Mission, Policies & Bylaws
Mission Statement
Dedicated to preserving and promoting excellence in representational art, Oil Painters of America’s primary mission is to advance the cause of traditional, representational fine art by drawing attention to the lasting value of fine drawing, color, composition and the appreciation of light.
Through our national and regional shows, educational programs, scholarships and marketing efforts, OPA has become a leader in the art community and a driving force in the new Renaissance.
OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIONAL BY LAWS
REVISED: November,
2003, February 3, 2006, February 26, 2009, and December 14, 2009
ARTICLE I:
- NAME
The name of this organization shall be “OIL PAINTERS OF
AMERICA REPRESENTATIONAL”, a not for profit educational organization.
OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIONAL will hereafter be
referred to as OPAR in these BY-LAWS.
- PURPOSE
- The
purpose of this organization is to preserve and promote representational oil
painting. National exhibits, workshops, etc. will be held to encourage
education in this form of art.
- Members
of this organization shall be committed to the creation of original
representational art.
ARTICLE II:
MEMBERSHIP
There shall be six (6) categories of membership:
- ASSOCIATE
MEMBERS: Any resident of the North American continent or U.S. territories who
is a representational oil painter of good character, interested in the aims and
purpose of this organization and who pays the annual dues may become a member.
Associate members can hold office and may vote in the official business of the
organization.
- SIGNATURE
MEMBERS: Signature members may use the OPA designation. Signature membership
may be conferred by the Board of Directors on any artist of exceptional merit
who remains a member in good standing and who has exhibited in three (3)
national shows of OPAR. Signature members may vote and hold office.
- MASTER SIGNATURE MEMBERS: A signature member may be granted the title of Master
Signature Member by the Board of OPAR if he or she exhibits further evidence of
master status (gallery sales, publications, teaching, awards in national shows
of other organizations, etc.) On rare occasions, the requirement for a new
Master Signature Member to previously be a Signature Member may be waived. This
shall be done only when the proposed Master Signature Member is at the highest
level of professionalism, nationally recognized, and viewed to bring increased
prestige to Oil Painters of America.
- HONORARY
MEMBERSHIP: Upon recommendation of the Board of Directors, Honorary Membership
may be conferred through a majority vote during any regular Board of Directors
meeting. Honorary Members are exempt from the payment of dues. They
may vote at general membership meetings, but cannot hold office in the
organization. They qualify to participate in an advisory capacity and may be
juried into national exhibits. Such membership may continue from year to year
at the will of the Board of Directors.
- SUPPORTING
MEMBERSHIP: is for individuals or organizations that wish to belong to and
support OPAR with a substantial financial contribution. They will receive newsletters,
catalogs, and invitations but are not eligible to participate in shows.
Supporting members are exempt from the payment of dues. They may vote at general membership meetings
but cannot hold office in this organization. They qualify to participate in an
advisory capacity. They are recognized for their commitment in the literature
of OPAR. Their supporting membership will continue for one calendar year.
- Angel: Donations of $40 to $59
- Friend: Donation of $60.00 to $499.00
- Patron: Donation of $500.00 to $2,499.00
- Benefactor: Donation of $2,500.00 or more
- Associate or Signature members who
wish to provide additional support to the organization over and above the
required annual dues beginning at $40 or more, will also be recognized as a supporting member. They are recognized for their commitment in the literature of OPAR.
- DEFINITION OF RESIDENCY
OPA members whose residency is questionable must be able to prove that they have been physically present at the address provided to OPAR for eight of the last twelve months and that the residency is still considered to be their permanent domicile. A domicile is a fixed, permanent home to which an individual intends to return whenever absent. A person who claims residency while living in another state or country must provide proof including, but not limited to, evidence that the person has not acquired a domicile in another state or country, tax records, employment history, references, utility bills in the individuals name, and evidence of maintaining a continuous voting record. Artists falsifying claims of residency by providing an address in which they do not reside will be asked to resign from the organization. The decision of the Board is final.
ARTICLE III:
DUES
Section 1.
The prospectus for the yearly national show shall come out
in November of each year. It shall enumerate the entry fee for the yearly show
and the general, associate membership dues. Annual dues
shall be paid by the entry date of the National Show.
The dues shall be used exclusively for the promotion of the
organization and the payment of its bills.
Section 2.
The fiscal year shall be from January first (1st) through December
thirty-first (31st).
ARTICLE IV:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall be the personification of the
WILL of the organization. The President, with the assistance and cooperation
of all officers, shall be the carrier of that will.
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall consist of eleven (11) members,
including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2
The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the
organization, and shall make the rules for its government and define the duties
of its officers within the guidelines of these BY-LAWS.
Section 3
The Board of Directors shall control the funds of the
organization and shall act as trustee for any special funds entrusted to the
organization.
Section 4
The Board of Directors shall by a majority vote of those
present at a regular Board meeting or a special meeting of the Board called for
that purpose, appoint a temporary replacement to fill any vacancy among the
members of the Board. The person so appointed shall hold office until the next
annual election of the Board and until his or her successor is elected and
qualified.
