OLD PUEBLO PLAYWRIGHTS’
Statement of Purpose,
Goals, and Membership
June 2008
Purpose:
Old Pueblo Playwrights (OPP) is a
non-profit organization 501(c) (3) dedicated to the idea of generating a
supportive setting for the creation of plays for stage, film, video, radio and
television. OPP is also committed to community outreach by featuring its best
works in public play performances every year.
Goals:
To support members’ works by offering
play reading opportunities throughout the year.
To use a critique process that is
based on the principles of drama.
To offer all members the opportunity
for at least two readings of their work(s) which are then eligible to be
stage-read in the annual Festival of New Plays.
Membership:
Any person interested in the writing
of plays, screenplays, videos, or performance pieces is welcome. A small yearly
fee for dues is asked, but not demanded by the organization. A fully invested
membership provides participants the opportunity to have their plays read and
critiqued, inclusive participation in OPP activities and voting privileges on
all matters regarding the organization
OLD PUEBLO PLAYWRIGHTS’
By-laws
June 2008
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Membership timeline
After attending at least two OPP
meetings, a potential member can express interest in joining the organization
to the president. The president or someone he/she designates will discuss the
particulars of membership with the interested person
Review of Potential Member’s Work
A playwright interested in becoming a
member of OPP must submit a sample of his/her work. This sample should be at
least one complete scene of a play script (stage, screen, radio, television).
Three copies are given to the president who will ask for and/or choose readers
from members. The purpose of this submission is to allow at least three members
of OPP to acquaint themselves with the prospective member’s work.
C. Definition of a Member
A fully invested member, therefore, is
any person who has attended at least two OPP meetings, submitted three copies
of a dramatic work for review and has either paid (or informed the
vice-president/treasurer they are unable to) their dues. (See DUES and
AASOCIATE MEMBERS)
D. Credit to OPP
When members’ works that have been
read and critiqued at OPP meetings are produced in any form, the playwright
agrees to add the following words to all programs and other associated
literature/announcements where credit is given: “The playwright is a member of
Tucson’s Old Pueblo Playwrights.”
E. Use of Members’ Names
OPP has the right to publicize past
and present members’ participation in the organization.
F. Use of Organization’s Name
Any formal communication by a member
under the banner of OPP must be approved by the Executive Board.
G. Meetings
OPP is obligated to notify members
only about special meetings, business meetings and meetings during which voting
is scheduled for (1) revision of by-laws or (2) play selection for public
performance.
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF OLD PUEBLO
PLAYWRIGHTS
Requirements
The Board is required to meet at least
four (4) times a year to discuss general business, public performances, fund
raising, and any other activity deemed necessary for the running of the
organization. Members of the Executive Board are to attend OPP meetings on a
regular basis. They are also responsible for maintaining active liaison with
the Arizona Theatre Company as long as OPP is using their rehearsal facility.
The Executive Board has the right to approve or disapprove presidential
decisions by a majority vote. In the event such a vote ends in a tie, the
president shall cast the deciding vote.
Officers (president,
vice-president/treasurer, secretary and members-at-large) are elected
individually by secret ballot not before September 1st and not
after September 30th of each year beginning in 2009. These
elected members constitute the Executive Board of OPP. Officers and
members-at-large may serve consecutive terms.
Duties of President
The president is a non-voting member
of the Executive Board except in the case of a tie. He/she is responsible for
governing the organization and schedules Executive Board meetings. He/she makes
the ultimate decisions as to the scheduling of meetings and events as well as
all other activities in the interest of OPP. The president may appoint and
dissolve committees (with the exception of the Executive Board), organize
public performances, conduct public relations, and seek out and apply for
grants, awards and recognition for the benefit of OPP. One business meeting
each year is to be called by the president for the purpose of considering
future strategies and changes in policy. This meeting may be coincidental to
the election of officers. Any member may present proposals at this time. All
members must be informed concerning business meetings called by the president. The
president shall be responsible for the dispersion of funds – in coordination
with the vice-president treasurer.
Duties of the Vice-President/Treasurer
The vice-president/treasurer assists
the president and performs all functions necessary if the president is absent
or otherwise unable to fulfill the duties of the office. The
vice-president/treasurer is responsible for collecting and accounting for dues
as well as monies related to any public performances and must report on the
financial status of the organization at least quarterly. This report can be
given verbally, but a written report must be available at that time.
Duties of the Secretary
The secretary maintains the scheduling
of events, attendance logs at meetings (including actors and directors who participate
in play readings), as well as a current membership roll. She/he is also
responsible for maintaining an ongoing community directory of actors and
directors which can be used by members to engage participants in readings and
public performances.
Duties of the Members-at-large
The members-at-large are expected to
attend all Executive Board meetings, be available to chair committees, and
carry out any business assigned by the president. If an officer of the
organization vacates his/her post, then a member-at-large will be nominated to
fill that position by the president. At a meeting of the general membership,
the members will vote on the nomination.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
OPP welcomes practitioners of all
theater arts and others in the community who have a passion for the theater
into its membership. Associate members participate in all meetings, pay
dues and have voting privileges, but all decisions put to a vote must be
determined only when at least two/thirds (2/3) of the votes are playwright-members.
Associate members may, at any time, become fully invested members and have
their scripts read and critiqued (see Membership requirements).
DUES
Membership dues are thirty-six dollars
per year. Dues are paid after January 1st of each year. Current
members should pay their dues by January 15th. Members who, for any
reason, are unable to pay their dues must inform the vice-president/treasurer.
That member will be excused from payment without needing to explain or justify
their situation. An individual who decides to join OPP after January of any
given year will pay a pro-rated amount based upon three dollars a month. Only
members whose dues are current may participate in the voting process.
OPP WEBSITE
The president, with the advice and
consent of the Executive Board, will appoint a member (ideally a
member-at-large) to manage/oversee the OPP website. Said member can engage a
non-member in this enterprise. If service fees are required, these fees can be
approved only by the Executive Board.
REVISIONS OF BY-LAWS AND STANDING
RULESBy-laws
The By-laws may be revised only if
two-thirds (2/3) of current members in attendance at the meeting, where change
is proposed, vote for the revision. All members must be notified of any
proposed changes at least two weeks prior to the vote. Absentee ‘ballots’ must
be received by the secretary at least twenty-four (24) hours before the vote
will take place. These absentee ballots need to be in writing (land mail,
e-mail or personal note).
Standing Rules
The Standing Rules may be revised by a
majority of members in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting during which
the president calls for a vote.