SLAM – Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts & Music
Fort Stockton SLAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, recognized as a charitable organization and your donations are tax-deductible.
Mission: The mission of the Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music is to support, encourage, and promote arts and music in Fort Stockton, Texas.
ARTICLE I – THE ORGANIZATION
1.0 Name of Association: The name of this Association shall be: Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music
2.0 Offices of Association: The principal office of the Association shall be in Fort Stockton, Texas.
3.0 Purpose
3.01 Purpose: Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music is a non-profit organization and shall operate exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code. Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music’s purpose is to provide a community service by:
- supporting art and music in Fort Stockton and the surrounding community by accepting monetary donations which will be given to artists and musicians in exchange for performing in Fort Stockton;
- share information about community arts and music events;
- provide educational opportunities for the community;
- educate and encourage newcomers to join and participate in the Association;
- provide social activities for members;
- further the art, science, and enjoyment of the subject matter.
- To maximize our impact on current efforts, we may seek to collaborate with other non-profit organizations which fall under the 501(c) (3) section of the internal revenue code and are operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes.
- At times, we may provide internships or volunteer opportunities which will provide opportunities for involvement in said activities and programs in order to have a greater impact for change.
3.02 Public Benefit
Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music is designated as a public benefit organization.
The activities of the Association shall be held and maintained in the spirit of these purposes.
4.0 Powers
The Association shall have all the powers necessary to provide activities to conduct its purposes including, but are not limited to, the power to collect, hold and disseminate information consistent with its purpose: to conduct seminars and workshops, and the power to collect dues and disperse funds for the membership.
5.0 Membership
Any individual interested in the subject is welcome to be a member in the Association as long as said member remains in “good standing”. A member is in “good standing” when:
– the member pays his/her annual membership dues when required.
– participates in the activities of the association by promoting events the associations supports, and attends at least every 3rd event supported.
A member is no longer in “good standing” when:
– the member fails to pay his/her annual membership dues when required.
– fails to participate in the activities of the organization for 2 consecutive months.
– In the judgment of the majority of the members, the member no longer supports the best interests of the Association.
Each member of the Association shall be entitled to only one vote on each Association matter to be decided by a vote of the members.
6.0 Dues, Assessments and Fees
The Association’s activities shall be funded through the use of donations, grants and annual membership dues. All funds collected by the Association shall be used by it to provide for the various activities permitted by these Articles.
The annual membership dues required for membership in the Association shall be established by a majority vote of the members of the Association, upon the recommendation of the Executive Board.
The annual membership dues and any assessments may be varied from fiscal year to fiscal year, but any such dues and/or assessments in effect for any fiscal year shall be the same for all individuals.
7.0 Fiscal Year
The Association shall operate with the calendar year as its fiscal year.
8.0 Funds Management and Authorities
No individual member has the authority to obligate the Association in any way. In doing so that member becomes personally responsible for that obligation and not the Association.
Executive Board Members may obligate the Association for up to $100 on non-recurring expenses.
The President with the approval of the treasurer may obligate the association for up to $1000 on non-recurring expenses. The President and Treasurer should monitor all increases in recurring expenses.
The Executive Board in simple majority may obligate the Association for up to $5000 on non-recurring expenses.
The Membership in simple majority must approve non-recurring expenditures in excess of $5000.
New recurring expenses must be approved by simple majority of the membership. Increases in existing recurring expenses do not require approval of the membership.
These Articles describe the rules by which the Association is to be governed. Any situation concerning the governing of this Association which is not specifically described in these Articles shall be governed by “Robert’s Rules of Order”. In any situation in which these Articles conflict with “Robert’s Rules of Order”, these Articles shall prevail.
ARTICLE II – DURATION
2.01 Duration
The period of duration of the association is perpetual.
ARTICLE III – THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
1.0 OFFICERS’ DUTIES
The Executive Board is composed of the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer, which shall be appointed by the Association founder. The offices of Members at Large shall elected by the general membership at the October general membership meeting. The officers are responsible for the daily operation of the Association as described in the officers’ duties. The order listed below indicates the order of succession to the presidency.
The following describes the duties of each of the officers:
PRESIDENT – The office of President is the primary person responsible for the business operation of the Association and presides at the regular membership meetings and the Executive Board meetings.
VICE PRESIDENT – There shall be one Vice President. He / She will have one vote on the Executive Board. The Vice President is responsible for the performance of the President’s duties in the absence of the President. The Vice President, along with the Executive Board, is responsible for the program planning for the general membership meetings.
