Purpose
Ever hear about a gatherin' somewhere, after it was too late to get there? Well, so have most of the rest of us!
Seems like every time we get together, somebody says something about how we should coordinate better. Sounds good, and we all agree - but then hardly anything happens. Hopefully, various elements of this organization will help to end that problem!
Cowboy Poets of Utah was organized in 2000 as a nonprofit corporation to perpetuate the cultural traditions of poetry, storytelling, music, and other folk arts of the American West and the Cowboy Life.
While it will not seek to limit or restrict the personal activities of individual members in publishing, performing, or recording, Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. seeks to establish a collective voice for the enhancement of traditional Western arts and culture; provide forums for their presentation, performance, and publication; and afford opportunities for members, youth, and other interested parties for education and improvement.
We are particularly interested in preserving our western heritage through the voices of our youth, and do seek to encourage young poets and performers to develop their talents and to perpetuate the values of our traditional western culture.
Cowboy Poets of Utah will cooperate with other like-minded organizations in achieving these purposes.
Seems like every time we get together, somebody says something about how we should coordinate better. Sounds good, and we all agree - but then hardly anything happens. Hopefully, various elements of this organization will help to end that problem!
Cowboy Poets of Utah was organized in 2000 as a nonprofit corporation to perpetuate the cultural traditions of poetry, storytelling, music, and other folk arts of the American West and the Cowboy Life.
While it will not seek to limit or restrict the personal activities of individual members in publishing, performing, or recording, Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. seeks to establish a collective voice for the enhancement of traditional Western arts and culture; provide forums for their presentation, performance, and publication; and afford opportunities for members, youth, and other interested parties for education and improvement.
We are particularly interested in preserving our western heritage through the voices of our youth, and do seek to encourage young poets and performers to develop their talents and to perpetuate the values of our traditional western culture.
Cowboy Poets of Utah will cooperate with other like-minded organizations in achieving these purposes.
By-Laws
Name of Corporation:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc.
Corporate Address:
The address of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. shall be the address of the current Treasurer.
Membership:
Open to any person, upon payment of annual dues, who is willing to uphold the purposes and ethics of the organization.
Active Membership will be granted upon payment of annual dues in the amount of $20.00. Renewal dues are $15.00. Couples join for $30.00. Couples renewal $25.00.
Youth Membership will be granted to any person under age 18 upon payment of annual dues of $5.00. Youth Membership affords all benefits and privileges of membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. except voting rights. Persons under 18 can be Active Members upon payment of $20.00 annual dues.
Board of Directors:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and three at-large Board members. All Board Members must hold and maintain Active Membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. throughout their terms of office. Any Active Member of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. is eligible for service on the Board of Directors upon nomination and election and/or ratification by the Active Membership.
Selection of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be by nomination and election of the Active Membership.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman will select three at-large Board Members from among the Active Membership. The selection of Board Members is subject to ratification by the General Membership. If a candidate selected by the Chairman and Vice Chairman fails to win ratification, Active Members will nominate candidates and fill the seat by election.
The Chairman of the Board will serve a term of two years, and cannot succeed himself or herself in office.
The Vice Chairman of the Board will serve a two-year term and cannot succeed himself or herself in office.
The terms of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall overlap, with terms expiring in alternating years.
At-Large Board Members will serve two-year terms. The terms will coincide with the term of the Chairman of the Board. Board Members can succeed themselves in office a maximum of three consecutive terms subject to nomination by the Chairman and Vice Chairman and ratification by the Active Membership, or upon nomination and election by the Active Membership to fill an open seat.
Board of Directors or Executive Committee can present changes in the Constitution or Bylaws of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. for a vote by the Active Membership. Active Members may petition or approach the Board of Directors for change, but may not offer motions to enact changes to the Constitution or Bylaws from the floor during any meeting of the Active Membership.
Past and present members of the Board of Directors may serve in other offices or capacities in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc.
Executive Officers:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be operated by Executive Officers, subject to supervision by the Board of Directors. Any Active Member is eligible for Executive Office.
Executive Offices consist of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Executive Officers must hold and maintain Active Membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. throughout their terms of office.
All five Executive Officers, including Secretary and Treasurer, will be nominated and elected from among and by Active Members.
Term of office for Executive Officers shall be one year. Other officers shall serve by appointment of the President, and serve the same term upon ratification by the Active Members. The President will serve one year then move up to become a member of the Board of Directors to serve for one year. At the end of that term, the former would be eligible to run for 2nd Vice President. 1st Vice President will serve one year, then move up as President. 2nd Vice President will serve one year, then move up as 1st Vice President.
All elections will be held at the yearly CPU Symposium in January.
Election Procedures:
Each Active Member in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. is entitled to one vote. Any Active Member may nominate any other Active Member for the elective offices of President and Vice President, Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The current office holder, if eligible, will automatically be placed on the ballot. All nominations from among the active membership will be placed on the ballot, after the initial nomination has received a second by another active member.
