SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE
OF THE
PIANO TECHNICIANS GUILD

BYLAWS

PREAMBLE

Recognizing the need for an organization which could sponsor an annual seminar for continuing education for piano technicians and desiring that such an organization be formed, representatives of various chapters of the Piano Technicians Guild met on July 12, 1977, during the annual national Piano Technicians Guild Convention held In Dallas, Texas, to explore the possibility of establishing a Texas State Association of Piano Technicians Guild. On October 15, 1977, the first Texas State Association Seminar was held in Wichita Falls, Texas, at which meeting, organization of the Texas State Association was ratified by the majority of Texas Piano Technicians Guild chapters. The articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State of the state of Texas, and were approved on December 27, 1984.

ARTICLE I

The name of this organization shall be the South Central Regional Conference of the Piano Technicians Guild, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as SCRC, a non profit corporation under the laws of the state of Texas.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES

The primary purpose of SCRC shall be to provide the management capabilities to organize and conduct an annual seminar for continuing education which shall contribute to the improvement of the technical and tuning abilities of piano technicians, attract new members to the Piano Technicians Guild, provide possibilities to start new chapters and help existing chapters to become more active, and produce publicity for the Piano Technicians Guild.

The objectives of SCRC shall be to promote the highest possible standards for piano service, and to effectively promote and improve the piano tuning and servicing industry. SCRC shall be democratic in its government and all its functions; promote the interests of the piano technician; promote music and especially the use of the piano. The operation and function of SCRC shall not be inconsistent with the bylaws, regulations, codes and principals of the Piano Technicians Guild, Inc., hereinafter referred to as PTG.

Any subject not covered by these bylaws shall be handled in accordance with the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act, Article 1396.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

  1. Any PTG member in good standing who is also a paid registrant at the SCRC seminar or has registered as a non-attending member and has paid the specified fee, or is registered as a current member of the SCRC board, is a member of SCRC from the beginning of the Seminar at which he/she is registered until the beginning of the following year's Seminar.
  2. Each member of SCRC attending the annual business meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote.
  3. A quorum shall consist of 10% of the registered membership.
  4. A Business Meeting shall occur during the Annual Seminar.
  5. The members of SCRC shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the corporation.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

