TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE
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1
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NAME OF ASSOCIATION |
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ARTICLE
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2
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OBJECT AND PRINCIPLES |
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ARTICLE
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3
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MEMBERSHIP |
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ARTICLE
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4
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APPLICATION PROCEDURES |
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ARTICLE
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5
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MEMBERSHIP DUES |
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ARTICLE
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6
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LOGO & NAME |
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ARTICLE
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7
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ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS |
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ARTICLE
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8
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NOMINATION PROCEDURE |
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ARTICLE
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9
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VOTING |
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ARTICLE
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10
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ASSOCIATION OFFICERS & RESPONSIBILITIES |
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ARTICLE
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11
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IMPEACHMENT OF ASSOCIATION OFFICERS |
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ARTICLE
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12
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CHAPTER MEETINGS & BUSINESS |
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ARTICLE
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13
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EXTERNAL DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE |
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ARTICLE
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14
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INTERNAL DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE |
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ARTICLE
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15
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AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS |
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ARTICLE
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16
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RULES OF PROCEDURE |
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ARTICLE
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17
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QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP |
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ARTICLE
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18
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LIMITED MEMBERS |
BY-LAWS
OF THE
GREATER HOUSTON AREA MOBILE MUSIC ASSOCIATION
(GHAMMA)
APPROVED 2/23/93 printed 3/26/97 - 06/25/02
| 1.1 | This association shall be known as the Greater Houston Area Mobile Music Association, and may be abbreviated as GHAMMA. |
| 1.2 | The official seal of the Association as it appears shall be: (adopted 2/096) |
| 2.1 | To promote ethical standards in the sale and production of Disc Jockey entertainment. |
| 2.2 | To establish and maintain a high standard of quality in performance. |
| 2.3 | To unite into a non-profit organization all persons who become members and to provide a forum for professional Mobile Disc Jockeys and Mobile Disc Jockey companies to meet and deal with issues and matters, as an organization, of mutual importance to the members and the industry. |
| 2.4 | To provide a forum for consumers to deal directly with the Mobile Disc Jockey service industry. |
| 2.5 | To assist in developing their operations and their individual disc jockeys with a view toward improved standards, efficiency and profitability. |
| 2.6 | To promote Disc Jockey services to the consumer, as a viable entertainment concept for a wide range of applications. |
| 2.7 | To obtain and provide benefits for members that otherwise may not be readily available due to the size of their individual operations. |
| 3.1 | Any Disc Jockey that provides prerecorded musical entertainment to the public through special events or parties, etc., and who complies with the requirements outlined in Article 17 may become a Full member of GHAMMA. |
| 3.2 | Any Disc Jockey who is solely employed by a Full Member or does not meet the Full Member membership requirements may become a Limited Member of GHAMMA. Limited Members are “non-voting” members. Any full member in good standing of GHAMMA that desires to change their membership to a limited status due to inability to make meetings, lack of funds, or any reason deemed proper by the executive board may with the executive boards approval. Full members may have no more than one “sponsored” limited member at any time. (2004) |
| 3.3 | All applications are subject to the approval of the Executive Board and the general membership. |
| 3.4 | Any manufacturer, retailer, hotel, private club, agency, or special events coordinator who has associated products and services that could benefit the Association and its members or serve to improve the industry in general, may become a "non-voting" Associate member of the Association. Any company applying for Associate membership must be sponsored by a minimum of two (2) full members in good standing. Prior to submitting an application for admittance, the nominee is required to attend one meeting. Such application is subject to the approval of the Executive Board. (1997) |
| 4.1 | The Membership Secretary will provide an application form and guidelines for membership to any person requesting such information. |
| 4.2 | The applicant will return a completed application and at least two photos of their system setup to the Membership Secretary. |
| 4.3 | Should any applicant complete and file any false statement on an application for membership, whether related to Disc Jockey activity or not, or should the applicant in the past have shown contempt and/or malice for the Association, its members, objectives, etc. either stated or implied, their application can be denied until such investigations, charges, activities, etc., have been discharged and cleared. Membership will then be reconsidered by the Executive Board. |
| 4.4 | There shall be a standard application form for membership in the Association which shall be approved by the Executive Board. |
| 5.1 | Each member shall pay dues to the Association for membership. |
| 5.2 | Annual dues will be determined by the Executive Board. |
| 5.3 | New members of the association will pay first year dues upon acceptance of the application. |
| 5.4 | Established membership assessment will be due no later than January
1st of each year for existing members. |
| 5.5 | Any member who fails to pay their dues by the required renewal date will be
terminated as a member. Any terminated member MUST REMOVE from distribution any flyer, card or
advertising wherein a claim of membership in the Association is apparent to the public. Failure
to do so will result in a cease and desist request from the Association, followed by possible
legal action by the Association to protect the rights of the Association and its membership. |
| 5.6 | The invoicing date for annual GHAMMA dues will be in November
for the next calendar year with membership fees being due and payable
by January 31st and past due on February 28th.
