Deirdre,
Sorry this is late. I will simply state my suggestions, instead of presenting a
multi-layered document. I think that will be easier for you to incorporate them
into others’ suggestions. To make this easier to read, I've emphasized some
words in bold. I do not intend the actual bolding to be in the final document.
Ive used square brackets "[...]" to make it clear this is a comment of mine.
I apologize if some of this is redundant. For example, if someone has already
pointed out the incorrect numbering.
Also about the membership -- notice I am suggesting the 2 classes of members be
called "Singing Members" and "Supporting Members" (always capitalized.) This
makes it clear that Supporting Members pay their full dues. Otherwise, they
really aren't supporting us. Perhaps we have a third category called "Friends
of Phoenix Chorale" who don't sing and don't pay dues, but only help out in
other ways like publicity, or arranging chairs, or whatever. And that's great!
But I just don't think these "friends" ought to have the same vote on issues
that singers and folks offering financial support do.
My suggestions:
1. The numbering is messed up. There is no Article 7. Instead of correcting
this and other numbers and references to them, we should wait until we’re all
done, then make sure everything is right.
2. Article 3. Purpose/Philosophy:
3. Article 4. MembershipNumber the existing paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d).
Change “from one annual concert” to “one designated concert” [because we
don’t really know how our scheduling may work. We may have more than one
partner and the idea of an “annual” concert may seem confusing. [
Change “Other concerts that take place from time to time need not follow
that protocol.” to a separate paragraph “(e) From time to time Phoenix
Chorale Portland may present other concerts that need not follow the
protocol set forth in paragraph (d).”
4. Article 5, Board of DirectorsChange "Membership in the Corporation is open to those interested" to
Membership in the Corporation is open to people interested". No corporate
members!
Have “Singing Members” and “Supporting Members”
Change references to singing members to Singing Members, and put the first
reference in quotes.
Changing non-singing members to Supporting Members and put the first
reference in quotes.
Change "Membership amounts" to "Membership dues".
Change “A sliding scale will be available for any singing or non-singing
member…” to “A sliding scale will be available for any Singing Member…”
[since the whole purpose of a Supporting Member is to help us financially. I
think if someone just wants to be a “friend” and not sing or help
financially, fine. But then they aren’t a voting “member”. ]
Change “to make membership affordable to as many as possible” to “to make
membership affordable to as many singers as possible”
5. Article 6, MembershipChange (b) “The Board of Directors may designate” to “The Board of Directors
shall elect”
Remove all references to “Co-President”. [That’s why we have a
vice-president. If down the road, we really really want to have the
Presidency split between two people, can’t we just do it without messing up
our by-laws by describing it?]
In (c) change “the Phoenix Chorale Portland” to just “Phoenix Chorale
Portland”.
Change (f) “No Board of Directors member shall serve more than three
consecutive terms” to “No Officer shall serve more than three consecutive
terms”. [I think it’s a mistake to have a total turn-over of the entire
Board every 3 years. ]
(h) change “of vacancy” to “of a vacancy”.
Add to (k)(1): “, except as specified in (k)(4) below.” [this is a reference
to phone and email]
(k)(3) remove “of that group”.
Delete (c). [The reference to consensus means Board Members must be elected
unanimously on the first two tries. That seems ridiculous. If this paragraph
is required legally I’d like to know why.]
