Introduction

The FAPA-NC is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization registered in the state of North Carolina.

By Laws

Article 1. Name and Term of Existence

1. This organization shall be known as the Filipino-American Performing Artists of North Carolina (hereinafter called "FAPA-NC").
2. The term of existence shall be perpetual.

Article 2. Purpose

1. FAPA-NC is a nonprofit educational organization, which is dedicated to the teaching, promotion and preservation of Philippine arts and culture, primarily through the performing arts.
2. This organization is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

   Our Vision Statement:

   "The Filipino-American Performing Artists of North Carolina (FAPA-NC) is a collaboration of Filipino-Americans in the North Carolina Triangle area who wish to impart to, and share with our generation Filipino culture, history and values through music, dance, literature, drama, visual arts and crafts."

Article 3. Membership

1. Participation in FAPA-NC is open to anyone who is interested in learning about Philippine arts and culture, regardless of religion, physical ability, gender, race, familial status or socio-economic background.
2. The membership of FAPA-NC shall consist of the following categories:
   1. Active performing members, who are at least 18 years of age.
   2. Youth members are active performers who are below 18 years of age. The membership rights of a youth member are delegated to one parent or guardian, who is a member.
   3. Parents or guardians of youth members.
   4. Patron members. Anyone who gives his or her time and financial support to FAPA-NC and at least 18 years of age may be a member.
3. Participation in FAPA-NC activities is a requirement for maintaining active member status.
4. Membership rights are limited to voting in election of officers, and petitioning for financial audit and removal of directors and officers.
5. Members can petition for a financial audit. Signatures from ten (10) percent of the total regular membership are necessary and sufficient for an audit petition.
6. Members can petition to remove a member from the Board of Directors through a petition. Signatures from twenty (25) percent of the total regular membership are sufficient for the petition.
7. Each member is limited to one vote, regardless of the number of positions held in FAPA-NC.
8. A one-time membership fee shall be assessed for all members, except for youth members.

Article 4. Board of Directors

1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of 17 members elected by the general membership, as specified in Article 5: Election of Board Members.
2. All Board members shall serve as officers of FAPA-NC, chairpersons or members of committees, aside from attending to Board functions.
3. Any Board member may be removed from office for failure to perform the functions of office but only by a petition from the regular membership.
4. The President of FAPA-NC shall serve as Chairman of the Board.
5. In the event of vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-president shall fill the position for the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy in any other elected office, the office shall be filled at the next regular or special meeting of the general membership.
6. The responsibilities of the Board include, but is not limited to:
   1. Ascertaining that FAPA-NC is operating in a manner consistent with its mission and purpose.
   2. Fulfilling all of the IRS and state nonprofit reporting requirements.
   3. Reviewing and approving annual programs and budgets.
   4. Reviewing and approving amendments to these bylaws.
   5. Setting yearly membership activities and educational goals for FAPA-NC.
   6. Setting dues and fees at rates, which will cover costs of operation, including honoraria paid to instructors, musicians, and other performers; rental of necessary facilities, and other incidental expenses.
   7. Approving engagements and/or other special activities undertaken in the name of FAPA-NC.
   8. Term of office for the Board of Directors is two years beginning January 1 and ending December 31.
   9. All directors shall serve without compensation.

Article 5. Election of Board Members

1. The Secretary has the responsibility of ensuring that a fair and clean election of officers is held in October of each election year, or whenever an board member has to be replaced.
2. The election of board members shall be done through balloting at a general membership meeting. The top seventeen (17) candidates who receive the largest number of votes become the elected board members of FAPA-NC.
3. Within a month after their election, the newly elected-board shall meet and elect from their number the nine (9) officers and eight (8) committee chairs. The outgoing Secretary shall initially preside at the meeting, but shall relinquish the floor immediately after the President is chosen.
4. The Board of Directors shall set the election date in June of each election year.
5. Nominations for board of directors shall be opened 30 days before the election date.
6. A Nomination Committee shall be composed of the Secretary, who will be the chairperson, and two (2) members appointed by the President. This committee shall nominate and accept nominations from the general membership.
7. Any member of good standing, except youth members, is eligible to become a board member.

