TAS Tri-M Music Honor Society Constitution

Tri-M Music Honor Society Constitution - Taipei American School Chapter

Preamble

We, the members of the Taipei American School Music Department, in order to foster a greater continued interest and a desire for excellence in music performance; to encourage appreciation and awareness in listening to music; to promote wider opportunities for sharing joy through music both within our school and within our community; to advance the spirit of good music and musical knowledge; and to enhance the reputation of our school as a center for musical enrichment; establish and accept this constitution for the establishment of a music honor society.

Article I - Chapter Name and Location

The name of this chapter will be known as Chapter 2771 at Taipei American School of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Article II - Divisions

This chapter will be a senior chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Members will be senior division members of this chapter.

Article III - Purpose

It will be the purpose of this chapter to:

- provide an appropriate method of recognizing musical achievement in its members,
- strengthen the TAS music program,
- help its members reach their full musical potential,
- motivate and recognize its members' musical and personal achievements,
- encourage its members to work together toward the same goal,
- present an inspiration and challenge to its members, and
- focus public attention on the TAS music program in the community.

Article IV - Membership

Section One - Classes

The five classes of memberships are: new student, continuing student, alumni, faculty, and honorary.

Section Two - New Student Members

2A. Requirements

Candidates for student membership shall be chosen from the students currently enrolled in the Music Department at Taipei American School, and at the time of their selection, meet the following requirements:

- they must be enrolled in an Upper School music course for at least one quarter at Taipei American School;
- they must be of superior character, exhibit a good attitude towards teachers and fellow students, and be cooperative and helpful in their classes while at Taipei American School; and
- they must have maintained for the previous semester at least a 'B' grade in music with at least a 'C' average grade or equivalent in other academic subjects.

2B. Selection of candidates for Student Membership

- In order to be an exclusive HONOR society and maintain manageable membership numbers the total number of chapter members and candidates shall be limited to 20% of enrolled music students. The chapter sponsor shall ask all Upper School Music Department faculty members for nominations of students from their music classes. The faculty of each "area" (band, choir, strings) may nominate candidates until that area's number of continuing members and candidates reaches 20% of that area's enrollment.
- Music faculty may also nominate students not associated with an "area" (such as pianists, composers, classical guitarists, and others) provided that they are currently enrolled in IB or AP Music courses. Such cases are evaluated individually and are not subject to the 20% limit.
- The officers may assist the chapter sponsor in the selection only with regards to consideration of the prospective candidate's cooperation with fellow students.

2C. Assignments for Candidates

effective Fall 2003, Candidates who accept membership are required to fulfill the following assignments between the time of their nomination and the induction:
1. Perform an approved solo or small ensemble piece before the officers,
2. Actively participate in at least TWO approved service projects,
3. Attend all required general meetings,
4. Pay the TAS new member dues to the Treasurer (NT$100 for 2003-04).

2D. New Student Membership Materials

Candidates who fulfill the requirements for membership (2A) and have completed the required assignments (2C) may be inducted as new members of Chapter 2771 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society at the next membership presentation ceremony. If membership pin emblems and cards have arrived they will be presented at the membership presentation ceremony; otherwise, they will be presented at the next general meeting.

Section Three - Continuing Student Members

3A. Requirements

All continuing student members of the TAS Tri-M Music Honor Society must meet the following requirements:

- they must be registered with the Tri-M Music Honor Society office each year as a continuing member of this chapter by paying the continuing membership fee;
- they must be currently enrolled in a TAS music course; and
they must maintain the requirements for new membership (2A)

3C. Continuing Student Membership Materials

Students who fulfill the above requirements for continuing student membership may continue their membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society and receive a Certificate of Continuing Membership and membership card.

Section Four - Student Membership Fees

Students being inducted into this chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society are required to pay a new member fee their first year and a continuing membership fee each subsequent year until graduation.

Section Five - Alumni Membership

Graduating seniors of this chapter will receive alumni membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Upon receipt of the student membership fee, these members receive an alumni membership card, along with appropriate membership materials.

Section Six - Faculty Membership Teachers at TAS who serve as the chapter sponsors and other teachers involved with the operations of this chapter may be inducted into the society as faculty members of Tri-M.

Section Seven - Honorary Membership

Honorary memberships may be awarded to dedicated adults who are active in furthering the cause of music and have contributed to local, national, or international musical culture.

Article V - Probation and Withdrawal

The chapter sponsor may withdraw or put any member of this chapter on probation.

Section One - Probation

The chapter sponsor may assign "probationary status" to any member not fulfilling their duties as an active Tri-M member, for reasons including, but not limited to:
- three or more unexcused meetings per year,
note: excused absences include Excused Absence from TAS, Call-slip from a teacher or administrator during Flex, pre-approved absences by the sponsor
- lack of service activities
- on the recommendation of the chapter officers or music faculty.

The chapter sponsor shall inform any member being put on probationary status the following information in writing:
- reason(s) for probationary status,
- actions needed to be removed from probationary status, and
- length of time of probationary period.
Following the stipulated length of time the member shall be informed in writing of either their reinstatement to full membership, continuation of probation, or withdrawal from the Tri-M chapter.

