THE OHIO GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATIONA “NOT FOR PROFIT” CORPORATION BY-LAWS – Revision No. 09
ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION
1. The name of the organization will be the Ohio Gospel Music Association, and may hereinafter be referred to as the OGMA.
2. The organization may at its pleasure by a majority vote of the Advisory Board change its name.
3. The organization will have a logo which will be prescribed by a majority vote of the Advisory Board.
4. The organization will have a motto, which will be:
“Remembering the past, recognizing the present, and reflecting on the future.”
5. The organization will maintain the following legal mailing address:
OGMA, PO Box 49384, Dayton, Ohio 45449
6. Due to the massive expansion regarding the term “Christian Music” the OGMA, until such time as change is determined necessary by the Board, will use the term “Gospel Music” throughout the By-Laws and all other legal documents with said “Gospel Music” being further defined as: a) An expression of the gospel message through the following styles of Christian music: Bluegrass Gospel, Country Gospel, Hymns, Southern Gospel, Traditional Black Gospel.b) Vocal music will be limited to a maximum of five (5) voices typically defined as Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet or Quintet being provided with or without musical accompaniment. 7. To assure equal coverage and involvement throughout the entire State of Ohio, the state will be divided into groups covering a similar number of adjacent counties hereinafter referred to as Districts. The division will consist of four (4) Districts as defined below.
DISTRICT 1: Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Delaware, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Logan, Lucas, Marion, Mercer, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, Wyandot
DISTRICT 2: Adams, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Ross, Warren
DISTRICT 3: Athens, Belmont, Fairfield, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Scioto, Vinton, Washington
DISTRICT 4: Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Wayne
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The OGMA is a not-for-profit organization devoted to honoring those gospel music performers, songwriters, broadcasters, and promoters that are prominent within the history of gospel music and who lived a portion of the life within the State of Ohio. The OGMA recognizes above all that devotion to the field of gospel music is a ministry and a calling of God, the purpose of which is to share God’s message of love and grace and to offer encouragement and inspiration to its audience. With this purpose in mind, the OGMA desires to provide recognition to those persons that have made significant and historical contributions to gospel music in Ohio as determined by the Advisory Board.
MISSION STATEMENT
“Acknowledge those gospel music performers, songwriters, broadcasters, and promoters that are prominent in the history of gospel music. More specifically, to provide recognition to those persons who have made significant and historical contributions to gospel music in Ohio.”
ARTICLE III OWNERSHIP TRUSTEES The OGMA will consist of three (3) Trustees. Said Trustees will retain legal ownership to the OGMA and will serve as representatives to the State of Ohio for the purpose of non-profit incorporation. The following were appointed as the original Trustees for the OGMA. Buddy Bates, 110 Hidden Hills Dr., Fairfield, Ohio 45014 Darrell Webb, 6324 Carnation Dr, Dayton, Ohio 45449 Greg Tingler, 1298 Kendall Rd, Minford, Ohio 45653 As a Trustee leaves, this vacancy will be filled within ninety (90) days by recommendation subject to final approval by the remaining two (2) Trustees. Should it be necessary, for any reason, to replace an existing Trustee: 1. The remaining two (2) Trustees will submit written justification for replacement and provide replacement recommendations to the Board. 2. Board approval will be required for any replacement. 3. A letter of release will be prepared, signed by Chairman and mailed to the Trustee to be replaced. One Trustee will be able to sign checks if Treasurer in unable to be designated by vote of Officers.
