Argentine Tango
Masters Association
Bylaws
Exams
Members
Syllabus
Contact

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Mission:

The Argentine Tango Master Association is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to the art of and advancement of education about the dance Tango, Milonga, and Vals Cruzado (Tango Waltz), including the music, the culture and history in which it is based as well as the way of life it embodies. The mission of ATMA is to develop and maintain an organization of qualified and knowledgeable teachers of tango throughout the world to preserve the authenticity of the dance Tango.
Objectives:
1. To develop curricula and examinations for the teaching of tango for tango dance teachers and students upon the El Tango Argentino, Milonga, and Vals Cruzado syllabuses, and their standards: Associate, Licentiate, Fellow, and Master degrees in Argentine Tango, Milonga and Vals Cruzado and covering all styles of those dances.
2. To credential teachers of Argentine Tango, Milonga and Vals Cruzado.
3. To promote friendship and the exchange of ideas and information among the tango teachers and provide an organization to represent tango teachers internationally.
4. To encourage and maintain a high standard of business ethics among tango teachers.
5. To provide educational opportunities in tango, milonga, and tango waltz for professionals, students and the general public.
6. To make available a resource of quality instruction and education regarding the Argentine Tango for the general public.
7. To support championships, competitions at all levels, or any other events for promotion of the art of Tango.