Members on probation may not vote or run for office.

Section Two - Withdrawal

Should a member on probation fail to qualify for reinstatement s/he must return his/her membership pin emblem and card to the sponsor. All membership fees paid to the national office and fees paid to this chapter are forfeited. The chapter sponsor shall inform the Tri-M office, as well as the TAS Counseling Office, and the member's music teacher(s). Any members withdrawn from this chapter must be re-nominated in order to be reinstated as a member of Tri-M, and therefore is required to pay the new member fee.

Article VI - Executive Committee

Section One - Content

The executive committee of this chapter will consist of the chapter sponsor and student officers.

Section Two - Chapter Sponsor

The sponsor of this chapter must be a teacher in the TAS Music Department. This chapter may have co-sponsors appointed by the sponsor to assist with chapter operations.

Section Three - Officers

The student officers of this chapter shall normally include a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian.

Section Four - Area Representation

If an "area" (band, choir, strings) does not have a representative on the executive committee the members of that area shall elect a member from their area to be their representative on the executive committee. The area representative(s) shall be considered full members of the executive committee, with the same rights, duties, and voting privileges.

Section Five - Quorum Requirement

A majority of the officers and the chapter sponsor constitute a quorum.

Article VII - Duties of the Executive Committee

Section One - Chapter Sponsor

The sponsor of this chapter will act as a supervisor, advisor, guide, and counselor in all matters pertaining to chapter operations. The sponsor will attempt to attend all executive and chapter meetings as his/her teaching schedule will allow and will help officers fulfill their respective duties, including maintaining chapter records and submitting chapter and member fees with the proper forms.

Section Two - President

The president of this chapter will preside at all meetings of the chapter and of the executive committee. S/he and the other officers will conduct the membership presentation ceremony to induct new members, and will hold an election to appoint new officers to preside the following year.

Section Three - Vice President

The vice president of this chapter will preside at all meetings of the chapter in the absence of the president, and it will be his/her duty to assist the president. If programs, special projects, and activities are planned in addition to the membership ceremony, s/he will serve as program chairperson.

Section Four - Secretary

The secretary of this chapter will be responsible for all correspondence of the chapter and will keep an accurate record of attendance, minutes, and all transactions and meetings of the chapter. The secretary will also serve as social chairperson.

Section Five - Treasurer

The treasurer of this chapter will keep an accurate record of all money received and disbursed, all membership fees paid to the society, and all membership pin emblems, cards, and certificates secured from the international office. S/he will report at each meeting the receipts, disbursements, and cash balance on hand. The chapter sponsor should make an audit of the treasurer's records at the end of each semester. The treasurer will also serve as membership chairperson. The treasurer must also follow any directives received from the TAS Activity Director in regards to regular financial reporting and procedures.

Section Six - Historian

The historian of this chapter will be custodian of the chapter scrapbook, in which s/he will keep an accurate record of all programs given by the chapter or any of its members during the year. The historian will report chapter activity to the international office and serve as publicity chairperson.

Section Seven - Area Representative(s)

Area Representatives of this chapter will be responsible for communications with members of their area when information or announcements are necessary between general meetings. With teacher permission, announcements may be announced in classes and/or written/posted on boards/walls in the classroom.

Article VIII - Nomination and Election of Officers

At the end of the third quarter, the president will appoint a nominating committee of three who will propose a slate of officers (but not area representatives) for the coming year and present it to the members. Nominations can also be made from the floor. Self-nominations are allowed. The candidates will be elected by majority ballot vote at a general meeting held before the start of IB and AP exams and study leaves. New officers for the coming year will be installed before the close of the school year in which the election takes place. Area representatives, if needed, will be elected by the members of that area between the first and second meetings of the new school year.

Article IX - Vacancies on the Executive Committee

Vacancies occurring on the executive committee during the school year will be filled by the chapter sponsor and are valid only until the next meeting of the chapter, when an election will be held to fill such vacancies.

Article X - Meetings

Section One - Planning

The executive committee will meet in advance to outline scheduled meetings.

Section Two - Frequency

All members and candidates should attend scheduled meetings. There will be at least 10 scheduled meetings per year as determined by the chapter sponsor. Meetings will be held during Flex period on Wednesdays. In normal circumstances there will be a maximum of two meetings per month.

Section Three - Voting

Only chapter sponsors and current student members in good standing (not on probation) may vote.

Section Four - Special Meetings The chapter sponsor or executive committee may call a special meeting at any time. Special meetings may be called to take advantage of guest speakers, or before major activities such as the TAS Tri-M Charity Concert, the membership presentation ceremony, etc.

Article XI - Membership Presentation Ceremony

The chapter will hold at least one public membership presentation ceremony each school year as planned by the executive committee. All membership presentation ceremonies will be held after school hours with parents, friends, school officials, faculty members, and other students in the music department invited.

Article XII - Amendments

The chapter may create amendments and bylaws to amplify sections of its constitution as long as the amendments and bylaws are not in conflict with the Tri-M Music Honor Society Constitution and Bylaws. Amendments must be approved by the chapter sponsor and receive a majority vote from the chapter members.