  1. The elected officers of SCRC shall be President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer (combined at SCRC 2008), and Seminar Manager.
  2. All elected officers shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected in the annual business meeting.
  3. Additional nominations for any officer may be made from the floor by the members.
  4. All elections shall be by ballot except where there is only one nominee for an office, in which case the election may he made by voice vote or show of hands.
  5. A majority vote shall be required for election to any office except that a two-thirds vote shall be required for re-election to a third (or more) continuing term in the same office.
  6. Officers, with the exception of treasurer, shall assume office at the conclusion of the seminar at which they are elected and shall hold office for one-year term from installation, or until a successor assumes office.
  7. The treasurer shall assume office on January 1, following his election, to give the incumbent treasurer time to close out the books for the fiscal year, which is the same as the calendar year, and shall hold office for a one-year term from installation, or until a successor assumes office.
  8. An officer who holds an office for more than six months shall be considered to have served a full year in calculating the re-election requirements.
  9. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice president shall become the president.
  10. A vacancy in any other elective office may be filled for the balance of the term by appointment by the president, in consultation with the SCRC Board of Directors, provided the work load of the vacant office demands replacement before the next members meeting.
  11. A candidate for any office must be contacted and consent to serve in that office before he can be elected.
  12. According to the Articles of Incorporation, the initial registered agent of TSA is Dean Baker, and the initial registered office of the corporation is 1507 Mesa, Odessa, TX 79761. This agent and address shall remain the same until either the agent or members desire another agent be appointed. The registered agent shall not be an elective office of SCRC. A. The registered agent was changed to: Dale E. Probst, and the registered office of corporation were changed to 3119 South Dr., Wichita Falls, TX 76306 at the annual member's business meeting October 11, 2002.
  13. Duties of the officers.
    1. President
      1. The president shall serve as chairman of the annual business meeting and of the board of directors.
      2. The president shall make all non-elective committee appointments, and fill vacancies in any committee, both elected and non-elected.
      3. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
      4. The president shall exercise a general supervision over all affairs of SCRC .
      5. The president shall sign the contract with the seminar site facility after the contract is approved by the Board of Directors.
    2. Vice President
      1. The vice president shall assist the president in the discharge of presidential duties, and in the absence or disability of the president shall perform the duties of president.
      2. The vice president shall serve as chairman of the bylaws committee.
      3. If the office of president is vacated the vice president shall become the president.
      4. The vice president shall serve as a member of the board of directors.
      5. The vice president shall be responsible for maintaining a current inventory of all SCRC property.
    3. Seminar Manager
      1. The seminar manager shall work with the Board of Directors and area chapters to organize the annual seminar for continuing education.
      2. The seminar manager and the SCRC president shall secure a written contract with the seminar site facility outlining all arrangements which the facility will provide. All arrangements are subject to approval by the SCRC Board of Directors.
      3. The seminar manager shall submit a request to the South Central Regional Vice President of PTG within 30 days after the seminar site has been selected for PTG approval of the date on which the annual seminar shall be held.
      4. The seminar manager shall work in consultation with the Board of Directors in the planning and conducting of the seminar.
      5. The seminar manager shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
    4. Secretary (Combined with Treasurer position to one person at SCRC 2008)
      1. The secretary shall serve as secretary to the member's business meeting and the Board of Directors, and shall be responsible for the accurate production of minutes of all meetings.
      2. The secretary shall maintain an up to date copy of the SCRC bylaws.
      3. The secretary shall keep a permanent file of correspondences brochures, newsletters and other papers which shall be delivered to him from time to time by the officers and committees.
      4. The secretary, in cooperation with the treasurer, shall serve as registrar for the annual seminar.
      5. The secretary shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors
    5. Treasurer (Combined with Secretary position to one person at SCRC 2008)
      1. The treasurer shall maintain current true and accurate financial records with the full and correct entries made with respect to all financial transactions of SCRC, including all income and expenditures, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.
      2. The treasurer shall make disbursements as authorized at the member's business meeting or by the board of directors.
      3. The treasurer shall select a financial institution in which to place all SCRC funds. All accounts into which SCRC funds are placed shall be fully insured by the FDIC, or the FLIC, or the SIPC or the NCUA.
      4. The treasurer shall be bonded in the amount of money for which he is caretaker.
      5. The treasurer shall prepare an annual financial report to be presented at the member's business meeting and shall provide current SCRC financial status as requested.
      6. The treasurer shall assist the secretary with the seminar registration.
      7. The treasurer shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The elected officers of SCRC shall be comprised of the Board of Directors of SCRC along with the current Regional Vice President of the South Central Region. The RVP shall be a voting member of the board.
  2. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to administer the business of SCRC in conformity with the SCRC bylaws and exercise general supervision over all SCRC affairs.
  3. The Board of Directors shall meet at the time of the annual SCRC seminar, and meet before June 1 of the following year. If possible, this mid-year board meeting should be at the site of the next seminar.
  4. The Board of Directors may meet in person more often if urgency or business requires a special meeting.
  5. Board members shall not receive any compensation for services as either officers or board members.
  6. Board members shall be reimbursed for necessary reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of properly authorized SCRC business, and shall present all requests for reimbursements by December 20.
  7. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be three members.
  8. The president shall serve as chairman of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

  1. SCRC shall have the following standing committees:
    Nominating Committee
    Bylaws Committee
    Awards Committee
  2. All committees except the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the president in consultation with the Board of Directors.
  3. Special committees may be formed by the member's business meeting or by presidential appointment. Such committees shall have their formation reviewed each year at the member's business meeting.
  4. All committees, unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, shall be composed of at least three members, exclusive of ex-officio members.
  5. Committee members shall receive no remuneration for their services but may be reimbursed for reasonable necessary expenses incurred in the performance of properly authorized SCRC business, and shall present all requests for reimbursements to the treasurer by December 20.
  6. Duties of committees:
    1. The nominating committee elected at the annual business meeting shall serve for the ensuing year and shall nominate a candidate for each office after contacting each concerning their willingness to serve. The Nominating Committee shall select its own chairman immediately following the election.
    2. Bylaws Committee:
      1. The Bylaws Committee shall consult with any member or members wishing to amend the bylaws, and present to the Board of Directors and then to the members business meeting any resolutions to amend the bylaws, together with their recommendations to adopt or reject the proposed amendment, with full reasons assigned.
      2. The Bylaws Committee shall make an annual review of the bylaws and recommend changes, as necessary, to the Board of Directors and then to the members business meeting.
      3. The Bylaws Committee shall execute changes in the bylaws as directed by the member's business meeting.
    3. Awards Committee:
      1. This committee will elect the recipients of the "Jimmy Gold Merit Award." This award is named for a very special man who was instrumental in the beginning and development of SCRC . It will recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to this organization.
      2. The award may be presented at the discretion of the Awards Committee, but not more than once each year.

