By-Laws of
Bernards Ensemble

ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be [the] Bernards Ensemble

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
Section 1. [The] Bernards Ensemble is a nonprofit public benefit organization and is not
organized for the private gain of any person. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
purposes of this organization consist of the following:
(i) To provide fun and engaging instrumental performances, both in-person and virtual, to adults
and youth with physical and developmental disabilities.
(ii) To support adults and youth with disabilities through music lesson opportunities at
participating venues.
(iii) To emphasize supporting the disability community and removing stigma and stereotypes
surrounding said community.
(iv) To empower youth to engage in enriching community service and develop strong leadership
experience.
(v) To assist the work of organizations that provide resources and opportunities for people with
disabilities.
(vi) To promote unity and tolerance for the disability community through the use of dialogue in
“RAISE (Recognizing Awareness in Special Education) Through Music” programs and lectures.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in the organization shall be open to all student-musicians who are
currently enrolled in an academic institution and/or have been enrolled in an academic institution
in the past five years.
Section 2. Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected officer positions may not be limited
on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status,
citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. The organization shall have no rules or policies that
discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age,
gender, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability.
Section 3. The right or interest of a member shall not terminate except upon the happening of any
of the following events: death, resignation, expulsion, and/or dissolution of the organization.

ARTICLE IV
DUES
Section 1. Dues in the amount specified shall be collected from all active and participating
members between January 1st and January 7th of every year.
Section 2. Dues may be subject to change.

ARTICLE V
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of former Presidents, former Vice Presidents,
and the organization’s trustee members.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall meet at least two times per term. All members must be
given at least 48 hours' notice of the meeting.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for conducting one-on-one Zoom chats
and reviewing the selection of new members for the Officer Committee (refer to article VI)
during at least one meeting.
Section 4. If necessary, Executive Committee meetings may be conducted virtually via Zoom.
Section 5. The Executive Committee shall aid in supervising the affairs of the organization.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICER COMMITTEE
Section 1. The primary officers of the organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Music Librarian, Director of Web Operations, Public Relations Manager, and Liaison
Officer. These officers shall henceforth be collectively defined as the “Officer Committee.”
Section 2. Positions in [the] Bernards Ensemble may vary by year, as it will be dependent on the
number of available members in each term.
Section 3. Qualifications for Office include the following:
(i) Only currently enrolled active members are eligible to hold office.
(ii) All prospective officers must actively and enthusiastically participate in rehearsals,
performances, and meetings.
Section 4. More than one person may hold the same officer position in the organization.
Section 5. New officers of this organization shall be nominated and elected during the first week
of January of every year at an Executive Committee meeting. Potential candidates and possible
new officer roles will be discussed during the meeting. Members’ age, year/grade, participation,
enthusiasm, one-on-one Zoom chats, and vision for the organization shall be considered by the
members of the meeting.
Section 7. All new officers’ terms shall begin on the beginning of the second week of January
and end on the same day of the following year.
Section 8. Current officers must find a suitable time to meet with the newly elected officers to
explain and teach the responsibilities of the respective roles.
Section 9. If an officer steps down from his/her/their respective position in the middle of the
term, then the Executive Committee shall meet immediately and vote for another member to fill
the position.

ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. If there are multiple members undertaking an officer position, various roles of the
aforementioned position may be divided amongst themselves.
Section 2. If need be, multiple roles may be allocated to individual members.
Section 3. The President(s) shall serve as the chief executive officer of the organization and shall
have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Assume general supervision of the affairs of the organization.
(ii) Preside at all meetings of the organization.
(iii) Keep the other officers fully informed about the organization's activities.
(iv) Collaborate with the Officer Committee to prepare the agenda for both regular and executive
meetings.
(v) Lead every single rehearsal and ensure that members are focused and diligent in the
rehearsals and performances.
(vi) Serve as the spokesperson(s) during performances; this includes the presentation of
introduction/conclusion speeches at performances.
(vii) Create presentations and scripts for the “RAISE Through Music” Initiative.
(viii) Correspond with organizations via e-mail, text message, and/or phone call.
(ix) Organize executive committee meetings.
(x) Location scout for potential performance/recording venues.
Section 4. The Vice President(s) shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Assume all the duties of the President in the absence of the President(s).
(ii) Consult the President(s) regularly to aid in logistical and/or organizational tasks.
(iii) Organize regular meetings with all the members.
(iv) Scout and introduce prospective new members to the organization.
(v) Conduct open communication with the members’ parents or guardians.
(vi) Location scout and schedule rehearsals.
Section 5. The Secretary shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Record attendance at all meetings of the organization.
(ii) Take either handwritten or typed notes and summaries of all meetings in a clear and concise
manner. The Secretary shall circulate the notes to all members who participated in the meeting.
(iii) Perform other duties as shall from time to time be assigned to them by the Officer
Committee. Assist the President(s) and Vice-President(s) in their tasks as needed or requested.
(iv) Keep track of all membership records.
(v) Serve as the liaison between the Officer Committee and the members.
(vi) Aid the Director of Web Operations in maintaining the official webpage (e.g. collect
biographies from new members; compile and organize all photographs of rehearsals and
performances)
Section 6. The Treasurer shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Handle all financial affairs and budgeting of the organization.
(ii) Collect and deposit all dues and fees.
(iii) Work with the account holder to maintain bank accounts in the organization’s name.
(iv) Maintain the organization’s various donation and fundraising pages (e.g. GoFundMe.com)
(v) Keep track of website expenses.
Section 7. The Music Librarian shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Assume responsibility for the organization of repertoire for all Bernards Ensemble
performances and events.
(ii) Create or assign other members to create programs for performances and rehearsals. The
Music Manager shall distribute said programs to the members and audience.
(iii) Circulate the repertoire and specific instrumental parts to all members via e-mail.
(iv) Discuss repertoire and themes of performances with the rest of the Officer Committee.
Section 8. The Director of Web Operations shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Manage the official webpage of [the] Bernards Ensemble.
(ii) Report the expenses of the website to the treasurer.
(iii) Keep in touch with the Secretary to make updates and adjustments to the website as needed
(e.g. new members, new positions, new biographies, new events, new photographs)
Section 9. The Public Relations (PR) Manager shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
(i) Update the official Bernards Ensemble Facebook and Instagram pages with new content (e.g.
photographs, upcoming events, recruitment)
(ii) Contact news sites and media companies to advertise the organization.
(iii) Utilize social media or in-person advertisements to ensure that the organization’s name and
goals are known to the general public.
Section 10. The Liaison Officer shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) Scout new organizations and groups that align with the goals of [the] Bernards Ensemble.
These organizations shall ideally be focused on supporting individuals with disabilities and/or
their families.
(ii) Find the contact information of new and existing organizations that [the] Bernards Ensemble
has relationships with.
(iii) Introduce new members and new organizations to [the] Bernards Ensemble’s Officer
Committee, goals/purpose, and mission statement.

ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings shall be scheduled monthly throughout the year. Topics such as plans for
upcoming events, comments on past performances and rehearsals, and new assignments for
officers shall be discussed.
Section 2. All members must be given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to the meeting time.
Section 3. If necessary, meetings may be conducted virtually via Zoom.
Section 4. A minimum of two special meetings shall be called by the Executive Committee.
Discussions regarding the selection of new officers and progress regarding the organization’s
efforts shall be conducted during these special meetings. All members must be given a minimum
of 48 hours’ notice prior to the meeting time.
Section 5. The order of business at a meeting shall be as follows:
(i) Roll call.
(ii) Report of President.
(iii) Report of Secretary and Treasurer (if needed).
(iv) Old business.
(v) New business.
(vi) Adjournment;
Providing that in the absence of any objection, officers may vary the order of business at
his/her/their discretion.
Section 6. The last meeting of the term shall be held between December 26th and December
31st. The Executive Committee shall present a comprehensive review of the year’s work,
performances, fundraising efforts, income, and expenses to all current and active members of the
organization.
Section 7. In regards to the organization’s end-of-year expense report, the holder of the
organization’s bank account and the treasurer shall perform a joint audit.

ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS
Section 1. Barring extenuating circumstances, a minimum of six performances shall be
conducted throughout the year.
Section 2. A minimum of two rehearsals shall be held before each performance.
Section 3. A minimum of one benefit/fundraising performance shall be held throughout the year.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall review, offer suggestions, and modify all potential
bylaw amendments before they are presented in a general meeting. The Committee shall also be
responsible for approving or denying the amendments.
Section 2. Proposed amendments (changes) to these bylaws shall be presented to the organization
and membership one meeting prior to the meeting where the amendment will be discussed. The
amendment must be in writing.
Section 3. Bylaw amendments shall require a majority vote to be passed.
Section 4. Approved amendments shall be effective immediately, except in cases where there are
extenuating circumstances.