Constitution & Bylaws Proposed Revisions

Constitution & Bylaws 2019 Proposed Revisions
To be voted on at the MAR conference in Reston, VA
February 22, 2019

CONSTITUTION

Article IV – Officers
Current:
Section 4. The appointed officers of the Region shall be the Parliamentarian, Assembly Chair, Recording Secretary, Editor of the official regional publication (hereinafter referred to as the Editor), Historian and Archivist.

Proposed:
Section 4. The appointed officers of the Region shall be the Parliamentarian, Assembly Chair, Recording Secretary, Editor of the official regional publication (hereinafter referred to as the Editor), Historian, Archivist and Continuing Education Coordinator.

Rationale: To reflect the addition of the Continuing Education Coordinator position as a non-voting member of the Executive Board. By including the Continuing Education Coordinator as a non-voting member of the Board and establishing a Continuing Education Committee, the region signals a commitment to investment in high-quality professional continuing education that is responsive to current events and the identified needs of the region and our members.
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Article V – Executive Board
Current:

Section 1. There shall be an Executive Board consisting of thirteen (13) voting members: President, President-Elect, Vice President for Conference Planning, Vice President-Elect for Conference Planning, Vice President for Membership, Immediate Past-President, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Student Affairs Advisor (elected by MARAMTS), Government Relations Chair, Government Relations Chair-Elect, Public Relations Chair, and Student Representative (elected by MARAMTS). The Parliamentarian, Recording Secretary, Editor, Historian, Archivist, and Assembly Chair shall be ex-officio members without the right to vote.

Proposed:

Section 1. There shall be an Executive Board consisting of thirteen (13) voting members: President, President-Elect, Vice President for Conference Planning, Vice President-Elect for Conference Planning, Vice President for Membership, Immediate Past-President, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Student Affairs Advisor (elected by MARAMTS), Government Relations Chair, Government Relations Chair-Elect, Public Relations Chair, and Student Representative (elected by MARAMTS). The Parliamentarian, Recording Secretary, Editor, Historian, Archivist, Assembly Chair, and Continuing Education Coordinator shall be ex-officio members without the right to vote.

Rationale: To reflect the addition of the Continuing Education Coordinator position as a non-voting member of the Executive Board

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Article VIII – Regional Councils and Committees
Current:
Section 4. Members of the Finance Committee, Government Relations Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations Committee, Regional Ad Hoc Committees, and Research Committee shall be appointed by the President with Executive Board approval. The Finance Committee, Government Relations Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations Committee, and Research Committee shall perform such duties as specified in the Bylaws. The regional ad hoc committees shall perform such duties as authorized by the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 4. Members of the Cultural Humility, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (CHADI) Committee, Finance Committee, Government Relations Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations Committee, Regional Ad Hoc Committees, and Research Committee shall be appointed by the President with Executive Board approval. The Cultural Humility, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (CHADI) Committee, Finance Committee, Government Relations Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations Committee, and Research Committee shall perform such duties as specified in the Bylaws. The regional ad hoc committees shall perform such duties as authorized by the Executive Board.

Rationale: To reflect the establishment of a new regional standing committee.

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Bylaws
Article III – Duties of Elected Officers
Current:

Section 1. The President shall: preside at all meetings of the Region; call and preside at all meetings of the Executive Board; be ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; be a representative to the Assembly of Delegates; make all designated appointments subject to the approval of the Executive Board; perform all other duties commensurate with the stated purpose of the organization; communicate with, advise, and guide corresponding student officer; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; and submit an annual written report at the regional conference.

Proposed:

Section 1. The President shall: preside at all meetings of the Region; call and preside at all meetings of the Executive Board; be ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; be a representative to the Assembly of Delegates; make all designated appointments subject to the approval of the Executive Board; perform all other duties commensurate with the stated purpose of the organization; communicate with, advise, and guide corresponding student officer; mentor the elect position for the duties stated above; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; and submit an annual written report at the regional conference.