Bylaws:
ARTICLE 1 NAME
1.1 The name of the association is the Argentine Tango Master Association (ATMA).
ARTICLE 2 CORPORATE SEAL
2.1 The seal, an impression whereof is stamped in the margin hereof, shall be the seal of the Association. The Governing Board shall determine who shall have custody of the Corporate Seal.
ARTICLE 3 ASSOCIATION LOGO
3.1 The Argentine Tango Master Association Logo is to be retained for official Association, Branch and Division business only.
ARTICLE 4 HEAD OFFICE
4.1 The Head Office of the Association, which is the main Branch, shall be in the City of San Diego, in the State of California, and the place therein where the business of the Association may from time to time be carried on, or at such other place as shall from time to time be established by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE 5 ADMINISTRATION
5.1 The business of the Association shall be carried out by
i. Governing Board
ii International Board
iii. Branches
iv. Various standing and ad hoc committees established by the above bodies.
ARTICLE 6 GOVERNING BOARD
6.1 The Governing Board shall serve as the final decision making body based on recommendations developed by the International Board.
6.2 The Governing Board shall set the annual membership fees for the Association.
6.3 The Governing Board shall have the control and management of the Association funds.
6.4 The Governing Board shall at no time incur any indebtedness in the name of the Association in excess of the net assets of the Association.
6.5 Contracts, documents or any instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Association shall be signed by two Officers appointed by resolution of the Governing Board. The seal of the Association, when required, may be affixed to ontracts,documents and instruments in writing as aforesaid.
ARTICLE 7 GOVERNING BOARD OFFICERS
7.1 The Governing Board shall be comprised of a President, Vice-President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, (the secretary may act as a treasurer) and up to seven Directors and shall be elected by the International Board. The Chairman of the International Board shall also serve on the Governing Board.
7.2 The President shall be elected for a period of ten years.
7.3 The Officers of the Governing Board shall be elected for a period of five years.
7.4 Two members of the same family may not serve on the board at the same time.
7.5 In order to be elected to the Governing Board, a member must be a fellow, have held office for not less than four years, and must be available for monthly meetings.
7.6 There shall be an Executive Committee of the Governing Board consisting of the President, Vice President, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer and additional officers according to the Governing Board Bylaws.
7.7 Members may serve on the Governing Board and International Board concurrently.
7.8 The Officers of the Governing Board shall commence their term immediately following their election at the Annual Meeting. All books, files and records of the Association in the possession of the retiring Officers will be delivered to the new Officers within thirty (30) days of the annual meeting. In the event that the Office of the President shall become vacant at any time during the term of the President, the balance of the term of Office shall be completed by the Vice-President, who shall have all the powers of the President. In the event that any other Executive Officer becomes vacant during the term of such Office, the Board may appoint, from among the members, a person to complete the unexpired portion of Office which becomes vacant.
7.9 The Officers of the Governing Board shall commence their term immediately following their election at the Annual Meeting. All books, files and records of the Association in the possession of the retiring Officers will be delivered to the new Officers within thirty (30) days of the annual meeting. In the event that the Office of the President shall become vacant at any time during the term of the President, the balance of the term of Office shall be completed by the Vice-President, who shall have all the powers of the President. In the event that any other Executive Officer becomes vacant during the term of such Office, the Board may appoint, from among the members, a person to complete the unexpired portion of Office which becomes vacant.
ARTICLE 8 INTERNATIONAL BOARD
8.1 The International Board shall assist the Branches through liaison with Branch Directors in pursuing the aims of the Association. The International Board shall provide a forum for discussion between Branches, promote an exchange of ideas, develop goals desired by the members of the Association, develop general guidelines for the Branches, and appoint committees to expedite special projects.
8.2 The International Board shall be comprised of two directors from each Branch, elected or appointed for a two year term by each properly constituted Branch. From this International Board, the Chairman is elected by a majority vote. Upon becoming elected Chairman of the Board, he or she is replaced as a Director by a second eligible Member from his or her Branch.
8.3 The Chairman of the International Board will serve on the Governing Board.
8.4 The Directors shall be legal residents of their country, as defined by the laws of immigration of their country.
8.5 Two members of the same family may not serve on the board at the same time.
8.6 An Administrative Council of the International Board, consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary, shall be elected at the General Annual Meeting from among the Branch Directors.
8.7 The election of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary shall be held every two (2) years at the time of the General Annual Meeting.
8.8 The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary may not hold office on the Administrative Council for more than two (2) terms in succession.
ARTICLE 9 MEETINGS
9.1 The Governing Board shall meet monthly to discuss business of the Association at a time and place to be determined by the Governing Board.
