Section I - Purpose

A. MENC Purpose as stated in the MENC Collegiate Handbook

The purpose of MENC collegiate membership is to afford students an opportunity for professional orientation and development while in school and to enable students to gain an understanding of the following:

• The basic truths and principles that underline the role of music in human life;
• The philosophy and function of the music education profession;
• The profession interests of its members involved in the state, division, and national levels to establish contacts with the leaders of the profession;
• The music industryàs role in support of music education; and
• The knowledge and practices of the professional music educator as well as facilitated through chapter activity.

B. MCMENC Purpose

      In addition to the national MENC Purpose MCMENC will:

• Provide professional, educational, and social opportunities for all MCMENC members;
• Keep MCMENC members abreast of current information in Massachusetts music education;
• Provide clinics and workshops in different aspects of music education throughout the year;
• Provide for the creation and restructuring of individual chapters throughout the state;
• Act as a forum for the exchange of ideas to benefit MENC chapters in Massachusetts;
• Act as advocates for the furthering of education for music education majors in the state; and
• Solicit member volunteers to work for MMEA at the Massachusetts All-State Conference and Concert.

Section II - Membership

Membership requirements:

• Enrolled at any college or university in Massachusetts; (amended 10/19/03)
• Not employed fulltime in the field of music education; and
• Dues paid to MENC no later than February 28th of the current school year.

Section III - Officers and Duties

A. Chairperson

1. Will serve a term of two years total. The first year will be as Chair-Elect, and the second year as Chairperson. Each term will begin and end in May.
2. The Chairperson will perform the following duties:
   • Act as coordinator of MCMENC;
   • Uphold the by-laws as established by MCMENC;
   • Set up clinics, meetings, and other educational opportunities;
   • Act as a liaison to the individual chapters in Massachusetts;
   • Will attend MMEA board meetings and act as a liaison to MMEA;
   • Set up and run collegiate student participation at the All-State Conference and Concert; and
   • Develop an agenda and preside at Executive Board and MCMENC meetings.

B. Chair-Elect

1. The Chair-Elect will serve for a total of two years. The first year will be as Chair-Elect, and the second year as Chairperson. Each term will begin and end in May.
2. The Chair-Elect will perform the following duties:
   • Assume the responsibility of the Chairperson in his or her absence;
   • Work directly with the Chairperson to facilitate the smooth running of the chapter;
   • Record the responsibilities of the Executive Board; (amended 10/19/03)
   • Provide clinician gifts for MCMENC meetings;
   • Attend and learn ho to coordinate the collegiate participation at the All-State Conference and Concert; and
   • Act as a liaison to individual chapters in Massachusetts.

C. Secretary (amended 4/23/05)

1. The Secretary will serve a term of one year. The term will begin and end in May.
2. The Secretary will perform the following duties:
   • Work directly with the Chairperson and the Chair-Elect to facilitate the smooth running of the chapter; 
   • Keep record of meeting dates, agendas, and occurrences/events; and
   • Act as a liaison to individual chapters in Massachusetts.
   • Update the MCMENC webpage with meeting minutes. 

D. Treasurer (amended 4/23/05)

1. The Treasurer will serve a term of one year. The term will begin and end in May.
2. The Treasurer will perform the following duties:
   • Work directly with the Chairperson and the Chair-Elect to facilitate the smooth running of the chapter;
   • Act as a liaison to the Treasurer of the MMEA Board regarding financial matters;
   • Act as a liaison to individual chapters in Massachusetts.

Section - IV Meetings

A. MCMENC will hold one meeting per month followed by a clinic or workshop.

B. Meetings are open to all collegiate MENC members and their advisors.

C. The September meeting is held at the Chairperson's respective college, the February meeting is held   at the MCMENC Advisor's respective college, and the May meeting is held at the Chair-Elect's respective college.

D. The hosting college or university is responsible for providing food, date, location, time, and clinician. 

Section V - Elections

A. The following are the procedures for executive board elections: (amended 4/23/05)

1. Elections will be held at the April MCMENC meeting;
2. The current Chairperson runs the election;
3. While nominations are appreciated prior to the elections, they will also be taken from the floor with a second motion;
4. Each individual chapter will be given two votes for each board position open (two votes for Chair-Elect, two votes for Secretary and two votes for Treasurer).
5. Majority vote wins;
6. In the event of a tie each chapter is allowed to re-cast one single vote; and
7. In the event of a second tie the MCMENC chapter advisor will cast the deciding vote with the advisement of the Executive Board.

B. Absentee Ballots

1. In the event that an individual chapter cannot be represented at the April election meeting, then the chapter may cast their votes by absentee ballot.
2. Absentee ballots will be cast according to this procedure:
   • The chapter must inform the executive board prior to the April meeting that they will be in need of an absentee ballot;
   • The nominees will write their speeches and they will be sent to the chapter where the chapter president will read them to its membership and decide how their two votes will be cast;
   • The president will the inform the Executive board of their decision by a date determined by the Executive Board.

C. Resignations

1. If the Chairperson resign the Chair-Elect will assume his or her position, and a new Chair-Elect will be appointed.
2. If the Chair-Elect, Secretary, or Treasurer resigns, then an election will be held for that position by the remaining executive board.

Section VI - Budgeting and Fundraising

• The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the funds provided by the MMEA Board;
• Any profits form fundraising will be put into a private bank account with the approval of the MMEA board;
• The Secretary/Treasurer will account for all moneys in full.
• Spending will be approved by the MMEA board and will be of benefit to the entire chapter.

Section VII - Amendments

Amendments to the By-Laws will be voted on by the membership in an election run by the Chairperson and must pass with a two-thirds majority.