Texas Watercolor Society
In 1949, TWS was founded
by Margaret Pace Willson and Amy Freeman Lee with the mission
to advance the art of painting in watercolors, and hold annual
exhibitions of watercolor paintings.” In the beginning the exhibit
was selected by nationally recognized jurors and limited to artists
residing in Texas.
Today, more than 50 years later,
TWS continues to promote the high standards set by its founders.
Thus, as a national exhibit, TWS proudly takes its place among the
elite watercolor organizations in the nation.
The exhibitions were held at the Witte
Memorial Museum 1950 until 1970. In 1950, the first exhibit had 49
paintings and 15 awards with $100 for the top award.
The 25th Exhibit offered $25,000,
the most prize money in the history of watercolor exhibitions in
this country: 72 awards for 110 paintings, chosen from 600 entries.
There were two traveling circuit exhibitions in Texas, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana. By 1979, 2,465 paintings had been
exhibited with 10,150 paintings submitted.
42nd Exhibit: TWS became a national
show awarding $2000 for Best of Show, with membership throughout
the nation.
In 1999 we celebrated our 50th
Anniversary Exhibit of the Texas Watercolor Society at the San
Antonio Museum of Art with the first all color catalog including
photos of all of the paintings and a special $1000 Award for Texas
Artists. The exhibition honored our two living founders: Amy Freeman
Lee and Margaret Pace Willson. The exhibit was the headliner of San
Antonio’s fourth Watercolor Month. The book, Texas Watercolor
Society, Fifty Years of Excellence, featured 125 of our 356 members,
debuted. Show entries reached an all time high of 865.
Today, TWS continues to exhibit and promote
some of the of the best artists working in that unique and vibrant
medium -- watercolor.
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BYLAWS
TEXAS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
(Adopted September 2010)
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this
society shall be THE TEXAS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY.
ARTICLE
II – OBJECTIVE
The
objective of this Society shall be to advance the art of painting in water media
paints on paper and to hold an annual exhibit.
ARTICLE
III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
CLASSIFICATION.
1)
Membership shall be divided into eight categories: CHARTER, SIGNATURE,
ASSOCIATE, HONORARY, LIFE, EMERITUS, SAGE BRUSH AND PURPLE SAGE BRUSH SOCIETY.
2)
The membership is open to any watercolorist 18 years of age or older.
3)
CHARTER members shall consist of those who organized and founded the
Texas Watercolor Society and are therefore life members.
4)
SIGNATURE membership shall be:
a.
Open to those artists who have had two paintings accepted by jurors of
the TWS Annual Exhibition; and
b.
Who have completed the application process; and
c.
Paid annual dues for the current year.
d.
Privileges:
i.
Signature members shall have the privilege of using the initials “TWS”
with their name to designate signature status should they so desire, provided
that they remain active members of the Society.
ii.
Participate in the Sage Brush and Purple Sage Brush honor program.
5)
ASSOCIATE membership shall be
a.
Open to all artists or persons who are interested in furthering the
purpose of the Society; and
b.
Completed the application process; and
c.
Paid annual dues for the current year.
d.
Privileges:
i.
Associate members will have voting privileges and may hold executive
offices with the exception of President.
ii.
Associate members may not use the initials “TWS” with their name
or in any resume or similar document.
6)
HONORARY members shall be chosen from persons who have encouraged,
appreciated or sponsored arts in Texas. The Board of Directors unanimous vote of
approval of any name submitted to the Society shall be required for election of
an honorary member. Honorary Members do not pay dues or hold office.
7)
LIFE member shall be any member attaining the age of 80 years.
8)
EMERITUS membership shall consist of members who have served in an
outstanding manner. Names of members to be considered for this category should
be sent to the Executive Board to be screened by a three-person committee and
approved by the Executive Board. This category does not require payment of dues.
9)
SAGE BRUSH and PURPLE SAGE BRUSH SOCIETY to honor Signature Members who
continue to exhibit in professional competitions. Sage Brush membership
requires 50 points and Purple Sage Brush requires 75 points.
a.
Membership: Active dues paying members who have acquired points by being
accepted and/or receiving awards in recognized competitions. Points accrue from
the date the first painting was accepted in TWS.
b.
AWS and NWS: 8 points for acceptance, +2 points for an award.
c.
All National and Regional Watercolor Shows: 6 points for acceptance + 2
points for an award.
d.
Local Watercolor Shows: 4 points for acceptance + 2 points for an award.
SECTION 2.
MEMBERSHIP DUES.
1)
The Executive Board has the authority to raise or lower dues as sound
management may require.
2)
The fiscal year shall be from January 1st through December 31st.
3)
Annual dues are payable no later than March 1st. After March 1st,
members who have not paid their dues are suspended from active membership, and
may not vote or hold office.
4)
The membership committee shall notify, in writing, any members who have
not paid their dues by October 1st that
a.
dues are in arrears;
b.
membership is suspended; and
c.
if dues are not remitted by December 1st, they shall be dropped from
active membership.