Candidates receiving a majority of ballots cast will be declared winners. In cases where no candidate receives a majority of ballots cast, voting will continue, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes eliminated in each succeeding round of balloting, until one candidate wins a majority of the ballots cast.
Ballots may be cast in general meetings of the Active Membership by voice vote, show of hands, or secret ballot. The means of casting votes is at the discretion of the 2nd Vice President conducting the meeting, subject to approval of Active Members in attendance.
The result of all elections and balloting by the Active Membership will be final.
If a duly elected officer is unable to complete his or her term of office and must be replaced, the office will be filled by nomination at a regularly scheduled meeting, and determined by a majority of members present at that meeting.
Regularly scheduled meetings are those meetings advertised in the association's newsletter or website. Time, place and agenda items of that meeting will be announced at least two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. To the extent possible, the time and place of the next meeting will be determined at each regularly scheduled meeting.
Voting procedures for any proposition, proposal, award, honor, or recognition:
Any proposition, proposal, award, honor, or recognition to be enacted upon by Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be presented to the membership in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting, and determined by a majority of active members present at that meeting.
Duties of the President:
a. The President acts as the public voice of the CPU, calendars all meetings, prepares all meeting agendas, conducts all meetings.
b. The President is the official voice to the media, to all event coordinators, and to educators.
c. The President oversees the expenditure of all CPU funds.
d. The President trains successor officers.
e. The President oversees the implementation of policy set in place by the Board of Directors.
f. The President delegates such special assignment as will enhance the standing of the CPU in the eyes of the public.
Duties of the 1st Vice President:
a. 1st Vice President assists the President in CPU public relations.
b. Oversees the maintenance of the website.
c. Coordinates all awards and honoraries.
d. Coordinates all advertising.
e. Oversees the summer party.
f. And such other duties as the President shall deligate.
Duties of the 2nd Vice President:
a. Maintain a current membership roster.
b. Coordinates the collection of membership dues.
c. Prepares the yearly election ballot.
d. And such other duties as the President shall delegate.
Website Changes:
a. Every member in good standing will be allowed to have their picture on the website.
b. Every member in good standing will be allowed to have a bio of themselves, family or group, to be 100 words or less.
1. Links will be allowed on bios.
c. Only members in good standing will be allowed to advertise on the official CPU website, for a fee of $25.00 per year.
1. Links will be allowed on advertising.
Added Board Member:
a. One addtional board member will be added to the board for a one year term.
b. Additional board member will be filled by the out going President.
Chaplain:
a. A Chaplain will be appointed by the Board of Directors.
1. The Chaplain will serve until released.
2. The Chaplain will help with events at Cowboy Church.
3. The Chaplain will oversee flowers, cards, etc as fitting.
Yearly CPU Cowboy Symposium:
a. The Board of Directors will be over the Yearly Symposium.
Ethics of Membership:
Active and Youth Members of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. are expected to maintain high standards in authorship, performance, and publication.
Care should be taken that all work presented in public performance is appropriate for the audience, with the general understanding that audiences for the folk and cultural arts of the West are most likely comprised of families and people of all ages, representing a range of ethnic and cultural diversity. Good taste should govern.
Work presented, performed, or published by any Member should be the work of that Member unless indicated otherwise. Copying, borrowing, or plagiarizing the work of others should be avoided. When quoting or performing the work of others, credit should be given to the author or composer.
Members found in violation of the Ethics of Membership are subject to loss of membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc.
Corporate Address:
The address of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. shall be the address of the current Treasurer.
Membership:
Open to any person, upon payment of annual dues, who is willing to uphold the purposes and ethics of the organization.
Active Membership will be granted upon payment of annual dues in the amount of $20.00. Renewal dues are $15.00. Couples join for $30.00. Couples renewal $25.00.
Youth Membership will be granted to any person under age 18 upon payment of annual dues of $5.00. Youth Membership affords all benefits and privileges of membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. except voting rights. Persons under 18 can be Active Members upon payment of $20.00 annual dues.
Board of Directors:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and three at-large Board members. All Board Members must hold and maintain Active Membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. throughout their terms of office. Any Active Member of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. is eligible for service on the Board of Directors upon nomination and election and/or ratification by the Active Membership.
Selection of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be by nomination and election of the Active Membership.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman will select three at-large Board Members from among the Active Membership. The selection of Board Members is subject to ratification by the General Membership. If a candidate selected by the Chairman and Vice Chairman fails to win ratification, Active Members will nominate candidates and fill the seat by election.
The Chairman of the Board will serve a term of two years, and cannot succeed himself or herself in office.
The Vice Chairman of the Board will serve a two-year term and cannot succeed himself or herself in office.
The terms of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall overlap, with terms expiring in alternating years.
At-Large Board Members will serve two-year terms. The terms will coincide with the term of the Chairman of the Board. Board Members can succeed themselves in office a maximum of three consecutive terms subject to nomination by the Chairman and Vice Chairman and ratification by the Active Membership, or upon nomination and election by the Active Membership to fill an open seat.