9.2 Meetings of the Executive Committee of the Governing Board shall be held at the times and places determined by the President.
9.3 The Governing Board will meet with the International Board according to the needs of either.
9.4 A Meeting of the Governing Board and International Board shall be held annually at a time and place to be determined by both. Written notice of such General Annual Meeting shall be sent to each Branch Chairman and each Director at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of such Meeting at the last addressed which have been filed with the Association.
9.5 Written notice of any motion or amendment to be presented, with the rationale, must accompany the Notice of the General Annual Meeting.
9.6 A special meeting may be called by the President upon receipt of a written request by at least four members of the Association which request specifies the purpose of the meeting.
ARTICLE 10 QUORUM
10.1 The attendance or written proxy of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members shall be required to constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Governing Board, International Board, Standing Committees, and ad hoc committees.
ARTICLE 11 VOTING
11.1 Each member of the Governing Board excluding the President, shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote on each motion submitted to any meeting of the Governing Board. In the case of a tie vote, the President shall have the deciding vote.
11.2 Each member of the International Board excluding the Chairman, shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote on each motion submitted to any meeting of the International Board. In the case of a tie vote, the Chairman shall have the deciding vote.
ARTICLE 12 DUTIES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OFFICERS
12.1 The President shall:
i. officially represent the Association on all occasions.
ii. preside as Chairman of all meetings of the Governing Board and its Executive Committee.
iii. prepare agendas for Governing Board Meetings and distribute them.
iv. perform such other duties as may be conferred on him or her
12.2 The Vice-President shall:
i. assume the office and duties of the President in the event that the President is unable to carry out his or her duties. In the event that the President resigns, the Vice-President shall become the President until the next scheduled election of President.
12.3 The Secretary shall:
i. keep an accurate account of the Minutes of the meetings of the Governing Board and Executive Committee.
ii. circulate a copy of the minutes of the Governing Board and Executive Committee to the Governing Board, the Chairman and Secretary of the International Board.
iii. Be responsible, with the International Board Secretary, for all correspondence, notice of meetings and distribution of agendas.
12.4 The Treasurer shall:
i. keep and maintain an accurate account of all receipts and expenditures of the governing Board.
ii. prepare such statements as the Association requires.
iii. prepare an annual financial statement at the end of the fiscal year, collect audited financial statements from the Branches and submit necessary information to the auditor on request.
iv. forward the approved auditor's report to each Branch within thirty (30) days following the General Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE 13 DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
13.1 The Chairman shall:
i. sit as a member of the Governing Board.
ii. preside as Chairman of all meetings of the InternationalBoard and its Administrative Council.
iii. prepare agendas for International Board Meetings and distribute them.
iv. perform such other duties as may be conferred on him or her
13.2 The Vice-Chairman shall:
i. assume the office and duties of the Chairman in the event that the Chairman is unable to carry out his or her duties. In the event that the Chairman resigns, the Vice-Chairman shall become the Chairman until the next scheduled election of Chairman.
13.3 The Secretary shall:
i. keep an accurate account of the Minutes of the meetings of theInternational Board and Administrative Council,
ii. circulate a copy of the minutes of the Governing Board and Executive Committee to the Governing Board, the Chairman and Secretary of the International Board.
iii. Be responsible, with the Governing Board Secretary, for all correspondence, notice of meetings and distribution of agendas.
ARTICLE 14 GENERAL ANNUAL MEETING
14.1 The General Annual Meeting, which is open to all members of the Association, shall be held within the fiscal year on a date designated by the Governing Board.
14.2 At the General Annual Meeting, among other things, the following shall be done:
a. The President's Report shall be presented.
b. The Auditor's Report shall be presented.
c. The Chairman of the International Board shall present a report of activities for the past year.
d. Committee Chairmen shall report the committee's activities for the year.
e. The budget for the ensuing year shall be approved.
f. An auditor for the ensuing year shall be appointed.
g. Notices of motion shall be considered.
h. Elections of Officers shall be held in accordance with the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 15 BRANCHES
15.1 Each Branch of the Association shall have control and management of its own affairs and funds. In particular, each Branch shall be responsible for determining membership requirements, setting up examinations for professionals and amateurs and request examiners to be selected by the Governing Board.
15.2 The Branches shall recruit members and provide workshops and seminars for its members and for the general tango community.
15.3 The Bylaws of the Branch must not contravene the Bylaws and Regulations of the Association.
15.4 Each Branch is required to submit a written report to the General Annual Meeting. The report should include the number of members, the members of the Branch Executive Committee, a financial statement and a summary of the activities of the Branch during the past year.