Any member who has not paid their dues by February 28th
of the membership year will be assessed a twenty five dollar ($25.00)
late fee. Members not paid by March 31st must reapply
for membership, and the twenty five dollar late fee will apply to the
regular membership fee. (3/31/98) |
| 6.1 | Only members in good standing can use the GHAMMA name and/or logo on their forms, publications and advertising. |
| 6.2 | Upon expiration or suspension of membership, the member will remove all GHAMMA logos and references from published and distributed material, and immediately refrain from distribution of any existing published material indicating membership in the Association. Failure to comply with this regulation, will result in prosecution by the Association to protect the interests of the membership. |
| 7.1 | No member shall be eligible to stand for election for any office of the Association unless he is a member in good standing. |
| 7.2 | An officer of the Association may stand for a maximum of two (2) terms in succession in the same position. |
| 7.3 | An officer of the Association, other than the President, who has resigned during his term of office, may be temporarily replaced by appointment of the President. If the period remaining in the term of office is greater than eight (8) months, the President must call a runoff election to fill this vacancy within 30 days of the resignation of the officer. If the remaining period of office yet to be completed is less than eight (8) months, the President may appoint a member in good standing to complete the term of office until the next election. If the President resigns during his period of office, the Vice President will take over the duties and responsibilities of the office. |
| 8.1 | The President will appoint an Election Officer to take charge of the election and to ensure that the election is held in accordance with the By-laws of the Association. This Election Officer will request that two members in good standing join him in committee. This committee will be known as the Election Committee. |
| 8.2 | The Election Committee will prepare the nominating petitions which are to be completed by any nominating member for a position. The nominating petitions must have the name and signature of the nominator who must be a member in good standing, as well as the name of a second member in good standing before the nomination can be entertained. The petition must also have the name and signature of the member nominated, as proof of acceptance that the nominated member is willing to stand for the position. |
| 8.3 | Nominating members and seconds may sign only one petition per position of office. |
| 8.4 | Nominated members may stand for only one position per election. |
| 8.5 | Nominations will have a closing date. After that date the Elections Committee will accept no further nominating petitions. |
| 9.1 | Following the close of nominations, the Election Committee will prepare the election kits and ballots for all members in good standing at the close of nominations. |
| 9.2 | Voting will be by secret ballot only. |
| 9.3 | There will be a deadline for ballots to be returned. This will be determined by the postmark date on the returned ballot if done by mail. Ballots received after the deadline will be destroyed and not counted. |
| 9.4 | The Election Officer shall then tabulate the ballots returned. Ballot tabulations shall be witnessed by at least one other member of the Election Committee. |
| 9.5 | The Election Committee will then prepare a written report to the Executive Board showing the number of ballots issued, number returned, and the results by ballot number per nominee. |
| 9.6 | The results of the Election shall be published in the minutes and such publication will be deemed as proper and sufficient notice to all members. |
| 9.7 | Returned ballots and paperwork for each election shall remain in archives for two (2) years following the election. |
| 10.1 | The Association shall annually elect by secret ballot from among it’s membership, a slate of officers that will comprise the Executive Board for the Association, i.e. President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary. The Executive Board shall also include the immediate past president who shall assume the office of Vice President for the term of the new President. If the immediate past President is elected to another board position, the Vice President’s position will be filled in the annual election of officers. The election will be handled through the Election Officer as appointed by the President and in accordance with Articles 9 & 10. The officers of GHAMMA will be collectively referred to as the Executive Board. - revised 8/05 |
| 10.2 | Association President | |
| • | Serves as leader of the Association. | |
| • | Calls all general and Executive Board or special meetings. | |
| • | Chairs, or appoints a chairman for these meetings. | |
| • | Plans, organizes, and controls the day to day planning and direction of the Association. | |
| • | Creates and dissolves committees and any special positions required by the Association. | |
| • | Serves as the major signing officer of the Association. |
| 10.3 | Association Vice President |
| • | Assists the President in duties of managing the Association business. | |
| • | Oversees all committees and task forces. | |
| • | Officially handles all internal and external complaints received by the Association. | |
| • | Performs the duties and carries out the responsibilities of the President in his absence. | |
| • | Is a signing officer of the Association. | |
| • | Carries out the duties as outlined to him by the President. |
| 10.4 | Association Treasurer |
| • | Keeps accurate and comprehensive records of accounts payable and receivable by the Association. | |
| • | Administers the collection of all dues, special assessments and levies from the general membership. | |
| • | Endorses all expenses as approved by the Executive Board. | |
| • | Is a signing officer of the Association. |
| 10.5 | Association Secretary |
