The University of Minnesota
Collegiate Music Educators National Conference
Constitution

Article I- General

Section 1:
	This chapter shall be known as the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Collegiate Chapter of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, and shall be listed in the MENC records as Chapter Number 125. Financial records (checking account, etc) will refer to the organization CMENC: U of M. This organization shall have an affiliated relationship with the Minnesota Music Educators Association.  

Section 2:
	This organization shall operate as a non-profit group.

Section 3:
	This organization shall abide by the applicable rules and policies of the University of Minnesota pertaining to student organization.

Section 4:
	This organization shall exist for the following purposes:
a.	To provide a forum of speakers to make presentations of timely interest to members of this organization.
b.	Acquaint students with privileges and responsibilities of the music education profession.
c.	Provide all members with the opportunity to become acquainted with leaders in the music education profession through participation in programs, demonstrations, discussions, workshops, and performances planned by this chapter, the state music educators association, and MENC: The National Association for Music Education.
d.	Assist the school in various projects throughout the year; and provide the opportunity to have contact with collegiate members from other schools.

Article II- Membership/Impeachment
Section 1:
	Voting membership is open to all students at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities who are interested in music education.

Section 2:
	All voting members must be students at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, or students at local institutions that do not have a CMENC chapter.

Section 3:
	Membership is open to all students without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, marital status, public assistance status, or sexual orientation. 

Section 4:
	Students who fulfill the requirements as stated in Section 1 and 2 of Article II may become members of this chapter upon payment of dues as stated in Article III.

Section 5:
	Every collegiate member of this chapter will receive issues of the official MENC periodicals Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music, and, if applicable, issues of the official state music educators association periodicals.

Section 6:
	Graduating collegiate members of this chapter will have the opportunity to receive regular MENC membership at a special introductory rate in the year of or immediately following their graduation as a first- year teacher of full-time employment in music education.

Section 7: 
	Any MENC Collegiate member of this chapter may receive a subscription to the Journal of Research in Music Education, upon payment of the prescribed additional fee.

Section 8:
	Any member of this chapter may participate in the activities carried on by this collegiate chapter and by MENC, including its divisions and the federated state associations. All collegiate members, after complying with registration requirements, may attend all MENC conventions-national, divisional, and those of the federated state.

Section 9:
	Any member/officer may be impeached for misconduct (to be defined by the group) The member /officer shall be given a seven-day notice and an opportunity to defend him/herself. The impeachment vote shall require 2/3-majority vote.

Article III- Finance
Section 1:
	Dues for MENC Collegiate membership are for an academic year. The total dues collected each year represent national, state, and chapter dues. Students eligible for MENC Collegiate membership become members of MENC and their federated state music educators association when proper national/state dues are sent to the MENC national office.

Section 2:
	Nominal dues may be levied in excess of national and state dues to help finance the activities of the chapter.

Article IV- Chapter Advisor
Section 1:
	There shall be a chapter adviser who is a member of the music faculty at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and who is a member of MENC. The chapter advisor shall serve as ex officio in the Executive Council.

Section 2:
	The responsibilities of the chapter advisor shall be to:

a.	Act as a representative of MENC to the students: Inform the students of the nature, purpose, and function of MENC; encourage interest and participation of students in MENC activities; and act as a liaison with the various levels of MENC.
b.	Serve as an advisor and guide in formulation of chapter programs and policies.
c.	Serve as a resource person.
d.	Receive and distribute fall enrollment materials to potential members.
e.	Be available to explain the benefits of MENC Collegiate membership during orientation meetings, methods classes, and other functions that involve music education students.
f.	Complete Section B on each student’s Application for Collegiate membership with remittance authorization and signature.
g.	Receive and distribute the MENC and state association periodicals that are sent in bulk to students who apply to MENC membership by October 31.
h.	Encourage the development of student initiative, leadership, and imagination, to build a sense of responsibility on the part of students.
i.	Help officers in fulfilling their respective duties, including the maintenance of chapter records.
j.	Promote professional attitudes among chapter members.
k.	Work for support of the chapter by members of the college faculty and explore with department chairpersons the possible funding of chapter activities.
l.	Promote the concept of chapter importance in training music education students. 

Article V- Officers
Section 1:
	The officers of this organization shall consist of President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

Section 2:
	All officers must be currently enrolled students at the University of Minnesota and registered for at least six credits. Exceptions to the requirement are permitted for graduate students upon receipt of a letter from the Director of Graduate Studies of the student’s department certifying that the student is actively pursuing a degree.

Section 3:
	Officers shall be selected in the fall semester of every year and shall serve for a period of one year. (Exception, President-Elect/President is a two-year obligation) Officers shall be elected by plurality of the voting members in the chapter providing a quorum is present.

Section 4:
	In the event that a vacancy occurs in the office of the president, the president-elect shall assume the duties of the president for the remainder of the term of office. Vacancies in any of the other officers shall be filled by an election.

Section 5:
	The duties of the officers can be assigned as follows:
President:
a.	Preside at chapter meetings
b.	Represent the chapter on-and off-campus
c.	Uphold the principles of the constitution established by the chapter
d.	Develop an agenda and preside at Executive Committee and chapter meetings
e.	Appoint standing committees approved by the Executive Committee

President-Elect:
a.	Preside at Executive Committee and Chapter meetings in the absence of the President
b.	Coordinate the membership drive
c.	Contact the guest speakers chosen by the Executive Committee
d.	Publicize meetings and other activities
e.	Inform other collegiate chapters in your state of your chapters activities

Secretary:
a.	Record and distribute the minutes of Executive Committee and chapter meetings
b.	Provide information regarding the chapter as requested by the chapter president, and advisor
c.	Prepare letters of confirmation and appreciation for guest speakers
d.	Report chapter activities for publication in state or national periodicals
e.	Inform other collegiate chapters in your state of your chapters activities

Treasurer:
a.	Assist the chapter advisor in collecting completed applications for collegiate membership
b.	Maintain membership records and prepare a chapter roster at the conclusion of the enrollment period
c.	Maintain the chapter’s financial records.

Article VI- Committees
Section 1:
	The standing committees of this organization shall be:

a.	The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of this chapter and the chapter adviser as an ex officio member.
b.	The Social Committee Chair shall plan social events for this chapter.
c.	The Conducting Forum Committee Chair shall organize the annual conducting forums for undergraduate music education majors.

Section 2:
Special Committee- The Advisor and Executive Committee reserve the right to create and/or abolish these committees at any time for the betterment of this organization.

Section 3:
	Management of this chapter is the responsibility of the Executive Committee and is upheld by this constitution.

Section 4:
	The Executive Committee shall have the power the make necessary decisions in all not specifically acted upon by the group.

Article VII- Meetings
Section 1: 
	A regular meeting shall occur each week at a regular time (for example Tuesday at 7:00pm). Two of the four meetings during the month will consist of the Executive Committee, one of four shall be a general meeting, and one of four shall be a clinic. 

Section 2:
	Unless otherwise specified by the membership at the time of dissolution of the organization, residual assets shall be distributed to the following not-for-profit organizations according to the proportions below:

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities School of Music (100%)

Article VIII -Amendments
Section 1:
	Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by any member of the organization. Such proposals shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee for a first reading to the membership at the regular meeting prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be voted on.

Section 2:
	Duty proposed amendments should be submitted to a vote by the voting members providing a quorum is present. A 2/3-majority vote in favor shall be required for adoptions of such amendments.

Constitution Ratified (month, day, year) _________________________________

Witnessed: Advisor______________________________________

       President_____________________________________
	        
       President-Elect________________________________