ARTICLE 16 BRANCH OFFICERS
16.1 Each Branch shall have an Executive Committee which shall be elected at the General Annual Meeting of the Branch from among eligible members.
16.2 The Branch Executive Committee shall consist of Immediate Past Chairman, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and any additional offices according to the Branch Bylaws.
16.3 Two members of the same family may not serve on the Committee at the same time.
16.4 The Branch shall elect two (2) Directors to the International Board. The Directors shall be legal residents of their country and members of a Branch for not less than two (2) years.
ARTICLE 17 FEES
17.1 Each Branch shall collect from its individual members a membership fee in accordance with the scale of fees established by the Governing Board.
17.2 The Branches shall forward one-third (1/3) of their total annual membership fees to the Governing Board not later than March 31 of each year.
ARTICLE 18 MEMBERSHIP
18.1 The Branch represent the Association in the individual State, Province, Territory, District, or Republic for which the Branch Charter was granted. Each Branch shall therefore grant membership only to members residing in the individual State, Province, Territory, District, or Republic for which the Charter was issued except in extenuating circumstances approved by the Governing Board.
18.2 Persons wishing to apply for individual membership shall complete the necessary application form which shall be forwarded to the Secretary or Registrar of the Branch in the area in which the applicant resides, together with appropriate fee. If no Charter has been issued in that State, Province, Territory, District, or Republic, the applicants shall apply directly to the head office.
18.3 A person may be allowed membership in more than one Branch provided that such person first obtains and maintains membership in the State, Province, Territory, District, or Republic in which such person is ordinarily resident.
18.4 Membership is transferable if a member changes his or her place of residence.
18.5 If an individual's membership in a Branch has been terminated, the method of reinstatement, at any future date, will be by examination or will be ruled upon by the Executive Committee of the Branch according to any extenuating circumstances prevailing in such cases.
ARTICLE 19 MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
19.1 Each Branch shall have the following categories of individual membership: Patron, Affiliate, Associate, Member, Fellow, Master, Life and Honorary Member.
PATRON: Patrons shall be "Friends of the Association" who have made a contribution to the Association in the requisite amount and may not vote or advertise their patronage of the Association.
AFFILIATE: AFFILIATE: Affiliate Members are teachers in training. An applicant for affiliate status shall be of good moral character and a fit and proper person to be admitted as a Member of a Branch and must comply with any conditions prescribed by the Branch Executive. An applicant must satisfy the Branch Executive that no complaint is pending against him or her in relation to any other dance association, school or studio and that no disciplinary action or investigation by any such group or by any government agency is ongoing. If any complaint or disciplinary action or investigation has taken place, the applicant must provide full details thereof to the Branch Executive. Affiliates cannot hold office, and they do not have a vote at any meetings. Affiliates may not advertise themselves as Members of a Branch, since Affiliate membership is not a "qualified" category of membership.
ASSOCIATE: An applicant for associate status shall be of good moral character and a fit and proper person to be admitted as a Member of a Branch and must comply with any conditions prescribed by the Branch Executive. An applicant must satisfy the Branch Executive that no complaint is pending against him or her in relation to any other dance association, school or studio and that no disciplinary action or investigation by any such group or by any government agency is ongoing. If any complaint or disciplinary action or investigation has taken place, the applicant must provide full details thereof to the Branch Executive. If the Branch Executive is satisfied that the applicant is a successful applicant, he or she shall be admitted as an Associate Member of the Branch, upon having fulfilled the following conditions:
- agreed to uphold and maintain the code of ethics and Bylaws;
- attained his or her 18th birthday;
- passed the Associate requirements of the Branch to which application has been made;
- paid the requisite fee;
- Associate Members may not hold office; - Associate Members may vote at Branch annual meetings, but may not vote at Annual General meetings.
LICENTIATE: An applicant for Licentiate status in a Branch shall be of good moral character and a fit and proper person to be admitted as a Member of a Branch and must comply with any conditions prescribed by the Branch Executive. An applicant must satisfy the Branch Executive that no complaint is pending against him or her in relation to any other dance association, school or studio and that no disciplinary action or investigation by any such group or by any government agency is ongoing. I f any complaint or disciplinary action or investigation has taken place, the applicant must provide full details thereof to the Branch Executive. If the Branch Executive is satisfied that the applicant is a successful applicant, he or she shall be admitted as a Member of the Branch, upon having fulfilled the following conditions:
- agreed to uphold and maintain the code of ethics and Bylaws;
- attained his or her 21st birthday;
- had not less than a full two (2) years experience as a teacher in a responsible position;
- passed the Licentiate requirements of the Branch Association to which application has been made;
- paid the requisite fee;
- a Licentiate may hold office after two (2) years,

