The Association shall be known as the ILLINOIS GRADE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION, SOUTHERN DIVISION.

Article 2 - Purpose

Section 1

The purpose of the Illinois Grade School Music Association, Southern Division, shall be to encourage, aid, and further music education in the elementary, middle, and junior high schools in the State of Illinois.

Section 2

The Association shall sponsor contests among elementary, middle, and junior high school bands, orchestras, choruses, soloists, and ensembles in the Districts of the Southern Division. Annually, the Association shall conduct a final or State contest, bringing together the qualifying participants of the Districts.

Article 3 - Membership

Section 1

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP Active members of this Association shall be those public and denominational schools represented by the music directors and administrators who have paid the membership dues established by the Association

Section 2

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP Associate members of this Association shall be those interested parties who have paid the dues established by the Association. This membership carries all privileges except the right to vote at business meetings of the Association or to hold office in the Association.

Article 4 - Official Positions

Section 1

The officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2

Each District shall appoint or elect a chairperson to manage District affairs. The appointment or election of the District Chairperson shall not be contingent upon whether or not this person is a contest host of any particular year.

Section 3

The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall be composed of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, District Chairpersons. The immediate Past President shall be an ex-officio member.

In the event that a specific area (band, chorus, orchestra) is not represented on the Executive Committee, the President shall have the right to appoint a consultant in that particular area.

Article 5 - Elections

Section 1

All officers of the Association shall be elected by a simple majority of the Active Membership in attendance at the Annual Business Meeting and shall serve for a term of one year.

Vacancies which occur between elections shall be filled by presidential appointment with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 2

VOTING Active members in good standing shall have the right to vote. Each membership shall be entitled to one vote only.

In such cases where decisions are close, the membership may request by motion to conduct and record a Roll Call vote of the membership present at the business meeting.

In matters of policy which concern a specific classification (band, orchestra, chorus), only members of this classification shall vote.

Section 3

The NOMINATION COMMITTEE shall be appointed by the president. This committee shall be composed of the District Chairperson or his representative from each District. One of the District Chairpersons shall be appointed by the President to serve in the capacity of presiding officer.

Section 4

NOMINATING PROCEDURE The Nominating Committee shall submit a slate of candidates for the various offices to the membership of the Association at the annual business meeting of the Association. In the event the committee cannot agree on any one candidate for any one office, the slate submitted shall include the manes of two candidates with the highest number of votes. Other nominations may be made from the floor.

Article 6 - Districts

Section 1

The ILLINOIS GRADE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION, SOUTHERN DIVISION, shall be comprised of five districts divided geographically by counties as follows:

DISTRICT ONE - Pike, Scott, Morgan Sangamon, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery

DISTRICT TWO - Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Edgar, Christian, Shelby, Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Fayette, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford

DISTRICT THREE - Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Randolph

DISTRICT FOUR - Marion, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash

DISTRICT FIVE - St. Clair, Clinton, Washington, Monroe, Madison, Bond

Section 2

This Association shall have the power to legislate in matters which concern the administration of the individual Districts. It shall be the duty of the officers of the Association to adjust differences which concern Districts. The general policy in the conduct of District affairs shall follow that of the Association insofar as local conditions may permit. The Association shall be the final authority in matters concerning the conduct of the Districts.

Article 7 - Meetings

Section 1

The annual State Meeting of this Association shall be held prior to December 1 at a site designated by the President.

Section 2

Each District shall hold at least one meeting annually prior to the annual State Meeting of the Association.

Section 3

The Executive Committee shall meet prior to the annual State Meeting and at such other times as deemed necessary.

Article 8 - Finance

Section 1

The operating expense of the Association shall be paid out of the general fund of the Association. Said fund shall consist of all monies received, such as school membership dues, solo, ensemble, and organization per capita fees, and monies received from other sources.

Section 2

The expenses of conducting the State Contests shall be borne by the Association, however, the Association shall assume no responsibility for the financing of a District Contest.

Section 3

The per annum salary and expense account of all officers and members of the Executive Committee shall be established by a two-thirds vote of the active membership in attendance at the annual State Meeting of the Association. Personal expenses shall include meals, lodging, and mileage at a per mile rate established by the Association. Said expenses shall apply only when said officers and/or executive committee members presence is required on the Association's business.

Section 4

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be bounded to the upper limits of his yearly financial receipts.

Section 5

The Association shall have insurance adequate to cover the contest supply inventories stored by the Vice-President and the Secretary-Treasurer in their respective homes and/or schools.

Article 9 - Communications

Section 1

All state communications shall be mailed to one music director and administrator of each school on the active roster of the Association.

Section 2

Copies of the Constitution and By Laws, including all revisions and additions, shall be made available to the membership of the Association.

Article 10 - Amendments

Section 1

Each amendment to the Constitution and /or By Laws of the Association must be approved by two-thirds vote of the active members in good standing in attendance at the annual State Meeting of the Association.