Article 6. Officers and Committee chairs

1. FAPA-NC shall have nine (9) officers: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, an Auditor, a Business Manager, a Public Relations Officer (PRO), and 2 Advisers.
2. There shall be eight (8) committees of FAPA-NC, each headed by a chairperson. They are: Music, Dance and Drama, Arts & Crafts, Costume, Ways and Means, Membership, Promotions and Publicity, and Youth Group.

Article 7. Duties and responsibilities

1. President: The President is the executive officer responsible for the operation of FAPA-NC. The President presides at regular and special meetings of the board of directors, officers and general membership. The President shall report to the Board at each regular meeting on problems and progress of FAPA-NC, and shall make recommendations for action to the Committee Chairs.
2. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall have the powers and exercise the duties of the President in the event of the President's absence or incapacity. The Vice-President shall assume the office of President for the unexpired term in case of the President's removal, resignation, or inability to serve. The Vice-President shall also perform those duties which may be assigned, from time to time, by the President or the Board.
3. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all meetings of FAPA-NC and the Board. The Secretary shall sign such documents pertaining to FAPA-NC that he/she may be authorized or directed to sign by the Board. The Secretary shall keep copies of correspondence written by other officers. The Secretary shall keep complete membership and attendance records at meetings. The Secretary notifies officers and members of meetings and other announcements. Other duties may be assigned to the Secretary by the Board.
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds of FAPA-NC. When necessary and proper, the Treasurer may endorse on behalf of FAPA-NC for collection, checks, and other obligations and shall deposit the same to the credit of FAPA-NC. In instances when the Treasurer is unavailable, the President and the Secretary may endorse checks and vouchers. The Treasurer shall make all necessary and proper payments on behalf of FAPA-NC. He/she shall keep all receipts and vouchers for the purpose of a full and accurate account of FAPA-NC, and shall exhibit such books at all reasonable times to any member in good standing. The Treasurer shall keep an inventory of all property of FAPA-NC and provide a copy of this report to the Board, once a year or whenever requested by the Board or general membership.
5. Auditor: The Auditors shall review the books of the previous year and submit a report to the membership. He shall be an ex-officio member of the Costume Committee.
6. Public Relations Officer (PRO): The PRO shall design initiatives to disseminate the goals and objectives of FAPA-NC. He or she is an ex-officio member of the Promotions and Publicity Committee. The PRO shall perform other Public Relations duties as assigned by the Board.
7. Business Manager: The Business Manager shall ensure that all activities approved by the Board can be properly funded. He or she is responsible for acquiring equipment and facilities required for practice and performances. He or she is responsible for scheduling and the logistics involved in practices. He or she shall ensure that the space and logistics requirements of the Dance and Drama, and Musical performances are met. He or she is an ex-officio member of the Ways and Means Committee. He or she shall perform other duties as assigned by the Board.
8. Adviser: The two (2) Advisers shall be ex-officio members of all committees and be responsible for administration and resolution of conflicts.
9. Dance and Drama Committee Chair: The Dance and Drama Committee Chair shall be responsible for conducting dance workshops and for all affairs concerning dance and drama performances. He or she shall be the lead dance instructor and is responsible for the teaching of the dances to performers and assistant instructors. He or she is responsible for choosing dancers for a performance. He or she is responsible for the final performance environment, including lights, and props. He or she will coordinate with the different committees, but for a dance and drama performance, the final say in matters of dance and drama performances lies with the Dance and Drama Committee Chair. The Dance and Drama Committee chair is responsible for carrying out the educational goals of FAPA-NC with respect to dance and drama.
10. Music Committee Chair: The Music Committee Chair shall be responsible for all affairs concerning musical performances. He or she is responsible for teaching songs. He or she is responsible for choosing singers and musicians for a musical performance. He or she shall support the Dance and Drama Committee Chair in dance and drama performances. The Music Committee chair is responsible for carrying out the educational goals of FAPA-NC with respect to music.
11. Arts & Crafts Committee Chair: The Arts & Crafts Committee Chair shall support the Music and Dance and Drama Committee Chairs in their performance requirements. He or she shall be responsible for teaching and creation of arts and crafts in support of FAPA-NC's activities.
12. Costume Committee Chair: The Costume Committee Chair shall be responsible for the design, acquisition and creation of costumes for musical, dance and drama performances. He or she shall support the Music and Dance and Drama Committee Chairs with the costume requirements for the performances. He or she shall be responsible for the storage of the costumes in between performances. The Costume Committee chair shall be responsible for tracking of and billing for costumes, as well as assessment of fines for lost or mishandled costumes. The collection of money is the responsibility of the Treasurer. The Costume Committee Chair shall keep an inventory of all costumes owned by FAPA-NC and provide a copy of this report to the Treasurer and the Board.
13. Ways and Means Committee Chair: The Ways and Means Committee Chair shall be responsible for recommending fund-raising projects to the Board. He or she shall be responsible for planning and conducting fundraisers for FAPA-NC. He or she shall coordinate after-performance parties following major performances. He or she shall be responsible for meeting the transportation needs of FAPA-NC to and from performances.
14. Membership Committee Chair: The Membership Committee Chair shall be responsible for recruiting and soliciting new participants to FAPA-NC. He or she shall recommend members to the committee chairs. He or she shall notify the Secretary of new members. The Secretary shall sit as a member of the Membership Committee.
15. Promotions & Publicity Committee Chair: The Promotions & Publicity Committee Chair shall be responsible for ensuring that FAPA-NC activities receive adequate publicity. He or she shall be responsible for disseminating the goals and performances of FAPA-NC to the general public. He or she shall compile a local media list, distribute press releases, and make follow-up phone calls to the media. He or she shall be responsible for entertaining donors and the media. He or she shall be responsible for developing and maintaining the FAPA-NC website.
16. Youth Group Committee Chair: The Youth Group Committee Chair shall be responsible for planning and coordinating activities for, ensuring security and safety of, and promoting discipline among the youth members. He or she shall act as liaison between the youth group and the Board.

