What is expected of me as a member of Peter Quince Performing Company?
Disclaimer: The relevant articles are listed below do not make up the entirety of the PQPC bylaws. Please go to the full bylaws page if you want to know more about PQPC. Members are still expected to go through all of the bylaws.
Preamble The Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd, a not-for profit organization, was founded on May 1, 1969, by Reed Humphrey and Emily Mueller to provide an opportunity for young people to produce, on their own, a full scale theatrical production during the months of June, July, and August.
Article I: Mission Statement The Peter Quince, Performing Co., Ltd. exists to provide young people the opportunity to explore all aspects of theatrical production. It shall do this through the exclusive use of young people in all areas: stage, technical, design, direction, production, and business.
Article II: Organization
Section 1: Division of Power
1.1 The Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. shall be divided into three levels of Authority.
Section 2: The Levels of Authority
2.1 The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall be comprised of the Officers of the Company and shall be responsible for managing the day to day aspects of the Company.
2.2 The General Committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of the Officers, Committee Heads, and the Directing Staff. It serves as an advisory board to both the Executive Committee and the Company at large.
2.3 The General Membership shall be comprised of all the dues paying Members. It shall be responsible for approving the decisions of the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Company Voting Procedures
3.1 All members appropriately in attendance during a vote subject to Articles IV, V, VI, VII are allowed only one vote, regardless of the number of positions held or committees they sit upon.
3.2 A vote includes votes within the General Membership and boards. Those boards include, but are not limited to:
Section 1: Membership and Age
1.1 Membership in the Company is open to any person over the age of twelve years old and under the age of twenty-three as of the Post-Production Meeting.
1.2 Younger people may be considered for roles at the discretion of the Directing Staff. The Membership requirement shall then be waived.
1.3 Upon reaching the age of twenty-three, Members will be allowed to complete the current season, but will be unable to rejoin the Company. The sole exception of that is Reed Humphrey who, as the originator of the Company, has been granted life membership.
Section 2: Membership and Dues
2.1 Dues shall be five dollars, payable prior to participation in the Company.
Section 3: Membership and Participation
3.1 Membership, by payment of dues, is a necessary prerequisite to participation in any official Company Production.
3.2 Membership is required to cast a vote in all matters placed before the Company.
3.3 Membership in good standing is required from the time of payment of dues throughout the remainder of the season in order to hold any position in the Company. Good standing includes members in the current season whom have not left an official position or the company by resignation, impeachment, or removal. Exceptions will be handled by a Grievance Committee, as defined in Article 10, Section 2, 2.4.
Section 4: Membership Period
4.1 Company Membership will be for the period of one season, terminating on the date of the Post-Production Meeting.
4.2 In the events where a show is not allowed to be performed due to public crisis or special limitations, the membership period will extend by one year. All elected positions will remain the same. All position holders may withdrawal without consequence if done at least 3 weeks before the meeting where that specific position is elected.
Section 5: Membership and Liability
5.1 Members, and parents of legal dependents, shall be required to sign a waiver of liability.
Section 6: Exceptions to Membership
6.1 The General Committee of the Board of Directors may waive the requirement of dues for those with extenuating circumstances. Agreement by a simple majority of the board is required.
6.2 All persons whose dues requirement has been waived are still required to sign a waiver of liability and to follow the Behavioral Policies of the Company. They shall agree to this in writing in order for participation in the Production to be allowed.
Article X: Departure from Membership or Company Positions
Section 1: Retirement
1.1 Upon culmination of the season in which a member turns 23 years of age, said member must retire from the Company and may no longer be a Member of the Company.1.2 No member can be coerced into retirement from the Company before the end of the season of their 23rd birthday; with the exception of extreme circumstances as determined by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Removal from Membership
2.1 Members failing to adhere to the rules of the Company as outlined in Article XIII, "Conditions of Membership," shall be indicted for removal from the Company.
2.2 Any Member concerned with another Member's behavior may bring up the concerns with the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. In the case of those invovled being a Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the concerns should be directed initally to another Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. That member shall then bring it to the Board, excluding those involved. If the Accuser wishes to remain anonymous, charges may be brought up through an anonymous letter. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall contemplate the charges including but not limited to the accusation(s) and the testimony of those involved. This initial inquisition shall remain private, unless the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors determines that action must be taken. If action is necessary, the Indictment Procedure outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3 shall be used, with the strike used dependant upon the severity of the offense.
