MTSMA

Bylaws

Revised February 22, 2025

I. Name, Nature, Fiscal Year, and Principal Office

The name of this organization shall be Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic (MTSMA). It shall be a non-profit corporation with a fiscal year of January 1–December 31.

II. Purposes and Activities

MTSMA shall be organized for scholarly and educational purposes. Its principal goal shall be to foster the discipline of music theory. MTSMA will strive to disseminate information regarding all aspects of music theory through public forums, conferences, and publications. In these endeavors MTSMA will encourage the highest standards in music theory research, creativity, and pedagogy. In support of these goals, MTSMA will:

  1. Provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas pertaining to music theory and its teaching, especially among theorists residing or teaching in the Mid-Atlantic region (see Bylaw VI);
  2. Promote and facilitate communication with other music disciplines, artistic communities, and scholarly communities, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region;
  3. Organize annual conferences to be held in locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, which may include the presentation of papers and panel discussions, the performance of music, and the exhibition of publications and/or teaching materials; 
  4. Provide contact for students and young professionals with the music theory community;
  5. Publish a newsletter, journal, and/or other appropriate materials;
  6. Encourage research in music theory and its teaching;
  7. Make available to educational administrators resource personnel to assist in the development of programs and teaching materials in music theory; and
  8. Perform other appropriate actions, such as publicizing MTSMA activities, commissioning translations, and so on.

The activities of MTSMA shall not be pursued for profit nor constitute a business. No part of the earnings of MTSMA shall be used for the benefit of any officer or employee of MTSMA or any other individual, except as reasonable compensation for goods or services required by MTSMA in pursuing its activities. No part of the activities of MTSMA shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, nor shall MTSMA participate in or financially contribute to any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

III. Management

An Executive Committee constituted according to Bylaw IV and elected according to Bylaw V will operate MTSMA. The Executive Committee will consist of four officers—a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary—five Members-at-Large, and two Student Representatives.

The Executive Committee will:

  1. Oversee annual conferences of the Society;
  2. Determine the locations of the conferences;
  3. Call a business meeting at each annual conference;
  4. Establish the agenda for the meeting;
  5. Supervise elections of officers;
  6.  Order the taking of votes by mail or electronic ballot when such action shall be advisable;
  7. Set up and collect membership dues, and establish fiscal policies;
  8. Cause the Treasurer’s accounts to be audited;
  9. Supervise MTSMA’s publications;
  10. Prepare reports for the membership; and
  11. Generally oversee MTSMA’s welfare.

Executive committee members unable to vote in person may vote by email or other virtual means.

IV. The Structure of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of ten elected members: four officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary), five Members-at-Large, and one Student Representative

The functions and duties of individual Executive Committee members are described below.

  1. The President shall carry out the policies of the Executive Committee and preside at all meetings of MTSMA and the Executive Committee. The President shall appoint all Standing Committees, with the advice of the Executive Committee, and may serve as a member ex officio on these committees. The President shall represent MTSMA in its relations with other musical and scholarly organizations and agencies. The President shall discharge any other duties customarily associated with this office.
  2. The Vice President shall discharge the functions of the President in case of the latter’s disability or absence, or at the latter’s request. The Vice President shall oversee MTSMA’s Executive Committee elections, unless they are running for candidacy themselves, in which case the secretary oversees the election. The Vice President will serve in various capacities which may be appropriate to the office and the Society.
  3. The Secretary shall carry on the work of MTSMA under the direction of the President. The Secretary shall take the minutes of all meetings of MTSMA and the Executive Committee, and distribute the minutes in advance of the following meetings. The Secretary shall maintain the membership lists of MTSMA, conduct its correspondence (e.g., making announcements on email lists),, and perform any other appropriate duties. In Executive Committee elections where the Vice President is a candidate for a position, the Secretary shall oversee the election.
  4. The Treasurer shall maintain records of MTSMA’s income and expenses, collect membership dues and other monies, deposit them in the name of MTSMA, submit the annual tax return, and pay all bills of MTSMA. The Treasurer shall be authorized to disburse funds in the name of MTSMA, and—with the authorization of the Executive Committee—invest any funds not needed for current disbursements. The financial records of MTSMA shall be audited periodically by an external agency, and this audit shall be reported to the members of the Society. The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each annual conference, and make any other reports that the Executive Committee may deem necessary.
  5. The Members-at-Large and Student Representatives shall assist the four officers in determining the policies of MTSMA.

