Northwest Art Study Resources

MoNA Docent Association By-laws

(approved as amended at Docent Annual Meeting September 12, 2011) (approved as amended at Docent General Membership Meeting January 18, 2019)

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST ART DOCENT ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The Museum of Northwest Art Docent Association is an independent volunteer organization operating under the umbrella of the Museum of Northwest Art (hereinafter MoNA) whose primary purpose is to support MoNA by fostering public appreciation and understanding of art in general, with an emphasis on Northwest art.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Members shall pay annual docent membership dues as the Docent Council may establish and are required to be members of MoNA.

Section 2. Docent Classifications:

  1. Docent Candidate: A Docent Candidate is a prospective docent in training.

A docent candidate who successfully completes the required training will be certified as a gallery attendant and/or a tour leader.

  1. Active Docent: An Active Docent is an actively participating, certified paying member of the Docent Association. Docents are required to follow the guidelines, policies and procedures established by the Docent Council.
  2. Inactive Docent: An Inactive Docent is a certified paying docent who has requested from the Docent Council to be on inactive status for a period of 12 months or less. The docent will be excused from service, but is to remain a member of the Docent Association, with full docent benefits. A docent in good standing may apply for extension of inactive status beyond twelve months. Granting such extension shall be the prerogative of the Docent Council.
  3. Life Member Docent: An individual who has served a minimum of twelve years as an active docent may become a Life Member of the Docent Association at the discretion of the Docent Council. Life members are exempt from paying dues and will enjoy full docent benefits.

1 Section 3. Docent Commitment and Training:

  1. Service: Each docent shall commit to working a minimum of two shifts per month at MoNA. Service may take the form either of gallery attendant and/or leading group tours as docent tour leader, or other duty at the Docent Council’s discretion. Additionally, a docent may choose to assist the museum in other ways on the basis of personal choice. However, such service shall not exempt said docent from the basic commitment of two shifts per month, unless otherwise approved by the Docent Council.
  2. Training. Each new docent shall attend orientation training as outlined by the Docent Council, and shall fully understand the information provided in the Docent Handbook. A new docent shall work with a docent of long-standing for at least one shift prior to working alone. Docents who wish to become tour leaders are required to complete additional training.
  3. Continuing Education. Each docent is expected to attend docent general meetings, docent gallery walkthroughs, utilize resource material available in the museum library, and take advantage of the educational programs offered by MoNA and the Docent Association.

Section 4. Termination of a Docent:

Termination may be considered upon failure of a docent to fulfill the membership obligations or for good cause.. Written notification to the docent shall be given, stating the reason for the proposed termination. The docent shall be given the opportunity to confer with the Docent Council or the Docent Executive Committee before a decision is rendered. Final decision to terminate a docent shall be the responsibility of the Docent Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV. MONA DOCENT COUNCIL

Section 1. The governing body of the Docent Association shall be the Docent Council.

In the event the Docent Council cannot resolve a pending issue, the Council will consult the Executive Director of MoNA for resolution. Should the Executive Director be unable to resolve the issue, the Coordinator will take the issue to the president of the MoNA Board of Trustees for resolution.

Section 2. The voting membership of the Docent Council shall include: Executive Committee (see Article V, section 1). Chairpersons of committees.

2 Section 3. The Executive Director of MoNA or his/her designee shall be a non-voting member of the Docent Council.

Section 4. The Docent Council shall meet regularly on a monthly basis, or as otherwise determined by the Docent Council. A simple majority of all Docent Council members must be present at a Council Meeting to constitute a quorum for purposes of voting or conducting business.

Section 5. Voting outcome of Docent Council issues shall be determined by a simple majority of those present.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and President Emeritus, all of whom constitute the Executive Committee. .

Section 2. The officers (excepting the President Emeritus) shall be nominated from persons who are in good standing as members of the Docent Association. The President shall have served a minimum of one year in the Docent Association.

Section 3. Election of Officers: The nominating committee shall present to the membership of the Docent Association a slate of officers at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional nominees from the floor shall be allowed, provided the prior consent of each nominee has been obtained. The officers shall be elected by a majority of the members present at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Term of Office: The term of office shall be one year beginning the day of the

Annual Meeting. Any vacancy shall be filled by the President, with approval of the Docent Council, and such appointee shall serve until the next election of officers.

Section 5. The duties of officers are listed and defined in a separate document approved by the Docent Council and amended by the Docent Council as needed.

ARTICLE VI. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The standing committees are: Membership, Newsletter, Field Trips, Education, Hospitality, Scheduling, and other committees as may be deemed necessary.

Section 2. The President shall appoint chairpersons of standing committees as soon as

3 practicable after assuming office. Chairpersons shall appoint committee members as needed.

Section 3. The duties of standing committees are listed and defined in a separate document approved by the Docent Council and amended by the Docent Council as needed.

ARTICLE VII. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Section 1. The Docent Association year shall begin October 1 st and end September 30th . Section 2. Docent Association general meetings shall be held in September and at other times deemed appropriate by the Coordinator.

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS The By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting or other General Membership Meeting, provided any proposed amendment has first been submitted in writing to the membership no fewer than two weeks prior to said meeting.

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The Docent Association shall be governed by Roberts’ Rules of Order, Revised.

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION Upon the dissolution of the Docent Association, all funds and property, including records, shall be donated to MoNA or its successor.