Board of Directors or Executive Committee can present changes in the Constitution or Bylaws of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. for a vote by the Active Membership. Active Members may petition or approach the Board of Directors for change, but may not offer motions to enact changes to the Constitution or Bylaws from the floor during any meeting of the Active Membership.
Past and present members of the Board of Directors may serve in other offices or capacities in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc.
Executive Officers:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be operated by Executive Officers, subject to supervision by the Board of Directors. Any Active Member is eligible for Executive Office.
Executive Offices consist of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Executive Officers must hold and maintain Active Membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. throughout their terms of office.
All five Executive Officers, including Secretary and Treasurer, will be nominated and elected from among and by Active Members.
Term of office for Executive Officers shall be one year. Other officers shall serve by appointment of the President, and serve the same term upon ratification by the Active Members. The President will serve one year then move up to become a member of the Board of Directors to serve for one year. At the end of that term, the former would be eligible to run for 2nd Vice President. 1st Vice President will serve one year, then move up as President. 2nd Vice President will serve one year, then move up as 1st Vice President.
All elections will be held at the yearly CPU Symposium in January.
Election Procedures:
Each Active Member in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. is entitled to one vote. Any Active Member may nominate any other Active Member for the elective offices of President and Vice President, Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The current office holder, if eligible, will automatically be placed on the ballot. All nominations from among the active membership will be placed on the ballot, after the initial nomination has received a second by another active member.
Candidates receiving a majority of ballots cast will be declared winners. In cases where no candidate receives a majority of ballots cast, voting will continue, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes eliminated in each succeeding round of balloting, until one candidate wins a majority of the ballots cast.
Ballots may be cast in general meetings of the Active Membership by voice vote, show of hands, or secret ballot. The means of casting votes is at the discretion of the 2nd Vice President conducting the meeting, subject to approval of Active Members in attendance.
The result of all elections and balloting by the Active Membership will be final.
If a duly elected officer is unable to complete his or her term of office and must be replaced, the office will be filled by nomination at a regularly scheduled meeting, and determined by a majority of members present at that meeting.
Regularly scheduled meetings are those meetings advertised in the association's newsletter or website. Time, place and agenda items of that meeting will be announced at least two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. To the extent possible, the time and place of the next meeting will be determined at each regularly scheduled meeting.
Voting procedures for any proposition, proposal, award, honor, or recognition:
Any proposition, proposal, award, honor, or recognition to be enacted upon by Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be presented to the membership in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting, and determined by a majority of active members present at that meeting.
Duties of the President:
a. The President acts as the public voice of the CPU, calendars all meetings, prepares all meeting agendas, conducts all meetings.
b. The President is the official voice to the media, to all event coordinators, and to educators.
c. The President oversees the expenditure of all CPU funds.
d. The President trains successor officers.
e. The President oversees the implementation of policy set in place by the Board of Directors.
f. The President delegates such special assignment as will enhance the standing of the CPU in the eyes of the public.
Duties of the 1st Vice President:
a. 1st Vice President assists the President in CPU public relations.
b. Oversees the maintenance of the website.
c. Coordinates all awards and honoraries.
d. Coordinates all advertising.
e. Oversees the summer party.
f. And such other duties as the President shall deligate.
Duties of the 2nd Vice President:
a. Maintain a current membership roster.
b. Coordinates the collection of membership dues.
c. Prepares the yearly election ballot.
d. And such other duties as the President shall delegate.
Website Changes:
a. Every member in good standing will be allowed to have their picture on the website.
b. Every member in good standing will be allowed to have a bio of themselves, family or group, to be 100 words or less.
1. Links will be allowed on bios.
c. Only members in good standing will be allowed to advertise on the official CPU website, for a fee of $25.00 per year.
1. Links will be allowed on advertising.
Added Board Member:
a. One addtional board member will be added to the board for a one year term.
b. Additional board member will be filled by the out going President.
Chaplain:
a. A Chaplain will be appointed by the Board of Directors.
1. The Chaplain will serve until released.
2. The Chaplain will help with events at Cowboy Church.
3. The Chaplain will oversee flowers, cards, etc as fitting.
Yearly CPU Cowboy Symposium:
a. The Board of Directors will be over the Yearly Symposium.
Ethics of Membership:
Active and Youth Members of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. are expected to maintain high standards in authorship, performance, and publication.
Care should be taken that all work presented in public performance is appropriate for the audience, with the general understanding that audiences for the folk and cultural arts of the West are most likely comprised of families and people of all ages, representing a range of ethnic and cultural diversity. Good taste should govern.
Work presented, performed, or published by any Member should be the work of that Member unless indicated otherwise. Copying, borrowing, or plagiarizing the work of others should be avoided. When quoting or performing the work of others, credit should be given to the author or composer.
Members found in violation of the Ethics of Membership are subject to loss of membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. at the discretion of the Board of Directors.