| • | Takes the minutes of all Executive Board and general membership meetings | |
| • | Prepares those minutes in typewritten form for the Executive Board and submission to the general membership when required | |
| • | Prepares and replies to all routine Association Correspondence and keeps records of all Association communications. | |
| • | Keeps any and all official records. |
| 10.6 | Association Membership Secretary |
| • | Keeps an up-to-date list of members in good standing. | |
| • | Takes attendance and roll call at each general meeting to determine if a quorum has been met. | |
| • | Keeps a record of all guests and guest speakers at each meeting. | |
| • | Prepares and distributes information for all new member inquiries. | |
| • | Prepares and distributes all related membership information to all new members of the Association. |
| 10.7 | Association Immediate Past President (10/25/94) |
| • | The Immediate Past President shall hold the office and assume all duties of Association Vice President for the term of the Current Association President. If the Immediate Past President is unable to accept or carry out the duties of Vice President, the office of Vice President will become an elected position and will be filled in the annual election of Association officers. (8/05) |
| 10.8. | Sergeant-At-Arms (elected position in 1998 with full voting rights) (10/29/96) |
| • | Coordinate meeting sites under the direction of and with the president of GHAMMA. | |
| • | Make ready the meeting rooms. Assign and assist other members in the resetting of the meeting place when the meeting is over. | |
| • | To escort new candidates out of the meeting room during votes for membership. | |
| • | To eject any unruly member or guest and to keep order while meetings are in session. |
| 11.1 | Any Executive Board member of the Association may be impeached by the membership when the request is in written form signed by no less than 80% of the active members of the Association. This request will be presented to the Executive Board. The Executive Board must make a decision to impeach or not to impeach the officer within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such duly completed and authorized request of the membership, after an investigation of the reason for the request. The Executive Board shall have the right to immediately suspend an officer who is under such investigation until the charges have been cleared or impeachment has been completed. |
| 12.1 | The Executive Board will hold at least one board meeting every six (6) to eight (8) weeks to discuss the business of the Association. |
| 12.2 | The Association will hold Membership meetings at a place to be determined by the Executive Board. There must be at least one (1) Association membership every 4 to 5 weeks. No meetings will be held in December. |
| 12.3 | General Membership meetings shall be open to all members in good standing. |
| 12.4 | Guests from within the Mobile Disc Jockey industry may be permitted to attend general membership meetings. Such guests must be sponsored by a member who will be responsible for introducing the guest, and for the decorum of the guest while at the meeting. Guests must sign in with the Membership Secretary, and may be asked to leave the meeting if confidential or sensitive items are to be discussed. A guest may attend a maximum of two (2) meetings in a calendar year before membership is required. |
| 12.5 | A quorum for all GHAMMA meetings shall be established at 50%. If the quorum for any general membership meeting is not obtained, or the quorum is lost before the order of business has been completed, all business related to the meeting in question shall be referred to the next meeting. Should a full member miss a general membership meeting, their absence at the next general membership meeting would not apply to the member count but their presence would count in reaching a quorum for that particular meeting. Attendance shall be determined by a check of the previous month's sign in sheet or by the contents of the previous meeting minutes. (3/31/98) |
| 12.6 | All meetings of the Association shall be conducted in accordance with the rules set down by the agenda, and under the direction of the chairman. |
| 12.7 | The chairman of the meeting will be the President or Vice President or any officer of the Executive Board appointed by the President to act as chairman. |
| 12.8 | Unless the President otherwise allows, all reports shall be made in writing at the meetings. |
| 12.9 | All rules of order not provided for herein shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order. |
| 13.1 | All members, as a condition of membership, must operate their business according to the policies, rules and By-laws of the Association. |
| 13.2 | Upon the receipt of a written complaint against any member of the Association, the Vice President, with the assistance of a disciplinary committee shall investigate the complaint and present the facts to the Executive Board. After hearing the member concerned, the Executive Board shall determine whether the complaint is legitimate. All complaints shall be treated in a confidential manner. |
| 13.3 | Should the Executive Board's investigation find the clients complaint to be justified, the member will be given thirty (30) days to resolve the problem complaint to the Executive Board's satisfaction. |
| 13.4 | If a member accumulates two (2) unresolved complaints on file in a membership year, the membership can and may be suspended for not less than one ( 1) year, with all membership fees paid to date retained by the Association as penalty, and all privileges and benefits of membership suspended to that member. |
| 13.5 | Any member who has been suspended two (2) times shall not be reaccepted by GHAMMA for membership. |
| 14.1 | Any member who, in the opinion of the Executive Board, purposely conspires to undermine the objectives and purpose of the Association shall have their membership suspended until an investigation is carried out by the Vice President. The member shall be notified in writing of their suspension and investigation. Once the Vice President has completed his investigation, he shall report to the Executive Board on the status of his findings, and the Executive Board shall vote to either clear or suspend the member in question. |