- A Licentiate shall have full voting privileges.
FELLOW: Fellowship status shall be granted upon having fulfilled the following conditions:
- agreed to uphold and maintain the code of ethics and Bylaws;
- taught as a Licentiate of a Branch Association for not less than three (3) years;
- passed the Fellowship requirements of the Branch Association to which application has been made;
- paid the requisite fee;

- A Fellow may hold office and has full voting privileges.
MASTER: Master status shall be granted upon having fulfilled the following conditions:
- agreed to uphold and maintain the code of ethics and Bylaws;
- taught as a Fellow of a Branch Association for not less than three (3) years;
- passed the Master Degree requirements of the Branch Association - to which application has been made;
- paid the requisite fee;

- A Master may hold office and has full voting privileges.
LIFE:The Branch Executive shall award Life Membership to those having contributed as least thirty (30) years of continuous service to a Branch. There shall be no Membership fee levied. Life members shall retain voting privileges.
HONORARY: Honorary Members shall be those who have performed outstanding services to the Association, or persons to whom the Association wishes to confer a special honor because of his or her achievements, and have been approved by the Governing Board. There shall be no Membership fee levied. If an Honorary member is a Branch Association Member, he or she shall retain voting privileges. Honorary Members are nominated by the Branch Executive and approved by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE 20 MEMBERSHIP EXAMINATIONS
20.1 All applicants must satisfy the examination requirements of the Association and the Branch to which application is made.
20.2 Candidates failing an examination may not retake the same examination for one (1) month.
20.3 Two examiners are required for the Fellowship examination.
20.4 A Board of Examiners is required for a Master Degree examination.
ARTICLE 21 STUDENT EXAMINATIONS
21.1 Student examinations and medal tests shall be set up by the Branches at the fee prescribed by the Branches with an examiner selected by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE 22 EXEMPTION FROM EXAMINATION
22.1 The Governing Board Committee shall have power to declare exempt from examination candidates for any examination who can show title to qualification of an equivalent or higher grade accepable to such Committee, or whose experience and professional reputation are such, in their opinion, as to render examination unnecessary.
ARTICLE 23 EXAMINERS
23.1 Examiners shall be appointed or dismissed by the Governing Board according to Association standards and requirements.
23.2 An examiner may examine applicants throughout the world, according to Governing Board selection.
23.3 New examiners are selected by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE 24 ISSUE OF BRANCH CHARTER
24.1 Any 6 (six) persons holding either Associate, Licentiate or Fellow membership status in an existing Branch, all being resident in an area in which no Branch Association exists, may, upon written petition to the Governing Board apply for the issuance of an Argentine Tango Masters Association Branch Charter.
24.2 Each application for formation of a Branch shall be accompanied by proposed draft Bylaws consistent with the Association Bylaws together with the application fee of $100.00.
24.3 The Governing Board shall, in its discretion, authorize the issuance of a Branch Charter or have the right to refuse the issuance of such Charter.  Reasons for refusal must be given in writing but the decision is final.
ARTICLE 25 REPEAL OF BRANCH CHARTER
25.1 Any Branch may withdraw from the Association, provided said Branch has fulfilled all its financial and other obligations to the Association.  Such withdrawal shall be automatically effective upon delivery of the certificate of membership of such Branch to the Secretary of the Governing Board.
25.2 Any Branch which fails to send a representative to the General Annual Meeting for two (2) consecutive years may be called upon to surrender its Charter and shall thereupon cease to be a Branch of the Association.
25.3 When a Branch is more that ninety (90) days in arrears for any financial obligation or indebtedness to the Association, provided that two (2) notices of said financial obligation or indebtedness have been duly sent  by Registered Mail to that Branch, it may be called upon to surrender its Charter, and thereupon, cease to be a Branch of the Association.
25.4 The Governing Board may, for just cause, by majority vote, discipline, suspend, or expel a Branch, provided a copy of the charges has been mailed to the Chairman and Secretary of such Branch at least ninety (90) days before the hearing thereon, which notice shall further state the time and place of such hearing.
ARTICLE 26 INTER BRANCH ADJUDICATION
26.1 Any misunderstanding between Branches requiring decision, ruling or directive may be submitted by the Administrative Council of a Branch for determination by the Governing Board.  Such decision, ruling or directive made the Governing Board shall be final.
ARTICLE 27 STANDING COMMITTEES
27.1 Standing Committees may be established by the Governing Board.  For example, a Syllabus Revision Committee may be established.  Each Committee shall consist of one representative elected or appointed from each Branch.
27.2 Each Committee shall elect a chairperson who will also be the consultant and advisor to the Governing Board.
27.3 The Consultants may not remain in office for more than two terms in succession (4 years).
27.4 Each Consultant shall submit a written report to the General Annual Meeting.
27.5 Other Standing Committees such as Policy Committee, etc. shall be established as required.
27.6 The Committee Chairperson shall ensure that minutes are taken at all Standing Committee meetings and distributed to Committee members and the Governing Board Secretary.
27.7 Committees shall submit a financial statement to the Treasurer of the Governing Board in time for the annual audit.
ARTICLE 28 AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
28.1 The Bylaws of the Association may be repealed or amended by Bylaw passed by a majority of the Governing Board and sanctioned by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Association.  The vote by members of the Association may be conducted by mail ballot.  Each member shall receive sufficient information to form a reasoned judgment on the matter considered. The Notice to members must be sent sixty (60) days prior to the termination date of the mail ballot.
28.2 Notice of any proposed amendment of the Bylaws made hereunder must be filed as a written notice of motion with rationale, with the Secretary of the Governing Board, not less than four months prior to this Meeting at which such amendment is to be considered and voted upon.  The written notice of motion shall include the exact wording of the proposed motion or amendment, along with the rationale.
28.3 The Secretary of the Governing Board shall, not less than ninety (90) days prior to the Annual Meeting at which any proposed amendment to the Bylaws made hereunder is to be considered and voted upon, send a written notice of motion to each Branch Chairman by pre-paid registered post to the last address of such Chairman filed with the Governing Board.
ARTICLE 29 FISCAL YEAR
29.1

The Fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 to December 31.
 

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Individual fees for Membership in Branches are due before the end of January of the current year.  An additional time of grace for late payments, ending March 31, will be allowed.  Individuals who have not  met, or who are unable, to meet the required payment by March 31, then receive a notice from the Branch Secretary stating that such fees are overdue.  After that date a penalty will be levied and their names removed from the mailing list until such time as fees are paid.  Individuals will also be notified at the same time, that they may not exercise any membership privileges after the above dates.  If fees continue to remain delinquent for a period of one (1) year, a second notice will be sent stating that if fees are not paid within one (1) calendar month of the end of the year concerned, membership in the Branch will automatically be terminated.  Method of reinstatement, at any future, will be examination, or will be ruled upon by the Executive Committee of the Branch according to any extenuating circumstances prevailing in such cases.

