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Revised 2004

PITTSBURGH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS BYLAWS

Article I NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1 The name of the organization is PITTSBURGH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS, hereafter referred to as PSA.

Section 2 The purpose of the PSA is to support and encourage artists; among the means to this end are the exhibition of original works of art and the bestowal of honors and prizes, if deemed appropriate, without prejudice against any race, ethnic background, or political, religious or sexual preference.

Article II MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 Members shall belong to one of the following classifications:

1. active member
2. life member
3. associate member

Section 2 Active members in good standing shall have all the powers and privileges conferred by the bylaws.

a. Any person 18 years or older, who resides within a 150 mile radius of Pittsburgh, may apply for membership.
b. Applicants will submit three (3) samples of original works completed within the prior two years. The work presented may not have been done under direct instruction. The time, date, and place for screening applicants' work shall be announced at least two weeks in advance.
c. Members of the Board of Directors shall screen the work of artists applying for membership. Board members present at the screening shall constitute the screening committee. An applicant must be accepted by twothirds of the screening committee.

Section 3 Life membership may be conferred by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. A Life member must have been a former Active member and is not subject to the residence requirement or dues. A Life member shall enjoy all privileges of the organization.

Section 4 An associate member shall enjoy the privileges of the organization except for the powers of voting, holding office and exhibiting works of art. An associate member will pay reduced dues as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5 Active members must comply with the following conditions:

A. Yearly dues must be paid by January 30 of the year in which they are due. The treasurer shall notify all members one month prior to December 30th of the dues to be paid. The treasurer shall notify any member whose dues remain unpaid by May 1 that said member has been dropped from the organization.
B. Any member may also be dropped from the organization by a two thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors if his or her conduct is detrimental to the best interests of the organization. Such a member shall be informed in writing of the intended action and shall be entitled to a hearing at the next meeting of the Board of Directors or before a vote is taken.
C. Members who have failed to pay their dues will be considered Inactive Members for three years; during this period reinstatement of membership shall be automatic upon the payment of all past dues owed to the organization.

Article III BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 The Board of Directors shall manage the general affairs of the organization, but shall be bound by the vote of the membership at a general meeting.

Section 2 The Board of Directors shall consist of:

A. President
B. Vice president
C. Publicity Chairperson
D. Recording secretary
E. Corresponding Secretary
F. Treasurer
G. Membership Secretary
H. Exhibition Chairperson
I. Members at large

Section 3 Each director shall serve a two-year term. No director shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position.

Section 4 Two-thirds of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for a Board of Directors meeting. In the absence of a quorum, Board members present are empowered to conduct necessary business. Measures adopted in the absence of a quorum must be confirmed at the following meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 5 Directors must attend a majority of Board meetings each year, and may be absent from no more than three consecutive meetings .Failure to do so will result in their removal from the Board.

Article IV OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1 The President shall preside at general meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors and shall conduct all meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 2 The Vice-president shall aid the President in the discharge of his or her duties and, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties of the President.

Section 3 The Publicity Chairperson is responsible for publicity.

Section 4 The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of the general meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 5 The Corresponding Secretary shall send out such notices and correspondence as the President or Board directs.

Section 6 The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all the funds of the organization under the direction of the Board of Directors. Responsibilities include: submitting a financial report at all meetings; maintaining an accurate list of members’ names, addresses, and payment records. Accounts shall be audited annually, by an authorized person or persons appointed by the President.

Section 7 As necessary ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the president from the members in good standing with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 8 The Membership Secretary shall organize new-member screenings and keep accurate records of all active members.

Article V MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1 Semi-annual meetings of the general membership shall be held at a place and time designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 A written notice of each general meeting shall be sent to all members at least seven days in advance. This notice will state the time and place of the meeting.

Section 3 A quorum shall consist of twenty-five (25) active members.

Section 4 Election of officers and committee chairs shall be held by ballot at the general meeting at the expiration of each two-year term. A nominating committee shall present a slate of nominees. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Section 5 At each election of officers a nominating committee of five members will also be elected.

Section 6 The Board of Directors shall appoint members of the Board at large at their discretion.

Section 7 Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the president. Such appointments must be approved by a simple majority of the Board of Directors.

Article VI FINANCES

Section 1 Annual dues are to be fixed by a vote of three-fourths of the Board of Directors and approved by a majority of the membership present at a duly-called meeting, and remain in effect until changed.

Section 2 The PSA has the right to hold property and to receive gifts and bequests.

Article VII Exhibitions

Section 1 There shall be an annual juried exhibition of members’ works. A prospectus for the annual exhibition, as set by the Board of Directors, shall be mailed at least four weeks prior to the entry date.

Section 2 Any active member in good standing or any life member may submit works of art to the annual exhibition.

Section 3 The juror shall be chosen by the Exhibition Committee, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 4 If a juror disqualifies him or herself or for any other reason is unable to serve, the President and/or the Exhibition Chair shall have the power to appoint a replacement.

Section 5 Other exhibitions shall be held from time to time as the Exhibition Committee and the Board of Directors shall decide.

Article VIII AWARDS

Section 1 The number of awards for each exhibition and the amount of each cash award (if any) shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Article IX AMENDMENTS

Section 1 These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors and either a two-thirds vote of the full membership, obtained by mailed ballots, or a two-thirds majority vote of members present at a semi-annual meeting. Members are to be informed in advance whenever an amendment to the bylaws will be on the agenda of a general meeting.