1. General. 

The name of this organization is the European Music Educators Association, herein referred to as the EMEA, located in Heidelberg, Germany. The EMEA operates under authority and jurisdiction of the Commander, United States Military Community Activity, Heidelberg (USMCA-H), ATTN: NAF Branch, APO AE 09102. The EMEA is an affiliate of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Reston, Virginia. The EMEA is a member of the MENC's Eastern Division. 

2. Mandatory Statements. 

  a. The EMEA is a private organization established pursuant to Army Regulation (AR)210-1, USAREUR Regulation (UR)230-3, and other appropriate directives. The EMEA is not an instrumentality of the United States, will be self sustaining, and may not receive financial assistance from the U. S. Army or non-appropriated funds (NAF). 

  b. Neither the Department of the Army nor the United States Army, Europe (USAREUR), will assume any responsibility for the organization’s debts. In accordance with host nation laws, all members may be personally liable to creditors if the assets of the organization are insufficient to discharge all liabilities. 

  c. All members are required to read this constitution and bylaws upon initiating membership. 

3. Purpose. 

The purpose of the EMEA is to foster the advancement of music education­to bring together those who want to learn about music and those who can teach music in an encouraging environment for practice and
sharing. The organization will not engage in activities that compete with those of any appropriated fund (AF) or nonappropriated fund (NAF) activity. 

4. Activities. 

Activities of the EMEA will include sharing knowledge, expertise, experience, and enthusiasm of music education through newsletters, workshops, lectures and meetings. 

5. Membership. 

The majority (51%) of
membership will be comprised of individuals in possession of a currently valid Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card, DD Form 1173. Termination of membership will be at the member’s request. Membership privileges may also be suspended by the president for just cause, with a majority vote of the Board Officers. 

Active membership. 

Active membership shall be open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens who are in music teaching or other music-related educational work and pay the annual dues. Only active members have voting privilege or hold office. All non-U.S. members may hold office with the exception of treasurer. Each active member shall hold con-current membership in MENC. 

 Associate Membership. 

Any person not qualified under Section 1 of Article III, but who is interested in the cause of music education, may become an associate member upon payment of the prescribed annual dues. Associate members may not vote or hold office in the Association, but may attend meetings and other activities. 

 Retired Membership. 

Retired membership shall be open to former music educators who have retired from music teaching or other music-related educational work and who have been members of MENC for at least ten consecutive years prior to seeking retired membership status. Retired members shall have the same privileges as active members except the right to hold elective office. 

6. Discrimination Clause. 

The EMEA fully supports the USAREUR policy on equal opportunity and will not discriminate in membership eligibility on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or mental or physical handicap. This organization will not accept invitations from or participate in any activity or organization that does not conform to USAREUR non-discrimination policy or that discriminates on the bases noted above. 

7. Composition of the Governing Body. 

The governing body of the EMEA is composed of president, president-elect, past-president, secretary and treasurer. 

8. General Procedures Concerning the Election of Officers. 

  a. A nominating committee consisting of three members shall be elected by the mem-bership at the fall conference on even numbered years. 

  b. The nominating committee shall select two candidates for the office of president-elect and at least one candidate each for secretary and treasurer. Voting shall be by mail enabling all members in good standing an opportunity to cast one vote. 

c. The ballot of candidates shall be presented to the active membership by mail at least two weeks prior to the election deadline printed on the ballot but not later than 1 January. Additional nominations may be made by write-in vote. 

  d. The election of officers shall be for a one-year term. Said term of office to commence by the fiscal year February 1. 

  e. A simple plurality of ballots cast shall constitute election. 

  f. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board. 

9. Disposition of Organization Assets on Dissolution. 

On dissolution of the EMEA all funds and property will be donated to the Eastern Division of MENC. Dissolution of the organization may be accomplished by a majority vote of the general membership or by order of the approving authority. 

10. Amendments. 

The Constitution and/or its By-Laws may be altered or amended by a majority of the ballots cast. Two weeks notice of such alterations or amendments shall be given by mail to all active members. Voting shall be by mail enabling all members in good standing an opportunity to cast one vote. A letter reporting amendments made throughout the organization year will be signed by the board officers to indicate concurrence and forwarded to the approving authority. The constitution and bylaws will be reviewed at least biannually. Two revised copies, duly signed and dated, will accompany each biannual renewal request. The request will be forwarded to the approving authority 30 days before authorization given by the approving authority expires. On approval of the constitution, all previously published constitutions and bylaws are rescinded. 

