Chartered 2004                                         

Bylaws of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of NATS

Article I – Chapter Name

As chartered on July 12, 2004, by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Incorporated (hereafter referred to as “NATS”) and subject to its Bylaws , the name of this organization is the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Article II – Mission and Code of Ethics

The Lehigh Valley Chapter adopts fully the stated mission of NATS.  “The mission of NATS is to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels, both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented.”  The Lehigh Valley Chapter, as an organization, subscribes without reservation to the NATS Code of Ethics.

Article III – Membership

All teachers of singing who are full, associate, affiliate, or emeritus members of NATS, and who reside in or near the geographical area in which the Lehigh Valley Chapter has been chartered, are immediately eligible for membership in the Chapter.  No such member shall be refused membership in the Lehigh Valley Chapter; however, such chapter membership is not obligatory on the part of the individual.  Chapter membership will be terminated when a member resigns or is dropped from membership in NATS.  (Also, see Article VII.)

Article IV – Officers

Chapter officers comprising the Board of Directors shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three to five at-large Directors.   The term of office shall be two years, except for the at-large members of the Board of Directors, who shall be elected on an annual rotating basis for terms not to exceed three years.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and present such matters as may properly come before the meeting.

The Vice-President shall assist the President in his/her duties and preside at meetings when the President is absent.  She/He shall normally move up to the presidency after serving as Vice-President.

Neither the President nor Vice-President shall serve consecutively for more than two terms.

The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and conduct necessary correspondence, unless another chapter member is designated for this task.  In conformity with published deadline dates, the Secretary will submit chapter news and activity reports, as requested, to the NATS executive office and/or to the regional Governor.  Election of Chapter officers shall be immediately reported to the Regional Governor.

The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the finances of the Chapter; send annual dues notices; receive payments of dues; send statements of unpaid dues to members after the deadline date established by the Board of Directors has passed; notify delinquent members that they have been dropped from Chapter membership; and pay all properly authorized bills of the Chapter.  The Treasurer will annually submit to the membership a written report of the Chapter’s finances.

The Board of Directors shall outline programs; direct policies to encourage activity and growth of the Chapter; secure speakers and other talent for the meetings; and promote membership in the Chapter in accordance with the membership requirements established by NATS.

Special officers, committees, or chairmen may be appointed by the President to serve in such temporary capacities as occasions may demand.  Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon termination of his/her membership in NATS.  Upon proof of due cause, any elected officer may be removed from office by two-thirds vote of the Chapter membership.

Article V – Meetings

There shall be at least two meetings of the Chapter each year.  An announcement of a meeting, with proposed agenda and program should be mailed to the chapter members at least twenty-one days prior to the date of each meeting.  Chapter meetings will be held at times and places most convenient to the largest number of members.  In the case of those chapters that serve a large geographical area, chapter meetings should rotate to various parts of that area.  Chapter meetings may be called by the President or by any responsible segment of the membership, provided in the latter instance that Chapter officers and the remainder of the Chapter membership are notified at least twenty-one days in advance of such a meeting.

Article VI – Elections and Quorum

At a spring meeting of the Chapter, elections will be held.  A nominating committee appointed by the President will provide a slate of nominees for the offices named above. The meeting at which an election will take place will be announced as such to all members of the Chapter at least twenty-one days in advance of the meeting date and the slate of nominees will be given.  Officers elected will take office at once, serving until the spring meeting two years hence.  (See under Officers for an exception to this.)

A quorum will consist of one-third of the active membership.

Article VII – Dues and Assessments

The annual Chapter dues, to be determined by the members of the Chapter, are payable by an annual date established and published by the Board of Directors.  Notices of nonpayment of dues shall be sent to delinquent members immediately after that date.  If any remain unpaid after a determined length of time after the notice has been sent, said membership should automatically cease.  Reinstatement of Chapter membership is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  Resignation shall not be accepted from delinquent members.  Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events necessitating unusual expenditures only where such a motion is entertained at a meeting where a quorum is present and said motion is passed by a majority vote.

Article VIII – Program and Procedures

The programs of this Chapter may include social, promotional, professional, and educational activities at the discretion of its officers and members, so long as such activities are consistent with the Purposes and Code of Ethics stated in Article II above.  Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article IX – Amendments

With the exception of Articles I, II, and III, which may not be amended or revoked, the Bylaws of this Chapter may be repealed or amended, or new Bylaws adopted, by a majority of the Chapter membership voting in person, by written proxy, or by mail, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership at least twenty-one days in advance of the voting date.

Code of Ethics of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc.

New Code of Ethics approved by the NATS Board of Directors in June, 2006, and accepted by the membership in December, 2006.

This Code of Ethics is established by NATS in order that its members may understand more clearly their ethical duties and obligations to their students, other teachers, and the general public, as well as to promote cooperation and good fellowship among the members.

I. Personal Ethical Standards

    1. Members will strive to teach with competence through study of voice pedagogy, musicianship, and performance skills.
    2. Members will present themselves honestly, in a dignified manner, and with documented qualifications: academic degrees, professional experience, or a   combination of both.
    3. Members will faithfully support the Association and are encouraged to participate in its activities.

II. Ethical Standards Relating to Students

    1. Members will respect the personal integrity and privacy of students unless the legal or academic system requires disclosure.
    2. Members will treat each student in a dignified and impartial manner.
    3. Members will clearly communicate all expectations of their studios including financial arrangements.
    4. Members will respect the student's right to obtain instruction from the teacher of his/her choice.
    5. Members will offer their best voice and music instruction and career advice to all students under their instruction. They will complete the full number of   lessons and amount of time paid for by each student in accordance with studio policies.
    6. Members will not make false or misleading statements regarding a student's hopes for a career or guarantees of performances or favorable contracts.

III. Ethical Standards Relating to Colleagues

    1. Members will refrain from making false claims regarding themselves or their students and from making false or malicious statements about colleagues or their students.
    2. Members will not, either by inducements, innuendoes, or other acts, proselytize students of other teachers.
    3. Members will render honest and impartial adjudication at NATS auditions and/or NATS competitions and students will not be requested to disclose  names of present or former teachers until after the event.
    4. Members will disclose at NATS events the name of a student's previous voice teacher if the student has studied with the current teacher for less than eight months.
    5. When a member's expertise warrants collaboration, members will work collegially with other professionals (i.e., voice therapists, speech pathologists, and medical practitioners).
    6. Rules and regulations of any accredited academic institution take precedence over the NATS Code of Ethics, should there be a conflict.