Help with formal structure of a Community Band

[tophatsax]

I'm playing in a 49 member Community Concert Band that's been around for more than 10 years without a formal structure. I'm on the commitee to help establish a structure for a Board, Bylaws, Constitution etc. Anyone have any suggestions? Any examples of documents you can email from bands you are in?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[goodsax]

There is a Yahoo community group dedicated to community band support and information. It's at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/community-music/?yguid=65934932 . I'm sure you'll find everything you need to know from members who frequent that group.

[tophatsax]

Rob,

Thanks for the help!

Phil

[gary]

Also take a look at this, Phil:

http://www.indiana.edu/~cheminfo/gw/band_const_ed2.html

...although you might want to rewrite this statement: "...and agrees to deviate to an appropriate amount of time anal effort to the Band's activities." :shock:


I've led three community bands for the last decade and one suggestion I would give is to be as concise and clear as possible in these by laws. If there are any bar-room lawyers in your band keep their hands off this document!

It's important that each leadership position is clearly defined so that both the position holder and band members are crystal clear on what accountability there is.

Some years back I was organizing a community band in the US and had some good help from the Association of Concert Bands: http://www.acbands.org/

If you have any specific questions that might be outside posting here for the general readership, feel free to contact me: garysapp@hotmail.com

[tophatsax]

Gary,

Great resources, thanks! I may also be in contact with you.

Thanks again.

Phil

[gary]

Kein Problem 8)

[Kareeser]

Gary... do you mind if I use that as a model for my church's youth orchestra?

(We don't have any fancy titles or even membership dues... but... it's a step forward nonetheless, :P)