Masuk High School

Tri-M Music Honor Society

Chapter #000000

DRAFT- NOT APPROVED

Governing Charter
BYLAWS AND REGULATIONS

REVISION: 1.0.0.01

ADOPTED: 04/08/2011

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 Charter Index

Section I. General Information

Article A. Establishment
Article B. Purpose
Article C. General Powers

Section II. Membership

Article A. Admission
Article I. Requirements
Article II. Public Notice
Article III. Lapsed Membership
Article IV. Dismissal
Article V. Dismissal Appeal
Article VI. Alumni Membership
Article VII. Honorary Membership

Section III. Chapter Administration

Article A. Council Members
Article B. Chapter Advisor
Article C. Student Officers
Article D. Quorum Requirement
Article E. Duties of Executive Council
Article I. Chapter Advisor
Article II. President
Article III. Vice-President
Article IV. Secretary
Article V. Treasurer
Article VI. Historian
Article VII. Public Relations/Advocacy Officer
Article F. Nomination and Election of Officers
Article G. Vacancies on the Executive Council
Article H. Resignation and Impeachment

Section IV. Meetings

Article A. Planning
Article B. Times
Article C. Frequency
Article D. Voting
Article E. Special Meetings
Article F. Meeting Decorum

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Section V. General Information
Article A. Induction Ceremony
Article B. Tri-M Ensemble
Article C. Online Information

Section VI. Charter Ratification
Article A. Bylaw Ratification
Article B. Amendments

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Section I.

Article A. Establishment:

We, the music students of Masuk High School, in an effort to inspire music participation, create
enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership among our
members, and advocate for the arts, do herby establish the Masuk High School chapter of Tri-M
Music Honor Society and accept the bylaws in herein.

This chapter will be a Senior chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Members will be Sen-
ior division members of Tri-M as prescribed by the MENC (National Music Educators Associa-
tion) and the national headquarters of Tri-M.

Article B. Purpose:

In an effort to advance the study and promotion of the arts in our school and local community,
the purpose of the Masuk High School chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society is to:

• Provide an appropriate method for recognizing the musical achievements of our members
• Strengthen and promote the arts and music programs of Monroe Public Schools
• Help our members reach their fullest musical potential
• Motivate and recognize our member’s musical and personal achievements, credits, and goals
• Encourage our members to work together for the same goal
• Inspire and challenge our members
• Focus public attention on the individual music programs through community service
• Advocate for continual growth of the arts and culture in Monroe and Masuk High School
• Seek educational opportunities on the importance of the arts to local residents

The MHS Tri-M chapter (seen abbreviated herein) will also further advance and abide by the
mission statement of Monroe Public Schools and Masuk High School.

Article C. General Powers:

The Tri-M chapter participants are limited to the powers vested to them by MENC, the Tri-M
Program Guidelines, and these bylaws.

In any matter not provided for in the Tri-M Program Guidelines, these chapter bylaws, or by lo-
cal, state, or federal law, Tri-M Chapter (Insert number here) at Masuk High School will act by
majority vote of those present at any annual, regular, or special meetings.

As a program of Masuk High School, this Tri-M chapter understands that the principal and
school administration have the power to veto any local Tri-M decisions.

Only MENC has the power to amend or revise the Tri-M Program Guidelines.
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Section II.

Article A. Admission:

Subsection I. Members shall be Active, Alumni, or Honorary.

Article I. Requirements:

Candidates for active student membership shall be chosen and appointed by an admission com-
mittee consisting of the chapter advisor, music directors, and executive council of MHS Tri-M.
The committee shall be presided over by the Treasurer. Those students wishing to become
members of Tri-M must complete and submit an application to the chapter advisor and chapter
President with one (1) letter of recommendation provided by a music director and one (1) letter
provided by a teacher of a regular academic subject. Applicants must also provide a copy of their
most recent report card to the chapter advisor, as well as a resume of all curricular and extracur-
ricular activities. At the time of application, the student must also opt whether to perform an
audition with a piece of their choosing for the admissions committee or write an oral or written
report on a musical topic in lieu of an audition.

