Constitution and By-Laws of the
Columbia Association of Puppeteers

Article I - NAME
The name of this association shall be the COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION OF PUPPETEERS (hereinafter referred to as CAP).

Article II - PURPOSE
The purpose of CAP is to bring together all persons interested in puppetry to share experiences, skills and resources, to promote excellence in puppetry; and to enhance its public image as a performing art and an educational tool.

Article III - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in CAP shall be open to any person or group interested in promoting CAP purposes, subject to payment of annual dues.

Regular Membership
Persons, age 14 or over, may apply for membership regardless of race, religion, creed or ethnic origin. Upon payment of annual dues, they may vote on CAP business matters, attend all meetings, receive all CAP publications, and are encouraged to participate in all regular and special events of the CAP calendar.

Honorary Membership
Upon the quorum vote of a regular meeting, CAP may elect to recognize the contribution of a member of long standing by naming this person(s) to an Honorary Membership. Such membership has all the privileges of a Regular Membership, but does not need to pay annual dues.

Article IV - OFFICERS
The officers of CAP shall be President, Vice President in Charge of Programs, Vice President in Charge of Membership, Secretary, Treasurer , and Publications Editor. All officers shall be members of the Puppeteers of America, Inc. These officers shall comprise the Executive Committee.

Article V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

President
The President shall advise and oversee CAP activities, preside at all meetings, decide on points of order, and appoint all committees (except the Nomination Committee). In the event of an office vacancy, the President shall appoint a new officer to fill the unexpired term, with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Vice President - Programs
This person shall assume all presidential duties in the absence of the President, and shall arrange the program agenda for the regular or special meetings of CAP during his/her term of office.

Vice President - Membership
This person shall distribute CAP information to prospective members and supervise the hospitable reception of guests and members (old and new) at CAP meetings. He/she shall keep a current member roster.

Secretary
The Secretary shall keep proper records of all CAP proceedings, attend to correspondence, and maintain a correspondence file. He/she shall submit an annual report from the Executive Committee to the Puppeteers of America, Inc. and shall read the minutes of the previous meeting at all regular CAP meetings, as well as, report on important communications.

Treasurer
The Treasurer shall collect dues and all other monies of CAP and may reimburse legitimate expenses incurred by CAP. However, any reimbursement over $25.00 must be first approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. He/she shall present an accurate treasury account at each regular meeting, and present a comprehensive written breakdown at the May meeting.

Publications Editor
The Publications Editor shall publish a monthly newsletter to be mailed to the membership no later than two (2) weeks before a regular meeting. He/she shall publish the CAP Directory as directed by the Executive Committee.

Article VI - TERMS OF OFFICE
Term of office is one year. Officers will be installed at the May meeting, effective June 1, and may be re-elected for one additional consecutive term in the same office. After two consecutive terms in the same office, an officer may serve in another position and return to the original office after one year's absence.

Article VII - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The election of the officers shall be completed prior to the beginning of the CAP year, which begins on June 1 and continues through May 31. The Nominating Committee shall present one slate of officers for candidacy at the last regular meeting of the CAP year. At this meeting, nominations may be made from the floor if the nominated persons are present, or have submitted written permission for their nomination. If more than one nomination is made per office, the vote shall be by secret ballot.

Article VIII - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The proposed changes shall be read at the regular meeting preceding the regular meeting at which the vote occurs, and must be mailed to all members at least 14 days before the voting date. The amendment must be passed by two-thirds of the members present.

BY-LAWS

Article I - DUES
Organizational dues shall be set by the Executive Committee, and adopted by the approval of two-thirds of the members present at the next regular meeting.

Article II - QUORUM
A quorum shall be one-fourth of the dues-paying membership plus at least two officers.

Article III - MEETINGS

Regular meetings will normally be held bi-monthly (to include reports from officers, discussion of important business, and a program/workshop/seminar whenever possible). Special meetings may be held at the request of the Executive Committee if notification of members is timely.

Article IV - COMMITTEES

Section 1- Special Committees
Special Committees shall be appointed by the President, as needed, upon approval of the Executive Committee (e.g., Publicity, Hospitality, Historical, Newsletter, etc.).

Section 2 - Budget and Fiance Committee
A Budget and Fiance Committee of five members shall be formed at the beginning of each new CAP year, consisting of the President, Treasurer, and three members elected by the membership. The chairperson shall be appointed by the President. This committee shall establish a budget for the upcoming year. The budget shall become official by approval of two-thirds of the members present at that meeting. This committee shall approve any expenditure over $25.00 or any expenditure over the approved budget. The budget may be amended by a majority vote of the committee members.

Section 3 - Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee of five members shall be elected by the members present at the March meeting. The committee shall elect its own chairperson.

Section 4 - Program Committee
The Program Committee of five members shall be headed by the Vice President in Charge of Programs. This committee shall be formed at the May meeting of the CAP year, and present a program calendar at the September meeting.

Article V - AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any regular meeting.