Artists' Open Studios Bylaws
Bylaws Revision Adopted 2007
Article 1.
Name: Artists’ Open Studios of Northeastern Connecticut
Article 2.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to organize and promote Artists’ Open Studio tours in Northeastern Connecticut in order to provide the public with unique opportunities to meet artists and to explore a wide variety of art forms.
Goals:
1. To promote Northeastern Connecticut as a center of art.
2. To provide opportunity for artists to exhibit original work to the public.
3. To develop a sense of shared community and support among artists.
4. To foster the concept that success for one artist benefits all artists.
5. To present Artists’ Open Studios as a venue for purchasing art.
Article 3.
Membership:
The group accepts membership of individuals without discrimination.
Exhibitors: Work must be presented to the public by the artist within the geographical area listed below. To exhibit as part of the tour one must be a member with dues currently paid and open studio fee paid.
Membership Year: June 1 to May 31st.
Geographical Area: Included towns are: Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Stafford, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Willington, Windham, Woodstock, Sterling.
Article 4.
Officers: Officers are elected by a simple majority of those attending the fall meeting. Terms of office are two years. Incomplete terms of office will be filled by the Chairman.
Chairman:
Presides at meetings and elections.
Is the official representative of the organization.
Solicits agenda items from general membership.
Assures that members concerns are being addressed.
Solicits volunteers for committees as needed.
Vice Chairman:
Presides in the absence of the chairman and acts at the chairman’s request.
Assumes the position of Chairman if the Chairman cannot complete their term of office.
Acts as timekeeper at meetings, to keep the agenda on schedule.
Treasurer:
Manages the financial aspects of the organization.
Presents a financial report at least twice a year.
Pays all bills incurred by the group.
Keeps flyer committee and membership chair informed of status of members.
Recording Secretary:
Records the proceedings of the steering committee meetings and general meetings.
Sends notices of meetings, agendas, and minutes to the membership.
Holds committee operational files.
Membership Chairman:
Provides new members with information about the organization.
Maintains communication with members.
Utilizes dues payment information from the Treasurer to keep membership list current
Article 5.
Steering Committee:
The Steering Committee is responsible for the details of running Open Studios.
The Steering Committee consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chairman, and the regional publicity chairmen.
The Steering Committee is responsible for determining the annual dues, open studio fee, and open studio dates.
Committees, which report to the Steering Committee, include but are not limited to:
Flyer
Publicity
Public Relations
Web site
Membership
Article 6.
By Law changes are by vote of the entire membership requiring a two thirds majority. The vote may be a paper ballot or electronic transmission.
Article 7.
Dissolution: If the organization dissolves, any remaining funds will be given to a relief organization for fine artists and for fine craft artists.
Article 8.
Work presented must be original and designed by the artist. No kits are allowed.