BY LAWS

ARTICLE I   -   Name

The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the Tri-State Judges Association, hereinafter called the TSJA.

ARTICLE II   -   Purpose

2.1 The purpose of the TSJA shall be to aid the development of pageantry activities, encourage the development of camaraderie, spirit and artistic merit through healthy competition and to facilitate growth and development of their ethical standards and overall quality level, so it will be of maximum benefit to its participants.

2.2 To ensure fair and honest evaluation of such competition by training and maintaining a staff of capable adjudicators and providing for continuing education and accreditation for prospective adjudicators.

ARTICLE III   -   Membership

3.1 Any person who submits the proper application and fees may be eligible to apply for membership in the TSJA.

3.2 There shall be two different classifications for adjudicators in TSJA. Members who consider TSJA as their primary association and/or accomplish 2 or more assignments in one season shall be classified as Primary Members. Members who regularly participate as guest judges, but who have membership in another association will be considered Associate Members. Annual membership dues will be $25.00 and there will be a $5.00 administrative fee per assignment.

3.3 A properly completed application and resume shall be submitted to the Executive Director. A prospective fee of $50.00 will be submitted to the Business Manger concurrently. At the conclusion of the training process and 2 assignments, the $50.00 shall be returned.

3.4 The prospective adjudicator shall be assigned field trials and clinics to attend in his/her caption. The number of field trials may vary based upon the prospective’s ability to learn and his/her experience.

3.5 Upon successful completion of the field trials and appropriate clinics the Education Coordinator or Percussion Coordinator shall recommend to the Executive Director that the prospective adjudicator be classified as a Primary Member.

3.6 In order to maintain an accredited adjudicator status, each adjudicator must follow the terms and conditions set forth in the continuing education process.

3.7 Every member shall abide by the articles in the charter and by laws, and abide bv the action approved and/or taken by the management of TSJA at either regular or special meetings.

3.8 Any member may resign from the TSJA by submitting in writing, a resignation to the Executive Board. However, such resignation shall not relieve the person from the responsibility of returning and accounting for any records, monies, training materials, equipment and any other properties belonging to the TSJA.

3.9 A member adjudicator must work a minimum two contests each year.

3.10 All adjudicators must comply with the ethical guidelines of WGI.

ARTICLE IV   -   Organizational and Administrative Structure

4.2  Nominations for the offices of Executive Director, Associate Director, Percussion Coordinator and Education Coordinator may be made at the annual meeting at which the balloting takes place.  These nominations may only be initiated by accredited adjudicators in good standing. Nomination for carriage of existing Board may be offered or the floor opened to new nominations for a specific office in the interest of efficiency. Business Manager and Member(s) at Large are appointed positions.

4.3 Any active member in good standing with two (2) years consecutive service with the TSJA is eligible for election to, or appointment to any office or committee of the TSJA.

4.4 Any other appointments may be made by the Executive Board as the need arises.

4.5 The newly elected and appointed officers will be installed immediately after the elections, thereby assuming their responsibilities of their respective offices.

4.6  Duties of Officers:

4.6.1  The Executive Director shall:

• Be the head of the general membership, the chairman of the executive committee, and ex-officio member of all committees.
• Be responsible to make emergency decisions for the TSJA, subject to approval of the executive committee.
• Be responsible for the ethical interaction and conduct of the TSJA with other organizations of common interest.
• Serve as chief judge for the TSJA and as the liaison to the TSC.
• Preside over the annual meeting, general meetings, and all meeting of the Executive Board of Officers.  Roberts Rules of Order need not be followed.
• Make final approval decision of all judging assignments.
• Only votes in case of a tie.
• Attends all meetings of the Tri-State Circuit.

4.6.2  The Associate (Personnel) Director shall:

• Perform the duties of the Executive Chairman when he/she is not present at meetings or whenever that office is declared vacant.
• Be responsible for publicity and for the recruitment of new members.
• Promote and to provide information designed to inform the membership and enhance the goals and objectives of the judges association.
• Collect all applications and resumes and forward them the Executive Director.
• Make judging assignments for color guard captions.
• Supervises all color guard judges.
• Send a copy of the bylaws, roster and training program to Winter Guard International (WGI) to maintain bona fide status for TSJA.

4.6.3 The Business Manger shall:

• Keep minutes of all meetings of the general membership and the meetings of the Board of Directors. Minutes of previous meetings are read at the following meetings and filed as approved or corrected.
• Issue financial reports at all the meetings of the general membership and of the Board of Directors.

4.6.4 The Education Coordinator shall:

• Be responsible for organizing and planning all educational activities and materials for the circuit such as adjudicator and instructor clinics or any other projects deemed necessary for the continued education of the membership.
• Work closely with the Education Director of the circuit to plan activities for circumstances where color guards and adjudicators may interact.

4.6.5 The Percussion Coordinator shall:

• Supervise, train and make judging assignments for all percussion judges.
• Collaborate with the Education Coordinator to insure the continued growth of the educational process for the percussion judges.
• Reports all relevant issues to the Executive Director.

4.6.6 The At Large Member(s) shall:

• Server as a representative of the TSJA to other organizations.
• Provide assistance to other Board Member in their duties.

4.7 Appointments - With approval of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director may appoint a staff to assist in any areas of support.

ARTICLE V   -   Annual Meeting

5.1 The annual meeting of this organization shall be held between the first day of May and the first day of July. The annual meeting will be for both the Board and the general membership.

5.2 Special meetings may be called when necessary by the Executive Director.

5.3 A quorum shall be constituted by the majority of the Board Members present at the meeting.

5.4 All votes for election of officers of the TSJA shall be cast by secret ballot.

ARTICLE VI   -   Records and Finances

6.1 The business address of the TSJA shall be the same as the address of the Business Manager.

6.2 The TSJA shall keep correct and complete records of accounts and minutes of its meetings, which may be inspected by any active member, for any purpose at any reasonable time.

6.3 An annual budget will be determined by the Board of Directors.

6.4 The fiscal year shall commence on the first day of May each year and shall be the same for all record keeping purposes.

6.5 An audit of the treasurers report will be performed annually under the supervision of the Board President and the Business Manger.

ARTICLE VII   -   Amendments to the Charter and Bylaws

7.1 The charter and bylaws may be amended by a majority of the members present at any regular full membership meeting of the circuit.

7.2 All charter and bylaw proposed changes must be submitted two weeks prior to a full membership meeting. They will be published and voted upon prior to November 30.