Rationale: Clarify Duties
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Current:
Section 3. The Vice President for Conference Planning shall: assume the duties of the President in case of absence of both the President and President-Elect; succeed to the Presidency in case of the resignation of both the President and President-Elect; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; chair the Conference Council; serve as Program Chair, taking complete charge of program planning for the annual regional conference and conferring on all details of management with any committees appointed to arrange for conference programs; develop and send out conference publicity; work with the Regional Event Planner, the Local Host(s), the Continuing Education Coordinator, and the Exhibits Coordinator, and the Vice President of the MARAMTS; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 3. The Vice President for Conference Planning shall: assume the duties of the President in case of absence of both the President and President-Elect; succeed to the Presidency in case of the resignation of both the President and President-Elect; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; chair the Conference Council; serve as Program Chair, taking complete charge of program planning for the annual regional conference and conferring on all details of management with any committees appointed to arrange for conference programs; develop and send out conference publicity; work with the Regional Event Planner, the Local Host(s), the Continuing Education Coordinator, and the Exhibits Coordinator, and the Vice President of the MARAMTS; mentor the elect position for the duties stated above; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Rationale: Clarify Duties
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Current:
Section 7. The Treasurer shall: pay all bills authorized by the Executive Board and issue reimbursement within 30 days of receipt of the request; keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements; present a financial report to the Executive Board regularly; publish the financial report in the regional publication; provide AMTA with financial information necessary to complete tax filing as requested by AMTA; chair the Finance Committee appointed by the President; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; communicate with, advise, and guide the corresponding student officer; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual written report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 7. The Treasurer shall: pay all bills authorized by the Executive Board and issue reimbursement within 30 days of receipt of the request; keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements; present a financial report to the Executive Board regularly; publish the financial report in the regional publication; provide AMTA with financial information necessary to complete tax filing as requested by AMTA; chair the Finance Committee appointed by the President; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; communicate with, advise, and guide the corresponding student officer; mentor the elect position for the duties stated above; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual written report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Rationale: Clarify Duties
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Current:
Section 9. The Public Relations Chair shall: coordinate regional public relations efforts; maintain the Regional website and social media outlets; facilitate communication between the webmaster the the Executive Board; serve as regional representative to the Workforce Development and Retention Committee of AMTA; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; request that the President appoint Public Relations Committee members, as needed, to assist in developing and maintaining public relations efforts across the region; maintain regular communication with Public Relations Committee to assist them in fulfilling their duties as outlined in Article IX, Section 3, of the Bylaws; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual, written report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President and Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 9. The Public Relations Chair shall: coordinate regional public relations efforts; maintain the Regional website in collaboration with the webmaster; maintain social media outlets; facilitate communication between the webmaster the the Executive Board; serve as regional representative to the Workforce Development and Retention Committee of AMTA; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; request that the President appoint Public Relations Committee members, as needed, to assist in developing and maintaining public relations efforts across the region; maintain regular communication with Public Relations Committee to assist them in fulfilling their duties as outlined in Article IX, Section 3, of the Bylaws; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual, written report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President and Executive Board.