Applicant consideration will take place at two points in the academic school year. Applications
will become available in the fall no later than the third week of the school year, and no later than
the second week of April in the spring. Consideration for new applications will be no latter than
the second week of October for the fall, and no latter than the final week of April in the spring.
Freshman students are not permitted to apply for membership to Tri-M until the spring semester.

Candidates for active student membership shall be chosen from those students enrolled in the
music department at Masuk High School. Candidates, at the time of their selection, must meet
the following requirements:

• They must have enrolled in a music ensemble and/or class for at least one semester of the cur-
rent school year at Masuk High School.
• They must exhibit leadership, service, and character in their actives while at Masuk High
School and must also have a clean record without administrative action; and
• They must have maintained for the previous semester at least a B average grade or equivalent
in a music class with at least a B average grade or equivalent in all other academic activities.

There are no exceptions to the following unless with express written approval by the chapter ad-
visor.

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Article II. Public Notice:

A written description of the selection procedure shall be made available to all music students and
their parents prior to candidate consideration. The selection procedure shall be consistent with
articles of the Tri-M Program Guidelines.


Article III. Lapsed Membership:

Members and their eligibility for Tri-M membership shall be received on an annual basis to con-
sider their continued participation in the Tri-M program on the basis of the above requirements.

These reviews shall be done at the time of new applicant consideration in the fall by the admis-
sions committee consisting of the chapter advisor, music directors, and MHS Tri-M executive
council. The review shall confirm the member’s enrollment in a Masuk High School music en-
semble and/or a class for at least one semester of the current school year and that the member
has maintained for the previous semester at least a B average grade or equivalent in music, with
at least a B average grade or equivalent in all other academic subjects.

If a current member does not or cannot meet the academic or music criteria necessary to be con-
sidered a Tri-M member, his or her membership will lapse in good standing until the music and
academic criteria are once again met. At which time that the requirements are then met, the
member will become eligible to reapply to be reinstated at the next application date.

The chapter advisor, chapter President, and Treasurer shall determine when a lapsed member is
reinstated in this situations based upon proof that membership criteria have once again been
met.

Article IV. Dismissal:

Dismissal is a permanent revocation of Tri-M membership without the option of reinstatement

unless overturned by appeal.

Dismissal is warranted by flagrant violation of school rules or criminal law, or shall be warranted
when deemed by a chapter advisor and chapter President to be without regard for the bylaws set
herein and therefor in violation of the mission and purpose of Tri-M. A member may be dis-
missed without warning. A written documentation of the dismissal procedure shall be available to
interested parties.

Any member who is dismissed shall surrender all Tri-M insignia items to the chapter advisor. If
the member paid for the membership insignia items, the chapter will reimburse the student for
the original cost of the items.

Article V. Dismissal Appeal:

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A member who has been dismissed may appeal the decision. The principal of the school shall
assign an impartial faculty tribunal to review the appeal. The same rules that would be used for a
disciplinary appeal in the school district shall apply.

Article VI. Alumni Membership:

Upon graduation, active members shall become alumni members. Alumni members shall have
no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Article VII. Honorary Membership:

The chapter advisor in conjunction with the chapter President may award honorary member-
ships in recognition of of achievement and/or outstanding service rendered to the chapter in
keeping with the purpose of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Honorary membership may be
awarded to guest clinicians, school officials, principals, teachers, Tri-M advisors, adults, or stu-
dents with disabilities who are unable to fully meet the active member criteria. Other students are
not eligible for honorary membership. Honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter af-
fairs.

Section III.

Article A. Council Members:

The executive council of this chapter will consist of a chapter advisor and student officers.

Article B. Chapter Advisor:

The chapter advisor of this chapter shall be a teacher in the music department at Masuk High
School or an administrator. This chapter will have co-advisors appointed by the advisor to assist
with chapter operations.

Article C. Student Officers:

The student officers of this chapter will include a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Historian, and Public Relations/Advocacy Officer.

Article D. Quorum Requirement:

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A majority of the officers, the chapter advisor, and at least 1/4 of the chapter membership will
constitute a quorum unless under special circumstances, such as but not limited to: private meet-
ing sessions, event committee meetings, and dismissal proceedings.