2.3 The Indictment Procedure is as follows:
Section 1: Annual Meetings
1.1 Post Production: held no more than three weeks after the final performance of the summer Production, and shall mark the commencement of the new Production year. At this Meeting the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the General Director, and four members of the Play Reading Committee shall be elected.
1.2 Thanksgiving: held within ten days of the fourth Thursday of November. At this meeting, the Directing Staff as well as the Internet Committee Chair shall be elected. The top five show will be presented to the company.
1.3 Christmas: held within ten days of December 25th. At this meeting, the show for the summer Production and the Bylaw and Fundraising Committee Head Chairs shall be selected.
1.4 Easter: held within fourteen days of Easter Sunday, unless Easter falls after April 1. At this Meeting the Historian, Alumni and Education Chairs shall be elected.
1.5 Pre-Production: held within one week of the beginning of rehearsals. At this Meeting the Social Chair shall be elected.
1.6 Executive Mid-Production: Held within the first three weeks of July. Executive Board shall meet to discuss what has been done and what needs to be done during the summer season. General Committee and/or company members will be asked to attend if needed.
1.7 Any Meeting may be scheduled for a different time than that specified in the bylaws with the consent of three fifths of the Company.
Section 2: Other Meetings
2.1 The Board may also convene any other Company Meeting it deems necessary.
Section 3: Notice of Meetings
3.1 All members of the Board of Directors shall receive at least one week notice of all appropriate Board Meetings.
3.2 All Company Members shall receive at least two weeks notice for all regular meetings and at least one week notice in the case of Emergency Meetings.
Section 4: Quorum
4.1 A Quorum must be present to call a meeting to order.
4.2 For meetings of the Board of Directors, a Quorum is two thirds of the appropriate committee.
4.3 For regular Company Meetings a Quorum is one half the Membership as of the date of the Meeting.
4.4 For Impeachment Meetings a Quorum is three-fourths of the Membership as of the date of the Meeting.
Article XII: Operating Procedures
Section 2: Show Dates
2.1 The dates for the performance of the summer show shall be the first consecutive Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the month of August.
2.2 The Company has the right to establish different show dates, if it so decides, by the end of the Thanksgiving Meeting.
2.3 Should performance on any of these dates be impossible, the Board of Directors has the right to set the show dates at its discretion.
Article XIII: Conditions of Membership
Section 1: Controlled Substance Policy
1.1 Any member of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. that is caught in the possession of or consuming an intoxicating or illegal substance at a Company Sponsored Function as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2 will go directly to Strike 3 of the Indictment Procedures outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3.
1.2 A Company Sponsored Function is defined as any activity which is organized by Members of the Company specifically but not merely exclusively for Members of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. Events not following the guidelines set by this Constitution of Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. shall not be announced verbally or in writing, or discussed at a Quince event, including the time frames immediately preceding or following a Quince event in the location of said event. Location includes all property that belongs to said meeting place. Legal alcohol and tobacco consumption at Alumni Reunions shall be at the Executive Committee's discretion.
1.3 Any question of announcement acceptability shall be directed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Tobacco Policy
2.1 Use of Tobacco will be strictly prohibited at all Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. functions conducted in view of the public as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2.
2.2 Any member violating the Smoking Policy will go to Strike 1 of the Sanctions Procedures outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3.
Section 3: Illegal Behavior
3.1 Any member of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. that is caught in any illegal activity at a Company Sponsored Function as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2 will go directly to Strike 3 of the Indictment Procedures outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3.
Section 4: General Behavior Policy
4.1 All Members are responsible for being good representatives of the company at all Company Sponsored Events as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2 and in the Manitowoc community. “Good Representation” of the company is defined as respecting other members, their families, community establishments, schools, and other community members who support Quince; being respectful of the Directing Staff and other leaders in Quince; refraining from profanity, obscenity, and other “inappropriate” behavior as defined at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Any member violating the General Behavior Policy shall be indicted as defined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3, with the number of the strike being determined by the severity of the violation.
Section 5: Anti-Discrimination Policy
5.1 Peter Quince Performing Company does not and shall not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection and removal of position-holders, selection of show titles, member and community interaction, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members and the greater Manitowoc community. Members in violation of this policy are subject to immediate removal from the company, bypassing the standard grievance procedure, at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Article XIV: Bylaws
Section 1: Purpose of Bylaws
1.1 In order to define company policy and enhance the orderly operation of Company Business, Bylaws shall be established.