Section 5
The Board and Directors (in addition to the above general
powers) shall have the following special powers:
- To
fix and enforce penalties for the violations of the BY-LAWS and rules in cases
where none are fixed by the BY-LAWS or
- To
fix and enforce penalties for the violations of the policies and rules in cases
where none are fixed by the policies or
- To remove by a resolution passed by a vote
of no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board, any committee,
either standing or special, or any member thereof, or any officer or member of
the Board who fails to attend to their duties under these BY-LAWS or for
conduct deemed contrary to the aims of OPAR.
Section 6
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held quarterly,
unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors. These meetings may be in
person, or by video - telephone - or Internet based conferencing as designated
by the Board.
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President
or two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors. Two (2) of whom shall be the President or Vice President and another officer.
Section 7
In recognition of their services, membership dues and
jurying fees shall be waived for Board Members.
ARTICLE V:
OFFICERS
All officers shall be the carriers of the WILL of the Board
of Directors of the organization.
Section 1
PRESIDENT: The President of OPAR shall preside at all
meetings of the Board of Directors and at all other meetings of the
organization and shall have power to appoint committees with the concurrence of
the Board.
Section 2
VICE PRESIDENT: It shall be the duty of the Vice President
to perform all the duties of the President in the absence of that officer.
Section 3
SECRETARY: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend
all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors and to keep records
of the proceedings. In the absence of the Secretary, an Acting Secretary shall
be the custodian of the Seal of the Organization and its records. The books
and papers of the organization shall, at all times, be open for inspection to
members of the organization. The Secretary shall keep a roll of all members
and shall summon the members of the organization and the Board of Directors to
all meetings. The Secretary shall conduct correspondence and transact any
other business that may be required by the Board, with such assistance as the
Board shall provide.
Section 4
TREASURER: The Treasurer shall receive and hold all moneys
and securities belonging to, or receivable by the organization, and pay them
out in such manner as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The
Treasurer shall, at the annual meeting of the organization, submit a statement
of the receipts and disbursement for the preceding fiscal year, and shall
perform such other duties as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the
Board. All checks of the OPAR must be signed by the Treasurer or designated
members of the Board.
Section 5
The Treasurer shall, if so directed by the Board of
Directors, at the expense of the organization obtain a bond from a responsible
surety company, as surety of the faithful discharge of the Treasurer’s duties.
All funds shall be in the name of the organization in such depositories as the
Board shall direct. If in the judgment of the Board there are funds in such
account or accounts in excess of the needs for operating purposes such surplus funds
may be invested in such manner as may be directed by the Board.
Section 6
The Treasurer shall make a quarterly report to the Board of
Directors showing the financial condition of the organization, and shall make
an annual report at the last meeting of the Board before the annual meeting.
Section 7
No officer, member of the Board or member of the
organization shall have power to make any obligation binding the organization
to payment of any sum of money whatsoever without approval of the executive
committee. The executive committee shall establish guidelines for the approval
of expenses.
ARTICLE VI:
MEETINGS
Section 1
General membership meetings of OPAR shall be held once a
year to coincide with the National Show. Time and location shall be identified
at least 30 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII:
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1
Ninety (90) days before the annual meeting, the Board shall
appoint a nominating committee of three (3) members of the Board. Any member in
good standing may nominate an Associate, Signature or Master Member for the
Board of Directors by submitting his or her name to the nominating committee.
The nominating committee will be responsible for interviewing proposed
candidates to ascertain: (1.) Their commitment to the aims of OPAR (2.) Their
willingness to serve on the board (3.) Their commitment to attend at least half
of the Board meetings. The nominating committee shall submit their
recommendations to the Board for final review.
The Board shall provide a list of candidates to the
membership at least three weeks before the annual meeting.
At the annual meeting, members shall elect directors by a
simple majority vote of those present and any written proxies submitted by
members not in attendance.
Directors shall serve for a two (2) year period, with
staggered terms i.e. no less than two (2) Board members shall be up for
election each year.
Section 2
The Board of Directors (not the nominating committee) shall
have the final authority to elect the President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer who shall hold office for a two (2) year period.
ARTICLE VIII:
COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint, subject to the approval of the
Board of Directors, such committees as are deemed necessary to conduct the
business of the organization. These committees may consist of members of the
Board or members at large.
ARTICLE IX:
There shall be at least one National show annually and as
many regional shows as may from time to time be determined by the Board to be
practicable giving considerations to geographic and demographic factors, and
the availability of host galleries, museums and other appropriate venues.
Section 1
NATIONAL SHOWS
Any member except Supporting Members may enter the annual
show. A five (5) person jurying committee shall evaluate entries of Associate
and Signature members..
Section 2
REGIONAL SHOWS
Regional shows are limited to members in the region and to
Master Signature Members of any region. A three person jurying committee will
jury entries of Associate and Signature members into the regional show.
ARTICLE X:
AMENDMENTS
The BY-LAWS may be amended at any regular meeting of the
Board of Directors of the Organization, or at any special meeting, of the Board
called for that purpose, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the members of the Board. When an amendment to the BY-LAWS is proposed for
action by the Board, each member of the Board must be provided with a copy of
such amendment at least ten (10) days before the meeting at which it is to be
considered.
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