Constitution of the National Creative Society

General Provisions of the Society

Article 1 – Name
The name of the organization shall be the National Creative Society, Inc.

Article II –Nature and Purpose (Mission)

1. The purpose of the organization, as expressed in Article X of the Articles of Incorporation, shall be to enhance the ability of young people to communicate through pictures (visual arts), poetry, prose, and performance (drama, dance, and music).  The National Creative Society will stress another dimension of importance to our educational systems; namely, the support and recognition of individual creative student achievement.
2. Three basic documents serve to define the overall organization and operation of the society: 
1. The Articles of Incorporation
2. The Bylaws of the National Creative Society, Inc.
3. Section 4940 of the Internal Revenue Code which identifies and defines the 501c3 tax exempt status under the law

No part of this constitution may, in any manner, be in contradiction of the provisions of these three basic documents.

1. This constitution shall serve to define the activities of the Society in explicit terms and to serve as a guide to the operational procedures manifest in the mission of the Society. 

Article III – Conferences
The organization may conduct such conferences as deemed necessary to provide for national cohesion and provide opportunity for national participation in the mission of the organization.  Such conferences shall be the prerogative of the Board of Directors. 

Governance and Authority of the Society
National Board

Article IV – The Authority of the Society shall be vested in a National Board.
            The National Board shall consist of:

1. A Board of Directors of the Society and Appointed Executive Director
2. An Executive Committee of elected officers and members at large.
3. An advisory board of appointed honorary members.

Article V – Member Appointment and Removal
The Board of Directors shall determine the manner of appointment or election of each member of the National Board and the provision for removal.  In addition, the Board of Directors may appoint standing committees to serve specific areas of need.

The duties of each member or officer of the National Board shall be defined by the Board of Directors.  Member appointments by the Board of Directors shall occur at the last meeting of the year or at the beginning meeting of the subsequent year or as vacancies or needs occur. 

Committees may be established as needs arise. 

Article VI – Terms of Office, Removal, and Vacancies
The Board of Directors shall determine the terms of office of each member of the Board of Directors and provisions for removal.  All vacancies of the National Board shall be filled by the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall elect each year members to the Board of Directors who shall serve staggered three-year terms on a rotating basis in such manner that one-third of the Board of Directors will leave office each year.  Members rotating off may be reelected for another three year term indefinitely.

Article VII – Meeting of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall establish the times and dates it shall meet as deemed necessary.  The Board of Directors shall meet no less than two times each year.

Article VIII – Committees
The Board of Directors may adopt and designate such committees as deemed necessary to allocate responsibility for and carry out the mission and functions of the organization.

Article IX – Executive Director
The Board of Directors shall appoint an Executive Director who shall serve to carry out the overall operations of the organization.  The Executive Director shall receive such compensation as deemed necessary to carry out the duties of the office.  The Executive Director serves in an ex-officio capacity as a voting member of the Board of Directors and serves as a paid employee of the Board of Directors of an indefinite term of office.

Article X – The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the organization shall consist of the following officers elected as prescribed herein:

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer

All members of the Executive Committee shall be ex-officio voting members of the Board of Directors for each officer’s term of office.  The President shall serve as chairman of the Board of Directors and conduct all meetings of the Board of Directors.  The Executive Committee may also include such others persons as the Board of Directors deems necessary to carry out its mission.
In alternate years, the Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Executive Committee who shall serve for two year terms.  No officer may serve for more than three consecutive full terms in the same office.

Members of the Executive Committee shall establish such meeting times as deemed necessary to carry out the operations and working functions of the organization.  The Executive Committee shall work closely with the Executive Director who shall report directly to the President for coordination purposes.

Article XI – The Advisory Board
The Board of Directors may appoint such persons to serve on its Advisory Board as deemed necessary to promote the organization and to provide direction for Board of Directors’ action.  In all cases, the Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity and may not be given voting privileges except as are extended to the general membership.  The Advisory Board members serve three-year terms and may be reelected indefinitely.

The Advisory Board shall elect a chairperson and such officers as it deems necessary.  Communications from the Advisory Board shall be communicated to the Board of Directors by the Chairperson of the Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board shall meet at least once each year.