ARTICLE IV ADVISORY BOARD The OGMA will elect and retain an equal amount of Advisory Board member per District. There will be two (2) Advisory Board members per District as currently defined. Term of office shall be for a period of three (3) years with unlimited opportunity for renewal. Pattern of Election: Board members will be elected and/or re-elected at the end of their three (3) year term in the following alternating order. One (1) Board member from District 1 and District 2 in 2023 and one (1) Board member from District 3 and District 4 in 2024. As members leave the Advisory Board, the Chairman will make replacement recommendations to the Advisory Board. Vacancies will be filled for the remaining portion of the existing term as approved by a majority vote of the Advisory Board. ADVISORY BOARD REQUIREMENTS Minimum Age: 25 Must be a Born Again Christian maintaining active membership within a local church Must maintain legal residency within the State of Ohio throughout term. Must be a resident of, or live within fifty (50) miles of, and agree to represent, the District they are assigned Must verify past or present involvement (part or full time) within gospel music. All applications will be submitted to the Secretary for final review. Must submit one (1) Hall of Fame nomination during the first year of each three (3) year term. (See Hall of Fame Award Section for details.) DUTIES The Advisory Board will attend the annual board meeting / OGMA Banquet to be held on the first Saturday in October. Failure to attend at least two (2) annual meetings within each term will result in removal from Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will elect OGMA Officers as required during the annual Advisory Board meeting to be held on the first Saturday of October. The Advisory Board will provide information as requested and represent OGMA at all events within their District. The Advisory Board will approve all affairs and business of the OGMA including release of any funds in excess of five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars. The Advisory Board will monitor activity regarding gospel artists and groups within their District and provide information to Vice Chairman as deemed necessary. VOTING Each member of the Advisory Board will have one (1) vote and such voting may NOT be done by proxy. Each Advisory Board member will submit a vote on all issues as requested. Failure to submit a vote as requested on two (2) or more issues within any term, without appropriate justification, will result in removal from Advisory Board. All voting, accept election of Officers, will be completed by mail in the following manner. Items requiring approval will be established by Officers at quarterly meeting. A standard Voting Letter will be prepared addressing each item requiring Advisory Board approval. Standard Voting Letter will be submitted to each Advisory Board member along with exhibits as required to clarify items submitted for approval. Advisory Board members will return the completed Voting Letter in the pre-addressed envelope. Non-Advisory Board member (Clergy or Professional) will open all sealed Voting Letters at next Officer meeting. An affirmative vote of not less than one (1) per District, total of at least four (4) affirmative votes, will be required to approve any business matter including the selection for Hall of Fame Awards. Once item has been resolved, letter will be prepared and submitted to all Advisory Board members confirming final vote along with confirmation of action taken. ADVISORY BOARD APPRENTICE STATUS Term of office shall be for a period of three (3) years with unlimited opportunity for renewal. ADVISORY BOARD APPRENTICE REQUIREMENTS Minimum Age: 18 Must be a Born Again Christian maintaining active membership within a local church Must maintain legal residency within the State of Ohio throughout term. Must be a resident of, or live within fifty (50) miles of, and agree to represent, the District they are assigned Must verify past or present involvement (part or full time) within gospel music. All applications will be submitted to the Secretary for final review. Will be permitted to submit one (1) Hall of Fame nomination during the first year of each three (3) year term. (See Hall of Fame Award Section for details.) DUTIES The Advisory Board Apprentice will attend the annual board meeting / OGMA Banquet to be held on the first Saturday in October. Failure to attend at least two (2) annual meetings within each term will result in removal from Advisory Board. The Advisory Board Apprentice will be encouraged to provide information as requested and represent OGMA at all events within their District. The Advisory Board Apprentice will monitor activity regarding gospel artists and groups within their District and provide information to Vice Chairman as deemed necessary. VOTING Advisory Board Apprentice may take part in all conversations but will have no voting authority.
