National Association of Composers/USA
Mid-Atlantic Chapter Bylaws

Revised by Harvey Stokes, President and
John Winsor, Treasurer on March 25, 2021.

ARTICLE I. NAME

Section 1. The name of the organization is National Association of Composers USA Mid-Atlantic Chapter (hereafter referred to as NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Section 1. National Purpose. The purpose of the National Association of Composers/USA (hereafter referred to as "NACUSA/National") is to advance the cause of American concert hall music. This is to be accomplished through concerts of the highest quality; a national competition for new music by American composers aged 18-30; and the publication of a newsletter, ComposerUSA, detailing performances and activities of the members and other such topics as the editor may deem appropriate; a web site; and other projects that promote American concert hall music.

Section 2. Chapter Purpose. NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic is one of several local and regional chapters of NACUSA/National. The purpose of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic is to perform and promote music written by its members and other American composers in venues across the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Section 3. Activity Limits. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article Two hereof. No part of the activities of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1. Basis. NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic is a chapter of NACUSA/National, which determines membership classifications. All members of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic must also be members of NACUSA/National.

Section 2. Diversity. NACUSA/National encourages membership from traditionally under-represented groups.

Section 3. Classifications. The following membership classifications are available through NACUSA/National and, therefore, through NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic:

  • Regular Membership shall be available to those people who are neither students nor senior citizens.
  • Student Membership shall be available to students, graduate or undergraduate, enrolled at an accredited college or university.
  • Senior Membership shall be available to those people who have reached the age of 65.
  • Life Membership has been "grandfathered" and is otherwise no longer available.

Section 4. Dues. The membership year is the calendar year. Dues amounts are determined by NACUSA/National and may change. Dues are collected by NACUSA/National and distributed to chapters based on their respective membership rolls.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President may appoint additional officers and successors as needed. The officers serve as members of the NACUSA/MidAtlantic Executive Board.

Section 2. All officers shall be volunteers. No compensation shall be paid by NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic for official duties.

Section 3. The terms of service for the officers shall be three consecutive years.

ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. President. The President presides at meetings of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic and performs all other duties implied by the title.

Section 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President presides at meetings of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic in the absence of the president and fulfills the function of the President in his absence.

Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary keeps an accurate record of meeting of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic, furnishes a transcript or abstract of such records to the membership, and fulfills the functions of the President or of the Vice-President in their absence.

Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer keeps an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, presents a financial report to the President upon request, and must make all financial records available for audit should it be deemed necessary. The Treasurer will also provide an annual report as described in the NACUSA/National Chapter Guidelines.

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS

Section 1. A Nominating Committee shall be formed at the request of the President to elect one candidate for each office of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic. After a majority vote from the Nominating Committee has elected one candidate for each office, the candidates are appointed by the President for a term of three years of service.

Section 2. Any current Vice-President is given first consideration for the office of President.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. At the discretion of the President, committees may be formed for various administrative functions such as securing musicians and performance venues, distributing publicity materials, and so forth.

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS

Section 1. Calling. Meetings of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic may be called at the President's discretion or upon receipt of a signed petition of at least one third of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic's active members in good standing. Meetings may be held in person or via Zoom or similar online technology.

Section 2. Quorum. At least one third of NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic's active members in good standing must be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting, the proposed amendments having been submitted to the entire membership at least one week in advance of the meeting. Amendments may also derive from amendments to NACUSA/National's bylaws.

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Upon the dissolution of the organization, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of its assets in such manner, or to an organization or organizations operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).