Article E. Duties of Executive Council:

Article I. Chapter Advisor:

The advisor of this chapter will act as supervisor, guide, and counselor in all matters pertaining to
chapter operations. The advisor will attend all executive council and chapter meetings and will
help officers fulfill their respective duties, including maintain chapter records and submitting
chapter fees with the proper paperwork.

Article II. President:

The chapter President will lead the members toward the attainment of the goals of this chapter
and of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. The President will preside over all meetings of the chap-
ter of the executive council. The President and the other officers will conduct the induction
ceremony for the new members and will hold an election to appoint new officers to preside the
following year (see Section III., Article F. Nomination and Election of Officers.)

Article III. Vice-President:

The Vice-President of this chapter will preside at all meetings of the chapter in the absence of
the President, and it will be his or her duty to assist the President. If programs, special projects, or
activities are planned in addition to the membership presentation ceremony, the Vice-President
will also serve as program chairperson.

Article IV. Secretary:

The Secretary of this chapter will be responsible for all correspondence of the chapter and will
keep an accurate record of attendance, minutes, and all transactions and meetings of the chapter.
The secretary will also serve as the social chairperson.

Article V. Treasurer:

The treasurer of this chapter will keep an accurate record of all monies received and disbursed,
member-ship fees paid to the honor society, and al membership pins emblems, cards, certificates,
and insignia items secured from the national office. The treasurer will report at each meeting the
receipts, disbursements, and cash balance on hand. The chapter advisor should make an audit of
the treasurer's records at the end of each semester. The treasurer will also serve as membership
chairperson.

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 Article VI. Historian:

The chapter historian shall keep a comprehensive record of all programs presented by the chap-
ter and its members, including pictures, video, and news clippings; be responsible for compiling
the chapter’s entry for Chapter of the Year; and assemble a yearbook, video, or other form of
media at the conclusion of the school year to be preserved in the chapter’s archives.

Article VII. Public Relations/Advocacy Officer:

The chapter Public Relations/Advocacy Officer shall be responsible for communication outside
of the chapter to the local community. The Officer shall be the contact person responsible for
sending all press releases, event news, chapter news, and other correspondence to chapter mem-
bers and the local press as prescribed in the Tri-M Program Guidelines. The PR/AO shall also
also be charged with communicating to the BoE and local organizations, and will be held respon-
sible with keeping members updated on the status of the BoE and school policy affecting the
Masuk Music Department. The PR/AO is also chair of the advocacy committee that will be re-
sponsible for advocating the expansion, growth, and preservation of the arts in Monroe Public
Schools.

Article F. Nomination and Election of Officers:

During a spring meeting, the President will appoint a nominating committee of three who will
propose a slate of officers for the coming year in conjunction with the chapter advisor. Nomina-
tions for office may be made on the floor during a regularly scheduled meeting. The candidates
will be elected by a majority ballot vote. New officers for the coming year will be installed before
the close of the school year in which the election takes place at the induction ceremony for new
members.

Members being considered for office must meet the following requirements:

• Must meet all chapter pre-requisite requirements and be a good standing member of Tri-M
• Must be a member of Tri-M for at least one semester
• Must have attended at least two regularly scheduled Tri-M meetings
• Must have volunteered at at least one Tri-M sponsored event

Candidates will be asked to provide a most recent copy of their report card to the chapter advisor
and nominating committee, as well as one (1) letter of recommendation from a music director
and one (1) letter of recommendation from a regular academic teacher.

Officers may only hold office for two years in any capacity, whether consecutive or or not.

Article G. Vacancies on the Executive Council

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Vacancies occurring on the executive council during the school year will be filled on a temporary
basis with chapter members selected by the chapter advisor and standing members of the execu-
tive council. Temporary executive council assignments are valid only until the next meeting of
the chapter, when an election will be held to fill such vacancies.

Article H. Resignation and Impeachment

Executive council members who either unable to fulfill the duties entailed or choose to resign for
other reasons must submit a formal letter of resignation to the chapter advisor and chapter Presi-
dent before the next scheduled meeting.

