Elmira Regional Art Society

Elmira Regional Art Society

Constitution and Bylaws

This constitution & Bylaws of

the Elmira Regional Art Society

September, 2020

supersedes all former

Constitutions & Bylaws by this organization

which will herein be known as ERAS

ARTICLE I: NAME

Founded as the Elmira Art Club in 1869  it was renamed the
Elmira Regional Art Society  (ERAS) in 1999 to reflect and
encourage  a broader constituency.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

To encourage and contribute to the Members'  development
in the visual arts, maintaining high standards for its Exhibiting  Members,
providing venues to show their work
 and fostering appreciation for diverse schools  of thought and expression.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Honorary Membership:

The Executive Committee will propose candidates for Honorary Membership based on service or exceptional contributions. Each candidate must have a minimum membership of fifteen (15) years. The general membership will then vote on the candidate, requiring a simple majority of the voting membership present at the next regular meeting.

Honorary Members have the same privileges as Exhibiting Members. They are exempt from dues and exhibiting three (3) times during the year but may enter the Palette Award Show.

Associate Membership:

Open to anyone eighteen (18) years and older who are interested in the visual arts and starts upon receipt of annual dues and completed application.
Associate Members will receive the Directory and Constitution and Bylaws and are invited to attend our weekly painting groups and monthly demos and will be listed in our next directory.
Associates have all the privileges of the Society except the right to exhibit.
Associates may not use the ERAS name, initials or Logo with their name or artwork, doing so would be reason for immediate dismissal.

Exhibiting Membership:

Applicants will submit a completed application form and three (3) original works of art (produced in the last two (2) years) to the Membership Chairperson.

Applicants may submit digital images (jpeg) to erasart.com and/or bring original artwork to an executive meeting. These will be directed to the membership chairperson and the executive committee. Applications will be accepted at any time.

The actual acceptance as an exhibiting member will be determined by a simple majority ballot vote of the Executive Committee during the JANUARY, APRIL, JULY and OCTOBER Executive Committee meetings. Applicants cannot be present during this process. Active membership begins upon acceptance by the committee and receipt of the annual dues.

New members will receive the Directory and Constitution Bylaws. They will be listed in the next Directory and will be encouraged to participate in all ERAS activities.

5. Exhibiting members are expected to exhibit three (3) times per year in a group show or Monthly Exhibit.

6. Non-compliance with ERAS rules may result in suspension of membership by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee, which also has the authority to grant exemptions and reinstatement.

ARTICLE IV: ADMINISTRATION

The Executive Committee consists of all elected officers.
They study, formulate and vote on all ERAS policies before they are presented to the general membership. (See Directory for complete job descriptions.)

Elected Officers

President                                          Recording Secretary

Vice-President                                  Treasurer

Corresponding Secretary

Committee Chairpersons:

Chemung County Fair                     Nomination for Officers and Chairpersons

Directory                                            Palette Program

Exhibits                                              Phone

Hospitality                                         Picnic

Membership                                      Publicity

Monthly Programs                            Webmasters

New Member Orientation                 Workshop



Section 2 - Election of Officers

The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee in September which selects and presents the names of the nominees at the regular October Meeting.

2. Notice of November vote and a list of the nominees will be presented at the October

meeting and available in the minutes of the October meeting.

3. Nominees must be Exhibiting or Honorary Members in good standing.

4. Members are not limited to voting for candidates recommended by the Nominating

Committee, they may vote for any member who is eligible by using the write-in option.

5. A majority of the voting membership attending the November meeting is required to elect

officers and chairpersons.

6. Officers and Chairpersons elected in November serve for one year beginning

January 1st and may be reelected.

7. Officers other than the President may serve in more than one Position.

ARTICLE V: EXHIBITING

ERAS will take no sides in the schools of visual art and will not be dedicated to any one particular school of drawing, painting, sculpting or photography.

2. Exhibiting Members will follow the rules regarding each type of Exhibit

(Monthly Circuit, Group Show, or Palette Award (see IX Palette Award Rule below).

3. Exhibiting Members are expected to maintain a professional image and handle

all sales of their work, personally with the buyer.

4. In our Monthly Circuit Exhibits both the current and the next exhibitor are

responsible to contact each other and coordinate the changing of the display.

5. Two or more members may share and exhibit equally in a Monthly Circuit Venue.

These venues are listed on the website and members are notified by email of

up coming commitments.

6. There will be a group exhibition(s) available during the year.

7. Only officially sanctioned places of exhibit may have a sign saying “Elmira

Regional Art Society" which will be placed by the Exhibiting Chairman and

remain on display.

ARTICLE VI: DUES

Dues will be commensurate with the financial needs of ERAS and approved by a majority members; providing the meeting was previously designated for this purpose.

2. Dues will be payable January 1st - the beginning of our fiscal and exhibit year.

3. Dues for an Associate Member will be less than dues for Exhibiting Members.

4. Please make your check out to Elmira Regional Art Society (ERAS)

and mail to the current Treasurer by January 1st each year.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings will take place once a month except July and August.

2. Business and Special Meetings may be held providing all Members are notified

in advance.

3. Program Presenters at regular meeting will receive an honorarium.

ARTICLE XIII: ERAS PALETTE AWARD and RULES

Exhibiting Members in good standing qualify for the Palette Exhibit if they:

1.   Have exhibited three (3) times (January 1 to January 1) per calendar year.

2.    Have paid their yearly dues

3.    Have paid an Entry Fee:
Museum Member and Honorary Members are exempt from fee
Not Yet Museum Members pay an entry fee to Arnot Art Museum due when artwork is dropped off for the exhibit

4.   Criteria for Artwork:

a. Two entries if each is 36" or less (including frame) - one entry if greater than 36"
b. Work must be created within the past 2 years, and must be original  
c. No repeat entries  
d. Sculptures must weigh less than 100 pounds 
e. Artwork must be properly framed, matted, equipped with eye screws and wire
f. The Arnot Art Museum receives 40% commission on work sold during the show.
(The Arnot Art Museum will collect payment and tax and pay the artist after the show.)

Notations:

This document may be amended by majority of membership present at a meeting.

Participation in any ERAS activity shall constitute acceptance of all rules governing the activity.

No Member shall officially represent ERAS without the consent of the President or unanimous consent of the Executive committee.

ERAS and its representatives shall not be liable for any claim for loss or damage to art work, frames, etc

No insurance will be provided.

Dues and honorariums will be determined by executive committee.