Article I. Purpose
1. The name of this organization is the Twin Cities Labor Chorus.
2. The mission of the Labor Chorus is:
to support the struggles of workers, organized and unorganized
to promote the values of unions and collective action
to communicate the rich tradition and history of the international labor movement
through its music and poetry
to promote solidarity through community singing in the service of worker and
social justice
3. Membership in the Chorus is open to all workers, retired workers, students, and others
who meet the requirements established by the Board of Trustees.
Article II. Board of Trustees
1. Governance of the Chorus rests in the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will
consist of a minimum of five (5) members. Trustees will serve without pay.
2. Trustees and officers will be elected by the Chorus at the final scheduled rehearsal of
the fiscal year. Any Chorus member who has attended rehearsal and performances
regularly for at least six months, as determined by the Board, will be eligible to vote.
3. Terms of Trustees will be staggered. For the initial election, the Secretary, Treasurer
and at least one (1) Trustee position will serve a term of two (2) years. The Chair and
at least one (1) Trustee will serve an initial term of one (1) year.
a) Prior to the election, the Board will nominate a slate of candidates. The slate
will be submitted to the Chorus for its approval.
b) Additional candidates for each officer or Trustee position may be nominated
from the floor by Chorus members.
c) A candidate must receive a majority of votes cast for that position to be
elected. If there are more than two candidates, the candidate with the fewest
number of votes will be eliminated from consideration. Ballots will be cast on
the remaining candidates until one receives a majority.
4. Trustees are responsible for:
Establishing policies to advance the artistic, social and financial strength of the
Chorus
Appointing a Director to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Chorus
Ensuring that the Chorus meets obligations required by donors and the Chorus’ fiscal
agent
Nominating an annual slate of candidates to fill officer and Trustee positions
Creating standing and ad hoc committees as needed
4. A majority of trustees will be current or past members of a bona fide labor union.
5. Trustees may serve terms of two (2) years each. No Trustee may serve more than two
(2) full terms consecutively.
6. Board vacancies will be filled by two-thirds majority vote of seated Trustees.
Article III. Officers
1. The officers of the Labor Chorus are the Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
2. Elected officers will hold their office for two (2) years. They may be elected or re-
elected as long as they are eligible to remain on the Board.
3. a) The Chair presides at all Board meetings, appoints committee members, and
performs other duties required by the office.
b) The Secretary is responsible for the minutes of the Board, keeps an archive of all
approved minutes, and makes copies of approved minutes available to all Chorus
members and other parties who request them.
c) The Treasurer keeps record of the organization’s assets, handles routine financial
transactions as required, prepares an annual budget, and prepares written financial
reports before each regular meeting and as needed.
d) If the Chair is absent from a Board meeting, the Trustees present will select from
among themselves who will preside.
Article IV. Meetings
1. Regular meetings will be held three (3) times a year.
2. Agendas will be provided in writing at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of all
meetings.
3. Upon advance written request from any Trustee, or upon verbal request at the
beginning of any regular meeting, additional items will be added to the agenda.
4. a) Special meetings may be held at any time when called for by the Chair or by a
majority of seated Trustees. The purpose of the special meeting will be stated in
advance. Only that business may be handled at the special meeting.
b) At least seventy-two (72) hours’ notice must be given of a special meeting.
5. Unless otherwise dictated in these by-laws, meetings of the Board, its committees and
the Chorus will be conducted following Roberts Rules of Order when necessary.
Article V. Voting
1. A quorum is required to conduct all routine Board business. A majority of filled Board
positions constitutes a quorum.
2. Passage of a motion requires a simple majority of Trustees present.
3. a) Recommendation of these by-laws or amendments to these by-laws, the filling of
Board vacancies, and business matters affecting the fiscal policies covered in
Article VI require at least a two-thirds vote of seated Trustees.
b) The proposals or policies to be voted upon under Section 3a) of this article must be
provided in writing to each Board member at least forty-eight (48) hours in
advance.
c) Trustees may participate in a meeting via phone, video conference or other electronic
means.
d) In the event two-thirds of Trustees cannot be present at a regular or special meeting for
items of business described in Section 3a) of this article, absent Trustees may cast
their vote in writing to the chair within twenty-four (24) hours before or after the
scheduled start of the meeting.
VI. Fiscal Policies
1. The fiscal year of the Chorus is the same as the year used by the current fiscal agent. If
the Chorus does not have a fiscal agent, the calendar year will be the fiscal year.
2. The fiscal agent of the Chorus is the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation’s Labor
Studies and Resource Center.
3. The Board will establish policies on fees for Chorus appearances, for seeking grants,
and for maintaining the fiscal viability of the Chorus.
VII. Conflict of Interest
Any Trustee who has a financial conflict or the appearance of a financial conflict with
any matter pending before the Board, of such nature that it prevents or may prevent
that Trustee from acting in an impartial manner, will abstain from voting on that
matter, and have the abstention noted in the official minutes.
VIII. Ratification
Approval of these by-laws or amendments to these by-laws requires a two-thirds majority
vote by members of the Chorus, as defined in Article II, Section 2.
