By Laws

BYLAWS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA PLAYWRIGHTS ALLIANCE

MISSION STATEMENT
To unite and serve playwrights of North Carolina through the promotion and advocacy of playwrights' work and the creation of state, regional, national, and global production and networking opportunities.

ARTICLE I
Name

The name of this organization shall be NORTH CAROLINA PLAYWRIGHTS ALLIANCE.

ARTICLE II
Object

The object of this Alliance shall be to promote the role of the playwright in the state's theatre, cultural arts, education, tourism and economic communities.

ARTICLE III
Members

Section 1. Any adult 18 years or older shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2. The annual dues shall be payable on or before January 1 of each year, beginning January 1, 2003. The Executive Board is empowered to set the annual dues for the Alliance.

Section 3. Members whose dues are in arrears for three months after the first day of the fiscal year shall be automatically dropped from membership in the Alliance.

Section 4. A membership may be suspended by a 3/4 vote of the Executive Board. Suspension may result from, but not be limited to, unprofessional and aggressive behavior to other members of the Alliance. Members will be allowed due process for reinstatement.

Section 5. Upon the written recommendation of two (2) members of the Executive Board, and by a three-fourth vote of this Board, Honorary Life Membership can be conferred on an adult who shall have rendered notable service to the Alliance. An Honorary Member shall have none of the obligations of membership in the Alliance, but shall be entitled to all of the privileges except those of making motions, of voting and of holding office.

ARTICLE IV.
Officers

Section 1. The Officers of the Alliance shall be a President, a First and Second Vice-President, a Recording/Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 other Directors. To whatever extent possible, the membership of the Executive Board should reflect the geographic diversity of the general membership. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Alliance. At least 3/4 of the officers shall be current residents of North Carolina.

Section 2. The duties of the Officers include the following:

The President will be responsible for the Alliance and will report directly to the members.
The First Vice President will act as assistant to the President and will be prepared to step-in in the absence of the President.
The first Vice President will, upon completion of the President's duly elected term(s), automatically be nominated for the office of President. In the event that the first Vice President is unable to fulfill the transition to President, the Nominating Committee shall select another Board member to serve as President on the slate of nominees.
The second Vice President will assist the first Vice President.
The First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will report directly to the President.
The Secretary will take meeting minutes and will handle dissemination of meeting notices.
The Treasurer will collect dues and will handle monies raised by the Alliance. In addition, the treasurer will keep accurate records, books, and receipts of the Alliance. The treasurer will be responsible for the money and for making timely deposits into an account designated by the Alliance.

Section 3. At a regular meeting or Board meeting held in North Carolina, a Nominating Committee of at least 3 members shall be elected by the Alliance. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates (with the permission of the nominee) for the offices to be filled at the annual meeting in November. The Nominating Committee shall inform members of the election slate at least 2 weeks before election. Nominations may be made from the floor on election day by members in good standing.

Section 4. Officers of the Alliance will be selected from members. All Executive Board positions of the Alliance are on a purely volunteer basis and there shall be no renumeration for any services provided by the members or officers.

Section 5. The officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one (1) year or until their successors are elected, and their term of office shall begin Jan 1.

Section 6. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same office. After completing a term, officers of the Alliance may be elected to a different position.

Section 7. The general membership, by a 2/3 vote, may remove an officer of the Alliance for failure to perform the duties of that office.

ARTICLE V.
Meetings

Section 1. The regular meetings of the Alliance shall be determined and called by the President or by the Executive Board, to be held no less than once each year, from January through December.

Section 2. The purpose of the regular meetings is to appoint working committees to carry-on events, report on the Alliance's current fiscal status, and educate, inform, and otherwise advance the causes of the organization. General Membership meetings are open to all members.

Section 3. The meeting held in the Fall shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

Section 4. Special meetings can be called by the President or by the Executive Board and shall be called upon the written request of 25% of the members of the Alliance. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least three (3) days notice shall be given.

Section 5. 25% of members in good standing shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum does not exist at a regular meeting, business which requires a vote of the membership may be conducted electronically with a minimum quorum of 25% of the voting membership.

ARTICLE VI
The Executive Board

Section 1. The officers of the Alliance, including Directors, shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Alliance between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Alliance, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Alliance, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Alliance.

Section 3. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be called from time to time by the President or by three (3) members of the Board. At least three (3) days notice shall be given for an electronic meeting, and 3 weeks for a meeting in person. Electronic meetings of the Executive Board shall be considered valid meetings and must comply with all of the requirements of regular Executive Board meetings.

Section 4. The Executive Board shall hold a minimum of two meetings per year.

ARTICLE VII.
Committees

Section 1. Committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as the Alliance or the Executive Board shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the Alliance. The President shall be ex-officio a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE VIII.
Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws can be amended at any regular NCPA or Board meeting (or via electronic vote) by a majority vote of the total membership, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at least 2 weeks before the vote.

ARTICLE IX.
Dissolution by Resolution

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for the religious, charitable, educational, scientific, or literary purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code as the Board of Directors shall determine, or to federal, state, or local governments to be used exclusively for public purposes. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Superior Court of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations, such as the court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes, or to such governments for such purpose.