Rationale: Clarify responsibilities
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Article III – Duties of Elected Officers
Section 10. The Government Relations Chair shall: serve as regional representative to the Government Relations Committee of AMTA; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; submit an annual written report at the regional conference; coordinate state efforts in implementing the AMTA/CBMT State Recognition Operational Plan within the MAR; submit to the President proposed state task force chairs for Board appointment to state task forces (for areas specified in Article V, Section 2 of the Bylaws); direct and assist the State Task Forces in advocating change in public policy conducive to the practice of music therapy; assist State Task Forces in facilitating communication among music therapists in their states; direct issues and concerns from the membership, and/or the State Task Forces, to the Executive Board and the appropriate committees; maintain regular communication with AMTA and CBMT in order to work collaboratively in implementing the State Recognition Operational Plan within the MAR; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 10. The Government Relations Chair shall: serve as regional representative to the Government Relations Committee of AMTA; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; submit an annual written report at the regional conference; coordinate state efforts in implementing the AMTA/CBMT State Recognition Operational Plan within the MAR; submit to the President proposed state task force chairs for Board appointment to state task forces (for areas specified in Article V, Section 2 of the Bylaws); direct and assist the State Task Forces in advocating change in public policy conducive to the practice of music therapy; assist State Task Forces in facilitating communication among music therapists in their states; direct issues and concerns from the membership, and/or the State Task Forces, to the Executive Board and the appropriate committees; maintain regular communication with AMTA and CBMT in order to work collaboratively in implementing the State Recognition Operational Plan within the MAR; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; communicate with, advise, and guide the corresponding student officer; mentor the elect position for the duties stated above; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual written report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Rationale: Clarify duties and move placement so that it reads the same as other duties of elected officers.
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Article IV – Duties of Appointed Officers
Current:
Section 1. The Recording Secretary shall: send out meeting announcements; distribute agendas; keep minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and the general
membership; tally and record all email votes in the Executive Board files, notify the
President of the outcome, and include the results in their report to Board; and assure that corporate minutes are maintained. The Recording Secretary shall submit copies of all minutes to the Executive Board, the Archivist, and the webmaster for posting on the Regional website. The Recording Secretary shall also: communicate with, advise, and guide the corresponding student officer; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 1. The Recording Secretary shall: send out meeting announcements; distribute agendas; keep minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and the general
membership; tally and record all email votes in the Executive Board files, notify the
President of the outcome, and include the results in their report to Board; and assure that corporate minutes are maintained. The Recording Secretary shall submit copies of all minutes to the Executive Board, the Archivist, and the webmaster for posting on the Regional website. The Recording Secretary shall also: communicate with, advise, and guide the corresponding student officer; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

RATIONALE: The Executive Board no longer holds votes over email, therefore specifying email voting is obsolete. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Current:
Section 2. The Editor shall: edit, supervise, and publish the official regional publication which shall be published quarterly pending availability of funds; and submit a report at the annual conference; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; and communicate with, advise and guide the corresponding student officer. The Editor shall carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 2. The Editor shall:edit, supervise, and publish oversee, format and publish the official regional publication which shall be published quarterly pending availability of funds; and submit a report at the annual conference; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; and communicate with, advise and guide the corresponding student officer. The Editor shall carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Rationale: Clarify duties
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Current:
Section 3. The Assembly Chair shall: serve as a liaison among the Executive Board, Assembly Delegates and Alternates and the general membership; attend Regional Executive Board meetings, disseminate information related to issues expected to come before the Assembly to the general membership; solicit feedback from the membership on issues that are to come before the Assembly; ensure that Alternate Delegates receive a copy of any correspondence from the Speaker, including the mid-year report; submit a written report for publication in the newsletter following the annual Assembly of Delegates meeting; work with the President and the Delegates and Alternates to insure attendance and participation in Assembly meetings at each national conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 3. The Assembly Chair shall: serve as a liaison among the Executive Board, Assembly Delegates and Alternates and the general membership; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; disseminate information related to issues expected to come before the Assembly to the general membership; solicit feedback from the membership on issues that are to come before the Assembly; ensure that Alternate Delegates receive a copy of any correspondence from the Speaker, including the mid-year report; submit a written report for publication in the newsletter following the annual Assembly of Delegates meeting; work with the President and the Delegates and Alternates to insure attendance and participation in Assembly meetings at each national conference; schedule periodic meetings of the regional delegation throughout the year, some to include the general membership; insure concurrent session and meeting time at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Rationale: Update duties to reflect current practice
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Article IV – Duties of Appointed Officers
Current:
None

Proposed:
Section 7: The Continuing Education Coordinator shall: coordinate regional continuing education events; assure that the region remains in good standing as an approved continuing education provider according to the policies of CBMT and any other regulatory bodies; serve as regional representative to the Continuing Education Committee of AMTA; attend Regional Executive Board meetings; establish and/or maintain a handbook outlining job responsibilities; submit an annual, written report at the regional conference; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the President and Executive Board.

