Overarching Standing Rules
  • Come to rehearsals
  • Learn your music
  • Pay your dues
  • Be nice to each other
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Red RockAppella Standing Rules

Section I: Chapter Membership


A. Eligibility

1. Membership is open to any woman who meets the audition requirements.

2. Each prospective member must audition. See audition procedure.

3. A prospective member must attend at least three rehearsals before auditioning.

4. A prospective member who passes the audition receives the standard “Application for Membership” form and a copy of the chapter bylaws and standing rules.

5. There are two special membership options:  Emeritus and Young Women In Harmony. 

The EMERITUS MEMBER PROGRAM

 1.  Purpose:  This Emeritus program is designed for members who have given at least ten (10) years of service to Sweet Adelines International and/or Red RockAppella chorus and who find themselves no longer able to meet the strenuous schedule, level of commitment, or performance qualifications that Red RockAppella requires of its members.  This membership option allows these members to remain affiliated with Red RockAppella as an Emeritus Member and does not affect their membership eligibility or status in any other chorus.

2.  Eligibility:  A member is eligible to take advantage of this option provided she:

  1. Has been a member of Sweet Adelines International and/or Red RockAppella for at least ten (10) years and has been an active participant in regional/chorus activities and attendance;
  2. Is an active member (primary member in the case of dual membership) of Red RockAppella at the time of retirement.

3.  To Apply:  A member may request the Emeritus status by sending a written request to the Management Team          requesting the Retirement Option, stating:

  1. Pertinent reasons for requesting Emeritus Member status;
  2. Date they wish the retirement to become effective.

4.  Management Team Action:  The Red RockAppella Management Team shall:

  1. Approve or deny the request based on the stated eligibility requirements;
  2. Advise the member of the decision by letter;
  3. Provide funding for approved Emeritus member’s certificate.

5.  An Emeritus Member of Red RockAppella shall:

  1. Always be considered a VIP honorary member of Red RockAppella;
  2. Receive an Emeritus Member certificate at a ceremony designated for this purpose;
  3. Not be required to pay chapter dues;
  4. Have the following Sweet Adelines International (SAI) membership options:

                                               i.       Be an honorary Emeritus Member of Red RockAppella but not a member of SAI;

                                             ii.      Be an honorary Emeritus Member of Red RockAppella and remain a member of SAI by continuing to pay her annual International dues and regional assessment to Red RockAppella

                                             iii.      Be an honorary Emeritus Member of Red RockAppella and remain a member of SAI by paying her annual International dues and regional assessment as a Chapter-at-Large or Member-at-Large member;

                                               iv.      Be an honorary Emeritus Member of Red RockAppella and be a member of another chorus in the same or different region.

  1. Be offered two (2) complimentary tickets to the Red RockAppella show each year;
  2. Be invited to participate in any chorus parties, celebrations, fund raisers, or other social events at the per member cost;
  3. Be welcome in our audience at any rehearsal of the chorus.
6.  The Membership Chair shall appoint an active Red RockAppella member as Retired Member Liaison.  She shall:
      a. Report to the Membership Committee Chair
      b.  Arrange the ‘Emeritus Roast’ for retiring members; the certificate(s) will be given by close friend(s) of the retiree              with stories and anecdotes being related about that member;
      c.  Maintain a list of retirees with current addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers;
      d.  Contact all retirees by mailings or by phone on a regular basis to:
    1. Inform them of upcoming events/activities;
    2. Ascertain their health and well-being.

The YOUNG WOMEN IN HARMONY PROGRAM*

1.                   Purpose:  The YWIH program is designed to enroll potential members who are less than 18 years of age and desire to participate in Red RockAppella activities.

2.         Eligibility:  Any girl less than 18 years of age may apply for membership in Red RockAppella so long as she meets the Application Requirements.

