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Who We Are

We are the Orchestra Members Association of the Syracuse Symphony! All of the contracted musicians in the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra are members. Our organization was formed so that the orchestra musicians could work to advance their interests. The organization is governed by by-laws which are listed below.

BY-LAWS GOVERNING
ORCHESTRA MEETINGS AND ORCHESTRA COMMITTEE
OF THE SYRACUSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Article 1
Name

The name of this organization shall be: Orchestra Members Association of the Syracuse Symphony, hereafter referred to as the Association.

Article II
Purpose

The purpose of this Association shall be to provide an open forum where discussion can be held and decisions made pertinent to the conduct of orchestra business and the general advancement of the rights and interests of orchestra members, consistent with union principles.

Article III
Membership

Section 1. All musicians under contract to the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra shall be considered members of this Association.
Section 2. Each musician’s orchestral minimum for his/her classification (SSO Core or SSO Expanded) multiplied by .001 (one-tenth of one percent) shall constitute his/her Orchestra Committee dues for each season.
Section 3. ICSOM and Orchestra Committee dues shall be paid as stipulated in the Master Agreement.
Section 4. Any additional assessments must be approved by two-thirds of those members present at an orchestra meeting.

Article IV
Officers

The members of the Orchestra Committee (Article VI) shall serve as the officers of this Association. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these By-Laws, the Master Agreement, and by the parliamentary authority named in Article XI below, and shall include a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and corresponding secretary.

Article V
Meetings

a. A duly-constituted meeting shall be one which has been called by the chairperson and publicized by the secretary.
b. There shall be at least two orchestra meetings held during each regular season.
c. Members shall be given notice of time, location, and subject of regular meetings at least seven days prior to the day of the meeting.
d. A quorum shall be twenty-five members of the Association.
e. Special orchestra meetings may be called at such times as deemed necessary by the chairperson, or by a majority of the Orchestra Committee, or shall be called within two weeks after receipt of a written request of at least fifteen member of the Association. The purpose for which a special meeting is called shall be stated with the meeting notice.
f. Any main motion to be presented to the members of the Association, other than contract ratification, shall be distributed to the members of the Association at least five days prior to the date on which such motion shall be considered. Motions which have an economic impact, other than contract ratification and items provided for in Article X, shall require a two-thirds vote of those present at a duly constituted orchestra meeting. Non-economic motions shall require a simple majority. It is understood that if there is business which could not have been anticipated and must be addressed, these requirements may be waived by a two-thirds vote of those present at a meeting.
g. Motions for contract ratification, containing the full particulars of any tentative agreement, shall be distributed to the members of the Association at least seventy-two hours prior to the meeting at which such motion shall be considered.
h. A meeting shall be called specifically for the nomination and election of the Orchestra Committee by December 1 of each season.

Article VI
Orchestra Committee

Section I. The formal representative body of this Association shall be an elected committee of five members of the orchestra which shall be called the Orchestra Committee. This body shall perform functions appropriate to an executive committee as defined by the parliamentary authority in Article XI below.

Section 2. The duties and responsibilities of the Orchestra Committee shall at all times be performed taking into consideration the opinions and sentiments of the orchestra and shall include the following:

a. To function in the various capacities described within the Master Agreement.
b. To develop policies and seek solutions to problems affecting the membership.
c. To work in conjunction with Local 78 in the preparation and negotiation of the Master Agreement.
d. To keep the membership informed of important matters concerning the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and other orchestra by means of meetings notices, and newsletters.
e. To meet with representatives of Local 78, symphony management, symphony board, or conductors when occasion arises.
f. To hold elections for a delegate to be sent to the annual ICSOM Convention and maintain correspondence with that organization.

Section 3. Committee Membership

a. The Orchestra Committee shall be comprised of five members and one alternate.
b. To be eligible for elections to the Orchestra Committee, a member shall have played at least one full season on contract.
c. Those musicians who are conductors or personnel managers shall be considered ineligible to serve on the committee.
d. Committee members shall serve for a period of one year or until their successors are elected.
e. Committee members may succeed themselves.

