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Maybrook Wind Ensemble
Constitution and By Laws

I.         NAME

The name of the group is The Maybrook Wind Ensemble Ltd., hereafter called MWE.

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II.      TYPE OF ORGANIZATION

The Maybrook Wind Ensemble (MWE) is a non-profit tax-exempt educational organization as defined in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and operating in the State of New York. The MWE ensures the permanent dedication of any and all assets for one or more exempt purposes. If dissolution occurs, the assets will be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 [c] [3] of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal, state or local government for a public purpose. Concerts and events sponsored by MWE will solicit free-will offerings; when hosted by other organizations, MWE will comply with their regulations. No portion of the net earnings of or donations to the MWE shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the MWE shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments to further the purposes set forth below. No substantial part of the activities of MWE shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and MWE shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign.

MEMBERSHIP

Any resident in the area who has the potential to competently sight-read and possibly master wind band compositions from Levels 3 (Intermediate) through 6 (Advanced), who agrees to adhere to the ensemble's policies, and regularly attends rehearsals and performances with the group, is eligible for permanent membership.

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A new member will be added to the MWE's permanent roster after attending three (3) rehearsals. Members are accepted based on the band's personnel needs and logistical requirements. Playing in the MWE is considered a privilege that entails responsibility, dedication, maturity, and enthusiasm for making music with other musicians of similar spirit and interest.

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Every permanent member is encouraged to participate in one of MWE's committees. If necessary to maintain the fiscal viability of the MWE, members may be required to participate in fund raising efforts (i.e., candy sales, advertisement solicitation, et al.) within the guidelines of the Charities Bureau of the New York State Department of Law.  The Board President or the Ensemble Director can make exemptions without necessitating a vote. Even though the MWE will participate in a variety of civic functions, it will not align itself with any political, religious or ethnic causes.

MWE membership is extended to all members of the community without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

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REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS

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All MWE members are expected to attend rehearsals and to regularly practice outside of rehearsals. To be eligible to play in a concert, members must attend the dress rehearsal (the rehearsal immediately preceding the concert), and at least one of the two rehearsals preceding the dress rehearsal. Only the Ensemble Director, whose decision shall be final, may make exceptions.

Respectful conduct during all rehearsals and concerts is expected in order to advance MWE's purposes and to create a supportive wind ensemble culture.

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Any members found engaging in unethical activities, such as violating the tenets defined in Paragraph 3 of Section IV, or found having conducted themselves inappropriately, are subject to having their memberships terminated at the recommendation of the Ensemble Director. Any members who have been dismissed from the MWE have the right to request a review by the Board to be reinstated. The Board will make a final decision to this review, which is to be approved by a majority vote at a closed meeting of the Board.

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The Secretary should be informed of anticipated absences; this includes absences over an extended period of time, in order to avoid loss of membership. All members should notify their section leaders about any planned absences as soon as possible, so arrangements can be made to ensure those parts are adequately covered.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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A Board of Directors comprised of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, three members-at-large, and the Ensemble Director, ex-officio will manage the MWE. The board will also, at the discretion and agreement by and between the MWE board and the Village of Maybrook, extend an invitation to not less than one and not more than  three (3) representatives from the Village's Council to attend meetings to observe and participate in an advisory, non-voting capacity.

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Meetings

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The MWE shall hold an annual meeting in May of each year. The President shall call the meeting and shall designate the time and place of such meeting. All meetings requiring membership vote will be announced two (2) weeks prior to voting. A vote will be held if at least fifty percent (50%) plus one member is present. Those members present shall constitute a quorum. The President as needed may call special meetings. Each member of The Band in attendance shall have one vote.

Board meetings will be conducted following Robert's Rules of Order.

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Membership on the Board of Directors

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Terms for membership on the Board of Directors will be two (2) years for the President,  Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary; and one (1) year for the three members-at-large, beginning October 1st, which will be determined by a majority vote of the MWE's permanent membership. The President, on or before July 1 st, will appoint a nominating committee consisting of one member of the current Board of Directors and two other band members. This committee will nominate one candidate for President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, and will contact the potential nominee(s) to ascertain his/her willingness to serve if elected. An election will be held during the last rehearsal in September, at which time the nominating committee will make its report and nominations   will be accepted from the floor. It is the responsibility of the outgoing officers to schedule orientation meetings with the incoming officers of the respective positions and transfer any files or other materials. The nominating committee shall nominate a President—Elect as soon as practical after the adoption of this revision of the bylaws, and the ensemble shall elect a President-Elect at a rehearsal as soon as practical after the nomination.

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The membership will also nominate, discuss and vote on a committee of not less than one and not more than three (3) members to attend council meetings of the Village of Maybrook to observe and/or participate in an advisory, non-voting capacity, pending discussion and approval by and between the MWE Board and the Town Council of the Village of Maybrook.

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