NORTHWEST SECTION

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF THEATRE TECHNOLOGY

BY-LAWS

I.PURPOSES

The purpose for which the Northwest Section is formed is to further the objectives of USITT, which are as follows:

A.     Conduct research and investigation in the field of theatre planning and design, construction, equipment, presentation, and operations:

B.     Combine and conserve the results of such research and investigation and make the same available to the members of the section;

C.     Publish without profit and disseminate the results of studies undertaken within the scope and purposes of the Section;

D.     Assist in the establishment of contact between members of the Section and the personnel of such members for the better exchange of knowledge in the field of theatre technology;

E.      Recommend practices in the field of theatre planning and design, construction, equipment, presentation and operation, based on the experiences of the engaged in the field of living theatre, both dramatic and musical, on all levels as developed by research and investigation in those fields;

F.      Provide representation and participation in conferences, assemblies, and other gathering where matters of theatre planning and design, construction, equipment, presentation, and operation and discussed;

G.     Concentrate on extending and developing the participation among elements of the theatre, with special orientation toward creative and interpretive artists: playwrights, composers, choreographers, directors, lyricists, conductors, musicians, librettists, and the performers;

H.     And, to foster, encourage and make available, whenever and wherever possible, personnel and facilities to advance and enhance the performing arts on the community level; to collaborate with established agencies to develop new means for the support and encouragement of community efforts in the performing arts.

II.MEMBERSHIP

A.Membership in the Section shall include residents within the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon andWashington.

B.Membership will not be restricted to members in good standing of USITT but members of the Northwest Section will be greatly encouraged to affiliate with National Organization.

C.The classification of membership in the Northwest Section of USITT shall be: Student, Individual (Non USITT and USITT categories), Organizational (Non USITT and USITT categories, Sustaining, and Contributor.

D.The membership of the Section may assess dues as they deem necessary. Such dues are in addition to the national dues. The section dues as set by the membership shall be as follows:

a.Student $10.00

b.Individual$20.00

c.Organizational - USITT Member$25.00

d.Organizational – Non USITT Member $30.00

e.Sustaining $50.00

f.Contributor$100.00

E.Payment of dues, the amount to be set by member of the Section shall be made on an annual basis running January 1 through December 31.Pro rata of dues for new members shall follow section 2.03 of the National By-Laws.

F.Failure of a member to pay dues within sixty (60) days after the date due shall result in suspension from rights of membership in the Section, and , if such dues are not paid within ninety (90) days after the due date, membership in the section shall cease and terminate.Failure of a member to pay Section dues shall not affect the member’s status with the Nation Organization.

G.The Executive Committee shall be authorized to make other assessments for activities as the membership deems necessary.

III.MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

A. The annual meeting of the members of the Section shall be held at a place designated by the Executive Committee within the calendar year, for the induction of newly elected officers and transaction of such other business as may come before the members.The Executive Committee shall be directed to rotate the meeting place throughout the geographical region whenever possible to in sure full representation of the section. Written notice of the place of the annual meeting shall be given by the secretary to each member, either personally, by mail, or email not less than thirty (30) days before the meeting.

B.Special meetings of the members of the Section may be called at any time by the Chair of the Section or by a majority of the Executive Committee, or upon the filing of a written request for such a meeting by five percent (5%) of the membership with the Secretary. Upon calling of any special meeting, the Secretary of the Section Shall file notice of such special meeting to each member, either personally, by mail, or email, stating the time, place, and purpose thereof, not less than thirty (30) days before the meeting.

C.At all meetings of the members, a simple majority of all voting members, represented in person, shall be necessary of constitute a quorum.

D.At all meetings of the members, each voting member present (individual or organization, regardless of the size of the organization) shall be entitled to one vote.All questions except the amendment of the By-Laws and other matters specifically regulated shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast.

IV.OFFICERS

A.The officers of the Section, shall be elected for two-year terms by a simple majority of those voting.Nomination will be accepted at the Fall meeting or by October 1^st.A ballot shall be sent to the membership, either printed and mailed or by email, not later than January 15th. The voting will commence at the Winter meeting during the KCACTF conference if a quorum of members is present. Any officer may be removed at any time by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership of the Section.Candidates for office shall be nominated by the Executive Committee. Additional candidates may be placed in nomination by a letter to the Secretary of the Section at least two weeks prior to the mailing of the ballots. Vacancies among the officers shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the remaining officers.

B.An officer’s term will be from October 1 to October 1, beginning the October after being elected.   

C.The Chair shall preside over the meetings and shall take general charge of the activities of the Section. He/ She shall be responsible for periodic reports to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the USITT as stipulated in the USITT By-Laws.  His/Her duties include general administrative responsibilities, appointments to standing and ad hoc committees and dealings with other organizations.

