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Although concert programs are devised and directed by the Artistic Director, and the daily management of the Chorus is undertaken by the Executive Director, the Chamber Chorus is fundamentally in the care of Board of Directors, whose function is to safeguard and facilitate the mission of this not-for-profit organization. The directors meet monthly to receive the reports of both the Executive and Artistic Directors, evaluate the past, debate the present and plan for the future.
The composition of the Board is governed by the bylaws of the organization. The Artistic and Executive Directors are ex officio, but non-voting, members. Two members of the Chorus serve on the Board at any given time. They are joined by up to fourteen others, making a total of up to eighteen members (but usually fewer) on the Board. Those who volunteer their energies to the government of the organization are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, but are united in their commitment to the mission of the Chorus. Some have choral experience, others have not, but all have attended concerts and appreciate the unique quality of Chamber Chorus presentations.
Members of the Board are elected for a three-year term which is renewable. Should a member be unable to complete the appropriate term, a new member may be elected to finish that term; after finishing it the member is eligible to be re-elected for a full three-year term. Nominations for the Board are welcome at any time; they should be directed to the SLCC President, P.O. Box 11558, Clayton, MO 63105.
The Officers of the Board are the President, two Vice Presidents (Internal and External Affairs), Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers are elected from within the Board for two-year terms; the schedule dictates that one Vice President and the Treasurer shall be elected in odd-numbered years while the President and the other Vice President shall be elected in even-numbered years. The Secretary is appointed by common consent of the Board.
The President is responsible for the management of the monthly Board meetings and their agendas, and represents the Chorus in writing and in person as the ultimate authority in the organization. The Vice Presidents oversee the work of specific committees which are themselves chaired by Board members and staffed by volunteers and singers. The Secretary's main responsibility is to take minutes of each meeting and circulate them to the Board members. The Treasurer maintains the accounts of the organization, presenting at each Board meeting a financial statement, drawing attention to special gifts or deficits as appropriate. The Treasurer also draws up a proposed budget with the help of the Finance Committee, which is presented to the full Board at the May meeting. The Treasurer is also the main signatory for the Chorus's checking and savings accounts.
The Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month, commencing at 7:00 p.m., to receive and discuss the reports of the Executive and Artistic Directors. The meetings are held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church at Warson and Ladue Roads in Ladue, MO. Minutes are taken at each meeting and subsequently distributed by mail to all members.
Every Board member is asked to attend the monthly meetings and encouraged to participate on one or more of the subcommittees which currently include: Finance, Publicity and Public Relations, Special Events, and Subscriptions and Donations. Regrets for missing meetings are customarily sent to the Executive Director. Under the by-laws of the Board, any member not attending three consecutive meetings may be asked to resign from the Board.
The following seasonal items are regularly on the agenda:
Other items on the agenda of every meeting include:
Special ad hoc duties of the Board include:
Beyond the monthly meetings, what is asked of a Board member? The Chorus needs and enjoys very much a "working" board, and so all members are expected to be "ambassadors" for the organization in the wider community, and within to assist in activities as diverse as committee membership, galas, fundraising events and phonathons. Each Board member is required to support the Chorus financially, through subscription and donation (at the Associate level or above), and is asked to invite two guests to concerts who might not otherwise attend. Complimentary tickets are available for this purpose, and names of guests are to be registered with the Executive Director.
The Board also meets with the full Chorus early in each season to discuss and receive suggestions for the Chorus's progress. This meeting is held on a Monday evening at 9:00 p.m. following a rehearsal. Board members are always welcome to audit any regular Monday rehearsal (starting time 7:00 p.m.), and are invited to the annual Talentless Show where the singers display their "lighter" side. This event is limited to singers, Board members and their families. Other occasional events have included a Labor Day potluck and Board parties; these are always great "morale boosters" and excellent opportunities for Board members to become acquainted with the singers and vice versa.