As chartered in 1968 by the Executive Committee of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc., hereafter called NATS, and subject to its Bylaws, the name of this organization is Puget Sound Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc.

The Puget Sound Chapter adopts fully the stated mission of NATS. "The mission of NATS is to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels, both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented." The Puget Sound Chapter subscribes without reservation to the NATS Code of Ethics.

All teachers of singing who have been accepted by the National Association into full, associate, affiliate (affiliate members may not vote or hold office at any level), or emeritus membership who reside in or near the geographical area in which the Puget Sound Chapter has been chartered, are immediately eligible for membership in the chapter. No such member shall be refused membership in the Puget Sound Chapter; however, such chapter membership is not obligatory on the part of the individual. Chapter membership will be terminated when a member resigns or is dropped from membership in NATS. (Also see Article VII.)

Chapter officers comprising the Board of Directors shall consist of President, Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President in Charge of Adjudications, and Past-President. The term of office of the President, Vice-President/Elect and Past President shall be for two years each. That is, the Vice-President/Elect serves a two year term, then becomes President for two years and then serves as Past-President for two years.

The terms of the Secretary and Treasurer are for two years. Each may be reelected for a second term of office.

The term of office of Vice-President in Charge of Adjudications is for two years and may be reelected for a second two year term or until a successor has been elected.

There shall also be three At-Large Board Members whose terms shall be for three years. They shall be elected on an annual rotating basis.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and of the Board of Directors, and present such matters as may properly come before the membership. The President shall appoint an Executive Committee of Student Adjudications,which will include the previous Vice-President of Adjudications, a Nominating Committee, a Web Manager, a Financial Advisory Committee chaired by the Past President, and other committees or chairs as necessary. Committee terms shall cease at the close of the President's term. The succeeding President may appoint new committee members or retain all or part of any current committees.

The Vice-President/President Elect shall assist the President in his/her duties and preside at meetings when the President is absent. The Vice-President/President Elect is responsible for mailing New Member Packets, including the by-laws, to all new members.

The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and conduct necessary correspondence. The Secretary is responsible for distributing Board of Directors' meeting minutes to the Board and Chapter meeting minutes to the chapter members within two weeks of each meeting. Unless another chapter member is designated for this task, the secretary will submit chapter news for each issue of INTER NOS in conformity with the published deadline dates as requested by the District Governor. Election of chapter officers shall be immediately reported to the Regional Governor.

The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the finances of the chapter. The Treasurer shall receive payments of dues, send statements of unpaid dues to members on such date as the Board of Directors shall determine, notify delinquent members that they have been dropped from membership on such further date as the Board shall determine, and pay all approved bills of the chapter. The Treasurer shall present financial reports at Board of Directors' meetings and at chapter meetings. Upon receipt of new member's dues, the Treasurer will inform the President of the new member

The Vice-President in Charge of Adjudications shall be responsible for the Student Adjudications held each year and shall select members from the chapter to assist. The Vice-President in Charge of Adjudications shall make decisions of procedure and content with the Executive Committee of Student Adjudications. All decisions shall be presented to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall outline programs and activities of the chapter and make recommendations for approval of the membership at regularly scheduled chapter meetings. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the chapter during the interim between regularly scheduled chapter meetings. The Board of Directors shall be authorized to fill any board vacancies that may occur unexpectedly between regularly scheduled elections. Such officers or board members shall complete the term of the said office.

Any administrative officer, whether elected or appointed, shall cease to hold office upon termination of his/her membership in the National Association. Any elected officer may be removed from office, upon due cause, by a majority vote of the chapter membership.

There shall be at least two meetings of the chapter each year. Announcement of meetings with proposed agenda and program shall be given to the chapter members by mail at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of each meeting. Chapter meetings will be held at times and places convenient to the membership and at venues that are conducive to the type of meetings planned. Chapter meetings may be called by the President and/or Board of Directors or by any responsible segment of the membership, provided in the latter instance that chapter officers and the remainder of the chapter membership are notified at least twenty-one days in advance of such meeting.

At a spring meeting of the chapter, elections shall be held. The nominating committee will provide a slate of nominees for the offices named above. The agenda and slate of nominees including a space for write-in votes will be mailed to the chapter members at least 21 days prior to the chapter meeting. Those unable to attend the spring meeting may vote by mail, assuring the mailed ballot arrives at least one day before the meeting. Late ballots will not be counted.

Officers elected will take office at once, serving until the spring meeting two years hence. (See Article IV for terms of the officers.)

A quorum will consist of one-third of the active membership. At any regular meeting, each full, associate, and emeritus member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in person or by written proxy upon any motion or question properly brought before the chapter.

Dues are payable annually by October 1st, in such an amount as may be suggested by the Board of Directors and confirmed by the chapter membership. Notices of non-payment of dues shall be sent to delinquent members on October 15th of each year. If any remain unpaid by November 1st of that year, said chapter membership shall automatically cease. Assessments over and above the annual dues may be made for special events necessitating unusual expenditures.

The program of the chapter may include professional, educational, promotional and social activities at the discretion of its officers and members, so long as such activities are consistent with the NATS Code of Ethics stated in Article II.

Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

With the exception of Articles I, II, and III, which may not be amended or revoked, the Bylaws of this chapter may be repealed or amended, or new Bylaws adopted, by a majority of the chapter membership voting in person, by written proxy, or by mail, provided that such amendments have been announced to the membership at least twenty-one days in advance of the voting date. With the consent of a majority of the active members at a regularly scheduled meeting, the ruling regarding advance notice of voting on amendments may be suspended in order to expedite needed action on repealing, amending or making new Bylaws.