3.         To Apply:  Any girl less than 18 years of age may apply for Red RockAppella membership by:

            a.  sending a written request to the Management Team requesting a YWIH membership in Red RockAppella

            b.  completing a Parental Permission & Emergency Medical Form

            c.  completing a Student Application Form (Applicant’s Statement of Obligation)

            d.  assuring that a parent or a sponsor** will accompany the YWIH singer to all events

4.         Music Team Actions:  The Music Team will audition the potential YWIH member in the same manner as all other potential members.

5.         Management Team Actions:  The Red RockAppella Management Team shall:

            a.  Approve or deny the request based on the stated eligibility requirements and completion of all required paperwork;

            b.  Advise the potential YWIH member of their decision by letter.

6.         A YWIH member shall:

            a.  Remain a YWIH member until she reaches 25 years of age;

            b.  Pay YWIH International dues and Regional assessment fees annually;

            c.  Pay only $5 chapter dues/month to Red RockAppella;

            d.  Have all the rights and privileges of all active Red RockAppella members;

            e.  Be bound by all SAI and chapter active member Bylaws & Standing Rules

* Red RockAppella members will actively recruit YWIH members because we believe that young singers who participate in Red RockAppella will be able to translate their acquired vocal and choral presentation skills to many other aspects of their lives.  Their enhanced singing and theatrical abilities will foster greater personal self-esteem and confidence.

** A Sponsor may be any member of Red RockAppella who chooses to be responsible for the minor member at all times.

B. Acceptance

1. Applications for membership and audition results are reviewed by the Management Team.

2. Applications are accepted by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the Management Team.

3. A letter of acceptance or rejection is mailed to the prospective member by the Membership Chair.

C. Dues

1. Annual dues are $80.00 for international and $25.00 for the region. International dues and regional assessments are payable upon acceptance into membership.

2.  Chapter dues are $25.00 per month, payable on the first Monday of each month. Of that amount, $8.75 is held in escrow to cover the following year’s international and regional dues.

3. Any member in default in payment of dues is suspended from all privileges of membership, and if, after written notice by the Finance Coordinator, default is not corrected within 60 days, her membership automatically terminates.

D. Good Standing

1. A member is considered in good standing if annual dues and any other financial obligations are current.

2. A member must be notified in writing of loss of good standing by the Membership Chair.

3. Loss of good standing causes the member to forgo the following privileges: voting in chapter elections, participating in singing engagements, and participating in chorus or quartet competitions.

4. The member’s good standing is restored by bringing dues current.

5. A leave of absence for more than one month shall be requested in writing to the Management Team. Upon return the member will be eligible to perform with the chorus upon approval of the Chorus Director or the Music Committee. Dues continue throughout the leave.

E. Other Responsibilities of Chapter Membership

1. Each member is required to maintain her costumes in a condition suitable for appearance with the chorus.

2. Each member is expected to make every effort to participate in all performances given by the chorus.

3. Each member is expected to demonstrate performance readiness, both vocally and visually, to the satisfaction of the Chorus Director and choreographer before participating in a chorus performance.

4. Music purchased by the chapter and provided to members is considered to be on loan and should be used for rehearsal purposes only. Music must be returned to the chapter when membership terminates.

5. a. A quartet representing Sweet Adelines International or the chapter must audition and be approved for public performance by the music committee.

    b. If quartet members are from more than one chapter, the quartet should meet the audition requirements for the chapter as well as any audition requirements of the other chapters represented.

    c. The quartet is required to present for audition a mini-performance of two or three songs plus appropriate emcee material.

F.  Termination of Membership

1. Resignation

    a. Any member who wishes to resign from the chapter and/or Sweet Adelines International should do so in writing to the Management Team.

    b. The Management Team informs the chapter membership and international headquarters of the resignation.

2. Transfer to Another Chapter

    a. If a member wishes to leave the chapter but not the organization, she may apply for transfer to another chapter or to chapter-at-large.

    b. If the transferring member has not decided where to relocate her membership, she may apply to international headquarters for transition status by submitting a “Request for Transition Membership Status” form. The member is permitted a 60-day transition period during which all privileges of international and regional membership are retained. (Policy Book, Section 20, Div. C)
3. Forfeiture

Membership is automatically suspended if a member is default in the payment of dues, and terminated if default is not corrected within 60 days of written notice by the Financial Coordinator. The Membership Chair follows up on this procedure.

