Bylaws of Drum Corps Network

Article I

A. The name of the organization is Drum Corps Network or DCN

B. The purpose of the organization is to promote the act of drum corps, music, and the musicians of drum corps. This organization is established to provide musicians of drum corps with the opportunity to play, communicate, and collaborate. It will strive to instill teamwork, responsibility, dedication, and perseverance for self-improvement in the people and organizations involved. It will provide a link of communication between drum corps, organizations supporting drum corps, and organizations that can utilize drum corps and their abilities. The organization will reach people of all ages through the interest of music.
The primary role of Drum Corps Network is to provide a means of communication between organizations to accomplish their directives. DCN will communicate with Host organizations to establish competitions or venues of performance and communicate with members, associate members, and the public to bring them together for the shows. These public performances include, but are not limited to DCN officiated competitions, DCN officiated performances (non competition), parades, and concerts.

Article II – Board of Directors

A. Board of Directors shall be comprised of the officers of the organization who act to fulfill the responsibilities and purpose of the organization. They shall be dedicated to benefiting the corps and preserving the organization.

B. The board shall consist of at least three (3) officers. The head director, director of finances, and secretary. The board may be expanded to include any officers and positions necessary to fulfill its responsibilities including, but not limited to, executive director (or assistant director), director of I.T., director of communications, and director of competitions.

C. Meetings shall be at least once a month at a day, time, and location as appointed by the board. Minutes shall be kept by the secretary of the board and kept on file for the board and its officers to review. The meeting will be headed by the head director if that officer is present, then by the executive director if the position is filled and that officer is present, or the secretary if none of the above are available. If quorum is not met, the meeting must be voted for adjournment. Otherwise, it may continue for discussion, without any official votes, until quorum is met. A vote for adjournment must be unanimous.

D. Quorum shall be at least 50% of the officers of the board.

E. Officers of the board shall be elected by the existing board when a new position is created, or a vacancy is being filled. Once a person is elected, they must be ratified by a majority (2/3) vote by the current board of directors.

F. In the event of a vacancy on the board of directors, and the vacancy is a primary position (the required of head director, director of finances or secretary), the board must find a replacement. If the position is a secondary position, the head director may chose to find a replacement, or reassign the responsibilities appropriately to the remaining officers.

G. In the event that a primary position is left vacant, or an officer of the organization is better suited for another position a reassignment may be done of the officer(s) and positions involved. If the position is a primary position the officer can be nominated by an officer of the board, confirmed by a second officer, and reassigned by a majority (2/3) vote. If the reassignment is to better use an officer’s abilities, the reassignment must be voluntary and approved by a majority vote (50%) of the board. A majority (2/3) vote can reassign any non-primary officer of the board.

H. The terms of commitment for an officer of the board shall be for life. An officer can only be removed by resignation, death, or disciplinary action.

I. An officer of the board may resign by handing in a dated notice of resignation. The officer may resign after the head director has confirmed their notice of resignation. The head director must confirm resignation within 21 days of the notice. In the event that the officer resigning is the head director, a new head director must be reassigned or appointed by the board before that officer may hand in their notice of resignation.

J. Disciplinary action may be pursued against an officer of the board if they are found to be operating unscrupulously, deceptively, are abusing policy or organization bylaws, violating federal, or state laws, or other forms of misconduct in, or outside of the organization. Disciplinary action may be a suspension of 1 week, 30 days, or removal from the board, as deemed necessary by the board. If a suspension is given, the responsibilities must be reassigned to the remaining officers of the board. Dismissal of an officer shall be treated as a vacancy in the board.

K. Compensation and indemnification. Any officer of the board may be indemnified by the organization. Compensation and reimbursement may be given to any board member for use of time, equipment, or other things that strain an officer’s personal resources such as means of transportation and temporary lodging. If the time demand of an officer is great enough, they may be compensated with a salary as chosen by the board. The officer may also be given health benefits or means of transportation by the organization. All means of transportation and lodging given to officers of the board remain property of the organization.

Article III – Members, Hosts, and Affiliates

A. Members

1. Members of the organization shall be drum corps that are registered as 501(c)(3) organizations that will compete or perform in competitions, parades and other events.

2. Drum corps wishing to become members must fill out membership forms and provide proof of non-profit status. Once submitted and their paperwork has been reviewed to meet bylaw and policy requirements the board will hold a vote. The board must vote on all memberships that have been applied for at least 5 business days before the meeting. New members must be ratified by a majority (2/3) vote.

3. The categories of competition and other requirements for members will be chosen by the board each year. If no changes are made the categories and requirements will remain the same as the year before.

4. The organization (DCN) will provide members with means of communication with itself, other members, and hosts and well as other resources needed to support their drum corps

5. The members will be charged dues at the beginning of the year that is due at the time set forth by the board. Extensions may be applied for and handled on an individual basis.