D.he Vice-Chairs shall, in the absence or incapacity of the Chair, perform all of the functions of the Chair, and shall also perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the By-Laws or by the Chair. There shall be two Vice-Chairs, and the first listed shall be deemed senior. The Senior Vice-Chair is considered the Chair- Elect and will stand-in for the Chair in case of absence or leave. He/She will also oversee the development of program activities for the Section (including but not limited to workshops, seminars, lectures, and the like.) She/She will also work closely with all commissioners. The Senior Vice-Chair will Chair the Nominating Committee.The Junior Vice-Chair will oversee all publications connected with all commissioners and Editor for the Newsletter (if not one and the same).

E.The Secretary shall be responsible for the Section roster of members, notifying the members of regular and special meetings. He/She shall act as Secretary all meetings and shall keep minutes of meetings of the Section Executive Committee. He/She shall have charge of the minute books of the Section and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned by the By-Laws and the Chair. The Secretary will review with the Treasurer any contracts entered into by the Section. He/She is responsible for the Articles of Incorporation and Section By-Laws.He/She is responsible for maintaining/updating the section website and any other media as may be assigned by the By-Laws and the Chair.

F.The Treasurer shall have care and custody of the funds of the Section and shall deposit such funds in the name of the Section in such bank and/or trust companies as are designated by the Executive Committee of the Section. He/She shall collect and receive all due charges and other monies payable to the Section and act as agent for the Section to the parent USITT Corporation in the collections and receipt of all dues, charges, and other monies payable to the USITT Corporation. He/She shall keep proper books and records showing receipts and expenditures of the Section and of all collections and expenditures of the behalf of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall be bonded. All disbursements are to be in accordance with the budget and all checks signed by the Chair and the Treasurer.

V.COMMISSIONERS

The commission for the Northwest Section shall be established as need and or desired by the membership. Commissioners and any vacancies shall be appointed by the Section Chair with majority approval of the Executive Committee. Commissioners hold voting privileges on the Executive Committee. The membership shall be notified of the appointments within thirty (30) days after the appointments are made. The commissions are established so that various specific areas in our industry can receive special focus and attention. It is the responsibility of the Commissioners to actively pursue this goal. These responsibilities may include creating, leading, and/or organizing workshops, seminars, lectures, master classes, etc., in each respective area. The commissioners will be responsible for submittal of pertinent information to the quarterly Section Newsletter. The Commissioners will work in conjunction with Senior Vice-Chair for programming and the Junior-Vice Chair for publications.

VI.EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A.The Executive Committee shall consist of the five officers (Chair, two Vice-Chairs, Secretary, and Treasurer) Commissioners appointed by the Chair, and three (3) members elected by the membership at large. Officers and members-at-large of the Board are elected from the Section under procedures detailed in section V. Each member of the Executive Committee is entitled to one vote. The Executive Committee shall approve the agenda of any regular or special meeting of the Section.

B.Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at such times and places as may be fixed by a majority of the Executive Committee.

C.The Executive Committee shall be empowered to carry on all regular business, and , in all such matters, it shall be guided in good faith by policies previously established by the Section and by USITT.

D. Two officers, one of whom must be the Section Chair or Senior Vice-Chair, and one of the elected members-at large shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Committee.

 VII.CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS

All contracts and agreements, checks and other negotiable instruments and endorsements thereof shall be signed by the Treasurer and the Section Chair, consistent with Section 15.06 of the USITT By-Laws.

VIII.AMENDMENTS

A.Any amendment to these By-Laws may be proposed by either the Board or at any regular or special meeting of the Section in the following manner: Any proposal for such amendment shall be subscribed to in writing by not fewer than 5 percent (5%) of the members of the Section and filed with the Secretary. Upon filing, the Secretary shall notify the membership of the section of the proposal in the next regular announcement together with notice stating the time and place of the meeting to consider such amendment on a date not less than ten days following the date of such mailing.

B.n amendment shall be adopted by an affirmative vote of a least two thirds of the membership present at the meetings called to consider adoption thereof; and by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of written ballots received from the membership of the Section.The results shall be tabulated within one month after the mailing of the ballots.

C.The Secretary shall mail a copy of each amendment within thirty(30) days after adoption to the Secretary and Treasurer of the USITT Corporation.

IX. STANDING COMMITTEES

The Standing Committees for the Northwest Section of USITT shall be established as necessary.Standing Committee Chairs and any vacancies hall be appointed by the Section Chair with majority approval of the Executive Committee.The membership shall be notified after the appointments are made.