Members and Membership

Article XII-Categories of Membership
There shall be three categories of membership; namely,

1. Contributing members shall be those persons who contribute financially to the organization through annual dues and donations.  The Board of Directors shall establish levels of contributing membership.  Present levels of membership contribution are:

1. Advisory Board membership shall be those persons selected by the Board of Directors for their leadership in community activities or their positions of authority.  Advisory Board members serve in an honorary advisory capacity without voting privileges except on matters solely within the Advisory Board operation.  These shall be communicated to the Board of Directors for approval.

1. Chapter membership shall be those students who are selected for their creative ability and performance.  Student membership shall be determined by the school administration and faculty advisors.  The Board of Directors shall establish set criteria and rules of eligibility for all student memberships

1. Persons may hold membership in more than one category at the same time.

Article XIII - Eligibility and Obligations.

1. Contributing members lend resources to the organization and are recognized in an annual honors roll.  Such membership shall be limited to the year of the contributions.
2. Advisory Board members are selected for their leadership roles.  They are expected to give counsel to the organizational leadership and to support the activities of the organization.
3. Student membership is an honor bestowed upon students who have made significant advancement in the creative arts.  Student members are also expected to be of good character and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring discredit to themselves and the organization as defined by criteria established by the Board of Directors.

Criteria include:

1. Participation and service in the creative arts.
2. Exemplary work in the creative arts.
3. Good character
4. Good standing academically

Student membership may include voting privileges in the local chapters.

Article XIV-Continuation, Transfer, and Termination

1. Contributing membership continues for the calendar year in which the contribution is made and is extended each year in which the contribution continues.
2. Advisory Board membership is for a three-year term and may be extended in three year terms indefinitely.
3. Student membership continues throughout the life of the student but chapter membership may be limited to the student’s time as a student. Some chapters may establish categories of membership such as active, inactive, graduate, or honorary. Upon application to the Board of Directors, student members may transfer their membership to another chapter when they move providing there is an active chapter in their new location.

Chapters
Purpose, Authorization and Chartering

Article XV-
The Board of Directors shall charter chapters throughout the nation at any school or school system from which proper application is made.  Chapters maintain their charter as long as they remain in good standing and abide by the rules and regulations of the national organization.  Chapters will be determined by the Board of Directors on petition for chapter membership.  Upon proper processing, the Board of Directors shall charter chapters with all the privileges and amenities afforded in the Constitution.

The purpose of each chapter shall be to further the mission and purposes of the Society.

Chapters shall have the privilege of nominating and initiating their students for membership in the Society in accordance with the established criteria.

Annual dues for each chapter shall be established by the Board of Directors.

Chapters shall submit to the Board of Directors such reports of student membership, initiations, and activities such as the Board of Directors may require.  At the end of each school year, the chapter shall submit an annual report on the activities and status of the chapter.

Dues for the following year may be included in the annual year-end report.

Article XVI – All chapters are expected to adhere to the standard and regulations of the National Creative Society.  Chapter bylaws should be in accord with the Constitution of the National Creative Society.

Each chapter must have a faculty advisor or faculty council who will be responsible for the conduct and activities of the chapter.  Each chapter may also elect such student officers as it deems desirable.  Upon chartering, the administration of the school or school system must notify the Board of Directors of its designated faculty advisor(s) or faculty council(s).
           
Dissolution and Reinstatement of Chapters

Article XVII – A chapter may be dissolved for the following reason:

1. Non-payment of dues.
2. Conduct or activities which violate the principles and practices established in    provisions of the National Creative Society.
3. Conduct which brings dishonor on the Society.

Chapters which have dissolved may be reinstated when the cause of the dissolution has been rectified.

Article XIX – The provisions of the corporation’s 501c3 status are not extended or transferable to the chapters.  Chapters may secure such status separately or as part of their educational tax status.  Chapters may also engage in the procurement and expenditure of local funds to carry out the mission of the Society locally, subject only to limitations within the basic documents of the Corporation or the dictates of the Board of Directors.

Amendments to the Constitution

Article XX – It shall be the prerogative of the Board of Directors to revise and amend this Constitution at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority of the voting membership present providing a quorum is present.  Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws of the Corporations, or Section 4940 of the Internal Revenue Code must be made by the Board of Directors in accordance with provisions contained within those documents. 

Any chapter in good standing may propose amendments to the Constitution.

Amendments may also be proposed by chapters in attendance at a National Conference of the Society.  All changes are the prerogative of the Board of Directors who shall take into considerations proposals from any source herein stated.