6. Members may be distributed reimbursements as needed for traveling or other expenses occurred during the competition.

7. Members in financial difficulty may be given financial aid, as determined by the board, to assist them in their efforts to complete Article I Section B

8. If changes or disorderly conduct with a member organization cause it to not longer meet the requirement of DCN’s bylaws or policies, the board must vote to have them removed. A majority (2/3) vote will remove that member from the association

B. Associate Members

1. Associate Members of the organization shall be musical or performance groups and organizations, including but not limited to drum corps, that do not meet the membership criteria.

2. Associate Members may not compete in DCN run competitions but may perform in exhibition, parades, and other events.

3. Associate Members may be charged dues at the discretion of the board or its appointed officer to allow them access to the resources and privileges of members

4. The amount of resources and privileges granted to Associate Members shall be decided by the board or its appointed officer on an individual basis.

5. Associate Members may be distributed reimbursements as needed for traveling or other expenses occurred during exhibition events.

C. Hosts

1. Hosts will be other organizations that through the use of DCN resources will put on a competition officiated by DCN for the benefit of the members and associate members of DCN

2. Hosts will be required to make available the necessary facilities to host an event such as a competition or performance

3. Hosts will be given the means of communication with the competing members, announcements on the website and other postings, resources such as ticket sales and equipment as needed and agreed upon by the board of directors and the host

4. A portion of the proceeds will be kept by DCN to reimburse them for the expenses incurred, depending on the type of event as directed yearly by the board

D. Affiliates

1. Affiliates are any organization or business involved by advertising, sponsorships, donations, or similar interest of purpose.

2. Affiliates will generate or donate finances, equipment, interest, and/or interaction for DCN, its members, and hosts

3. Affiliates will be given contact information of Members, Associate Members and Hosts as well access to records such as scoring for means of communication, selection, and advancement of purpose, but not for soliciting. (e.g. an affiliate business that manufactures marching shoes may research the corps with best overall marching performance and contact them about a sponsorship of free marching shoes to advertise their brand.)

Article IV – Conflicts of Interests

The organization is formed to support and provide opportunities for drum corps and other performing ensembles, to encourage personal growth through responsibility, dedication, and commitment. No officer, member, host, associate or affiliate may allow other conflicts of interest to guide their judgment or affect decisions that could redirect the organization from this cause or for self gain.

A. Directors: When a conflict of interest is involved that officer is excluded from the vote and from authority of any decision pertaining to that issue. This includes votes to bring on to full time, salary, provide benefits, or increase such things for an officer. An officer of the board is not to become involved beyond professional contact with any members, hosts, or affiliates.

B. Members: Since the organization is dedicated to all corps, members and perspective members, to avoid conflicts of interest and corps directing the organization for their own purposes the members of DCN are non-voting and do not direct policy or issues with the board. However, the board of directors shall seriously consider all opinions and options voiced by members, hosts, and affiliates that are properly submitted.

C. Associates: Associates may only submit proposals to DCN for involvement and enhancement of activities. Associates my not participate in any business decisions.

Article V – Property

A. DCN may purchase, own, lease, or develop property for its use. Any property owned by DCN may be distributed for lease or use by its members

B. DCN may acquire or purchase goods or commodities for use. Any goods or commodities owned by DCN may be distributed for lease or use by its members

C. DCN may lease and borrow goods or commodities and properly reimburse the lender

D. DCN may sell any property owned for its current market or estimated value

E. DCN may donate any goods or commodities it has acquired and receive reimbursement for it.

Article VI – Dissolution

A. In the event that DCN is dissolved it must first return any property or goods that it does not directly own

1. Any leases on goods must be closed

2. Any goods borrowed or loaned to the organization must be returned and reimbursement made if necessary.

3. Any leases on property must then be closed

B. All property or goods owned by DCN must be distributed to organizations of similar interest

1. Property and goods, starting with property, may first be sold so any standing debts or payout/final payments on leases or other goods my be paid in full if possible. Only the property and goods necessary to repay debt should be sold.

2. Once debts, final payments or payouts on leases or loans have been settled all remaining property or goods must be donated to other non profit organizations if possible.

Article VII – Amendments and Additions

A. Additions

1. Additions may be added to address any issues missed that are required by law with a simple majority (50%) with quorum

2. An addition may be added with at majority (2/3) without quorum in an emergency for legal compliance.

3. If there is no legal issue amendments must be ratified by a majority(2/3) of the board with quorum

4. Any violations of the Additions code (e.g. declaring an emergency vote and bypassing quorum or taking 50% with quorum when there is no emergency) may be challenged by the board with majority (50%) within 20 days and be over ridden.

B. Amendments

1. Amendments may be made to existing articles (I-V) with a majority vote (2/3) of the board when necessary to address changes in the organization

2. Articles VI and VII can only be changed by a unanimous vote by the board when all officers (in person or via telecommunication) are present, to protect the structure of the organization. If an officer is unable to attend, they may send written request for “dismissal from vote” and allow the board a ‘unanimous’ decision without them