By-laws

Article I: Name
The name of the organization shall be the Virginia National Association of Teachers of Singing. The Chapter shall be subject to the By-Laws of the National Association.

Article II: Purposes and Codes of Ethics
The Virginia Chapter adopts fully the stated purposes of the National Association, which are:

  1. To establish and maintain the highest possible standards of ethical principles and practices in the profession of teaching singing and vocal art.
  2. To establish the highest possible standards of competence in said teaching profession, to encourage, conduct and stimulate effective cooperation among vocal teachers for this mutual welfare and advancement.

The Virginia Chapter, as an organization, subscribes without reservation to the “Code of Ethics,” adherence to which is one of the conditions of individual membership in the National Association.

Article III: Membership
All NATS members resident in the area of Virginia are eligible for membership in the chapter. Chapter membership shall be terminated when a member resigns from, or is dropped from membership in the National Association.

Article IV: Officers
Chapter officers shall consist of President, Vice-president, Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, and Technology Advisor. The term of office shall be two years. The Duties of the officers shall be those commonly associated with the offices named, with the special responsibilities of the fall workshop assigned to the President and the spring students audition chairman assigned to the Vice-president. Special officers, committees, or chairmen may be appointed by the President to service in such temporary capacities as occasions may demand. Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon termination of his membership in the National Association. Neither the President nor Vice-president shall serve consecutively for more than two terms, though they may properly succeed others in these offices. Any elected officer may be removed from office upon due cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Virginia state active membership.

Article V: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers, past President, and a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) at-large board members. The duties of the at-large board members shall be to assist the officers in conducting the business of the chapter.

Article VI: Meetings
There shall be two (2) board meetings each year, one during the spring conference and one the third Saturday of September. Announcements of meetings with proposed agenda will be emailed to the officers and board members three weeks prior to the date of the meeting.There shall be one chapter meeting each spring that functions as student auditions and educational service for the membership. A fall chapter meeting may be called biennially as determined by the officers and board. Chapter meetings may be called by the President or by any petitioned officer of the membership, provided the chapter officer and remainder of the chapter membership are notified three weeks in advance of such a meeting.

Article VII: Elections and Quorum
Elections will be held at the spring chapter meeting. A nominating committee, appointed by the President, will provide a slate of nominees for the five offices. Additional nominations may be made from the floor during the membership meeting. Officers elected assume office immediately, serving until the spring meeting two years hence. A quorum will consist of one-fourth of the active membership. At any regular meeting, each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote upon any motion or question properly brought before the chapter.

Article VIII: Dues and Assessments
The annual chapter dues are $20.00 payable via the national association website and before registering for the annual state conference. The amount of the dues may be changed by vote of the board and officers. Registration for the annual state conference will be blocked until chapter dues have been paid. Those who do not pay annual dues will be moved to an inactive membership list.  Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events necessitating unusual expenditures only when such a motion is entertained at a meeting where a quorum is present and said motion is passed by a majority vote.

Article IX: Programs and Procedures
The program of this chapter may include social, promotional, professional, and educational activities at the discretion of its officers and members, so long as such activities are consistent with the purposes and code of ethics stated in Article II above. Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article X: Amendments
The by-laws of this chapter may be repealed or amended, or new by-laws adopted by a majority of the chapter membership voting in person, by mail or email, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership three weeks in advance of the voting date.