the Board of Directors.
Article II OBJECTIVES: MISSION STATEMENT
The objectives of this organization shall include: to provide opportunities to pastelists to exhibit; to educate the public, gallery owners, and collectors about the merits and proper care of paintings in pastel; to encourage students of all ages in the medium; and to provide opportunities for artists by sponsoring workshops and demonstrations.
Article III BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of up to 7 members, to be elected by the APS membership at large. All members of the Board shall be active APS members who have either held an office or a leadership position within the Society. The Chairperson of the Board shall be elected by the Board. The outgoing president automatically becomes a member of the Board at the conclusion of their term as President.
Article IV DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
Section I. The Board of Directors will oversee all business and policies conducted by the Officers of the Society in accordance with the objectives of the Society (see Article II).
Section II. Should any Board Member be unable to, or fail to complete a term in office, the Chair of the Board can appoint an Interim Board Member with the approval of the Board. Each Director shall hold office until his/her successor shall be elected.
Section III. The Board of Director’s meetings shall be conducted with reference to Robert’s Rule of Order.
Section IV. The Board of Directors may consist of members who also hold an office within the organization.
Section V. The Board of Directors has the authority, by majority vote of the Directors, to remove any Officer or Director as outlined in Article Xll.
Section VI. In case the dissolution of the Society becomes necessary (See Article XIII), the Board of Directors shall vote on the dissolution and on the disbursement of the Society’s funds and properties.
Article V DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section I. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Shall be kept informed of the Society’s functions and, have power to hold office when deemed necessary for the continuation of the Society as long as they are active members of the Society.
Section II. PRESIDENT: Shall preside at all meetings of the Society and serve on the Board of Directors and as ex-officio member of all standing committees.
Section Ill. VICE-PRESIDENT: Shall act as an aide to the President, and in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall also serve as Program Chair.
Section IV. SECRETARY: Shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings, shall provide the minutes at the monthly meetings, and shall be responsible for all correspondence and other typing as requested by the President.
Section V. TREASURER: Shall keep the membership apprised of the financial status of the Society at the regular meetings. Disbursements shall be made by check, signed by the Treasurer or a person of the financial institution’s signature card. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the proper audit of the financial records at the end of each year and is responsible for filings with the Internal Revenue Service.
Article VI LEADERSHIP TEAM / APPOINTED POSITIONS
Section I. Publicity Chair: The Publicity Chair shall be responsible for all publicity, advertising, news releases, and any other related duties deemed necessary by the President. The Chair shall appoint committees as needed for these purposes. He/She shall file copies of all news releases, newsletters, and other published information regarding the Austin Pastel Society with the Board, President, and Historian.
Section II. Membership Chair: The Membership Chair shall keep membership lists current, promote membership in theSociety and shall be responsible for the compiling and printing of the annual membership roster, including status of members, current addresses, and telephone numbers. The Chair shall prepare and maintain a mailing list for publicity purposes and also a mailing list of prospective members.
Section III. Exhibit Chair: The Exhibit Chair shall be responsible for coordinating and supervising the annual juried exhibit sponsored by the Society. The Chair shall appoint committees as needed for such purposes and coordinate related activities with the Workshop Chair. Other duties shall include the following:
- Make arrangements for the guest judge, i.e., transportation, car rental and lodging.
- Reception.
- Awards and ribbons.
Section IV. Workshop Chair:
- Coordinate with Exhibit Chair and secure a venue for the workshop.
- Line up models if needed.
- Secure refreshments for the workshop.
- Handle enrollment and waiting list for workshop.
- Communicate with workshop instructor concerning workshop issues, i.e., supply list, etc.
Section V. Web Master: Maintain the website and provide technical support to the other officers and members so that they can carry out their positions without having to have technical expertise.
Section VI. Newsletter Chair: Write a newsletter to be available to APS members and published through the internet or mail-outs.
Section VII. Other positions may be appointed as the need arises.
Article VII ELECTION PROCEDURES
Section I. Election shall be held by secret ballot. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. Members shall vote by mail or email. Members are to receive the ballot four (4) weeks prior to the May meeting. Ballots are to be mailed or emailed to APS no later than two (2) weeks prior to the May meeting at which time the results will be announced.
Section II. A Nominating Committee of three (3) or more members shall be appointed by the President. The Committee will present the names of nominees at least sixty (60) days prior to the election at the May meeting. Candidates must be within a reasonable driving distance of Austin to be considered. The nominees’ names and background information shall be presented to the Board by April 1 of each term and to the membership by letter by May 10. A simple majority of votes cast two (2) weeks prior to the May meeting shall be required to elect.
Section III. Elective offices are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Elective officers shall serve for a term of two (2) years, or until successors are elected.
Section IV. New board members shall be nominated by the current board members and elected simultaneously with the officers in May.
Article VIII AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members casting votes. Notification of proposed changes to be presented to the membership in writing at least four (4) weeks prior to the date a vote is taken. Vote to be by secret ballot or mail-in ballot.
Article IX FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall begin the first day of June.
Article X COMMITMENT AND OBLIGATIONS
Section I. Dues are payable at the beginning of each fiscal year. The Board of Directors shall determine the needs of the Society and the amount of yearly dues, based upon those needs.
Section II. Any member more than three (3) months delinquent in payment of the dues will lose voting and exhibiting privileges until dues are paid.
Section III. All juried Society exhibits shall be juried by a judge from the Board or a judge from outside the organization, or by a Jurying Committee.
Section IV. This organization shall be oriented toward representational or traditional artworks.
Section V. All work presented for juried exhibits or membership shall be original. No work shall be considered which is copied from another artist or published photograph. All paintings shall be original in conception and execution. This means no work that is a copy and no work where an instructor has taken a physical part in the execution. No published materials of any kind, unless it is the artist’s own published work.
Section VI. This Society shall hold a minimum of one general business meeting per year.
Section VII. The Society hall be established as a non-profit organization. Any debts, taxes, or penalties, bills, etc., shall be paid by the Society and no individual shall be responsible for the Society’s debts.
Article XI REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Removal of Officers and Directors: Any officer or Director may be removed by majority vote of the Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interest of the Society shall be served by such removal.
Article XII DISSOLUTION OF THE ORGANIZATION
Dissolution of the Society: The Society shall be dissolved when a vote to that effect is taken by the Board of Directors, or when the membership numbers less than seven (7) people. Upon dissolution, any funds or property remaining, after all bills are paid is to be donated to another non-profit pastel society designated by the remaining members. Records of the Society should remain with the last Treasurer until the statute of limitations runs out.
Approved and revised October, 2014