THE CONSTITUTION OF

The One Voice Choir

PREAMBLE
In October of 2006, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, considered one of the most prestigious musical organizations in the world, did something that has never been done since 1953: they performed in North Korea. At the height of tensions between the rogue state, the US and her allies, conventional diplomacy had failed, and it was anticipated that war would begin. Behind the scenes, officials from both the United States and North Korea's cultural ministry were meeting to bring the American organization to the country for a special concert, designed to "foster greater harmony and understanding between our two people's" (Lorin Maazel, director of the NYC Philharmonic, September 2006). After years of planning, negotiating, and compromise, the symphony took the stage at Pyongyang's East Grand Theatre for the first time since the end of the Korean War. As the American conductor spoke in English and a Korean translator relayed the message, the universal language in the room was the love of music. To conclude their program, the symphony performed a piece called "Arirang", the national folk song of both Koreas, a song about two lost lovers from the North and South who would never be reunited again due to challenges beyond their control. A 5 minute standing ovation from the anti-American North Korea, along with many tears shed from both sides, was the result of the performance. For those 3 brief hours, there was no superior race, but rather the human race. There was no talk of war, but only of love and brotherhood. There was no North Korea and United States, but fellow human beings on this planet. This story is a testament to the healing power of beautiful music, and is the testimony and purpose of The One Voice Choir that music is the perfect form of diplomacy that transcends race, religion, and orientation. If these two bitter enemies could, for only a moment, come together at the table of friendship, then we as members of the gay and straight Mormon community must as well.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of The One Voice Choir is not to be a political entity that promotes homosexuality or traditional marriage, or a religious organization that attempts to challenge current LDS Church policy regarding the matter, but rather to be a safe place where people of all orientations and backgrounds can come together and proclaim their love of Jesus Christ.

ARTICLE I - INCORPORATION STATUS

I. II. III. The official operating name of the choir shall be The One Voice Choir The choir at this time shall not governed as a non-profit entity, and shall not be established as such until deemed necessary and amended changes made through constitutional provision. At this time, it is found that the choir shall not be registered as a 501 (c)(3) organization. All donations to the choir shall, under the code of the Internal Revenue Service, not be tax-deductible.

ARTICLE II- GOVERNANCE

I. The choir shall be governed by a board of directors, elected to office through super majority vote of the board and other authorized members
A. LENGTH OF TERM

1. The term length of each board officer shall be a length of 2 years, or 730 days, from the day of election. 2. Officers who have served for 6 consecutive years shall be ineligible for re-election, but rather will be granted honorary emeritus status on the board.
B. ELECTION PROCESS

1. Founding board members shall be nominated by the musical director, and assigned by 2/3 vote of the board. Challenges to positions of the board currently occupied cannot be made until 2 months prior to the re-election of the board. 2. For those wish to challenge a board member position, notification must be given in writing to the choir president no earlier than 2 months prior to the election of the board member. 3. Potential board members will submit their candidacy in front of the general board and any authorized choir representatives present. 4. Voting will take place by an up-down "yea" or "nay" vote 5. Candidate must receive 2/3 majority vote to replace board member

C. RESIGNATION OF BOARD MEMBERS

1. If a member of the board chooses to resign, notification must be given in writing to the choir president. 2. A member of the choir or administrative organization shall be nominated to fill the vacancy for the duration of the term, in which at that time a new election shall be held when the term has ended. 3. Nominations will be approved only by the Choir President, the Musical Director, and the Senior Vice-President of General Operations.
D. DISMISSAL OF BOARD MEMBERS

1. Should it come to the attention of the board that a fellow board member is no longer executing his or her duty in conjunction with the vision of the choir and/or this constitution, the board shall meet for a special session and motion for a vote of no-confidence in the member. That member shall then be notified. 2. The member, if they so choose, may present evidence to the board denying the claim. 3. Upon hearing of evidence, the board will meet, and if deemed necessary, the member of the board shall be dismissed from the organization, 4. Should the member not respond within a reasonable time to notice of the matter, he or she shall be dismissed in absentia of the member 5. A special election shall then be held in accordance with Article 2, Section B of this constitution

ARTICLE III- GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

I. II. III. The Choir shall be open to anyone that shares the vision and values of The One Voice Choir. Members are under the understanding that there is a $50 choir fee due per season, with the understanding that additional fees can be assessed with notice given prior to the choir. Financial arrangements can be made with the understanding that in exchange for a reduced tuition, service in one of the choir committees is mandatory.

IV.

Applications for assistance shall be made to the Musical Director and Choir President who will then approve or deny the request. Should the above mentioned officer grant financial assistant, the member receiving said assistance must serve on a service committee of the choir.

V.

ARTICLE IV- FINANCES

I. II. III. IV. V. All matters of finance shall be directed by the Musical Director The above stated officer shall be accountable to the general board in all matters relating to the financial operations of the choir. The above mentioned officer shall make monthly expense reports to the board. The Musical Director and Choir President shall be the only members of the organization to have access to financial records and accounts All financial transactions must be approved by the above stated officers.

ARTICLE V PROCEDURE
I. II. All board meetings will operate under standard rules of parliamentary procedure A secretary shall record all minutes of meetings to then be made available to the public via electronic communication

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

I. Amendments to the constitution shall be necessary from time to time.

II.

Any member of the board of directors, or other designated and authorized choir representative who wishes to amend this constitution must follow the following rules of order: A. Submit to the Choir President, President of the Board, and the Musical Director the proposed amendment B. A special session of the board of directors, as well as other designated and authorized officers shall be called C. Officers shall debate the proposed amendment D. Officers may at that time table the amendment for further discussion, or proceed with a roll call vote. E. If a roll call vote is ordered, officers shall cast a vote or "yea", "nay", or may abstain.

ARTICLE VII ANNUAL CONVENTION

I. II. III. The choir shall hold an annual convention to conduct business by the Board of Directors in front of the General Membership of the Choir General Members may propose constitutional amendments, ratifications of the constitution, and vote on proposed items of business. The convention shall be organized by a committee of 4 members.