5)
The Membership Committee shall notify members who have not paid their
dues by December 1st in writing that they have been dropped from the membership.
6)
Any member resigning or ceasing to be a member because of failure to pay
dues shall forfeit all interest in the property of TWS.
7)
A delinquent member of no more than two years may be reinstated to active
membership by paying one year’s back dues plus current year’s dues. Signature
members delinquent over two years may regain membership under procedures
specified for new candidates.
8)
Members who have resigned or are no longer active members may not use the
“TWS” initials after their names.
ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE BOARDtc \l 3 "MANAGEMENT OF THE
SOCIETY"
SECTION I. The Executive Board shall be responsible to the voting membership
for managing the routine affairs, funds and property of the Society in
accordance with these By-laws and Standing Rules. The Board shall have the
authority to make, adopt, amend or modify the Standing Rules necessary to
fulfill the purpose of the Society that are consistent with these By-laws and in
fulfillment of any action the Society may take at the membership meetings. The
Board shall have the authority to conduct routine business by mail, telephone,
or other media considered appropriate. The minutes of the Executive Board
proceedings shall be kept in the same book with the minutes of the Society.
The
Executive Board shall appoint a Certified Public Accountant at the Exhibition
Meeting for audit for 501(c)3 compliance each year in conjunction with the
filing of the not-for-profit Federal tax return. The Auditor shall not be a
member of the Executive Board.
SECTION 2. MEMBERS OF THE
EXECUTIVE BOARD. Members of the Board shall be the elected officers, the
immediate past president, the Directors at Large, and appointed chairs of
standing committees. The President of the Society shall serve as the presiding
officer. Any member may attend a Board meeting.
SECTION 3. MEETINGS. The Board shall meet at the request of the President or
three of its members. All Board members shall be notified of meetings.
SECTION 4. QUORUM OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. A quorum for the meetings of the
Executive Board to conduct business shall be five.
SECTION 5. VOTING AT MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. A majority vote of the Board
members present at any meeting (or polled by telephone or other media considered
appropriate by the Board) shall be sufficient to conduct the business of the
Board. All members of the Board shall have voting privileges. Members of
committees may attend Board meetings, but may not vote
SECTION 6. TENURE OF BOARD
MEMBERS. Tenure for elected officers shall be the term of their office,
beginning June 1 and ending on May 31. Appointed members of the Board serve one
year with reappointment possible.
SECTION 7. ASSISTANTS TO OFFICERS
AND CHAIRS shall be appointed as needed by the officer or chair.
ARTICLE V. ELECTED OFFICERS
SECTION 1. GENERAL. The Officers shall be elected
from the active membership. The nominee for President shall have Signature
status and shall have served one term on the Board. All shall be active members
in good standing.
SECTION 2. TERMS OF OFFICE.
1)
The term of office for the President shall be two years, non-renewable.
The term for other officers shall be two years and the term for all officers
shall begin June 1 and end on May 31.
2)
All officers except the President may stand for re-election with no
limits on the number of years that they may serve.
3)
A former President may not run for the Office of President until at least
two years have passed. A former President may run for any other office.
SECTION 3. VACANCIES IN OFFICES
1)
Should the office of President become vacant in mid-term, it shall be
filled, or order of succession, by the First Vice-President, Second
Vice-President, Third Vice-President or Fourth Vice-President.
2)
Should any other office become vacant in mid-term, the Executive Board
shall have the authority to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
SECTION 4. OFFICERS. The Officers
shall be:
1)
President
2)
First Vice-President (Awards)
3)
Second Vice-President (Exhibition)
4)
Third Vice-President (Catalog)
5)
Fourth Vice-President (Membership)
6)
Treasurer
7)
Recording Secretary
8)
Corresponding Secretary
9)
Parliamentarian
10)
Director-at-Large (3)
SECTION 5. NOMINATION
AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
1)
A Nominating Committee of three members in good standing shall be
appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. The
Nominating Committee report of nominees, date of the Annual meeting and ballots
shall be provided in writing to the membership at least seventeen days prior to
the Annual meeting.
2)
Election and installation of officers shall be announced at the Annual
meeting.
3)
A majority of members voting by ballot shall elect the Officers of the
Society.
4)
Elections shall be made by ballot. When there is only one nominee for the
office the election may be by voice vote.
SECTION 6. DUTIES OF
OFFICERS
1)
PRESIDENT.
a.
Preside at meetings of the Executive Board.
b.
Preside at Society membership meetings and determine the agenda.
c.
Appoint the Chairs of the Standing and Special Committees.
d.
With the Recording Secretary, sign all written contracts and obligations
of TWS.
e.
Be authorized to sign on all bank accounts and pay any bills of TWS in
the absence of the Treasurer;
f.
Be ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
g.
Perform such other duties as may be required for the benefit of TWS and
as may be assigned by the Executive Board.
2)
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT.
a.