ARTICLE V OFFICERS OFFICER ELECTION Officer position vacancies will be temporarily filled by a vote of the remaining Officers for the balance of the year. Existing Chairman will make recommendations to Advisory Board regarding election and/or replacement of any Officer position. Election of Officers will take place during the annual Advisory Board meeting to be held on the first Saturday of October. For election of officers, ballots will be provided to Advisory Board and there will not appear any place on such ballot anything that might tend to indicate the person who cast such ballot. A majority vote of said Advisory Board will be required. Secretary, at annual meeting, will receive, count, announce and record voting results. An Officer may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal. The Advisory Board may hear charges against any Officer. The Advisory Board will adopt such rules for this hearing as it may in its discretion consider necessary for the best interests of the organization. Chairman or Vice Chairman will read all votes. The Officers of the OGMA will be as follows: ChairmanVice ChairmanSecretaryTreasurerIT Specialist OFFICER REQUIREMENTS Minimum Age: 25 Must be a Born Again Christian who maintains active membership within a local church Must maintain residency within the State of Ohio throughout term. Must verify past or present involvement (part or full time) within gospel music. Term of office will be for a period of two (2) years with unlimited renewal. DUTIES The Chairman will: – preside over all meetings for Advisory Board and Officers. – see all books, reports and certificates required by law are properly kept or filed. The Vice Chairman will: – in the event of the absence or inability of the Chairman to exercise said office, become acting chairman of the OGMA with all the rights, privileges, and powers as if they had been the duly elected chairman. – handle all District correspondence with Advisory Board Members and will forward a copy of all correspondence to the Secretary. – manage website including the placement and removal of data as required. The Secretary will: – keep the minutes and records of the OGMA in appropriate books. – file any certificate required by any statute, federal or state. – give and serve all notices to members of the OGMA including minutes and E-News. – be the official custodian of the records of the OGMA. – present to the membership at any meetings any communication addressed to the Secretary of the OGMA. – submit to the Advisory Board any communications which will be addressed to the Secretary of the OGMA. – attend to all correspondence of the OGMA and will exercise all duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Treasurer will: – have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the OGMA and will be responsible for such monies or securities of the OGMA. – cause to be deposited in a regular business bank or trust company a sum voted upon by the Advisory Board and the balance of the funds of the OGMA will be deposited in a savings bank except that the Advisory Board may cause such funds to be invested in such investments as will be legal for a non-profit corporation in this state. – be one of the Officers who will sign checks or drafts of the OGMA. No special fund may be set aside that will make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to sign the checks issued upon it. – annually render a written account of the finances of the OGMA and such report will be physically affixed to the minutes of such meeting. – exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer. The IT Specialist will: – manage website, making all necessary modifications and updates – manage website including the creation, placement and removal of data as required – set up all devices necessary to provide award presentations – create and/or assist with development of award program data ADDITIONAL OFFICER Additional officer positions may be created and appointed by Chairman without Board approval as determined necessary. All additional Officer Positions will be subject to the same officer requirements as specified within the By-Laws
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES The permanent OGMA committees will be: Nominating: The Advisory Board being one (1) member from each District. Initial committee will consist of four (4) members. Odus G. Rudd Memorial Award: During the annual Advisory Board meeting the Board, having previously review the background of all nominees under consideration, will complete a final review, evaluate the comparative data presented, to determine if the nominee displays a servant spirit, shows a genuine concern for others and is devoted to promoting/sharing the gospel through gospel music. Upon final approval of the Advisory Board, the request to receive Odus G. Rudd Memorial Award will be confirmed during annual Board meeting. Hall of Fame Award: All approved recommendations for the Hall of Fame Award will be submitted to the Advisory Board by Officers. During the annual Advisory Board meeting the Board, having previously reviewed the background of all nominees under consideration, will complete a final review, evaluate the comparative data presented, and assess the breadth and depth of each nominee’s contributions relating to the performance and/or advancement of gospel music as the nominee’s contributions apply. Based on their evaluation and having considered any acts or omissions by the nominee that would negatively reflect on the prestige of past and future inductees, or be contrary to the goals of the OGMA charter, the Advisory Board ultimately comes to a decision regarding the appropriateness of the nominations. Final approval will be confirmed and recommendations will be confirmed during annual Board meeting. Upon final approval of the Advisory Board, new inductees are confirmed to the Hall of Fame.
ARTICLE VII MEETINGS OFFICERS The Officers will meet as required and no less than quarterly on the first Tuesday of January, April, July & October. If such day of next meeting is a legal holiday, the Officers will fix the date of the next meeting. A minimum of three (3) Officers must be present at quarterly meeting to conduct regular business of the OGMA. ADVISORY BOARD Advisory Board will meet annually on the first Saturday of October. A Banquet will be held after the meeting. Location and agenda for banquet will be determined by the Officers. Trustees will meet as required and are free to attend any meeting of the OGMA. All meetings of the OGMA will be held at a location agreed upon by the Officers. Meeting location will be confirmed at least thirty (30) days prior to date of meeting. Special meetings of the Advisory Board and/or Officers may be called by the chairman when deemed in the best interest of the OGMA. Notices of such meeting will be made to all Advisory Board members and/or Officers before the scheduled date set for such special meeting. Such notice will state the reasons that such meeting has been called and the business to be transacted at such meeting. No other business but that specified in the notice may be transacted at such special meeting without the unanimous consent of all present at such meeting. ORDER OF BUSINESS * Opening Prayer.* Distribution, review and approval of the Minutes of the preceding meeting.* Treasurer Report with copy submitted to Secretary* Committee Reports* Old and Unfinished Business.* Opening of Voting Letters* New Business.* Closing Prayer * Adjournment.