11. Liability Insurance. 

The EMEA will not purchase liability insurance at this time. 
 

1. Duties of Executive Board Officers and Standing Committee Chairmen. 

  a. The president presides at each meeting, appoints committees when required, and directs, supervises, and coordinates the work of the executive board when authorized. The president decides on such matters as necessary to maintain proper operation of the EMEA. 

  b. The past-president is responsible to the president for duties as prescribed. The past-president performs the duties of the president in the absence of the president. The past-president serves as membership chairman. 

  c. The secretary is the custodian of the permanent records of the EMEA. He shall keep the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the EMEA and the Executive Board, and be responsible for all correspondence including the fall and spring reports of the conferences held during his tenure. A copy of all minutes will be furnished to all board members and to the Commander, USAREUR. 

  d. The treasurer shall collect fees as necessary, and pay all bills. A treasurer's report shall be submitted at each conference and to any member of the Executive Board upon request. 

  e. The outgoing secretary and/or treasurer and incoming secretary and/or treasurer shall coordinate the transfer of books and accounts between them. 

  f. The past-president shall serve as a member of the Executive Board. 

  g. The historian shall maintain a continuous record of all EMEA activities. 

2. Elections. 

  a. A nominating committee consisting of three members shall be elected by the membership at the Fall conference on even numbered years. 

  b. The nominating committee shall select two candidates for the office of president and at least one candidate each for secretary and treasurer. Voting shall be by mail enabling all members in good standing an opportunity to cast one vote. 

  c. The ballot of candidates shall be presented to the active membership by mail at least two weeks prior to the election deadline printed on the ballot but not later than 1 January. Additional nominations may be made by write-in vote. 

  d. The election of officers shall be for a one-year term. Said term of office to commence by the fiscal year 1 February in accordance with MENC bylaws. 

  e. A simple plurality of ballots cast shall constitute election. 

  f. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board. 

3. Meetings. 

  a. Meetings of the general membership will be held twice a year. 

  b. Meetings will be held in an existing facility as available for approved organizations. 

  c. Meeting time and place will be announced via letter sent to the general membership at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. 

  d. A copy of the minutes and approved financial statement will be sent to the approving authority as required. 

4. Special Committees. 

Special committees will be appointed by the Board Officers for a designated period of time and scope of responsibilities as needed. 

5. Expenditures. 

Expenditures will be limited to those required in support of the activities listed in the constitution. Single expendi-tures to a limit of $50.00 may be made by the treasurer. Single expenditures to a limit of $100.00 may be made by the treasurer with the co-signature of the president or vice-president. Expenditures exceeding $100.00 for any single purchases must have the explicit approval of the majority of the board officers. No expenditures will be made that are in excess of the EMEA cash assets. 

6. Income. 

Income will be derived from dues of the general membership ($20) and fund raising activities as may be approved by the board officers and sanctioned by the approving authority, when required. 

7. Financial Control. 

Adequate accounting records will be maintained on assets, liabilities, new worth and financial transactions of the organization. A single entry journal-ledger accounting system will be used in accordance with UR230-3, pages 29-36. All financial transactions will be supported by invoices, collection sheets, canceled checks, or other supporting documents. Adequate accounting will be maintained for cash and other assets. 

8. Bonding. 

When the total cash on hand to which any official has access exceeds $1,000, the position will be covered by fidelity insurance, procured at organization expense, in an amount sufficient to provide full protection of assets. 

9. Liability Insurance. 

The EMEA will not purchase liability insurance at this time. 

10. Audit. 

The EMEA will use a simple-entry accounting system (i.e., checkbook and subsidiary ledgers). The account will be audited annually or on change of treasurer. Audit will be done by an appointed committee of three private organization members who hold no office or by a qualified auditor. 

11. Member Liabilities. 

All members in accordance with host nation laws, may be personally liable to creditors if the assets of the organization are insufficient to discharge all liabilities.