Perform all duties of the presiding officer in the absence of the
President.
b.
Serve as Chair of the Prizes and Awards Committee for the Annual TWS
Exhibition.
3)
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT.
a.
Perform all duties of the presiding officer in the absence of the
President and the First Vice-President.
b.
Serve as Chair and coordinate all activities necessary to conduct the
Annual TWS Exhibition.
4)
THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT
a.
Perform all duties of the presiding officer in the absence of the
President, First and Second Vice- Presidents.
b.
Serve as Chair and coordinate all activities necessary to produce the
Catalog.
5)
FOURTH VICE-PRESIDENT
a.
Perform all duties of the presiding officer in the absence of the
President, First, Second, and Third Vice- Presidents.
b.
Keep a membership roll of the Society.
6)
RECORDING SECRETARY
a.
Record the proceedings of all meetings of the Society.
7)
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
a.
Conduct all correspondence of the Society.
b.
Issue all notices, including those of election to the membership and of
the meetings of the Society.
c.
Discharge other duties as assigned by the Executive Board of Directors.
8)
TREASURER.
a.
Notify members when dues are payable.
b.
Receive all monies due TWS.
c.
Authorized to sign on all bank accounts.
d.
Pay all bills of the Society. The Executive Board must approve the
programs that generate the bills.
e.
Give a report at each TWS membership meeting and give a full report at
the Annual Meeting of the receipts and disbursements of the past year.
f.
Give a report of the balance in the treasury at the Executive Board
meetings or at any time the Board requests the report.
g.
Keep accurate accounts of all financial transactions in the books
provided for that purpose, that is at all times available for inspection by the
Executive Board members.
h.
Make accounts available for audit for 501(c)3 compliance each year in
conjunction with the filing of the not-for-profit Federal tax return.
i.
Not be required to furnish bond.
9)
PARLIAMENTARIAN
a.
Shall ensure compliance with the Society Bylaws and Standing Rules.
b.
Shall ensure parliamentary procedures are followed in accordance with
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
10)
DIRECTORS – AT-LARGE.
a.
Shall attend Executive Board meetings.
b.
May act as committee chairs.
ARTICLE V–
MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. MEETINGS.
1)
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS. There shall be a minimum of two general
membership meetings per year. The Executive Board shall determine the dates and
location, and inform the membership of such.
2)
EXHIBITION MEETING. An Exhibition meeting shall be held each year during
the Annual Exhibit to announce the Nominating Committee and transact such
business as may come before the Society.
3)
ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual meeting shall be held to announce the election
of Officers and the transaction of other business at such time as determined by
the Executive Board.
4)
SPECIAL MEETING. A Special Meeting may be called at the discretion of
the President or at the written request of ten members. The request shall
specify the purpose of the meeting and give ten day’s notice of it’s time and
location.
SECTION 2. QUORUM.
Eight members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 3. VOTING.
1)
Members whose dues are current and are in good standing are entitled to
one vote.
2)
Amendments to the Bylaws shall require a majority vote with a signed
ballot favoring the amendment(s) by members in good standing.
ARTICLE VI– HEADQUARTERS
The permanent headquarters of the
Texas Watercolor Society shall be located in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
SECTION 1.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
1)
The President shall appoint the Chair of the Standing Committees.
a.
Sage Brush and Purple Sage Brush Honor Society
b.
Newsletter
c.
Public Relations
d.
Historian
e.
Social
f.
Archives
2)
Any member may serve on a committee at the discretion of the Board. The
duties of the committee chairs and members shall be set forth in the Standing
Rules and regulated by rules and conditions set forth by the Board.
SECTION 2. SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
The presiding officer shall appoint special committees authorized for any
purpose.
ARTICLE IX – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Society in all cases
where they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these
bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.
ARTICLE X. BYLAWS
SECTION 1. A copy of the Bylaws shall be mailed to
each member.
SECTION 2. AMENDING
THE BYLAWS.
1)
The Bylaws may be amended with a majority of signed ballots by members in
good standing.
2)
A proposed amendment to the By-laws must be presented in writing and be
signed by five or more active members to be placed before the membership for
vote. The proposal shall be submitted to the President who will inform the Board
3)
The corresponding secretary shall mail a copy of the proposed amendment(s)
and a ballot to each member in good standing at least two weeks prior to the
scheduled meeting for voting.
4)
Votes shall be cast at the meeting or by regular mail received by
midnight of the day prior to the meeting. The corresponding secretary will
collect all ballots and present them to the president. The President shall
appoint three members to count the ballots.
5)
Amendments to the By-laws shall become effective immediately upon
approval. A copy of the amended By-laws shall be mailed to all active members.
ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION
Assets
of the Texas Watercolor Society upon dissolution shall be distributed for one or
more exempt purposes, or to the Federal, State or Local government for public
purposes or shall be distributed by a court to another organization to be used
in an appropriate manner.
Adopted September 19, 2010
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STANDING RULES of ORDER
Adopted 09/14/2003