ARTICLE VII

FINANCIAL POLICES

  1. Proceeds from the annual SCRC seminar are to be deposited into the SCRC treasury.
  2. The fiscal year of SCRC shall be from January 1 through December 31.
  3. All accounts into which SCRC funds are placed shall be fully insured by the FDIC, or the FSLIC, or the SIPC, or the NCUA.
  4. All SCRC funds will accrue to the Association and shall not be divided with or among chapters, individuals or other entities.
  5. No part of SCRC funds shall insure to the benefit of or be distributed to any officer or private individual except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the association effecting one of its purposes.
  6. All expenditures shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors and the member's business meeting.
  7. The treasurer shall be bonded in the amount of money for which he is caretaker.
  8. SCRC shall make annual awards as recommended by the Awards Committee.
  9. The following expenses may be paid for instructors at the annual seminar who are not sponsored by a company: registration, banquet tickets, room expense (not including room service or phone calls) and travel expense to and from the seminar site.
  10. The following expenses may be paid for exhibitors and for instructors who are sponsored by a company: registration and banquet ticket
  11. The following expenses may be paid for SCRC officers at the annual seminar or to the mid-year board meeting: registration, banquet ticket, room expense (not including personal phone calls or room service), and travel to and from the seminar site.
  12. Spouses of SCRC officers attending the annual seminar may be required to pay for registration and banquet tickets.
  13. Mileage rates for those traveling by car whose expenses are paid by SCRC shall be concurrent with IRS Rules.
  14. There shall be at least two signers of the signature card(s) at the financial institution(s) in which SCRC funds are deposited. Either signer may sign checks or other papers giving access to funds. One signer shall be the treasurer and the other shall be the president.
  15. To protect the solvency of SCRC and insure its ability to carry out its objectives, an Emergency Reserve fund shall be established in the amount of $5000.00. This fund is intended as a "safety net" for genuine emergencies. It shall be used at the discretion of the SCRC Board of Directors and in accordance with the SCRC Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ANNUAL SEMINAR FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

  1. SCRC may conduct an annual seminar for continuing education located within the South Central Region.
  2. In the event that it is not possible to conduct an annual seminar the members may meet during the year to conduct the business of SCRC.
  3. An annual business meeting (members meeting) of SCRC members shall be held during the annual SCRC seminar. Failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated time shall not work dissolution of the corporation.
  4. The annual seminar shall be conducted in accordance with the purposes of SCRC as outlined in the bylaws.
  5. The SCRC Board of Directors shall have complete responsibility for planning and conducting the annual seminar.

ARTICLE IX

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

  1. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly revised, shall be the rule of SCRC in all cases not specifically covered by these bylaws or other SCRC rules or documents.

ARTICLE X

BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

  1. The SCRC bylaws may be amended at any member's business meeting by two thirds vote of the members in attendance.
  2. Amendments may be proposed to the Bylaws Committee by any member of SCRC.
  3. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing, with supporting arguments, to the chairman of the Bylaws Committee no later than January 1.
  4. The Bylaws Committee shall process the proposed amendments In accordance with the duties of that committee and submit them with committee recommendations to the Board of Directors prior to their mid-year board meeting.
  5. The Board of Directors shall send copies of any proposed bylaws changes to the members at least 60 days prior to the annual members meeting.
  6. Emergency Provision: Any exception to the procedure for giving notice of proposed amendment to the bylaws must first be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. The amendment may be presented to the members meeting. A two-thirds vote of the members in favor of considering the amendment shall he required before it may be placed on the floor for debate and vote. A three-fourths vote shall be required for adoption of the amendment.