BY LAWS OF THE
NATIONAL STANDARDS BOARD FOR THERAPEUTIC MUSICIANS

ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1 – Name: The name of the organization will be National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (NSBTM)

Section 2 – Purpose: The NSBTM is a governing body that establishes, maintains and promotes professional Standards of Practice for Programs that train and certify therapeutic musicians. The NSBTM accredits training Programs that meet the established Standard of Practice. By providing a forum for communication and collaboration among accredited programs, the NSBTM supports the continuing education and development of the field of therapeutic music and its service to the public. Approved by consensus


ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Membership: Membership shall consist of the board of directors


ARTICLE III – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 – Board role, size and compensation: The board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the association, and delegate responsibility of the day-to-day operations to the staff and committees. The board shall have up to 7, but not fewer than 5 members. The majority of the board will be comprised of representatives from the Representative Council of Therapeutic Musician Programs and one board member shall represent the population served. The board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.

Section 2 – Proceedings: Proceedings shall follow Roberts Rules of Order without exception. The Board of Directors or Executive Committee, through Decision by Consensus, shall make rulings and approvals.

Section 3 – Terms: All board members shall serve 2 or 3 years, but are eligible for re-election for up to 2 consecutive terms.

Section 4 – Meetings and notice: The board shall meet at least 4 times a year, at an agreed upon time and place. An official board meeting requires that board members have a written notice at least two weeks in advance.

Section 5 – Board Elections: During the last quarter of each fiscal year, of the corporation, the board of directors shall elect directors to replace those whose terms will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This election shall take place during a regular meeting of the directors, called in accordance with the previsions of these bylaws.

Section 6 – Board Nominations: New directors shall be nominated by members of the board. Nominations shall take place during a regular meeting of the Board of Directors, called in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws.

Section 7 – Election Procedures: New directors shall be elected by the consensus of directors present. Directors so elected shall serve a term beginning on the first day of the next fiscal year.

Section 8 – Quorum: For business transactions to take place and motions to pass, a quorum must be present. A quorum shall be defined as no fewer than the total membership of the board, less one.

Section 9 – Officers and Duties: There shall be four officers of the board, consisting of chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. Their duties as follows:

a) The Chair shall convene regularly scheduled board meetings, shall preside or arrange for other members of the Executive Committee to preside at each meeting in the following order: vice-chair, secretary, treasurer.

b) The Vice-chair shall chair committees on special subjects as designed by the board.

c) The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes, at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.

d) The Treasurer shall make a report at each board meeting. The treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to the board members and public.

Section 10 – Vacancies: When a vacancy exists midterm, the secretary must receive nominations for new members from present board members two weeks in advance of the board meeting. These nominations, to be agreed upon at the next board meeting, shall be sent out to board members with the regular board meeting announcement.

Section 11 – Resignations, Terminations and Absences: Resignation from the board must be in writing and received by the secretary. A board member shall be terminated from the board due to more than two inexcusable absences from board meetings in one year; breaking the confidentiality of the Board; or by conducting themselves in an inappropriate manner; a board member may be removed for other reasons by a consensus of the remaining directors.


Section 12 – Special Meetings: Special meetings of the board shall be called upon the request of the chair, or by consensus. The secretary shall send out notices of special meetings to each board member at least two weeks in advance.


ARTICLE IV – REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF THERAPEUTIC MUSICIAN (TM) PROGRAMS

Section 1 – Representative Council’s role, size and compensation: A representative represents an accredited therapeutic musicians training program or an affiliate member on the Representative Council. Representatives shall receive no compensation from the NSBTM. Each program accredited by the NSBTM shall have one representative present at the Council meetings. At least one meeting shall be held annually. Approved by consensus

Section 2 – Selection of the Representatives for the Board of Directors: Three or four representatives are selected from the larger pool of representatives, and nominated by the Board of Director’s nominating committee, to serve as members of the Board of Directors. The nominated representatives represent the collective view of the Representative Council while serving on the Board of Directors. Nominated representatives from various programs are nominated for Board election on a rotating basis.

If a nominated representative board member finds that it is a conflict of interest to serve on the board and council simultaneously, his/her program must appoint an alternative representative with the approval of the board of directors. Approved by consensus


ARTICLE V – COMMITTEE FORMATION

Section 1 – Committee Formation: The board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, housing, public relations, data collections, etc.

Section 2 – Executive Committee: The four officers serve as members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the articles of incorporation and bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, and is subject to the direction and control of the full board.

Section 3 – Finance Committee: The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee, which includes three other board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fund raising and annual budget with staff and other board members. The board must approve the budget and all expenditures must be within budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the board, or the Executive Committee. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Annual reports must be submitted to the board showing income, expenditures, and pending income. The financial records of the organization are public information and shall be made available to board members and public.


ARTICLE – VI – DIRECTOR AND STAFF

Section 1 – Executive Director: The board of directors hires the executive director. The executive director has day-to-day responsibilities for the organization, including carrying out the organizations goals and policies. The executive director shall attend all board meetings; report on the progress of the organization, answer questions of the board members, and carry out the duties described in the job description. The board can designate other duties as necessary.

Section 2 – Amendments: These bylaws may be amended when necessary by decision by consensus of the board of directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to send out with regular board announcements.


ARTICLE - VII - INDEMNITY

Section 1 - The Corporation will indemnify and defend each Director and Officer
of the Corporation, and their heirs, legal representatives and devisees, against all loss, liability or expense (including costs and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred) in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which the Director or Officer is made a party by reason of being or having been an Officer or Director.

Section 2 - The indemnification may include any amounts paid to satisfy a judgment or to compromise or settle a claim. The Director or Officer will not be indemnified if the Director or Officer is adjudged to have been guilty of willful misconduct or recklessness in the performance of duty to the Corporation. Advance indemnification may be allowed of a Director or Officer for expenses to be incurred in connection with the defense of the action, suit or proceeding, if the Director or Officer agrees to reimburse the Corporation if it is subsequently determined that the Director or Officer was not entitled to indemnification by reason of willful misconduct or recklessness in the performance of duty to the Corporation.


ARTICLE - VIII - DISSOLUTION

Section 1 - Upon the dissolution: This corporation, after payment of all debts and financial obligations, all of its net assets shall be distributed to an entity selected by the board or other committee charged with winding up the affairs of the corporation, which entity shall be an organization in good standing which is qualified as an exempt organization under the provisions of Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.


By-Laws of the National Standards Board For Therapeutic Musicians modified on May 18, 2011.