CODE OF ETHICS

Eligibility for membership in the Association requires a willingness to comply with the Code of Ethics as set out below:

SOLICITATION OF PUPILS

i.Direct solicitation:  It is considered unethical for an teacher to approach, in any manner, the pupil, pupils, or employees, of another educator,  and, for any reason whatsoever, to try to induce them to join his or her organization;

ii.Indirect solicitation: It is equally unethical for an teacher to adopt an indirect manner of appropriating pupils from another organization, e.g. by adverse criticism against other teachers' methods, free coaching or teaching, or by citing the advantages to be gained by the pupil from the change.

FALSE ADVERTISING

It is unethical:

i.To make false and extravagant claims designed to deceive the uninitiated, e.g. "Mr. Y can turn you into a Tango stage dancer in two weeks."

ii.To arrange an advertisement so that it incorporates a misrepresentation of the truth, e.g., if one has a certificate as a teacher of Tango at the Associate Level, his/her advertisement should not imply that he/she has a certificate for teaching at the Fellowship Level when that is not the case.

iii.To incorporate in one's advertising a phase which implies disparagement of other teachers, e.g. Miss X is the only real tango teacher in the area.

CONTRACTS

ATMA organizations shall not use misleading methods to obtain contractual commitments by students.  Any Member who is significantly implicated in any such misleading method is prohibited from holding office at any level.

MEDALS, CERTIFICATES

I.Members of Branch Associations shall not be permitted to issue certificates and/or medals of their own, nor shall any member examine his/her own pupils.

GRIEVANCE PROCURES FOR MEMBERS

All Branches will adopt the following procedure in all disciplinary cases against individual members, subject to legal advice to the contrary.

HEARING COMMITTEE

i.The Executive Committee of the Branch shall appoint a Hearing Committee consisting of the Chairman, the Immediate Past Chairman, if any, and available to serve, the Vice-Chairman and the
Secretary, or which quorum shall be three (3), to deal with complaints
or charges arising from time to time.  Should a complaint be lodged, that an individual's conduct is not in the best interests of the Branch or Association or is contrary to the Bylaws or regulations of either of such bodies, such charge, charges or complaints shall be reduced to writing and filed by the person making the charge, charges or complaints with theBranch Secretary.

ii.A copy of the charge, charges or complaints shall then be served upon the individual by prepaid post, addressed to the last recorded post office address of such individual as it appears in the Branch records, together with notice of the time and place at which the charge, charges, or complaints will be considered by the Hearing Committee.  A copy shall also be sent to the Secretary of ATMA.

iii.The Hearing Committee shall meet at the time and place set out in the notice and shall there proceed to hear the charge, charges, or complaints.  Both parties shall have the right to be present at the hearing, to be represented by counsel, and shall have the right to present their cases, call witnesses and produce evidence, including the right to question witnesses who testify at the hearing.  In the event that the accused party fails to attend, the hearing shall proceed as scheduled.  The evidence shall be transcribed at such hearing.

PENALTIES
i.Within thirty (30) days following the termination of the hearing, the Hearing Committee shall determine whether the charge, charges, or complaints or any of them have been sustained.  In the event they are sustained, the Hearing Committee may:
A.Suspend from membership in the Branch for a period of no more than two (2) years;
B.Expel the member from the Branch.
C.In the event of "A" or "B", the Branch shall recommend in writing that the Governing Board suspend or expel the member from the Association.

ii.The decision of the Hearing Committee and the penalty assessed shall be forthwith communicated in writing to the individual and a copy sent to the office of the Governing Board.

APPEAL
i.Both parties shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Hearing Committee, together with the penalty assessed, at an Appeal Committee consisting of the Executive Committee of the Governing Board.  Such appeal may be by the way of a new hearing at the request of either party or by way of argument without hearing at the request of either party or by way of argument without the hearing of additional evidence if no request for a new hearing is made.  In either case, the decision of the Appeal Committee shall be by majority vote and shall be final and binding upon the parties affected.  A quorum for the Appeal Committee shall be at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Committee of the Governing Board.