Bylaws
of the Sheboygan Performing Arts
I. Introduction
A. History: The Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce organized Sheboygan Performing Arts (SPA) in 2005 as an expression of the community’s appreciation of the role played by the performing arts in enhancing the county’s quality of life and economic viability.
B. Mission: SPA, a collaborative association of performance-based organizations in Sheboygan County, promotes the performing arts and the vital role they play in our community’s culture, economy and quality of life.
II. Structure
A. Membership:
1. Benefits and Responsibilities:
a. The calendars of all member bodies shall be included in the semiannual calendar of events and in the SPA Website with a link to their own website.
b. All members will pay their dues on time.
c. All members will be included in all budgeted collaborative media promotions.
2. Eligibility and Dues:
a. Performance-based organizations located in Sheboygan County are eligible to join.
b. Annual dues shall be stipulated as voted upon at the April meeting.
c. The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30.
d. Annual dues shall be paid in full by July 1 of the new fiscal year or may be paid in two installments according to the following schedule—50% by July 1 and 50% by September 1.
e. Memberships activated during the year shall have dues prorated per month according to the approved annual dues.
f. There shall be no membership discrimination for reasons of creed, race or sex.
3. Voting Membership:
a. Each organization in good standing, as defined by dues paid, shall have one vote on all SPA issues.
b. On matters affecting policy changes, motions not subject to amendment may be submitted to members for a proxy vote by roll call.
4. Voting:
a. SPA meetings shall operate under Robert’s Newly Revised Rules of Order.
5. Meetings:
a. SPA meetings are held for one hour the third Wednesday of each month and representatives of the membership shall be present.
b. Should the designated representative of the member organization be unable to attend, the member may appoint a substitute.
c. The quorum shall consist of members present, but it is expected that all members will have their representative in attendance.
6. Committees:
a. Working committees may be formed to carry out specific assignments.
b. SPA committees may co-opt members from member organizations when their expertise is helpful.
B. Officers:
1. Number:
a. SPA shall have 2 elected officers: Chairperson and Secretary
2. Election:
a. Officers shall be elected at the April meeting.
3. Duties and Responsibilities:
a. The Chairperson shall call the meeting to order, preside at the meetings, and retain full voting rights.
b. The Chairperson shall be the spokesperson for SPA and be responsible for keeping all SPA records.
c. The Secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes of all meetings and performing SPA official correspondence.
d. The Secretary shall preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair.
4. Removal of Officers:
a. Officers may resign if they deem they are unable to perform their duties.
b. Officers may be removed from their office at any time for conduct deemed by SPA to be detrimental to the purposes of the organization. Such removal shall be by 75% vote of the active membership.
c. New officers will be elected immediately following resignation or removal.
C. Financial Holdings:
1. SPA, being an entity of the Sheboygan Country Chamber of Commerce, assigns responsibility for all its financial holdings to the Chamber.
2. A written financial statement will be presented to SPA by the Chair at each monthly meeting.
3. Upon the dissolution of SPA residual cash assets shall be returned to the active membership at the time of dissolution or may be turned over to an organization with similar purpose and mission.
III. Amending Bylaws:
A. The Bylaws of SPA may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the organization after a 90 day notice after being submitted to the member organizations for their consent, then adopted officially by a 75% vote of the representatives at a SPA meeting following a formal announcement to membership that such a vote is scheduled.
B. All proposed changes in the bylaws, after disclosure in writing by regular mail or email to all members dated not less than sufficient time to allow each member organization adequate time (90 days) to agree to them, shall be approved by 75% of all SPA representatives.
Adopted on March 18, 2009.