Mission Statement
The St. Augustine Community Chorus strives to provide an opportunity for singers, from youth to adult, to experience the joy of singing while empowering them with education, enrichment and inspiration to perform choral music at the highest artistic level. Our goal is to build a musical community one voice at a time.
Statement of Values
Excellence
- SACC will continue to culturally enrich the singers, as well as the community at-large through the presentation of high-quality musical performances;
- SACC celebrates the music of composers from decades or centuries past in addition to works of composers of our time;
- SACC aspires to uphold our community’s musical legacy by encouraging participation of individuals of varying musical abilities and nurturing their development.
Respect
- We esteem our fellow musicians as valued artists in the musical community;
- We appreciate and acknowledge audience members and financial supporters as important participants in choral art, for without them, we would not exist as a choral entity;
- We demonstrate responsiveness to our Directors and genuinely respect their decades of experience in the performing arts arena.
BYLAWS
ST. AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY CHORUS, INC.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
REVISED MARCH 2016
ARTICLE I - IDENTITY
1.1 The following shall be the Bylaws of the St. Augustine Community Chorus, Inc., hereinafter referred to as “the Chorus”, a not-for-profit corporation established under the laws of the State of Florida, the Articles of Incorporation thereof having been filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, State of Florida, on the 7th day of March, in the year 1986.
ARTICLE II - DURATION
2.1 The period of duration of the Association shall be perpetual unless dissolved according to law.
ARTICLE III - HISTORY AND PURPOSE
3.1 The Chorus, organized in 1979, is a musical organization specifically incorporated to create opportunities for participation and enrichment through choral music. This experience enables those with talent and musical interest to develop their musical potential, while at the same time striving for excellence in musical performance.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Membership in the Chorus is open to anyone who has the ability and interest in singing the program repertoire of the Chorus, as well as the willingness to attend the rehearsals.
4.2 Members of the Chorus have the right to attend meetings of the Board of Directors, submit names in nomination and vote to elect the Board at the Annual Meeting, and serve on committees.
ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATION
5.1 Meetings of the general membership shall be called by the President as necessary. A meeting of the membership shall be held at least once each fiscal year. Notice of any meeting of the general membership must be given to the membership at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting detailing the time, date and place of the meeting as well as a summary of business which is to be undertaken.
5.2 Additional meetings of the general membership shall be held whenever called by the President or by a majority of the Board of Directors. A special meeting must be called by the Board upon receipt of a written request endorsed by at least twenty-five (25) members.
5.3 Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President as necessary. All meetings of the Board are open to the Chorus membership.
5.4 Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by the Bylaws.
5.5 The fiscal year for the Chorus shall be the twelve (12) month period beginning July 1 and extending through June 30 of the next calendar year.
5.6 Revisions of the Bylaws: If the Board of Directors deems it necessary to revise the Bylaws, it shall proceed as follows:
5.61 The President shall appoint a committee to compose the language of proposed revisions.
5.62 The Board of Directors shall vote on proposed revisions.
5.63 Copies of revisions approved by the Board shall be provided to the general membership at least fourteen (14) days before a special called meeting or the Annual Meeting, as decided by the Board.
5.64 The membership shall vote to adopt or reject the proposed revisions. Adoption of the revisions shall require a simple majority of the members voting.
5.65 Revisions of the Bylaws, if adopted, shall take effect immediately.
ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
6.1 The Board of Directors is composed of the Executive Committee (i.e., the President, the President-Elect/Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Treasurer-Elect/Assistant Treasurer), the Immediate Past President, and five (5) members elected at large who shall chair the Board’s standing committees. The standing committees of the Board shall be: External Relations, Internal Communications and Membership Relations, House and Ticket Management, Publicity, and Stage Management.
6.2 The President may, from time to time and as necessary, establish special committees. The chairpersons of such special committees are encouraged to attend meetings of the Board, but may not vote.
6.3 Members Ex Officio: The several musical directors of the Chorus shall serve on the Board ex officio, but without vote.
6.4 Terms of office:
6.51 Members of the Executive Committee shall serve in their respective offices for two (2) years. A President-Elect/Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer-Elect/Assistant Treasurer shall be elected every other year.
6.52 The Immediate Past President shall serve in that capacity for two (2) years.
6.53 Members elected at large shall serve for two (2) years. Their terms shall be staggered.
6.54 Individuals may serve multiple terms.
6.6 Election of Officers and Members-At-Large of the Board of Directors:
6.61 At least six (6) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, the President shall appoint a
nominating committee to consist of at least three (3) members of the Chorus, at least one of whom shall be a current member of the Board and who shall serve as Chairperson.
6.62 The nominating committee shall develop a slate of nominees to the Board of Directors, and shall submit its slate in writing to the Secretary of the Chorus.
6.63 The Secretary shall provide copies of the slate of nominees to the members of the Chorus at such time as the Annual Meeting is announced.
6.64 Elections shall be held at the Annual Meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted, provided individuals being nominated have consented to be nominated.
6.7 A member of the Board of Directors may be excused from fulfilling his/her term of office upon submission of his/her written resignation to the Secretary. The resulting vacancy on the Board shall be filled by appointment by the Board. An individual so appointed shall perform all duties of his/her office until the election at the next Annual Meeting.
