DELAWARE VALLEY ART LEAGUE 
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS (As revised May 6, 2010)

Article 1: NAME

The name of this organization shall be Delaware Valley Art League, changed by majority vote of the general membership on March 14, 2008, formerly known as The Art League, changed by majority vote of the general membership on May 10, 2002, formerly known as The Art League of Delaware County, changed by majority vote of the general membership on November 2 1979; formerly known as The Arts and Craft League of Delaware County.

Article 2: HISTORY AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Delaware Valley Art League was founded by Catherine R. Brogan (Mrs. Edward Tatnall), under the name of “The Arts and Crafts League of Delaware County” on November 10, 1947. The purpose of this organization is to promote interest, skill and creativity in the fine arts, to encourage fellowship and the exchange of ideas, to provide a non-profit educational program in the fine arts by offering lectures, workshops, mutual help and to provide the opportunity for members to exhibit their works.

Article 3: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. This is an adult organization, limited to members over 18 years old. 

Section 2. Membership applications must be secured from the Membership Chairperson and returned with a check for one year’s dues. Applications can also be found on our web site: www.delawarevalleyartleague.com.

Section 3. Membership is divided into four categories: Associate (A), Painting (P), Sculpture (S), and Printmaking (Pr). All members start as Associates and are eligible to attend meetings, workshops, hold office, serve on committees and vote.

Section 4. All Associate members wishing to change from Associate to Painting (P), Sculpture (S), or Printmaking (Pr) require the individual’s works to be juried. Work submitted must be original and executed within the last 2 years. No class work is accepted. Jury acceptance to (P), (S), or (Pr) is required for eligibility of the member to participate in any DVAL sponsored Show, Sale or Exhibit.

Article 4. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Officers of the Board of Directors shall include: President ( Co-Presidents); First Vice President / Programs; Second Vice President / Directory; Recording Secretary; Corresponding Secretary; and Treasurer;
Additional Directors / Chairpersons on the Board of Directors shall include: Advertising; Art Sale; Audit; Audio Visual; Bus Trip; Directory Advertising; Exhibit Jurors; Group Exhibitions; Historian; Luncheon; Membership; Painting Jury; Personnel Recruitment; Photography; Public Relations; Publicity; Site Selection; and Workshops. 

Section 2. Officers, and Directors / Chairpersons shall be elected for one term of two years and shall not be eligible to hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms (four years), unless necessity (no candidate available) arises. Prior to the end of two terms (4 years) the Recruitment Chairperson will advise the membership that:
(1) the position will be open 
(2) the position will remain filled by the same person unless another person wishes to run for that position. The position will then be open for election.

Section 3. The President shall preside at Member Meetings, Executive Board Meetings and shall plan and hold an Annual Planning Meeting. The President shall have the power to appoint ad hoc committees, maintain the Constitution and Bylaws of the Delaware Valley Art League and follow “Robert’s Rule of Order” at all meetings.

Section 4. The First Vice-President / Programs (or Co-President) shall act in the absence or disability of the President and shall also be in charge of Programs. The Second Vice-President shall be in charge of the Annual Membership Directory.

Section 5. The Recording Secretary shall take the minutes of the Executive Board meetings and distribute copies to all Board members prior to the next Board meeting, and keep a file of same.

Section 6. The Corresponding Secretary shall send out the President’s letters, the annual Membership Directory, and other communications of Delaware Valley Art League which are relevant to operations, to the total membership.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall collect all dues and other confirmed fees from committee chairpersons and shall reimburse expenses of members upon submission of an expense report. Treasurer will submit a monthly report at Board and general membership Meetings

Section 8. The Directors /Chairpersons shall be responsible for: Personnel Recruitment, Exhibit Jurors, Public Relations, Membership, Bus Trip, Group Exhibitions, Photography, Audio-visual, Workshops, Show Site Selection, Directory Advertisements, Hospitality, Painting Jury, Publicity, Advertising, Art Sale, Audit, and History of DVAL.

Article 5: MEETINGS AND QUORUMS

Section 1. There shall be seven meetings a year on the second Friday of the months of October, November, January, February, March, April and May. 

Section 2. A quorum shall be three-fourths of the Executive Board Members and one-fourth of the general membership

Article 6: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Personnel Recruiter will be responsible for seeking persons for newly created Board positions or to fill positions vacated. The Personnel Recruiter will notify the Board and general membership of open positions as they occur. Members may notify the Recruiter if they are interested in an open board position; or to nominate other members for a position. This can be done by personal contact or announcements at meetings or by email. In the case of a resignation of a Board member in mid-term, the Board can appoint a replacement on the recommendation of the Personnel Recruiter.

Section 2. If necessary, because of several members contending for a position(s), the Personnel Recruiter will develop a slate of candidates and announce it at the March meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at this meeting after which nominations shall be closed

Section 3. A candidate for Presidency should have served on the Board and persons in any office should have been a member for at least one year. If the necessity arises an exception may be made to fill any office.

Section 4. If more than one candidate is nominated for an office, the election shall be by secret ballot.

Section 5. The election, if necessary, shall take place at the April General Meeting. The purpose here is to have all Board positions filled prior to publication of annual Membership Directory.

Section 6. The installation of officers and Directors and Chairpersons shall take place at the May Meeting.

Article 7: EXHIBITIONS

Delaware Valley Art League Exhibition Policies, as published in the Annual Membership Directory must be followed. They are summarized as follows:

Section 1. For exhibitions of a competitive nature, all works shall be professionally juried. (Versus Sale Shows).

Section 2. Members whose category is (P), (S), or (Pr) may enter juried exhibits and lend works for exhibit to libraries, banks, and other organizations under the sponsorship of Delaware Valley Art League.

Section 3. The price established for a piece of art in any given show must remain in effect for the duration of the show.

Article 8: FINANCES

Section 1. Dues and fees shall be set by the Executive Board.

Section 2. The fiscal year for the Delaware Valley Art League runs from May 31 of one year to May 31 of the next year.

Section 3. No bill for dues shall be mailed to members. Should a member fail to pay dues by May 31st the person shall no longer be considered a member and their name will not appear in the Annual Directory. New members pay annual dues regardless of month of Delaware Valley Art League’s fiscal year they join. 

Section 4. To be reinstated a former member must apply as a new member. After an absence of five years a reinstated member will require being juried to become a Painter, Sculpture, or Printmaker member.

Section 5. In the event that this organization is disbanded, funds or assets shall be distributed or used in a manner which shall promote interest and creativity in the fine arts through public education activities in these fields. The determination shall be made by the Executive Board.

Section 6. According to the Internal Revenue Department, the Delaware Valley Art League is exempt from Federal Income Tax as of September 22, 1972.

Article 9: PARLIMENTARY PROCEEDURES

The Rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, revised, shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with the CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS.

Article 10: AMMENDMENTS

To amend the CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS requires the following:

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP ACTION - MAJOR CHANGES( such as changes in Constitution or Bylaws)

1. Amendments can be submitted to the Membership electronically or by mail or appear on web page (www.delawarevalleyartleague.com) or by personal link to fellow members, prior to the meeting where they will be voted upon. They may also be read at a general meeting prior to a vote at that meeting, if requested by members present.

2. One-quarter of the Membership must be present.

3. A vote of two-thirds must be obtained to approve revision.

BOARD ACTION - MINOR CHANGES (such as changes in fees or exhibition procedures)

1. Three-quarters of the Executive Board Members must be present.

2. A vote of two-thirds of the Members present must be obtained to approve any revision.