1.2 The Bylaws shall be the self-made regulations of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd.
1.3 The scope of the Bylaws shall be anything affecting the business and Members of the Company.
1.4 The Bylaws shall have no effect on third persons, nor affect their rights in any manner.
Section 2: Proposal of Bylaws
2.1 Any member in good standing shall have the right to propose Bylaws at any official Company Meeting.
Section 3: Passage of Bylaws
3.1 The Bylaw Committee must post in the Current Members page and/or send an email to each member two weeks before a meeting so that the members can assess and asks questions on the proposed Bylaw change.
3.3 The membership will vote by yaying or naying the proposed Bylaw. If any member is opposed they are allowed to give reason and then the Bylaw will be adopted upon the affirmative secret ballot vote of two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting.
Section 4: Bylaw Availability to Members
4.1 Upon paying dues to the Company, Members will receive a current copy of the Bylaws upon request.
4.2 If the Bylaws change beyond minor spelling or grammar changes, all members must be issued a revised version.
4.3 Three copies of the Bylaws shall be present and available to members at every meeting.
Section 5: Membership Responsibility
5.1 All Members are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the Bylaws of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd.
Section 6: The Spirit of the Bylaws
6.1 If, during the course of the current season, any person involved in the selection of the show acts in a way that is deemed by the Executive Board to be an attempt to “cheat” the system in order to get a particular show(s) selected or eliminated or to get one or more individuals removed from or added to the Play Reading Committee, the Executive Board has full authority to overrule the contents of Article VIII, Section 4 and Article XII, Section 1 in order to more fairly represent the wishes of the Company as a whole.
6.2 If action is taken by the Executive Board under the provisions in this Section, full disclosure must be maintained between the Executive Board and the rest of the Company membership.
Article I: Mission Statement The Peter Quince, Performing Co., Ltd. exists to provide young people the opportunity to explore all aspects of theatrical production. It shall do this through the exclusive use of young people in all areas: stage, technical, design, direction, production, and business.
Article II: Organization
Section 1: Division of Power
1.1 The Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. shall be divided into three levels of Authority.
- The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
- The General Committee of the Board of Directors
- The General Membership
Section 2: The Levels of Authority
2.1 The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall be comprised of the Officers of the Company and shall be responsible for managing the day to day aspects of the Company.
2.2 The General Committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of the Officers, Committee Heads, and the Directing Staff. It serves as an advisory board to both the Executive Committee and the Company at large.
2.3 The General Membership shall be comprised of all the dues paying Members. It shall be responsible for approving the decisions of the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Company Voting Procedures
3.1 All members appropriately in attendance during a vote subject to Articles IV, V, VI, VII are allowed only one vote, regardless of the number of positions held or committees they sit upon.
3.2 A vote includes votes within the General Membership and boards. Those boards include, but are not limited to:
- The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
- The General Committee of the Board of Directors
- The Directing Staff
- Production Council
Section 1: Membership and Age
1.1 Membership in the Company is open to any person over the age of twelve years old and under the age of twenty-three as of the Post-Production Meeting.
1.2 Younger people may be considered for roles at the discretion of the Directing Staff. The Membership requirement shall then be waived.
1.3 Upon reaching the age of twenty-three, Members will be allowed to complete the current season, but will be unable to rejoin the Company. The sole exception of that is Reed Humphrey who, as the originator of the Company, has been granted life membership.
Section 2: Membership and Dues
2.1 Dues shall be five dollars, payable prior to participation in the Company.
Section 3: Membership and Participation
3.1 Membership, by payment of dues, is a necessary prerequisite to participation in any official Company Production.
3.2 Membership is required to cast a vote in all matters placed before the Company.
3.3 Membership in good standing is required from the time of payment of dues throughout the remainder of the season in order to hold any position in the Company. Good standing includes members in the current season whom have not left an official position or the company by resignation, impeachment, or removal. Exceptions will be handled by a Grievance Committee, as defined in Article 10, Section 2, 2.4.
Section 4: Membership Period
4.1 Company Membership will be for the period of one season, terminating on the date of the Post-Production Meeting.
4.2 In the events where a show is not allowed to be performed due to public crisis or special limitations, the membership period will extend by one year. All elected positions will remain the same. All position holders may withdrawal without consequence if done at least 3 weeks before the meeting where that specific position is elected.
Section 5: Membership and Liability
5.1 Members, and parents of legal dependents, shall be required to sign a waiver of liability.
Section 6: Exceptions to Membership
6.1 The General Committee of the Board of Directors may waive the requirement of dues for those with extenuating circumstances. Agreement by a simple majority of the board is required.