Officers can be impeached and removed from office under certain circumstances. If found to be
in contempt of the bylaws herein or deemed unfit to represent the chapter, the executive council
can bring forth a motion of removal. The executive council must have a unanimous vote with the
approval of the chapter advisor to remove the officer. If the motion passes, Section III., Article G.
will govern the procedure on replacing the officer.

Officers removed form office may remain members of Tri-M unless under circumstances that
would make the member ineligible to continue to remain a member.

Section IV.

Article A: Planning

The executive council will meet one week prior to a regularly scheduled meeting to outline an
agenda.

Article B: Times

Regular meetings during the school year shall be on days designated by the executive council and
in accordance with school policy and regulations at the start of the new council council’s term. A
calendar will be created by the Secretary and distributed to members. Members will be reminded
of meetings one week prior to the meeting being held.

Article C: Frequency

There will be at least 10 regularly scheduled meetings of this chapter per year as determined by
the chapter advisor and executive council.

Article D: Voting

All members may attend regularly scheduled meetings. No meeting may be held unless the chap-
ter advisor is present. Only the chapter advisor and active student members have a voice or vote
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in chapter affairs, however, meetings are open to the public. Votes may be taken by roll call, ma-
jority vote, or ballot vote as deemed necessary.

Article E. Special Meetings

The chapter President or other designated student leaders may call special meetings approved by
the executive council.

Article F. Meeting Decorum

Meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (Persus Pub-
lishing) in all points not expressly provided for in the Tri-M Program Guidelines, these chapter
bylaws, or Monroe Board of Education meeting policy.

Section V.

Article A: Induction Ceremony:

This chapter will hold at least two (2) public induction ceremonies each school year as planned by
the executive council in the spring and fall. All induction ceremonies will be held after school
hours with parents, friends, school officials, faculty members, and other students in the music de-
partment invited to attend.

The ceremony will be presided over by the chapter advisor, President, executive council, and
school administration.

Upon taking office, the new Officers will be presented with a copy of the Tri-M Program Guide-
lines, a copy of this charter, and a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Induction ceremonies will be conducted as prescribed in the Tri-M Program Guidelines. After
the scheduled program of events, the outgoing executive council may choose to present a pro-
gram of performances from Tri-M members.

Article B. Tri-M Ensemble:

This chapter is responsible for creating a Tri-M Honor Ensemble consisting of its members. Un-
der the direction of the executive council or an appointed leader, this ensemble must rehearse
and perform at least one concert or event per year.

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Article C. Online Information:

This chapter has provided to it an online domain (http://www.mhstrim.org/), one email address
(MasukTriM@gmail.com), a Facebook page, and one Twitter account. Further accounts may be
opened in the name of MHS Tri-M with approval of the chapter advisor and executive council.

These accounts are to be maintained and operated by members of the executive council in a
manner that is in accordance with Masuk High School and Monroe Board of Education Policy.

Section VI.

Article A. Bylaw Ratification:

Bylaws must be approved by the chapter advisor and school administration and receive a two-
thirds affirmative vote from chapter members to be ratified as law of the organization.

Article B. Amendments

This chapter shall regularly review these bylaws and amend or revise them if they do not meet
the current needs of the chapter. Any amendment or revision must be consistent within the Tri-
M Program Guidelines.

Any member may submit minor revision drafts to the executive council for consideration. A spe-
cially appointed bylaws revision committee shall draft major revisions or complete bylaw rewrites.
Revision proposals must be passed by an executive council majority vote to be presented to the
chapter membership for a vote.

When the executive council passes a revision proposal with a majority vote, that revision proposal
shall be presented to the chapter in written form prior to a chapter vote for adoption as chapter
law. Proposed amendments or revisions require a two-thirds affirmative vote by chapter member-
ship and school administration approval for adoption.

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The undersigned hereby certify and adopt these bylaws as chapter law as prescribed in the Tri-M
Program Guidelines with a majority vote by chapter members and with approval of school admini-
stration and music directors:

Dr. Robyn Gangi, Director of Choral Music Date

Mr. Aaron Barkon, Director of Instrumental Music Date

Mrs. Lisa Homann, Director of Orchestra Date

Mr. John Battista, Principal, Masuk High School Date

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