Section 4. Committee Elections

a. Nomination and election of Orchestra Committee members shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose by December 1 of each season.
b. Nomination shall be made from the floor of such a meeting.
c. Using a secret ballot, members shall vote for up to five names.
d. The chairperson shall appoint two non-candidates as tellers to tally the vote. Members must be present to vote.
e. The five names receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared members of the new committee. The name with the sixth greatest number of votes shall be declared the alternate.
f. In the event of a tie vote for fifth or sixth place, a run-off election shall be held immediately.
g. The newly elected committee shall appoint its officers and assume its duties immediately.
h. In the event a committee member is unable to complete his/her term, the alternate shall become an active member of the committee.
i. If a vacancy on the committee can not be filled in this manner, a special election shall be held.
j. Upon a secretary’s receipt of written request of at least fifteen members of the Association, the chairperson shall call a meeting of the Association for the consideration of a resolution calling for the resignation of any committee member. A majority of the total membership of the Association shall be required to pass such a resolution.

Section 5. Orchestra Committee Meetings

a. The Orchestra Committee shall meet at least once every four weeks during the regular season.
b. Three committee members shall constitute a quorum.
c. Meetings may be requested by any member and shall be schedule by the chairperson.

Section 6. Officers and Duties

a. The chairperson shall:

1. Call and preside at orchestra meetings and committee meetings.
2. Prepare an agenda for each meeting.
3. Be responsible for official correspondence and committee expenditures.
4. Act as spokesperson for the committee and as the official delegate of the orchestra when representation is necessary.
5. Appoint a parliamentarian.
6. Delegate duties to committee members.

b. The vice-chairperson shall:

1. Act in place of the chairperson in his/her absence.
2. Keep a record of attendance at all meetings.
3. Act as a delegate of the committee when necessary.

c. The secretary shall:

1. Record the proceedings of all meetings and maintain a file of such records.
2. Post notice of orchestra meetings.
3. Act as a delegate of the committee when necessary.

d. The treasurer shall:

1. Keep an account of all income and disbursement and submit a report upon request.
2. Make necessary expenditures as determined by the Orchestra or by the committee.
3. Act as a delegate of the committee when necessary.

e. The corresponding secretary shall:

1. Maintain correspondence with other orchestra on matters of mutual interest and keep a file of such.
2. Serve as orchestra historian.
3. Act as a delegate of the committee when necessary.

Article VII
Committees

Section 1. Artistic Advisory Committee

a. Definition

Four playing members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra shall be elected by the Orchestra Members Association to serve as members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Artistic Advisory Committee.

b. Eligibility

1. To be eligible for election to the Artistic Advisory Committee, a musician shall have played at least one full year on contract. Those musicians who are conductors and personnel managers shall be considered ineligible.
2. Members shall be elected to two-year terms.

c. Election

1. Nomination and elections shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose by December 1 of each season.
2. Nominations shall be made from the floor of such a meeting.
3. Using a secret ballot, members shall vote for up to two names.
4. The chairperson shall appoint two non-candidates as tellers to tally the vote. Members must be present to vote.
5. The two musicians receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared new members of the Artistic Advisory Committee. The name of the third person shall be declared the alternate, whose term shall be one year.
6. In the event of a tie, for second and third place, a run-off election shall be held immediately.
7. After the election, the committee will appoint its own chairperson and assume its duties immediately.
8. In the event a committee member is unable to complete his/her term, the alternate shall become an active member of the committee.

Section 2. Conductor Selection Committee

a. Definition

The Conductor Selection Committee shall consist of equal representation of both orchestra members and the symphony as specified in Section 11 of the Master Agreement. The musicians’ contingent shall be elected by the Orchestra Members Association to serve as members of this committee.

b. Eligibility

To be eligible for election to the Conductor Selection Committee, a musician shall have performed at least one full year on contract. Those musicians who are conductors and personnel managers shall be considered ineligible.

c. Election

1. Nominations and elections shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose.
2. Nominations shall be made from the floor of such a meeting.
3. Using a secret ballot, members shall vote for no more than the designated number of members allowed on the committee.
4. The chairperson shall appoint two non-candidates as tellers to tally the vote. Members must be present to vote.
5. The appropriate number of musicians receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared members of the Conductor Selection Committee. The name of the person receiving the next highest total number of votes shall be declared the alternate.
6. In the event of a tie for the last position or for alternate, a run-off election shall be held immediately.
7. After the election, the Conductor Selection Committee will appoint its own chairperson and assume its duties immediately.
8. In the event a member of this committee is unable to complete hi/her term, the alternate shall become and active member of the committee.
9. In the event of a vacancy in the alternate position, a special election may be held to fill that position.