6.2 All persons whose dues requirement has been waived are still required to sign a waiver of liability and to follow the Behavioral Policies of the Company. They shall agree to this in writing in order for participation in the Production to be allowed.
Article X: Departure from Membership or Company Positions
Section 1: Retirement
1.1 Upon culmination of the season in which a member turns 23 years of age, said member must retire from the Company and may no longer be a Member of the Company.1.2 No member can be coerced into retirement from the Company before the end of the season of their 23rd birthday; with the exception of extreme circumstances as determined by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Removal from Membership
2.1 Members failing to adhere to the rules of the Company as outlined in Article XIII, "Conditions of Membership," shall be indicted for removal from the Company.
2.2 Any Member concerned with another Member's behavior may bring up the concerns with the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. In the case of those invovled being a Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the concerns should be directed initally to another Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. That member shall then bring it to the Board, excluding those involved. If the Accuser wishes to remain anonymous, charges may be brought up through an anonymous letter. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall contemplate the charges including but not limited to the accusation(s) and the testimony of those involved. This initial inquisition shall remain private, unless the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors determines that action must be taken. If action is necessary, the Indictment Procedure outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3 shall be used, with the strike used dependant upon the severity of the offense.
2.3 The Indictment Procedure is as follows:
- Strike 1: Should the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors determine the charges to be valid, those involved will be required to have a formal meeting with the Executive Board in which the offense will be discussed; if the violation involves the President the warning may be issued by the Vice President. If the Vice President is also involved, the responsibility shall fall to the Producer, Secretary-Treasurer, Public Relations Director, Alumni Committee Head, Fundraising Committee Head, Internet Committee Head, History Committee Head, Bylaw Committee Head, Education Committee Head, Social Activities Committee Head, General Director, Musical Director, Choral Director, Technical Director, and Choreographer, respectively, until a member is not involved in the illegal act.
- Strike 2: Should the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors determine the charges to be valid, the party involved is to give a formal apology to those who were impacted by their actions, under the supervision of the President. The Party involved will also be required to spend 2 hours of non-company time of supervised labor in the Quince basement. Supervision must be by a member of the General Committee of the Board of Directors approved by the President. If the President is involved, the approval of supervision falls to the Vice President. If the Vice President is also involved, then the list (found in Strike 1) of officers shall be used until a non-Accused officer is found. If these 2 hours are not completed by the post-production meeting, said Member shall be suspended from the Company, effective as of the Post-production Meeting and concluding one year from that date.
- Strike 3: Those responsible will be required to give a formal apology in front of the company, and will not be able to run for and/or hold a position for the following season.
- Strike 4: Removal of membership effective immediately.
Section 1: Annual Meetings
1.1 Post Production: held no more than three weeks after the final performance of the summer Production, and shall mark the commencement of the new Production year. At this Meeting the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the General Director, and four members of the Play Reading Committee shall be elected.
1.2 Thanksgiving: held within ten days of the fourth Thursday of November. At this meeting, the Directing Staff as well as the Internet Committee Chair shall be elected. The top five show will be presented to the company.
1.3 Christmas: held within ten days of December 25th. At this meeting, the show for the summer Production and the Bylaw and Fundraising Committee Head Chairs shall be selected.
1.4 Easter: held within fourteen days of Easter Sunday, unless Easter falls after April 1. At this Meeting the Historian, Alumni and Education Chairs shall be elected.
1.5 Pre-Production: held within one week of the beginning of rehearsals. At this Meeting the Social Chair shall be elected.
1.6 Executive Mid-Production: Held within the first three weeks of July. Executive Board shall meet to discuss what has been done and what needs to be done during the summer season. General Committee and/or company members will be asked to attend if needed.
1.7 Any Meeting may be scheduled for a different time than that specified in the bylaws with the consent of three fifths of the Company.
Section 2: Other Meetings
2.1 The Board may also convene any other Company Meeting it deems necessary.
Section 3: Notice of Meetings
3.1 All members of the Board of Directors shall receive at least one week notice of all appropriate Board Meetings.
3.2 All Company Members shall receive at least two weeks notice for all regular meetings and at least one week notice in the case of Emergency Meetings.
Section 4: Quorum
4.1 A Quorum must be present to call a meeting to order.
4.2 For meetings of the Board of Directors, a Quorum is two thirds of the appropriate committee.
4.3 For regular Company Meetings a Quorum is one half the Membership as of the date of the Meeting.
4.4 For Impeachment Meetings a Quorum is three-fourths of the Membership as of the date of the Meeting.
Article XII: Operating Procedures
Section 2: Show Dates
2.1 The dates for the performance of the summer show shall be the first consecutive Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the month of August.