| 14.2 | Should a member fail to comply with Association By-laws, two neutral members in good standing will be appointed by the President to determine the facts pertaining to the complaint and report these facts to the Executive Board. |
| 14.3 | On the receipt of the report of the investigating members, if it is determined that the member has violated the By-laws, the member will be given not more than thirty (30) days to comply with such By-laws. The Association may provide assistance requested by the member in order to comply. |
| 14.4 | If the member fails to comply with the By-laws within the 30 day time period, their membership may be suspended by the Executive Board in accordance with article 14.3 until such compliance is obtained. |
| 15.1 | An amendment to the By-laws of the Association can be proposed by any member in good standing. This may be done by written presentation to the Executive Board, no later than September 30th of any year. |
| 15.2 | The proposed amendment if approved by the Executive Board will then be presented to the general membership for voting. If the vote tallies positive, the By-laws will be amended immediately and the members notified through the newsletter, which shall deem to be sufficient notice. |
| 15.3 | Revised copies of the By-laws will then be available through the Executive Board. |
| 16.1 | In absence of the President, the Vice President shall chair all membership meetings. In his absence, the meeting must be chaired by a member of the Executive Board. |
| 16.2 | Every motion to be adopted must be moved and seconded by a member in good standing. |
| 16.3 | Ever motion can be withdrawn by it's mover with the consent of the second. However, once debated, a motion can only be withdrawn if agreed upon by the majority of the members present at the meeting. (Defeated) |
| 16.4 | When a motion is before the chairman for adoption, no other motion shall be in order except one to postpone voting on that particular motion. |
| 16.5 | A motion shall be required to adjourn a meeting. |
| 16.6 | Executive board elections and votes to except or deny membership applications shall be by secret ballot only. All other voting at general membership meetings shall be by voice vote or a show of hands. If an item or issue of a confidential or divisive nature is to be voted upon and a motion passes for such, a secret vote by ballot may be implemented for the item. (6/25/02) |
| Applicants for membership in the Association must meet the following prerequisites in order to be considered for membership: |
| 17.1 | Applicants must own equipment and music library deemed sufficient by the Executive Board to provide a quality performance for most engagements. |
| 17.2 | They must provide or have access to backup equipment and personnel for booking emergencies. |
| 17.3 | They must provide a minimum of two (2) recorded-sound playback units per function, in any combination of turntables, DAT decks, Mini disc, or compact disc players. |
| 17.4 | At least 75% of the music library regularly used must consist of record industry produced formats. |
| 17.5 | The sound system used by the applicant shall be such that they are capable of adequately handling the requirements of the functions which the applicant books, including the size of the hall, number of people and type of function. |
| 17.6 | No member shall endeavor to supply music for any function that their music library is not extensive enough to satisfy. |
| 17.7 | A member must use written confirmation for all bookings. In the event that time does not permit written confirmation, a verbal confirmation is acceptable (i.e. emergency bookings). |
| 17.8 | They must agree to keep all GHAMMA accounts current. |
| 17.9 | They must be presently working as a active Mobile Disc Jockey or Disc Jockey service and provide contracts and or references from recent engagements consisting of at least three (3) private and three (3) corporate events. |
| 17.10 | They must agree to promote themselves as a member of GHAMMA to the consumer and to exercise their best efforts to refer all overflow bookings to other GHAMMA members. |
| 17.11 | They must agree to adhere to the standards of the GHAMMA By-laws. |
| 17.12 | They must be accepted by a majority vote of the general membership after approval of the Executive Board. |
| 17.13 | Members must strive to attend as many membership meetings as possible. If a member misses two (2) consecutive meetings, they will be contacted by the Membership Secretary. If the member misses three (3) consecutive meetings, they may be suspended by vote of the Executive Board with all membership fees paid to date retained by GHAMMA as penalty, and all privileges and benefits of membership suspended to that member. |
| 17.14 | Prior to applying for membership a nominee must attend a minimum of two (2) meetings. (1997) |
| 18.1 | If sponsored by a Full Member in good standing, prior to applying for membership, the nominee must attend a minimum of 1 meeting. (2004) |
| 18.2 | If not a sponsored applicant, prior to applying for membership, the nominee must attend a minimum of 2 meetings. (2004) |
| 18.3 | At such time a Limited Member is able to qualify for full membership the Limited Member may apply for full membership for the balance of the membership year. Upon reapplication, they must state their status: (Full or Limited Member). Membership dues will then be prorated. (2004) |
| 18.4 | If a Disc Jockey company with more than one working DJ wishes to join GHAMMA the company must have at least one paid full membership before any limited memberships can be applied for. |
| 18.5 | Disc Jockeys working for a company that is a Full Member of GHAMMA, but have not retained limited member status may attend Association meetings or seminars on a guest basis only. |
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