Article 8. Meetings

1. There are three official FAPA-NC meetings: board directors, officers and general membership.
2. The quorum for board meetings is the majority of directors.
3. The quorum for officers' meetings is the majority of officers.
4. The quorum for general membership meetings is the majority of directors, plus one regular member.
5. Each director, officer or member present shall possess one vote in meetings. Vote by proxy shall not be allowed.
6. A majority vote of those voting or general consensus is necessary to transact any business.
7. The Board shall meet at least once per year.
8. The officers shall meet every quarter and whenever deemed necessary by the President.
9. Notification for regular meetings must be completed at least two weeks in advance by e-mail or phone call by the Secretary or designate.
10. Notification for special or emergency meetings must be completed at least two days in advance by e-mail and phone call by the Secretary or designate.

Article 9. Amendments

1. These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting thereof.
2. Any member can recommend amendments to these by-laws by writing to any member of the board.

Article 10. Powers

1. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of FAPA-NC and such authority may be confined to specific instances.
2. FAPA-NC is empowered to employ, buy, own, pay, sell, convey, assign, mortgage, lease, or maintain the space, equipment, supplies, and services necessary or incidental to the provisions of the purposes of FAPA-NC as described in Article 2 hereof and to exercise all other powers as provided by law, and to do and perform all acts reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of FAPA-NC.

Article 11. Special Notices Regarding Tax Exemption

1. No part of FAPA-NC's assets or net earnings may be used to the benefit of private individuals. This does not preclude the payment of any reasonable fees for goods or services provided to FAPA-NC.
2. n the event of dissolution of FAPA-NC, FAPA-NC's assets will be distributed to another nonprofit organization that is exempt under section 501(c)3 status of the Internal Revenue Code.
3. FAPA-NC shall not have as a substantial part of its activities attempt to influence, carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation except to the extent permitted by section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
4. It is intended that FAPA-NC be entitled to exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and shall not be a private foundation as described in section 501(a) of the Code.