The spark that will ignite support
for arts education in Cecil County
The name of this organization shall be ArtsReach. This organization was established in 1997 by the Cecil County Public Schools Board of Education, the Cecil Community College Board of Trustees, and the Cecil County Arts Council, Inc.
The purpose of this organization is to support the arts through arts education in Cecil County by affording opportunities for students to experience and explore the entire arts spectrum: dance, drama, music, and the visual arts; by facilitating the coordination, communication, and collaboration among ArtsReach constituencies supporting the objectives of the organization.
The specific objectives of ArtsReach are:
The members of ArtsReach include at least one representative from each of the founding organizations: Cecil County Board of Education, Cecil County Arts Council, and Cecil Community College; education/arts constituencies; and individuals from the community who are interested in supporting quality arts educational programs in Cecil County.
Section 1: Membership in ArtsReach is open to all who are interested and who pay dues.
Section 2: Dues of $5.00 per individual and $20 per group per year are due by/at the annual general membership meeting and shall be required for a vote at the general membership meeting.
Section 3: Financial gifts beyond required dues may be received and expended to carry out the objectives of the organization.
Section 1: There shall be one meeting of the general membership at the end of each school year.
Section 2: Nominations for membership on the Board shall be voted upon.
Section 3: Nominations for officers of the Board shall be voted upon.
Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of up to fifteen members:
Section 2: Representatives on the Board are nominated by the board's Nominating Committee and brought to the Board for approval at the April Board meeting. Their term begins upon approval by the general membership.
- Three permanent positions for the representatives of the three founding organizations; (See Section 5 of this Article)*
- Up to eight representatives selected from among the group-member constituencies, including the founding organizations; of these eight, no two may be from the same organization; and
- Up to four representatives selected from among the individual members; of these four, no two may be from the same family.
Section 3: Officers shall be selected from among the fifteen members of the Board and shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Terms begin upon approval of the membership at the general membership meeting and are for two years. Chair and Vice Chair shall be elected in even numbered years; Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in odd numbered years.
Section 4: Four regular meetings of the Board shall be held in the months of August, October, January, and April.Section 5.* Representatives of the founding organizations are permanent members of the Board and are usually the Executive Director of the Cecil County Arts Council; the Director of the Cecil County Cultural Center, and the Instructional Coordinator of Fine Arts at the Cecil County Public Schools. Such representatives may, however, with the approval of the Board, select an alternate from their respective organizations to serve in their place. These representatives have vote privilege and may serve as officers if elected.
- These meetings are announced and open to the general membership for voice, but not vote.
- The Chair may call special meetings with the majority approval by the officers.
- Robert's Rules of Order (latest revision) shall prevail at the discretion of the Chair.
Section 6. Except for the three representatives of the founding organizations (permanent positions), the term of office for Board members is three years. A Board member may serve two terms if elected, but may not serve again for a period of at least one year. An effort to stagger terms will be made in order to maintain continuity of purpose and activity.
Section 1. The Board shall transact all business necessary to the conduct of ArtsReach if a quorum is present. A quorum shall be a majority of the Board including at least two officers.
Section 2. The Board shall receive the Nominating Committee's report at the April meeting. Nominations approved by the Board shall be brought to the general membership meeting for a confirming vote. Terms of office and duties would begin at that meeting.
Section 3. The Board shall review all expenditures of ArtsReach.
Section 4. The Board is responsible for encouraging the participation of the community at large in supporting arts education and shall establish such committees as necessary to promote community involvement.
Section 5. The Board shall serve as a promotional and coordinating center for major arts education events in Cecil County.
Section 1: The officers of the Board of Directors and a representative of at least one of the founding organizations shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2: The Executive Committee shall conduct business as necessary between regular meetings of the Board of Directors and shall establish at their discretion which items need the approval of the full Board before advancing.
Section 3: The Chair shall preside at all Executive Committee meetings, Board meetings and General Membership meetings, act as chairperson of the Executive Committee, and perform all other duties of the presiding officer.
Section 4: The Vice Chair shall preside in the absence of the Chair and shall assist the Chair in such activities as the two shall agree are necessary.
Section 5: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all Executive Committee meetings, Board meetings, regular and special, and General Membership meetings in addition to performing all other duties normally delegated to this office. All minutes shall be presented for approval at the following meeting.
Section 6: The Treasurer will work in collaboration with the Cecil County Board of Education Business Services Office to keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures of ArtsReach. The Treasurer shall collect all dues and contributions, maintain a database of members, and shall prepare and present a financial statement for each Board of Directors meeting.
Section 1: There shall be the following standing committees: Nominating, Executive.
Section 2: Other committees shall be established and/or terminated by the Board of Directors as needs dictate.
Section 3: The Chair of each committee shall be elected by the membership of the respective committee. Committee membership is open to any interested individual, member, or non-member.
Section 4: Committee recommendations must be brought to the Board of Directors for approval.
Section 1: Any member of the ArtsReach Board of Directors may propose amendments to these Bylaws.
Section 2: For the Board to recommend amendments, the amendment must receive a "For" vote from at least two-thirds of the Board. The recommendation would then go to the annual meeting of the general membership where a vote "For" by a simple majority of the members present at that meeting would pass the amendment.
Board of Directors Approved____________(date)
Membership Approved____________ (date)
Signature of Chair of Board of Directors___________________________________