A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum of the committee.

Each member of the Executive Committee will have a single vote, and all motions will be carried by a simple majority. For votes that occur in person, absent members may (at the discretion of the President) submit their votes via email. Votes may also be collected electronically via email, electronic ballot, or other means.

V. Election and Terms of Office of the Executive Committee

A. Nominations

The President shall appoint a three-member Nominating Committee to draw up lists of nominees. One member shall be the Vice President, who shall oversee the nominating procedure; or, if the Vice President is a candidate for a position, the Secretary shall serve instead. 

Whenever possible, at least two names shall be proposed for each position. In cases where a candidate stands unopposed, write-in votes shall be recognized. 

Elections shall be held by anonymous electronic ballot or email according to procedures and schedules determined by the Executive Committee.

Only members in good standing of MTSMA may vote in Executive Committee elections (see Bylaw VI).

B. Eligibility

The Executive Committee shall be composed exclusively of music theorists who live, teach, or are engaged in theory studies in the Mid-Atlantic region (see Bylaw VI). 

All nominees must be MTSMA members in good standing as of the voting deadline.

The Student Representative should be engaged in graduate, preferably doctoral, studies in the Mid-Atlantic region (see Bylaw VI), and should expect to remain an active student for at least one year after taking office. The Student Representative must step down if they complete or discontinue their studies more than 12 months before the end of their elected term. Students may not serve as officers or Members-at-Large. 

All committee members shall be elected for a term of two years. Members may run for reelection, but cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms. Following the election, each newly elected Executive Committee member will take office the following September 1. 

The Executive Committee shall appoint replacements for any vacancies arising between elections.

VI. Membership

Membership in MTSMA shall be open to anyone, regardless of geographical residence. Membership shall be individual, not institutional, and shall be open to persons interested in any aspect of music theory. 

For the purposes of the Society, the Mid-Atlantic region consists of the states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The Executive Committee, by a majority vote, shall determine the classes of membership and the fees payable for each class of membership at the annual conference. Members are considered in good standing if they have attended the annual MTSMA conference or served on an MTSMA committee during any of the past three years.

VII. Conferences and Meetings of the Society

MTSMA shall hold an annual conference or meeting.  The time and place shall be fixed by the Executive Committee. 

A business meeting shall be held every year, normally at the annual conference. At all such meetings, a quorum shall be fifteen MTSMA members. 

Members of the Society in good standing shall have exclusive voting power at meetings of the Society, and shall have one vote each. Members may vote by mail or electronic ballot on matters specifically designated by the Executive Committee.

Submissions for presentation at annual meetings of the Society should be submitted to the Chair of the Program Committee (see Bylaw VIII). 

Additional conferences or meetings may also be scheduled, with dates and places to be set by the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall notify MTMSA members of any conference or meeting at least 30 days before the meeting date. 

VIII. Standing Committees

Standing Committees shall consist of three or more members and a Chair, each appointed for one year by the President. As need arises, successors or additional members of standing committees may be appointed in the same manner, and other committees may be constituted and appointed. Standing Committees typically consist of members of the Society . The President may also serve as a member ex officio on all Standing Committees. 

Standing Committees shall include:

  1. The Program Committee, which shall select the papers, panel discussions, and other offerings to be presented at the next annual conference;
  2. The Nominating Committee, which shall solicit and recommend candidates for positions on the Executive Committee.

IX. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable, unless these rules are inconsistent with the intent of the Bylaws of the Society. The President or the Chair of a Standing Committee may appoint a parliamentarian at their discretion.

X. Amendments to the Bylaws

The Bylaws may be amended at any annual business meeting. An amendment may be proposed by any single member, provided that:

  1. The proposed amendment is seconded by at least four other members; and
  2. The proposed amendment is received by the Secretary no less than 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

The Secretary shall mail the proposed amendment to the membership at least 15 days prior to said meeting. 

A two-thirds majority shall be required for the ratification of amendments to the Bylaws.

XI. Dissolution

In case of dissolution of MTSMA, any assets remaining after settlement of its obligations shall be disposed of at the discretion of the Executive Committee, providing that this disposal be limited to the purposes of MTSMA or to organizations that are then qualified as tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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