Standing Rules
[Adopted by the Board and Membership September 2018]
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the San Francisco League of the San Francisco Symphony.
ARTICLE II: MISSION
The mission of the League is to provide volunteer service and financial assistance to the San Francisco Symphony as well as to encourage audience development and educational opportunities.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
A. ACTIVE MEMBERS
Membership shall be limited to 100 Active Members.
Active members shall be donors to the Symphony, pay annual dues, participate in SFL projects and be obligated to financially support the SFL annual fundraiser. A member may apply to the President for exception, based on residency, ill health or undue financial burden.
Active members shall be expected to attend a minimum of four SFL meetings or events during a League year.
Active members shall be expected to serve in an SFL leadership role or on one or more SFL committees.
Active members shall be eligible to vote and hold office.
Active Members shall be dropped from membership if they fail to pay annual dues by the date specified in the Policies and Procedures Section III, Finance, Dues and Fees.
Active members in good standing may sponsor a Prospective Member.
B. NON-RESIDENT ACTIVE MEMBERS
Non-Resident Active Members shall be Active Members who have moved more than 200 miles from San Francisco and desire to maintain Active status. Non-Resident Members shall pay dues at the same level as Associate Members.
C. HONORARY MEMBERS
Honorary Members shall be non-dues-paying members so designated by the Board of Directors.
D. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Members who have been Active for four years may choose to become Associate Members.
Associate Members shall pay annual dues and shall continue to receive meeting notices and invitations to all League events.
Associate Members in good standing may sponsor Prospective Members.
Associate Members shall be dropped from membership if they fail to pay annual dues by the date specified in the Policies and Procedures Section III, Finance, Dues and Fees.
Associate Members shall not be eligible to vote or to hold office.
Associate Members wishing to return to Active status may be accepted regardless of the current number of Active Members.
There is no limit to the number of Associate Members.
E. PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
A Prospective Member can actively pursue membership in the League by submitting an application and fulfilling the requirements for induction into membership.
Membership requirements are attendance at minimum of two meetings or SFL events, which may include the meeting of induction. Prospective members are encouraged to attend SF Symphony events, but these events are not hosted by the SFL.
Upon completing the requirements and approval by the Board of Directors, a Prospective Member shall be presented for induction into membership at a General or Annual meeting of the League. At that time a Prospective Member becomes an Active Member and is required to pay dues.
A Prospective Member list shall be kept in order of receipt of Membership Chair. If the number of Active Members falls below 100, prospective members will be contacted to ascertain their interest in the League.
F. DUES
Annual dues for Active and Associate Members shall be decided by the Board of Directors with approval of the general membership.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
A. The officers of the League shall be President, President-elect, Vice President Education, Vice President Fundraising, Vice President Member Development, Vice President Strategic Development, Recording Secretary, Communications Secretary, Treasurer, Member at Large, and Past President (ex-officio).
B. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers.
C. Vacancies shall be filled by the President with approval of the Board of Directors.
D. Officers shall be elected for a term of two years and not more than two consecutive terms in the same position. The president, and president elect, however, shall each serve a one-year term.
E. Chairs, whether elected for a one or two year term, may serve for two consecutive terms.
F. A nominating committee with a minimum of five members (including the Chair) will develop a slate of officers and committee chairs. The Nominating Chair will present the slate of officers and committee chairs at the March general meeting; additional nominations may be made from the floor. The membership shall vote to approve the slate. The new officers and committee chairs shall be installed at the annual meeting in May/June, assume immediate responsibility for their new positions and effect an orderly transition with their predecessors.
G. The President shall appoint such additional committees and chairs as deemed necessary.
H. The Board will select the Nominating Chair for the following year during the January/February Board meeting. The Nominating Chair position shall be for one year only.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
A. There shall be no fewer than six Board of Directors meetings each year; there shall be a minimum of four general meetings each year, including the annual meeting in May.
B. Notices of such meetings shall be sent at least fourteen calendar days prior to the meeting date.
C. A quorum at Board of Directors meetings consists of a simple majority of elected officers.
D. A quorum at general meetings consists of those members present and eligible to vote.
E. The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall apply to meetings.
ARTICLE VI AMENDMENT OF STANDING RULES
These standing rules can be amended at any general meeting of the League by two-thirds vote, provided that the amendments have been submitted in writing via email or regular mail to the membership two weeks prior to the general meeting.
ARTICLE VII: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Board of Directors may adopt policies and procedures to govern the manner in which League affairs are conducted. Policies and procedures may be adopted or amended by a majority of the Board of Directors.