4. Removal

Only the International Board of Directors may revoke membership in Sweet Adelines International.

G.  Reinstatement of Membership
Former members who have allowed their membership to terminate and wish to rejoin the chapter must meet the eligibility and acceptance requirements as stated in Section I of these standing rules.

H. Transfer or Dual Members
Members of Sweet Adelines International who wish to transfer from another chapter or who are current members of another chapter must meet the eligibility and acceptance requirements as stated in Section I of these standing rules.

Section II: Meetings

A. Chorus Rehearsals

Regularly scheduled meetings for chorus rehearsal are held Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

B. Business Meetings
1. a. Necessary business may be conducted on the date of a regular chorus rehearsal or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
     b. An annual meeting of the membership is held in March for the purpose of electing members of the Management Team. Advance notice shall be given to each member at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

2. The Team Coordinator may, when necessary, call a special chapter business meeting with 10 days prior notice.
3. A quorum for the transaction of business at any chapter business meeting consists of a majority of the membership.

Section III: Management Team

A. Meetings
1. The Management Team meets monthly.
2. The annual review meeting of the Management Team shall take place in February.

3. A combined meeting of the outgoing and incoming Management Teams shall be held in April each year after the new team is established.

4. Special meetings of the Management Team may be called by the Team Coordinator or by a majority of the team members as needed. Notification of time, place and purpose of the meeting is to be given to each member one week in advance.

B. Eligibility
To be eligible for election to the chapter Management Team, a member must be in good standing with the chorus as stated in these standing rules.

C. Term of Office
1. The term of office for all positions on the Management Team is two years, except for the Chorus Director.

2. The Chorus Director is a member of the Management Team for the duration of her/his contract.

3. The number of consecutive terms a member of the Management Team may serve is not limited.
 
D. Election and Appointment

1. The number of Management Team shall be five. (The Management Team consists of five elected members plus the Chorus Director for a total of six members.)

2.      The initial team will include two members who will serve two years, with the other three members serving 

one year.  The team members will decide themselves who will serve the two year and one year terms.  


3. Each year, prior to April 30, the newly elected members of the Management Team and the Chorus Director 

appoint five members from their number to fill the following positions: Team Coordinator, Financial Coordinator, Secretary, Membership Coordinator, PR/Marketing Coordinator.


E. Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy on the Management Team, the remaining team members appoint a chapter member to fill the unexpired term in that specific position.

F. Duties and Responsibilities

1. The Management Team has the authority and responsibility to maintain and manage the chapter.

2. The Management Team is accountable to the membership for the efficient operation of the chapter and effective communication with the members.

Section IV: Committees
A. Appointment and Term
1. The Management Team appoints the Chairs of all standing committees. The Chairs appoint the members of their committees with ratification by the Management Team. Terms are one year: May 1- April 30.

2. Standing committees are: Bylaws & Rules, Costume, Fundraising, Grant-writing, Historian, Membership, Music Education,  Nominating, Performance/Site, PR/Marketing, Quartet Promotion, Show, Social, Website and Young-Women-In-Harmony.

3. Special committees may be appointed by the Management Team as needed for a specific task. The committee is dissolved upon completion of the task.

B. Nominating Committee
1. The Nominating Committee, consisting of three members, at least one of whom is not a member of the Management Team, is appointed by the Team Coordinator with ratification by a majority vote of the Management Team. This committee prepares a slate of nominees for each position listed in Section III, D, 2 of these standing rules. Prior to determining the slate, chapter members are invited to submit applications. Each applicant may be interviewed by the nominating committee to assess suitability for the role.

