CONSTITUTION

SECONDARY MUSIC TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

OF THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

ARTICLE I

ORGANIZATION NAMED 

This organization shall be called The Los Angeles Secondary Music Teachers’ Association.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

We, the public school music teachers of the Los Angeles Unified School District of the Secondary Schools (hereby known as the LASMTA), in order to promote a deeper appreciation of and a wider participation in music, as well as a higher level of musical achievement and performance among the students of our secondary schools; and in order to establish the necessary organization, through which the secondary music teachers can effectively work toward their own professional growth, in general, and improvement in teaching skill, in particular, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the LASMTA may be divided into such classifications for annual membership dues or for the election of members of the Executive Committee or for such other purposes as the Bylaws may prescribe or as the Executive Committee may from time to time designate. The conditions, terms, privileges, rights, and duties of membership shall be stated or provided for in the Bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNMENT

The officers, which shall be known as the Executive Committee, shall be the legal representative of the Conference and as such shall have, hold, and administer all the property, funds, and affairs of the Association. Provisions for the regulation of the internal affairs of the Association shall be provided for in the Bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE V

ELECTIONS

The manner of the election or appointment of the members of the Executive Committee shall be provided for in the Bylaws of the Conference.

ARTICLE VI

DISPOSITION OF ASSETS IN CASE OF DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution or termination of the Association, the Executive Committee shall, after the payment of all of the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all of the assets of the Association exclusively for the objectives of the Association in such manner or to such organization or organizations organized exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Executive Committee shall determine. Any of such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the court of proper jurisdiction exclusively for such proposes or to such organization or organizations as said court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such proposes.        

ARTICLE VII

FUNCTION OF THE BY-LAWS

There shall be a prepared set of rules and regulations known as The Bylaws of the Los Angeles Secondary Music Teacher’ Association.  Once the Bylaws are adopted, they will become an integral part of the Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

If and when it is deemed to be necessary and wise to amend this Constitution or By-laws, proposed amendments to this Constitution or By-Laws may be initiated by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by five percent (5%) of the active membership from each of Los Angles Unified School District’s designated smaller regions. It shall be presented for ratification to the active members of the organization.  The amendment shall be considered valid upon the approving vote of three-fourths of those active members who cast ballots by mail. Ballots and necessary supporting information shall be mailed from the association’s office as least sixty (60) days prior to the close of voting to all active members of record who are eligible to vote. Such closing date shall be designated by the Executive Committee and printed on the ballots.

ARTICLE IX

ADOPTION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

The original Constitution was initially presented to and carefully studied by a representative body of Los Angeles City Secondary Music Teachers, at the Los Angeles Board of Education Offices on Monday evening, March 15, 1954.  It was adopted by two-thirds of dues-paying members at a meeting at the Board of Education an April 20, 1954.  This revised constitution was adopted by unanimous vote of the dues-paying members at a meeting at Hamilton High School on March 14, 2006.