SECRETARY/TREASURER – The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the non-financial and financial records of the Association’s operations. The Secretary/Treasurer provides meeting notes of all general membership and Executive Board meetings. These notes/minutes will be recorded in a Secretary/Treasurer’s book and will be available for the general membership to review. The Secretary/Treasurer is also responsible for all correspondence for the Association’s business activities. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for all the funds of the association. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a detailed listing of the clubs membership and dues records. The Secretary/Treasurer shall publish a monthly financial statement, and make this report to the membership. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a record which he or she shall make available for inspection within five calendar days of his or her receipt of a written request for such an inspection from any member or a written or verbal request for such an inspection from the Executive Board. The President or Vice-President may perform the duties of Treasurer as required. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain the membership records for the Association.
MEMBERS AT LARGE -There shall be two members at large whose duties shall be deemed by the President.
2.0 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Nominations for the positions of Member at Large will be opened at the July general meeting and close just prior to the election at the October general meeting. Absentee ballots will be accepted, if delivered prior to the October general meeting. Nominations and ballots will be published in the October newsletter. The election will be held at the October meeting with the results announced at the end of the meeting. Members at Large will be installed at the January meeting. Each Member at Large shall serve for a term of two years from the date of his or her installation and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. In the month of July the Executive Board will choose a slate of candidates and will place their names in nomination. In addition, nominations for Members at Large may be made from the floor or written-in, prior to elections being held, by any member. If the members who have been so nominated consent to run and to serve if elected, and if their respective nominations have been duly seconded, their names shall be placed on the ballot along with the names of the members chosen by the Executive Board. The election of Members at Large shall be a simple plurality of ballots presented to the Secretary during the October meeting.
Members at Large must be members in good standing at the time of their election and must maintain their good standing throughout their term of office.
2.1 Removal from Office
Members at Large may have his or her duties suspended by a unanimous, unopposed vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board. The suspended Member at Large may request a reinstatement vote by the general membership, following the rules of elections of Members at Large at the next general membership meeting. If the suspended Member at Large does not request a reinstatement vote or if the vote is opposed to reinstatement, the Executive Board must then select a successor to fill the vacant position. The selection is subject to general membership confirmation by a majority vote at the next regular meeting.
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
1.0 General Membership Meetings
The entire membership meets every 3 months – January, April, July, and October. The meetings are conducted by the President or designated alternate. Meetings shall consist of programs of general interest to the membership, brief announcements, and club business. A minimum of 5 members must be present to conduct FORMAL club business.
2.0 Executive Board Meetings
The Executive Board shall be called by the President as needed or as designated for purposes indicated at the General Membership Meeting by a majority vote of the membership present. The Executive Board Meetings shall be open to the general membership. Executive Board Meetings and location shall be announced in advance to the membership whenever possible. A minimum of 3 voting members (or designated representation) must be present to conduct club business.
ARTICLE V – NON-PROFIT NATURE
4.01 Non-profit Nature
Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Funds of Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music shall not be used to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music is not organized and shall not be operated for the private gain of any person. The property of the organization is irrevocably dedicated to its educational and charitable purposes. No part of the assets, receipts, or net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to any individual. The corporation may, however, pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, and make other payments and distributions consistent with these Articles.
4.02 Personal Liability
No officer or director of this association shall be personally liable for the debts or obligations of Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music of any nature whatsoever, nor shall any of the property or assets of the officers or directors be subject to the payment of the debts or obligations of this association.
4.03 Dissolution
Upon termination or dissolution of the Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music, any assets lawfully available for distribution shall be distributed to one (1) or more qualifying organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or described in any corresponding provision of any successor statute) which organization or organizations have a charitable purpose which, at least generally, includes a purpose similar to the terminating or dissolving organization, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
The organization to receive the assets of the Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music hereunder shall be selected by the discretion of a majority of the managing body of the Fort Stockton Association for the Support of Local Arts and Music.
4.04 Prohibited Distributions
No part of the net earnings, or properties of this association, on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers or other private person or individual, except that the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this document.
4.05 Restricted Activities
No substantial part of the association’s activities shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the association shall not participate in, or intervene (including the publishing or distribution of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
4.06 Prohibited Activities
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the association shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (I) by a organization exempt from federal income tax as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (II) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.