Louisiana Association for Jazz Education
LAJE
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
JUNE 2008
                                             CONSTITUTION                                                            

ARTICLE I - Name

This organization shall be known as the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education, Inc. It may also be
designated as LAJE.   LAJE is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Louisiana.

ARTICLE II - Purpose

The purpose for which the Association is organized and operated is exclusively literary and educational
as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as
they may hereafter be amended. The purpose of the Association shall be to advance music education,
and in specific furtherance thereof:

  •      To foster and promote the understanding and appreciation of jazz and its artistic   
performance.

  •      To lend assistance and guidance in the organization and development of jazz and popular
music curricula in schools and colleges to include instrumental and vocal ensembles of all  
types and sizes.

  •      To foster the application of jazz principles to music materials and methods to all levels of
education both public and private.

  •      To disseminate educational and professional news of interest to music educators.

  •      To assist in the organization of clinics, festivals, and symposiums at local, state, regional,
national, and international levels.

  •      To cooperate with all organizations dedicated to the development of musical culture.


ARTICLE III - Membership

Membership in the Association may be divided into such classifications as the Executive Board may from
time to time designate. The conditions, terms, privileges, rights, and duties of membership shall be stated
or provided for in the Bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE IV - Government

The Board of Directors, which shall be known as the Executive Board, shall be the legal representative of
the Association and as such shall have, hold, and administer all the property, funds, and affairs of the
Association. The structure terms, rights and duties of the Executive Board shall be stated or provided for
in the Bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE V - Elections

The manner of the election or appointment of the members of the Executive Board shall be provided for
in the Bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE VI - Disposition of Assets in Case of Dissolution

In the event of dissolution or termination of the Association, the Executive Board shall, after payment of
all the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all of the assets of the Association exclusively for the
objectives of the Association in such manner or to such organization(s) organized exclusively for
charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization(s)
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any
future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Executive Board shall determine. Any such assets not
so disposed of shall be disposed of by the court of proper jurisdiction exclusively for such purposes or
to such organization(s) as said court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for
such purposes.

ARTICLE VII - Amendments

This Constitution may be altered or amended by an approving vote of two-thirds of those members who
cast ballots by mail. Ballots and necessary supporting information shall be mailed from the Association's
headquarters at least sixty (60) days prior to the close of voting to all members of record who are eligible
to vote. Such closing date shall be designated by the Executive Board and printed on the ballots.
Proposed amendments to this Constitution may be initiated by the Executive Board or by a petition signed
by five percent (5%) of the State membership.

ARTICLE VIII - Bylaws

The Association may make and alter Bylaws consistent with the provisions indicated heretofore and in
accordance with the provisions stated or provided for in the Bylaws of the Association.

ARTICLE IX - Private Property

The private property of individual members of this association shall not be liable for association debts.

ARTICLE X - Private Gain and Political Activity

No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its
members or officers, or other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and
empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II hereof. No substantial part of the
activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or
distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Not
withstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities
not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501
(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States
Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170
(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States
Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE XI - Dues

The dues for membership will be determined by the Executive Board of the LAJE.    

ARTICLE XII - Meetings

The meetings of the Executive Board and/or the general membership shall be held at such time and place
as shall be designated by the President with the approval of the majority of the Board. All members shall
be notified either by mail or through an association publication of general circulation at least 30 days in
advance of the meeting. Special meetings may also be called by written request from four (4) members
of the Executive Board with the provision that 30 days notice be given as prescribed above.


                                             BYLAWS

   BY-LAWS OF LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION for JAZZ EDUCATION, INC.


ARTICLE I – Government

Section 1: Officers.  

The elected officers of the LAJE shall be the President-Elect, the 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President,
the Secretary, and the Treasurer.  The elected officers shall be elected by the vote of the membership
and shall hold office for two years.  Nominations will take place in a general membership meeting held in
November in conjunction with the LMEA Conference.  Ballots will be sent to all members and must be
cast no later than 30 June of the election year.  Elections will be held in even numbered years; officers
will take office on July 1 of that year.

Section 2: Executive Committee.  

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, the President-Elect, the 1st Vice President,
2nd Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the immediate Past-President of LAJE.

ARTICLE II – Duties of LAJE Officers

Section 1: President.  

The President shall preside at meetings of the Executive Board, shall appoint committees not otherwise
provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws, will prepare the agenda for meetings of the Executive Board,
and shall perform all other duties pertaining to the office.

Section 2: President-Elect.  

The President-Elect shall assume duties of the President in the event of disability, absence or resignation
of the President.  The President-Elect shall assume duties as State Jazz Festival Chairperson and oversee
all requirements, including working closely with the "Hosting College", to present an annual LAJE State
Jazz Festival.  Duties for the LAJE State Jazz Festival will include but not limited to organizing facilities,
schedules, entry fees/forms, festival workers/volunteers, Advertisement, trophies/plaques, and any other
activities deemed necessary to insure a successful State Jazz Festival.  The President-Elect shall have
such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.  The President-Elect shall
automatically assume the duties of President at the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent.