2.2 The Company has the right to establish different show dates, if it so decides, by the end of the Thanksgiving Meeting.
2.3 Should performance on any of these dates be impossible, the Board of Directors has the right to set the show dates at its discretion.
Article XIII: Conditions of Membership
Section 1: Controlled Substance Policy
1.1 Any member of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. that is caught in the possession of or consuming an intoxicating or illegal substance at a Company Sponsored Function as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2 will go directly to Strike 3 of the Indictment Procedures outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3.
1.2 A Company Sponsored Function is defined as any activity which is organized by Members of the Company specifically but not merely exclusively for Members of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. Events not following the guidelines set by this Constitution of Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. shall not be announced verbally or in writing, or discussed at a Quince event, including the time frames immediately preceding or following a Quince event in the location of said event. Location includes all property that belongs to said meeting place. Legal alcohol and tobacco consumption at Alumni Reunions shall be at the Executive Committee's discretion.
1.3 Any question of announcement acceptability shall be directed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Tobacco Policy
2.1 Use of Tobacco will be strictly prohibited at all Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. functions conducted in view of the public as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2.
2.2 Any member violating the Smoking Policy will go to Strike 1 of the Sanctions Procedures outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3.
Section 3: Illegal Behavior
3.1 Any member of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd. that is caught in any illegal activity at a Company Sponsored Function as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2 will go directly to Strike 3 of the Indictment Procedures outlined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3.
Section 4: General Behavior Policy
4.1 All Members are responsible for being good representatives of the company at all Company Sponsored Events as defined in Article XIII, Section 1, 1.2 and in the Manitowoc community. “Good Representation” of the company is defined as respecting other members, their families, community establishments, schools, and other community members who support Quince; being respectful of the Directing Staff and other leaders in Quince; refraining from profanity, obscenity, and other “inappropriate” behavior as defined at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Any member violating the General Behavior Policy shall be indicted as defined in Article X, Section 2, 2.3, with the number of the strike being determined by the severity of the violation.
Section 5: Anti-Discrimination Policy
5.1 Peter Quince Performing Company does not and shall not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection and removal of position-holders, selection of show titles, member and community interaction, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members and the greater Manitowoc community. Members in violation of this policy are subject to immediate removal from the company, bypassing the standard grievance procedure, at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Article XIV: Bylaws
Section 1: Purpose of Bylaws
1.1 In order to define company policy and enhance the orderly operation of Company Business, Bylaws shall be established.
1.2 The Bylaws shall be the self-made regulations of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd.
1.3 The scope of the Bylaws shall be anything affecting the business and Members of the Company.
1.4 The Bylaws shall have no effect on third persons, nor affect their rights in any manner.
Section 2: Proposal of Bylaws
2.1 Any member in good standing shall have the right to propose Bylaws at any official Company Meeting.
Section 3: Passage of Bylaws
3.1 The Bylaw Committee must post in the Current Members page and/or send an email to each member two weeks before a meeting so that the members can assess and asks questions on the proposed Bylaw change.
3.3 The membership will vote by yaying or naying the proposed Bylaw. If any member is opposed they are allowed to give reason and then the Bylaw will be adopted upon the affirmative secret ballot vote of two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting.
Section 4: Bylaw Availability to Members
4.1 Upon paying dues to the Company, Members will receive a current copy of the Bylaws upon request.
4.2 If the Bylaws change beyond minor spelling or grammar changes, all members must be issued a revised version.
4.3 Three copies of the Bylaws shall be present and available to members at every meeting.
Section 5: Membership Responsibility
5.1 All Members are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the Bylaws of the Peter Quince Performing Co., Ltd.
Section 6: The Spirit of the Bylaws
6.1 If, during the course of the current season, any person involved in the selection of the show acts in a way that is deemed by the Executive Board to be an attempt to “cheat” the system in order to get a particular show(s) selected or eliminated or to get one or more individuals removed from or added to the Play Reading Committee, the Executive Board has full authority to overrule the contents of Article VIII, Section 4 and Article XII, Section 1 in order to more fairly represent the wishes of the Company as a whole.
6.2 If action is taken by the Executive Board under the provisions in this Section, full disclosure must be maintained between the Executive Board and the rest of the Company membership.