The Amani Gospel Singers
Constitution 2012-2013
Article I:
Organization’s Title
This student organization shall be called, The Amani Gospel Singers.
Article II:
Mission Statement
Amani, meaning “peace” in Swahili, encompasses the summation of the hopes and
positive messages of the singing group. Therefore, The Amani Gospel Singers work to
promote a relationship with God through Bible studies, prayer, various forms of praise
and worship, fellowship, and outreach initiatives, along with sharing the “good news,”
the gospel of Jesus Christ, in song, to our campus and community.
Article III:
Membership
-The Amani Gospel Singers’ members are Ithaca College undergraduate and graduate
students.
*In addition, it is open to faculty and staff, but is comprised of 51%
undergraduate and graduate students.
-We emphasize that membership is not restricted to students.
-The sole requirement for being a member of the Amani Gospel Singers is to possess the
desire to participate, work diligently, and be committed to the organization and its
mission.
-Membership in this organization is open to all meeting membership requirements,
irrespective of race, creed, color, gender, class, age, nation of origin, nationality,
disability, marital status, religion, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
Article IV:
Advisor
*The advisor shall be an ex-officio member with no voting privileges.
*He will advise and support the Amani Gospel Singers when necessary.
*He must also be in accordance with the mission of the organization.
*He should understand, comply with, and support the leadership (i.e. – current Executive
Board members) of the Amani Gospel Singers, while simultaneously nurturing the
organization.
Article V:
Executive Board
*President: Christina Nance
*Director: Adjoa Darien
*Assistant Director: Christine Perry
*Secretary: Alyssa Olivieri
*Treasurer: Christina Nance
*Historian: Christina Golding
*Public Relations Officer: Deandra Bolton
*Chaplain: appointed to all
Article VI:
Duties of Executive Board Members
*President
-Act as liaison between choir, executive board, and event coordinators.
-Call for, and lead, executive board meetings (including creating agendas).
-Lead the planning process for any events involving the choir.
-Primary liaison between the Amani Gospel Singers and Conference and Event
Services:
*book rooms
*responsible for logistics of event planning
-Keep advisor abreast of choir business.
-Responsible for getting and keeping the choir together and running efficiently.
-Act as an external and internal communications manager.
*Director
-Select, prepare, and teach songs for rehearsal.
-Acquire the music and other relevant sources and instruments for the choir.
-Responsible for planning and arranging with President for concerts and
engagements.
-Keep advisor abreast of choir business.
*Assistant Director
-Assists the director in selecting, preparing, and teaching songs.
-Responsible for rehearsals if the director is not present.
-Performs all of the responsibilities of the director if the director is not present.
-Perform additional responsibilities as agreed upon by the board.
*Secretary
-Take and type minutes from all board meetings.
-Maintain a book of meeting minutes.
-Create and maintain a list of current Amani Gospel Singers members, as well as
other Ithaca College community organizations that may relate to the Amani
Gospel Singers.
-Maintain attendance records at all rehearsals and events.
-Send out weekly e-mails about rehearsals, board meetings, events, updates, etc.
-Send out, and record correspondence with other Ithaca College organizations, as
well as those outside of the Ithaca College community.
*Treasurer
-Construct a quarterly budget summary.
-Make deposits into choir account.
-Provide and sign contracts for musicians (if necessary).
-Primarily determines and creates fund raising for the choir.
*Historian
-Keep a record of important choir history (anniversaries, performances, alumni
information etc.).
-Take pictures and maintain choir photo albums and scrapbooks.
-Maintain and update pertinent information and history.
-Maintain and care for choir garments and choir inventory.
-Inform Amani, and the greater community, of the history behind the Amani
Gospel Singers.
*Public Relations Officer
-Create advertisements for the choir.
-Create and maintain a website for the Amani Gospel Singers.
-Maintain groups for the Amani Gospel Singers on social networking websites.
-Create events for performances and concerts (when necessary) on social
networking websites.
*Chaplain
-Lead prayer and other ministries in Amani rehearsals and at functions.
-The chaplain will work hand-in-hand in determining what events are suitable for
the choir to perform at, as well as the spiritual growth of the choir.
Executive Board Guidelines
-All final decisions must be made by a majority vote of the elected board members of the
present year.
-All Executive Board members may be subject to assisting their fellow Executive Board
members with various tasks.
-Each member of the board is required to reflect Amani’s mission and principles.
-If the majority of the board members see another board member is not living up to the
standards of being a leader within the Amani Gospel Singers, the majority can impeach
the board member in question.
-It is recommended that all Executive Board members attend Bible Study sessions.
Article VII:
Elections
-Voter Guidelines: Voters must be members in good standing.
*Must be a member who attends at least 85% of the rehearsals and performances.
*The attendance percentage will be determined by the secretary of Amani.
-Elections will be made in April of the respected year. The shadowing process will
proceed a week after elections are finalized.
-Candidates are nominated and elected by voters that meet voter guidelines.
-All nominees are elected by a majority vote of choir members (including the Executive
Board).
-Each candidate must be a committed member of the choir (to be determined by the
Executive Board) for at least one year, with minimal absences (defined as 3 absences)
*Nominees must also embody the goals and principles of which the Amani
Gospel Singers were founded upon.
-All other elections will be held at the discretion of the Executive Board, pending a
majority vote from each Executive Board meeting.
Article VIII:
Dues and Fees
-There will be no dues or fees collected.
Article IX:
Meetings and Rehearsals
-Executive Board meetings will be held every other Monday, at 5:30pm, in Friends 309
(unless otherwise noted by the president).
-Rehearsals will be held every Friday, from 4:00-6:00pm, in Whalen 3302.
*Additional rehearsals will be called as seen fit by the executive board.
Article X:
Membership
-Although this is not a for-credit activity, choir members are required to be on time for all
rehearsals, and show commitment to the good of the choir and choir members.
Therefore:
1) When anticipating lateness, members must contact the secretary at least one
hour before rehearsal.
2) No more than three excused absences are permitted per semester.
3) If a member has more than two absences, this member needs to speak with
the choir president.
4) Every member is only allowed one absence from a singing engagement per
semester.
*The Constitution is subject to change at the discretion of the majority (3/5) of the Executive Board.*