Music Students’ Service League (MSSL)

Bylaws

ARTICLE I—NAME

The name of this organization shall be Music Students’ Service League of West Los Angeles (MSSL-WLA), a student auxiliary of the West Los Angeles Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC-WLA).

 

ARTICLE II—MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

The members of MSSL must be in seventh grade or higher and currently studying with a teacher member of the MTAC-WLA Branch. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis for motivated sixth graders.

Section 2—

To join, students should speak with their teachers, access mtacwla.org, and follow the instructions on the website.

Section 3—Voting, Holding Office

All members of MSSL in good standing shall be able to take part in all activities and to hold office. To hold office candidates must have been an active member in good standing at least six months. Active membership requires attendance at one or more general meetings during the current year and participation in at least one event. Participation includes event production as well as performing.

Section 4—Good Standing

A member in good standing follows the MSSL Bylaws and acts according to the MSSL Code of Conduct.

Section 5—Term Limits

Officers may serve for one year. If there are no volunteers for an office then an exception may be made for an officer to serve in the same office for a second year.

Section 6—Resignation

A member may resign by notifying the Director of Communications in writing, either by email or post.

Section 7—Suspension or Revocation of Membership

The MTAC-WLA MSSL Project Chairs would present the situation for review at a Board meeting.

Subsequently the executive board of MTAC-WLA, by a majority vote, may suspend or revoke the membership of any MSSL member violating the MSSL bylaws, or the Code of Conduct, or acting in any manner harmful to MSSL or to MTAC-WLA.

 

ARTICLE III—OFFICERS

Section 1

The elected officers shall conduct the routine business of MSSL as detailed below, and shall constitute its Board of Directors.

President
First Vice-President Second Vice-President
Director of Communications Secretary
Historian
Three Program Directors
Duties of officers:

The President

Shall preside at all board and general meetings; Shall call the board together whenever necessary; Shall be ex officio a member of all committees;
Shall guide and oversee the planning of the year’s MSSL activities; Shall appoint committees and chairs for projects;
Shall work closely with faculty advisors to oversee the workings of MSSL.

The First Vice-President

Shall assume duties of president when necessary;
Shall work closely with the president to oversee the workings of MSSL.

The Second Vice-President

Shall oversee projects by directing the work of the program directors.

Director of Communications

Shall maintain MSSL’s official membership roll – the roster;
Shall communicate with and acquire information from new members; Shall notify members of upcoming events;
Shall organize phoning the membership if necessary.

Secretary

Shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the organization – called the minutes;
Shall appoint another member to take minutes in the secretary’s absence; Shall make the minutes and records available to members upon request; Shall write letters and other communications as necessary.

Historian

Shall keep a record of all MSSL activities including minutes, printed programs, membership rosters, lists of officers, and photographs.

Program Directors

Shall organize and direct MSSL projects as designated by the board.

Section 2

Any officer absent for more than two consecutive meetings without valid reason shall, after due notice, be relieved of office. A vacancy among the officers shall be filled for the unexpired term by a vote of the remaining officers at a board meeting within thirty (30) days after such a vacancy has occurred.

 

ARTICLE IV—ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Active members in good standing and seeking office may apply by submitting a written candidate’s statement by the second Friday of April. Online voting will begin one week after the meeting at which speeches shall be read, and will close three weeks later. The new Board members will be announced at our final meeting and subsequently posted on the website. The term of office will be July 1 – June 30.

 

ARTICLE V—MEETINGS

Section 1 – General Meetings

At least three general meetings shall be held from September to June inclusive, dates to be decided by the Board. Special meetings may be called by the President or the Board, and shall be called on request of five members, provided that seven days’ notice is given to all members. Only business stated in the notice may be considered. The quorum for a meeting shall be half the membership plus one, including four officers.

Section 2 – Board Meetings

There shall be at least four board meetings at the call of the President. Additional meetings may be held at the request of four members, provided seven days’ notice is given to all members. A simple majority of board members constitutes a quorum of the board. [The final board meeting of the year shall include newly elected and retiring board members and chairs.]

 

ARTICLE VI – CONDUCTING BUSINESS

The latest edition of “Roberts’ Rules of Order, Newly Revised” shall govern MSSL, unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII – AMENDING BYLAWS

The MSSL bylaws conform to [MTAC-WLA] bylaws as revised June 6, 2006. The MSSL bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those MSSL members present at a regular meeting or by email, after notification that the said amendments would be available to every member 30 days before election.

 

ARTICLE VIII—CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Ethics is made a part of the bylaws of MTAC-WLA MSSL as a guide for the professional conduct of all members of the association:

We, the members of MTAC-WLA MSSL shall:

Maintain the highest moral standards and conduct towards fellow students, teachers, and the community without discrimination of any kind;
Respect the dignity and work of fellow students and teachers; Encourage members towards fulfillment of their musical potential.