An Overview of The CMS Fund
Since 1958 The College Music Society has served music in higher education by promoting music teaching and learning, musical creativity and expression, research, diversity of perspective, and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Mission of The CMS Fund
As an extension of The College Music Society, The CMS Fund enhances American life through support of exemplary and innovative projects that bring to the wider public the accomplishments of the music profession in higher education.
Legal Structure
The CMS Fund is a public educational and charitable, not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)3 of the Tax Code.
Description of The CMS Fund
The Bylaws of The CMS Fund describe the organization as follows:
The particular business and objectives of the Fund shall, as stated in its Articles of Incorporation, be educational and charitable, and shall be devoted to the general interests of music in colleges and universities.
Governance of The CMS Fund
Overview
The CMS Fund is governed by its Board of Directors, which includes a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Directors. As stated in the Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall determine the general policies of The Fund and shall carry out its general purposes. The Board shall manage the property and financial affairs of The Fund with power to accept gifts made to the Fund and construe the Bylaws.
The Board of Directors oversees the identification and analysis of professional concerns, as well as the development of projects, programs, or publications to address these concerns.
Membership of the Board of Directors
The composition of the Board of Directors is defined in Article III of the Bylaws:
The Board of Directors shall consist of officers and members elected for staggered three-year terms. No officer or member shall serve more than two consecutive terms. Upon resignation of a Director, the unexpired term of office will be filled through appointment by the President in consultation with the President of The College of The College Music Society and the Board of Directors of The CMS Fund.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The responsibilities of the Board of Directors are described in Article III of the Bylaws:
1. The Board of Directors shall determine the general policies of the Fund and shall carry out its general purposes. The Board shall manage the property and financial affairs of the Fund with power to accept gifts made to the Fund and construe the Bylaws.
Description of Responsibilities of the Officers
Descriptions of responsibilities for the officers are found in the Bylaws.
President
The authority of the President is granted in Article IV of the Bylaws of The CMS Fund:
Executive authority of the Fund shall be vested in the President. The President shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall discharge other functions as are customarily associated with the Office, including serving as primary liaison to The College Music Society's Board of Directors.
In the event that the President of The CMS Fund Board cannot discharge the duties of the office, the President of Board of Directors of The College Music Society appoint a designee from The CMS Fund Board to serve in her or his stead.
Secretary
The authority of the Secretary is defined in Article IV of the Bylaws of The CMS Fund:
The Secretary shall be responsible for the documentation of the proceedings of the Fund and shall take minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall also assist with the filing of all local, state, and federal reports as required by law.
Treasurer
The authority of the Treasurer is defined in Article IV of the Bylaws of The CMS Fund:
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds of The Fund. The Treasurer shall present a report at the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall prepare the proposed annual budget and arrange for the yearly audit by an outside agency. The Treasurer shall be a signator of the accounts of the Fund.
The above is generic language and not intended to bind the officers unduly. For example, rather than collect monies, the Treasurer assigns the task to the Executive Office; rather than take custody of the funds, the Treasurer assigns the task to a bank.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
Article III of the Bylaws states the following:
Meetings. There shall be an annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fund at a time and place fixed by the President. Special meetings may also be held at places and on dates fixed by the President. The President shall, not less than sixty days before the date set for each meeting nor less than thirty days before a special meeting, mail written notice of the meeting to each member at her/his address as it appears upon the books of the Fund.
Procedures
The procedures of the Board of Directors are described in Article III of the Bylaws:
At meetings of the Board procedures in voting and otherwise shall be such as the Board itself prescribes. A quorum of the board shall be three.
Agenda
The agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors, prepared by the President, provides review of the work of the organization. The Board of Directors reviews, in varying degrees of detail, the following:
- the mission of The Fund;
- the condition and needs of the college music teaching community;
- the services and activities of The Fund;
- the Fund’s relations with the larger music, arts, and education communities;
- the Fund's support infrastructure, including (a) staff, (b) facilities and equipment, (c) internal operations, (d) promotion and publicity, (e) governance, and (f) fiscal matters.
These items are considered through annual reports of the officers and staff, and any committees that may be appointed from time-to-time.
Expense Reimbursement
For meetings of the Board of Directors, The CMS Fund covers transportation, lodging, and meal expenses. Meetings may be scheduled around the annual national conference of The College Music Society. Dates and times are announced as far in advance as possible.
Executive Office and Staff of The CMS Fund
Executive Director
The Executive Director is the chief fundraiser of The CMS Fund. Acting on the authority of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director coordinates fundraising initiatives; responds to inquiries and conducts correspondence; establishes and maintains effective liaisons with education, business, and governmental organizations in music and higher education; develops and directs promotion, publicity, and marketing efforts; maintains records and databases; issues publications; assists officers and committees; and performs other duties as requested by the President. The role and mission of the Executive Director is defined in the job description for the position. Currently, the Executive Director works part-time on behalf of The CMS Fund.
Executive Office and Chief Operating Officer
To facilitate the work and activities of The CMS Fund, the Board of Directors has established an Executive Office headed by a Chief Operating Officer. Acting on the authority of the Board of Directors, the Chief Operating Officer conducts the daily business of The CMS Fund; maintains records; monitors and maintains facilities and equipment; support professional programs and fundraising initiatives; assists officers and committees; and performs other duties as requested by the President. Details of the assignment of responsibilities by the Board of Directors are found in the job description for the position. Employment policies and procedures are described in the Employee Handbook of The College Music Society. Currently, the Chief Operating Officer works part-time on behalf of The CMS Fund.
Handbook: Established September 2003 -- Revised August 2014