BY-LAWS AS COMPOSED BY

THE Riverbend Players OF BUCKSPORT

 

Article I:  NAME

RIVERBEND PLAYERS of Bucksport, hereinafter referred to RBP

Article II:  MISSION

The mission of Riverbend Players, a non-profit organization, hereinafter referred to as RBP, is to create participatory community theatre in a safe, positive environment while providing a quality theatrical experience to Bucksport and surrounding communities.

 
Article III: OBJECTIVES

The objective of RBP is to provide the community with participatory theatrical entertainment, drama, musical and comedy presentations, within a comfortable and safe environment, and present a broad variety of quality entertainment which supports the standards and values of Bucksport and surrounding communities:

 

 

Article IV:  MEMBERS

Any person may become a member of RBP.  No person may be excluded from membership because of gender, race, color, handicap or religious belief.

 

▪ Possession of theatrical talent shall not be a qualification of membership since it is the belief and policy of RBP that any individual has something to contribute to theatre production.

▪ An expressed interest and willingness to work in some aspect of theatre production.

 

Duties of Members:

 

▪ Active participation in the events of the organization including, but not exclusive to, general meetings, social events, ticket sales, advertising solicitations, and/or productions.

▪ Service on committees or service as Committee Chairperson when requested by the Officers of RBP.

▪ Punctuality at rehearsals and a professional attitude when at rehearsals and during productions.  

▪ Responsibility and liability for any property owned, leased or borrowed by the group that is in their possession.

▪ Offering suggestions for the improvement of RBP.

   In order to vote in the annual elections members must have attended at least six(6) monthly meetings, or 50% attendance, per calendar year.

 

Article V: OFFICERS

(1) The Officers of RBP shall be President, Treasurer, Secretary. This group together with the Immediate Past President and shall comprise and be referred to as the Executive Committee-Officers.

(2) Election, term of office and qualifications: Officers shall be elected annually by majority vote of the voting Membership. Nomination of officers shall be accepted at the regular February monthly meeting, in preparation for the annual meeting in March.

(3) Vacancies:  In the event any office of RBP becomes vacant, the majority of the Executive Committee then in office may elect an officer to fill such vacancy with approval of the voting Membership.

(4) President:  The President shall preside at all business meetings of the Executive Committee and regular monthly Membership meetings. The President shall have and exercise general charge and supervision of policies and may sign any contracts authorized by the Executive Committee.

(5) The Secretary shall have charge of such books, documents and papers as the Executive Committee may determine. He/she will also be responsible for keeping and making available minutes of all, regularly scheduled and special meetings.

(6) The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, property and securities of RBP, subject to such regulations as may be imposed by the Executive Committee. The presiding Treasurer will therefore be required to sign and record all dispersements approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer will also be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date membership list.

(7) Resignation:  Any Officer of the Executive Committee may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Membership.

(8) Vacancies:  Any vacancy of an Office of the Executive Committee occurring during the year may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Officers then serving.

 

ARTICLE VI: PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS

 

Director: The Director is selected by the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for the artistic interpretation of a production, including, but not limited to: casting, lighting, set design and Stage Manager.

Producer: The Producer shall be selected by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Director or, alternatively, appointed by the Executive Board. The Producer is responsible for all business and operational aspects of the production, including, but not limited to: Production Budget, Publicity, Advertising, Donations, Playbill, Support Staffing, Ticket Sales and Production Logistics.

Marketing Director: The Marketing Director shall be chosen by the Executive Committee with consideration of this individual's experience and expertise in this area. The Marketing Director will be responsible for all publicity and promotional materials: visual, print and media for each performance. He/she will create a production schedule and distribute all marketing and promotional materials in a timely manner before each theatrical performance. A volunteer or volunteers chosen by the Marketing Director for each production will assist his/her marketing campaign if the need arises.

Stage Manager: The Stage Manager shall be obligated to perform at least the following duties for the production to which he/she is engaged. The Director will choose the individual to fill this position for each production from within the Membership.

The Stage Manager:

• Shall be responsible for the calling of all rehearsals, whether before or after opening.

• Shall assemble and maintain the Prompt (Cue) Book which is defined as the accurate playing text and stage business, together with such cue sheets, plots, daily records, etc., as are necessary

for the actual technical and artistic operation of the production.

• Shall work with the Director and the heads of all other departments, during rehearsal and after opening, schedule rehearsal and outside calls.

• Assume active responsibility for the form and discipline of rehearsal and performance, and be the executive instrument on the technical running of each performance.

• Maintain the artistic intentions of the Director and the Producer after opening, to the best of

his/her ability, including calling correctional rehearsals of the company when necessary and

preparation of the Understudies, Replacements, Extras and Supers, when and if the Director

and/or Producer declines this prerogative. Therefore, if an Actor finds him/herself unable to

satisfactorily work out an artistic difference of opinion with the Stage Manager regarding the

intentions of the Director and Producer, the Actor has the option of seeking clarification from

the Director or Producer.

• Keep such records as are necessary to advise the Producer on matters of attendance, time,

or other matters.

• Stage Manager duties do not include shifting scenery, running lights or operating the Box

Office, etc.

 

ARTICLE VII:  MEETINGS

(1) Regular:  Regular meetings shall be held the first Wednesday of every month at a place and time to be determined by the Executive Committee unless another day/place/time for Meetings is suggested and approved by the majority of Membership in attendance.

(2) Annual: The regular monthly meeting in March of each calendar year shall be known as the annual meeting of the RBP, for the purpose of electing Officers and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

(3) Notice:  Notice of the time, place and purpose of the annual meeting shall be served by mail, not less than ten days before the meeting.

(4) Proxy Votes:  Proxy votes by mail will be accepted by the Secretary in office at that time.

 ARTICLE VIII:  OTHER COMMITTEES

Other committees, standing or special, as deemed necessary to carry on the work of RBP or Executive Committee projects, shall be appointed by the President. The President shall be ex-officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE IX:  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order - Newly Revised," shall govern RBP in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order RBP may adopt.

ARTICLE X:  DISSOLUTION

(1) Procedure:  RBP may be dissolved and its affairs settled in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Maine provided, however, that (a.) members be given sixty (60) days written notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee of RBP to consider the dissolution of RBP and that (b.) a resolution of dissolution only be adopted upon receiving the affirmative vote of three fifths of the voting membership of RBP.

(2) Distribution of Surplus:  RBP is not organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings or assets of RBP shall inure to the benefit of any private individual. In the event of liquidation or dissolution of RBP, the balance of all money and other property received by RBP from any source, after payment of all debts and obligations of RBP, shall be used or distributed exclusively for the purposes within our Mission Statement and within those set forth in Article II to institutions in the State of Maine exempt from taxation under Section 501-3C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended..

ARTICLE XI:  INDEMNIFICATION

RBP shall, to the extent legally permissible, indemnify any person serving or who has served as an Officer against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as in fines and penalties, and counsel fees, reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal.

ARTICLE XII:  AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

The by-laws can be amended at a regular meeting with approval of the Executive Committee and by a majority vote of the Membership after notification of the proposed amendment in writing or by email at least 15 days prior to calling a vote.

 

ARTICLE XIII: ACCEPTANCE OF BY-LAWS BY MEMBERS

 

Each member of RBP must signifies his/her acceptance of these Articles and any amendments thereof, and each RBP rule and regulation as may from time to time be promulgated under these Articles, and hereby waives any and all claims and demands of any nature, past, present, and future, against RBP or any member of RBP, or any former member, or any officer, employee, committee, or individual for any action taken in good faith pursuant to these Articles.

 

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