ARTICLE VIII SALARIES The Advisory Board will hire and fix the compensation of any and all employees which they in their discretion may determine to be necessary for the conduct of the business of the OGMA provided that such act will be in compliance with the rules prescribed by the State of Ohio for non-profit corporations. No Officer will, for reason of his/her office, be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein will be construed to prevent an Officer from receiving any compensation from the OGMA for duties other than as an Officer.
ARTICLE IX ARTIST (Individual or Group) PROMOTION Effective October 7, 2023 all existing promotional programs will be officially terminated. All new promotional programs will be subject to Board approval.
ARTICLE X AWARDS Letter of Special Recognition The Letter is provided to the recipient by Advisory Board member or Officer as special acknowledgement for their contribution to gospel music. Recipient must have lived in Ohio or have been an active part of an Ohio-based gospel music ministry (as defined within the current By-Laws) for at least six (6) months. Approval must be determined by the Chairman or Vice Chairman. The granting of this letter to the same artist will be unlimited. Certificate of Gratitude The Certificate of Gratitude is provided to the family of recipient by Advisory Board member or Officer at time of death acknowledging their contribution to gospel music in Ohio. Recipient must have lived in Ohio or have been an active part of an Ohio-based gospel music (as defined within the current By-Laws) ministry for at least six (6) months. Approval will be determined by the Chairman or Vice Chairman. Odus G. Rudd Memorial Award The Odus G. Rudd Memorial Award is given to a person judged to have made an outstanding contribution to gospel music in Ohio. The award was established in memory of Odus G. Rudd, who died March 10, 2012. Odus G. Rudd was a charter Advisory Board Member, Trustee, and the first Chairman of the Ohio Gospel Music Association. Recipient must have lived in Ohio or have been an active part of an Ohio-based gospel music (as defined within the current By-Laws) ministry for at least six (6) months. Recommendation must be submitted to Board for approval by Chairman The recipient will be chosen by a majority vote of the OGMA Advisory Board. The criteria for the Odus G. Rudd Memorial Award are: Recipient is/was foremost committed to following Christ Recipient does/did display a servant spirit Recipient does/did show a genuine concern for others Recipient is/was devoted to promoting/sharing the gospel through gospel music but would not otherwise qualify to be a Hall of Fame candidate (gospel music performer, songwriter, broadcaster, or promoter with prominence in the history of gospel music in Ohio). The award consists of a plaque to be given to the recipient. A photo and description of recipient will be placed on the OGMA website. The granting of this award will be limited to no more than one (1) award per District annually. The granting of this award to the same artist will be unlimited. Hall of Fame Inductee Award Introduction into the OGMA Hall of Fame will occur following a strict criteria. All potential inductees must have performed outside of their home church and/or completed at least one recording with the purpose of marketing, selling or distributing state wide, or multiple states, released to platform for radio to be eligible for Hall of Fame award. Nominations: Nominations can only be submitted by Board Members. Board Members must submit one (1) Nomination (Name and Ohio connection only) in the first year of each three (3) year term. Self- Nomination is not permitted under any circumstances. All new Nominations must be submitted between annual Board meeting and June 1st of the following year. Nominations must include at least the Full Name of the nominee along with any other information available. Nominations must be typed and submitted by, mail, email or Facebook, to the Vice Chairman for final review. Nominations will remain on file for one full eight (8) year nomination cycle. At which time the nomination will be removed. The person will be open for future nomination two (2) years after removal. The granting of this award will be limited to no more than four (4) awards annually and no more than two (2) awards per District annually. Eligibility: Nominee must have lived in Ohio or have been an active part of an Ohio-based gospel music ministry (as defined within the current By-Laws) for at least six (6) months. Nominee must be at least sixty-five (65) years old or deceased. Nominee, or someone on their behalf, must be willing to accept the award. Induction into the OGMA Hall of Fame will consist of: A recognition celebration will be held at a location designated by the inductee and/or the family. A recognition trophy created individually for each Hall of Fame inductee. A photo and description of inductee history will be placed on OGMA website.
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by the Officers, subject to a majority vote of Advisory Board.
Advisory Board may, at any time, submit suggestions to Officers for amendments of additions to By-Laws.