6.8 With sufficient cause, a Board member may be relieved of his/her membership on the Board by the unanimous vote of the Board members present, excluding the member whose status is being considered.
6.9 Duties of Officers:
6.91 President: The President shall be responsible for overseeing all activities of the Chorus and shall:
- Preside over all Board meetings;
- Set the date for all meetings, with the concurrence of the Board;
- Oversee the preparation of the annual budget;
- Preside over the election of members to the Board as prescribed in paragraph 6.6, above; and
- Appoint chairpersons of standing and special committees.
6.92 President-Elect/Vice President: The President-Elect/Vice President shall:
- Assist the President;
- Learn duties and responsibilities of the Presidency; and
- Act for the President in the President’s absence.
6.93 Secretary: The Secretary shall:
- Keep minutes of all meetings of the Board and the general membership;
- Ensure that a roster of Chorus members is maintained;
- Notify Chorus members of the Annual Meeting, special meetings, and slates of nominees provided by the nominating committee;
- Prepare and send out all correspondence for the Chorus.
6.94 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall:
- Be accountable for the administration of all Chorus funds;
b. Sign, together with the President or President-Elect/Vice President, all checks or other disbursements of Chorus funds, i.e., two (2) signatures required.
c. Assist the President in preparing the annual budget, including individual concert budgets.
6.95 Treasurer-Elect/Assistant Treasurer: The Treasurer-Elect/Assistant Treasurer shall:
- Assist the Treasurer;
- Learn the duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer;
- Act for the Treasurer in the Treasurer’s absence.
6.96 Board Members at Large: Members elected at large to the Board of Directors shall:
- Attend all meetings;
- Serve as chairpersons of standing committees.
ARTICLE VII - FUNDING
7.1 The Chorus is funded by income from concerts, the Chorus members’ annual dues and/or concert fees, and funding development programs. Concert income shall consist of admission donations approved by the Board of Directors and other voluntary donations offered by attendees. These proceeds shall be used to cover the expenses of performances and general operating expenses of the Chorus.
7.11 Each member shall be assessed dues and/or fees in amounts determined by the Board of Directors. Payment of dues and/or fees may be waived on an individual case basis by the President, in consultation with the Musical Director of the concert, if such payment is the only impediment to an individual’s participation.
7.12 The funding development program attracts monetary and in-kind contributions from the business community, grants, and other sources. It is carried out through letters of appeal and through personal contacts. If these donations are used to cover the expenses of specific performances, those financial sponsors and donors shall be credited in concert programs for their contributions.
ARTICLE VIII - MUSICAL DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST
8.1 One or more Musical Directors shall be selected by the Board for each concert of the season.
8.11 The Musical Director(s), in consultation with the President, shall prepare a concert plan and budget for presentation to the Board for approval. The Musical Director(s) must receive the approval of the Executive Committee for significant changes in program structure or budget as approved by the Board.
8.12 In consultation with the President and appropriate committee chairpersons, the Musical Director(s) shall have principal responsibility for all musical and technical aspects of his/her/their assigned concert, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Selection and preparation of the musical program for the concert;
(b) Auditioning and selection of soloists;
(c) Conducting all concert rehearsals;
(d) Administration of concert related activities in accordance with approved budget levels;
(e) Consultation on the theme, musical content, and general tone of posters, concert programs, and other promotional materials and activities; and
(f) Dismissal of singers who fail to attend rehearsals and otherwise prepare for concert performances.
8.13 Each Musical Director shall be paid an honorarium for each concert for which (s)he is assigned responsibility, the amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.
8.2 A Principal Accompanist shall be selected by the Board for each concert of the season.
8.21 The Principal Accompanist shall:
(a) Provide accompaniment for the Chorus at all rehearsals for the concert for which (s)he is assigned such responsibility.
(b) Provide accompaniment for the Chorus at all performances for the concert for which (s)he is assigned such responsibility.
8.22 The Principal Accompanist shall be paid an honorarium for each concert for which (s)he is assigned responsibility, the amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Updated 3/15/2016
Board of Directors 2023-2024
Executive Committee
PRESIDENT:
Larry Hickernell
VICE PRES. and PRES.-ELECT:
<vacant>
SECRETARY:
Linda Hickernell
TREASURER:
Larry Hickernell (pro tem)
ASST. TREAS./TREAS.-ELECT:
Rich Powell
Immediate Past President
Marie Cashat
Standing Committees
EXTERNAL RELATIONS:
<vacant>
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEMBER RELATIONS:
Lynn Abjornson / Donna Molinari
HOUSE AND TICKET MANAGEMENT:
Kerry Fradley
PUBLICITY:
Dawn Carole McGee
STAGE MANAGEMENT:
Cindy Pitts / Dawn Carole McGee
Special Committees
LIBRARIAN:
Cindy Pitts / Vera Gallagher
ORCHESTRAL SUPPORT:
Gary Bunt
PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
Tom Rooney
WEBSITE MANAGER:
Larry Hickernell
Music Director
Michael Sanflippo
Ex-Officio Members
Kerry Fradley, Kathleen Vande Berg & Ted Mathews (Emeritus)