2. Under the direction of its Chair, this committee prepares a list of nominees consisting of at least twice the number of vacancies to be filled.  A single slate shall be valid only if the Nominating Committee is unable to secure the consent of two qualified members for each position to be filled.  A list of qualifications for each nominee is distributed to the membership at least 14 days prior to the date of the election meeting. The Chair of the Nominating Committee should remind the persons selected for the slate that Sweet Adelines International does not permit campaigning in its elections.

3.  At the election meeting, nominations from the floor shall be allowed, provided consent of the nominee has been obtained.

4. Absentee ballots are sent upon request to any member in good standing who is unable to attend the election meeting. Absentee ballots must be received by the Nominations Chair prior to the election.

Section V: Chorus Director

A. Duties, responsibilities and entitlements of the Chorus Director are set out in the Chorus Director’s contract.

B. Upon recommendation of the Management Team, the Chorus Director’s contract is renewed annually prior to May 1 by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the chapter membership.

Section VI: Regional and International Activities
A. Bylaws and Standing Rules
Every chapter member is bound by regional and international bylaws and standing rules.

B. Presidents’ Forum
1. The Team Coordinator should attend each meeting of the Presidents’ Forum and report the meeting’s outcome to the chapter.

C. Regional and International Competition
1. To be eligible to compete with the chorus, new members must be accepted prior to the regional/international chorus competition and must be in good standing.
2. To be eligible to compete with the chorus, each member must meet the performance readiness criteria as stated in Section I, D of these standing rules, as determined by the Chorus Director.
3. Eligibility of quartets for competition is evaluated according to the Policy Book, Section IX.

Section VII: Finances

A. Operating income is derived from dues and miscellaneous fundraising.

B. Expenses to be paid by the chapter or expended from chapter funds are: Chorus Director’s compensation, coaching fees and related expenses, rehearsal hall rental, music, administrative expenses and others as established in the annual projected budget.

C. Receipts should be submitted with invoices for reimbursement.

D. Authorization of Expenses
1. Budgeted items are authorized without further approval.
2. Expenditures over budget are submitted to the Management Team for approval.
3. The signature of the Finance Coordinator is the only signature required on checks.

E. Escrow Account
1. The chapter collects dues monthly and holds in escrow the portion designated for regional and international dues.
2. When a member terminates her membership, funds held in escrow are returned by the Finance Coordinator upon receipt of all chapter property assigned to the resigning member.
F. Audit Procedures

1. The records maintained by the Finance Coordinator are audited annually before transfer to the incoming Finance Coordinator.  Verification of this audit is sent to international headquarters.

2. The Management Team appoints the auditor, who may be a member of the chapter or someone from outside the chapter, by April 1.
3. By the deadline established by the Internal Revenue Service, the Financial Coordinator, during the year for which Form 990 is to be filed, prepares the required IRS forms in compliance with the rules set forth by Sweet Adelines International and the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Section VIII: Chapter Property
A. Chapter property consists of costumes, equipment, music, and stage properties.

B. Upon termination of membership, all chapter property must be returned to the appropriate Chair or the Team Coordinator within 30 days.

Section IX: Amendments
These standing rules may be amended:
A. With previous notice (at a meeting or in the call for a special meeting) by a majority of the members present and in good standing.

B. With no previous notice by a 2/3 vote of the members present and in good standing at a regular or special meeting.

Adopted by Red RockAppella Chapter membership on the 29 day of January, 2007.  
Revised  by chapter membership on March  5, 2007
Revised by chapter membership on April 9, 2007
Revised by chapter membership on June 4, 2007

Signed:
___Fran McWhereter___                                      _____Carol McDougald_____

Team Coordinator                                                            Bylaws and Rules Chair

Reviewed by:
__________________________________                      ______________

Regional Bylaws & Rules Chair                                                       Date

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Red RockAppella Chapter
Bylaws
Conforming to Sweet Adelines International requirements, these chapter bylaws are available from the Team Coordinator, the Bylaws & Rules Chair, the Secretary or online at www.sweetadelineintl.org