Section 3. Musicians’ Fund Committee

a. The Orchestra Committee shall appoint a three-person committee, to include the Orchestra Committee treasurer, to administer and manage the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Fund, in consultation with the Orchestra Committee.
b. All disbursements from the SSO Musicians’ Fund shall require the signature of two members of the Musicians’ Fund Committee.
c. The Musicians’ Fund Committee shall report on the status of the Fund to the orchestra at orchestra meetings.

Section 4. Other Committees

a. Other committees necessary to the conduct of orchestra business shall be appointed by the Orchestra Committee and approved by the membership of the Association.
b. The Orchestra Committee Chairperson or his/her designee from the Orchestra Committee shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Article VIII
Orchestra Representation on the Symphony Board of Directors

Section 1. Two playing member of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, hereafter referred to as board representatives, shall be elected by the Orchestra Members Association to serve as members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.

Section 2. Board representatives shall act as the representatives of the Orchestra members Association, and shall remain in regular communication with the Association through its Orchestra Committee, orchestra meetings, and through Local 78.

Section 3. Eligibility

a. To be eligible as a board representative, a musician shall have played at least one full year on contract. Those musicians who are conductors and personnel managers shall be considered ineligible to serve as board representatives.
b. Board representatives shall be elected to two-year terms and may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.
c. In the event that a board representative cannot serve his/her full term, a special orchestra meeting may be called for the purpose or holding elections to fill that vacancy.

Section 4. Election

a. Nomination and elections of board representative shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose during the month of May and shall occur in the following order:

1. Nomination and election of board representative to serve on the Executive Committee of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.
2. Nomination and election of a board representative to serve as a regular board member.

b. Nominations shall be made from the floor of the meeting referred to above Elections shall be made by secret ballot.
c. The chairperson of the Orchestra Committee shall appoint two non-candidates as tellers to tally the votes. Members must be present to vote.
d. In each election, the nominee receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared the elected board representative. Board representatives shall assume their responsibilities at the annual meeting of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra in June.

Article IX
ICSOM

There shall be one delegate and one alternate to be elected on separate ballots.

Section 1. Eligibility

a. To be eligible for election, a member shall have played at least one season on contract.
b. Those musicians who are conductors or personnel managers shall be considered ineligible to serve as delegates.
c. Delegates shall serve a period of one year or until their successors are elected.
d. Delegates may succeed themselves.
Section 2. Elections.
a. Nominations and elections shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose during May of each season.
b. Nominations shall be made from the floor of such a meeting.
c. Using a secret ballot, members shall vote for one name on each ballot.
d. The chairperson shall appoint two non-candidates as tellers to tally the vote.
e. Members must be present to vote.
f. The musician receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot shall be declared the ICSOM delegate.
g. The musician receiving the greatest number of votes on the second ballot shall be declared the alternate delegate.
h. In the event the delegate is unable to complete his or her term, the alternate shall become the ICSOM delegate.

Article X
Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Fund

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Fund shall be to provide monies for the expenses incurred in negotiation a Master Agreement and to provide relief to the individual and/or collective Syracuse Symphony Orchestra musicians in the event of any related job action, in accordance with the following fund guidelines:

a. Additional uses for the Musicians’ Fund will be allowed by approval of two-thirds of those musicians present at an orchestra meeting. Proposed additional uses must be posted at least two weeks prior to the orchestra meeting.
b. In the event of a job action, interest-free loans may be made available to individual musicians for personal emergencies or reasonable debts incurred prior to the onset of the job action. The interest-free term of these loans shall be one calendar year from the date or issuance. Any balance remaining at the end of that year will be charged a fair market value interest rate. The Musicians’ Fund Committee will review and determine all loan applications and may request additional information as necessary.
c. Any proposed expense in excess of $10,000 must be approved by two-thirds of those musicians present at an orchestra meeting. Proposed expenses must be posted at least two weeks prior to the orchestra meeting.
d. Upon the completion of any Master Agreement, any monies remaining in the Fund shall be considered and distributed according to a majority vote of those musicians present at an orchestra meeting. Whenever possible there shall be a minimum $1000 balance remaining in the Fund.

Article XI
Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER (Revised) shall govern the Association 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 that Association may adopt.

Article XII
Amendments

Proposed amendments:
a. Shall be submitted by:
1. The Orchestra Committee
--or—
2. In writing to the Orchestra Committee by at least fifteen members of the Association.
b. Shall be posted for ten days prior to a meeting held for their consideration
c. Shall require a two-thirds vote of the orchestra members present for adoption.

Article XIII

Nothing herein shall be contrary to the Constitution and By-Laws of Local 78, A.F. of M., or the Master Agreement between Local 78 and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

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