Section 3: 1st Vice President.

The 1st Vice President shall act as an advisor to the President and shall serve on the Executive Board.  
The 1st VP will work directly with the President-Elect and assist in the organizing, implementing, and
running of the LAJE State Jazz Festival.  The 1st VP shall perform other duties as assigned by the
President.

Section 4:  2nd Vice President.

The 2nd Vice President shall act as an advisor to the President and shall serve on the Executive Board.  
The 2nd VP will be responsible for organizing, implementing, and maintaining LAJE membership dues
and active membership recruitment.  The 2nd VP will insure that all membership dues are accounted for
and work closely with the LAJE Treasurer to insure that all funds are deposited in an appropriate LAJE
account. The 1st VP shall perform other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 5:  Secretary.  

The Secretary shall be a member of the Executive Board, shall act as Secretary at all official meetings of
the Executive Board, and shall transcribe the minutes of each meeting and furnish a copy of said minutes
upon request of Board Members.

Section 6: Treasurer.  

The Treasurer shall be a member of the Executive Board and shall monitor the fiscal records of the
Association.

Section 7:  Immediate Past-President.  

The immediate Past-President shall be a member of the LAJE Executive Board and shall advise the
President and the Executive Board.

ARTICLE III – Terms of Office

Terms of office for Officers shall be two years.  No officer may serve more than three (3) consecutive
terms in any office unless a specific office would be left vacant, approved by the Executive Board,
approved by general membership in open election forum, and no other member wishes to run for
that specific position.

ARTICLE IV – Simi-Annual Meetings

A semi-annual meeting of the general membership of the LAJE will be held during the month of
November in conjunction with the LMEA/Jazz Division and during the month of February in conjunction
with the South Central Regional Music Conference or at an appropriate site or activity designated by the
Executive Board.

Section 1:  Active Membership
shall be open to any person who will give active support to the purpose of this organization and has
satisfied the dues requirement set by the Executive Board, and is an active member of the Louisiana
Association for Jazz Education, Inc.  Dues will be $25 per year.  (1st year membership will be offered to
IAJE members as of April 2008 at $15 for the first year.)

Section 2:  Student Membership
shall be open to anyone who is currently enrolled in public or private school, at any level.  Student
membership shall provide the privileges of participation in all activities of the association with the
exception of voting and holding office.

Section 3:  Honorary Membership
may be conferred by unanimous vote of the Executive Board.  Such membership shall be for individuals
who offer and perform distinguished service to jazz and music education.  Honorary membership shall
carry with it all privileges of active membership except the right to vote and hold office.

Section 4:  Patron Membership
shall be open to any person, company, firm or institution.  In the case of a company or firm, one person
would be designated as the LAJE member representing the firm or company.  Patron members will
receive special recognition and such other benefits as may be specified by the Executive Board.  Patron
members are entitled to voting privileges and can hold office in LAJE.  The  Executive Board of LAJE
will be responsible for conferring Patron Memberships and any member of LAJE can nominate or recruit
businesses or corporations providing they satisfy all LAJE membership dues/fees.

ARTICLE V – Elections

Section 1:  
The LAJE Executive Board will be responsible for overseeing of all elections as prescribed in Article I
and Article III of the LAJE Bylaws.  Nominations for officers will be taken from the general membership
at the Annual Membership meeting in November as prescribed by Article I, Article, III, and Article IV of
the LAJE Bylaws.

Section 2:  
Balloting.  LAJE elections shall be conducted by mail or by secured electronic website voting process (if
available). Monitoring of elections will be done by the President or President’s designee.

ARTICLE VI – Bylaws

Any LAJE member may petition the Executive Board for the purpose of altering the Bylaws.  Changes of
the Bylaws shall be approved by a simple majority at a General membership meeting.  The membership
shall be informed of Bylaws changes according to the provisions set forth in Article IV of the
Constitution relative to meetings.

ARTICLE VII – Committees

Special committees may serve during the term of the administration in which they are appointed or for
such period as may be determined by the appropriate Executive Board.  

ARTICLE VIII - Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame

Any member in good standing of the LAJE may nominate another member of the State Unit, in good
standing, for the Lifetime Achievement Award and for induction into the Louisiana Association for Jazz
Education Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame.  The Executive Board will be responsible for establishing
requirements and standards of possible inductees for the Lifetime Achievement Award and will be based
on the advancement and or support of jazz education in the State of Louisiana.  The Executive Board will
be the approving authority for induction.  Selection of nominees will be by a simple majority vote of the
Executive Board.



Andy Pizzo                                      Lee Hicks                                                   Joe Leblanc
President                                   President-Elect                                            Vice President


Cristina Mendoza                                                          Bill Causey                                       
Secretary                                                                    Treasurer      

Mike Morgan                                      Galindo Rodriguez
Immediate Past President                             Past President