NEW MEXICO ASTA BYLAWS
(1999 Revision)

ARTICLE I: IDENTITY AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Name.
The name of this organization shall be the NEW MEXICO AMERICAN STRING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION WITH NATIONAL SCHOOL ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION (or NM-ASTA WITH NSOA).

Section 2. Purpose.
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote excellence in string and orchestra teaching and playing in the state of New Mexico through:
a) an open sharing of ideas
b) providing benefits, services, and activities responsive to the needs of all members
c) developing strong state leadership
d) actively enhancing the image and visibility of string and orchestra teaching and study
e) offering advocacy for string education
f) cultivating an inclusive community of string and school orchestra teachers and players.

ARTICLE II: GOVERNANCE

Section 1.
This organization is the State Chapter of ASTA WITH NSOA and shall he governed by the bylaws of the state organization, along with the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the National ASTA WITH NSOA where applicable. These latter two documents shall be the final authority if these bylaws are deemed in conflict.

Section 2.
Rules contained in the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the organization in cases where they are applicable and consistent with the bylaws of this organization.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.
Membership shall be consistent with the national classifications: Active, Dual, Life, Senior, Student, School or Library. The National Executive Board determines qualifications, dues, state rebates and voting status for each classification. Voting privileges for regular and social elections of the organization are afforded to Active, Dual, Life and Senior members only.

Section 2.
All members in good standing are entitled to receive all state communications and printed materials. Members must have paid their annual national dues to be in good standing.

Section 3.
State chapter shall be formed as detailed in the national bylaws.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1.
The elected officers of the New Mexico ASTA WITH NSOA, i.e., the Executive Board,
shall be President, President-Elect and Secretary. (The President automatically becomes Past-President upon completion of his or her two-year term and remains on the board for two more years.) Treasurer and Newsletter Editor are appointed by the President with the approval of the majority of voting members of the Executive Board. Any additional officers also are appointed by the President and approved by a majority of the Executive Board.

Section 2.
Nomination and election procedures for state officers shall follow the same procedure as for national officers (Article VI of the National Bylaws). Election of officers will be by simple majority. Officers shall be elected for two-year terms.

Section 3.
Voting procedures shall follow those of the national board (Article V of the National Bylaws). Biannual officer election shall be held by mail: the mailed envelope shall include a ballot, balloting information, and a return envelope preaddressed to the Ballot-count Chair, and may not include any other materials.

Section 4
.Officers shall perform the usual duties of officers of an organization of this nature and such duties as may be prescribed by the President and/or Executive Board.

Section 5.
All expenditures shall be at the consent and direction of the President through the Treasurer. Expenditures of more than $500 (five hundred dollars) shall require a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1.
The State Chapter shall have at least one annual membership meeting. The State Executive Board shall meet at least once a year in addition to the annual membership meeting. Minutes of the Executive Board and Annual meetings shall be kept on file by a designated member of the Executive Board and available for examination by the membership.

Section 2.
In addition to a gathering, meetings of the State Executive Committee or Board may be held by teleconference, e-mail, fax, or other appropriate media, providing a majority of voting Executive Committee members participate.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Committees of the New Mexico Chapter are: standing and special. Chairs of committees/projects are appointed by the President for terms not to exceed two years, but they can be reappointed for successive terms. Chairs submit reports at each Executive Board meeting.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1.
Proposed amendments or revisions to the Bylaws must be approved by the eligible membership in accordance with the stipulations of the National Bylaws. Thirty days notice shall be given of proposed amendments prior to the date of balloting, either by publication in the New Mexico ASTA WITH NSOA Newsletter or by special mailing to all members of record. Failure of a member to respond with a returned ballot will be counted as approval of proposed amendment(s) by that member. A two-thirds vote of the eligible membership is required for amendments or revisions to the bylaws to take place.

Section 2.
The State Executive Board must consider in writing and approve the bylaw changes before submission to the general membership.