Rationale:To reflect the addition of the Continuing Education Coordinator as a non-voting member of the Executive Board and to clarify the role and duties of the position
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Article VIII – National Standing Committees and Boards
Current:
Section 1. The National Standing Committees are: Academic Program Approval Committee, Association Internship Approval Committee, Clinical Practice Networking Committee, Continuing Education Committee, Diversity and Multiculturalism Committee, Government Relations Committee, International Relations Committee, Interprofessional Collaborative Resources Committee, Membership Committee, Professional Advocacy Committee,Reimbursement Committee, Research Committee, Standards of Clinical Practice Committee, Technology Committee, and Workforce Development and Retention Committee.

Proposed:
Section 1. The National Standing Committees are: Academic Program Approval Committee, Association Internship Approval Committee, Clinical Practice Networking Committee, Continuing Education Committee, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Diversity and Multiculturalism Committee, Government Relations Committee, International Relations Committee, Interprofessional Collaborative Resources Committee, Membership Committee, Professional Advocacy Committee,Reimbursement Committee, Research Committee, Standards of Clinical Practice Committee, Technology Committee, and Workforce Development and Retention Committee.

Rationale: Change in wording to reflect current committee titles and language
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Article VIII – Regional Councils and Committees
Current:
Section 4. Members of the Finance Committee, Government Relations Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations Committee, Regional Ad Hoc Committees, and Research Committee shall be appointed by the President with Executive Board approval. The Finance Committee, Government Relations Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Public Relations Committee, and Research Committee shall perform such duties as specified in the Bylaws. The regional ad hoc committees shall perform such duties as authorized by the Executive Board.

RATIONALE: Change in wording to reflect current committee title and language
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Article IX: Regional Committees and Auxiliary Organizations
Current:
Section 3
The Public Relations Committee shall consist of the Public Relations Chair and a minimum of three (3) members of the MAR. Duties of the Public Relations Chair are specified in the Bylaws, Article III, Sec. 9. Duties of the Public Relations Committee members are to assist the Public Relations Chair in carrying out his/her duties.

Proposed:
Section 3. The Public Relations Committee shall consist of the Public Relations Chair, the MARAMTS Public Relations Chair, and a minimum of three (3) members of the MAR. Duties of the Public Relations Chair are specified in the Bylaws, Article III, Sec. 9. Duties of the Public Relations Committee members are to assist the Public Relations Chair in carrying out their duties.

Rationale: be consistent with current practice and to maintain relationship with MARAMTS Executive Board
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Current:
Section 6. The Historical Preservation Committee shall consist of the Historian and Archivist, who shall serve as Co-Chairs, the Immediate Past President, a student representative, and other members deemed necessary by the Co-Chairs. Duties of the Historical Preservation Committee are to serve as a resource for MAR members interested in historical research; submit articles to the regional newsletter; coordinate the presentation of historical sessions at the annual conference; prepare and exhibit archival materials at the MAR booth and AMTA and MAR conferences; and support and assist the Archivist in obtaining and preserving items for the Regional Archives.

Proposed:
Section 6. The Historical Preservation Committee shall consist of the Historian and Archivist, who shall serve as Co-Chairs, the Immediate Past President, a student representative, and other members deemed necessary by the Co-Chairs and a minimum of two (2) members of the MAR. Duties of the Historical Preservation Committee are to serve as a resource for MAR members interested in historical research; submit articles to the regional newsletter; coordinate the presentation of historical sessions at the annual conference; prepare and exhibit archival materials at the MAR booth and AMTA and MAR conferences; and support and assist the Archivist in obtaining and preserving items for the Regional Archives.

Rationale: To maintain consistency with wording through Committee descriptions
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Current:
None

Proposed:
Section 7. The MAR Cultural Humility, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (CHADI) shall consist of two (2) co-chairs, a minimum of one (1) student representative, and a minimum of three (3) members of the MAR. Duties of the CHADI Committee are to increase knowledge as it pertains to diversity, accessibility, and inclusion for the region; serve as a resource for the MAR on issues pertaining to cultural humility, accessibility, diversity and inclusion; and collaborate with the MAR President and Vice President for Membership to address human rights disasters that negatively impact members of our region. One of the co-chairs of the CHADI Committee will represent the MAR on the AMTA Disaster Relief Committee and the AMTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Rationale: To reflect the establishment of a new regional standing committee and to clarify the composition and duties of the committee