Theatre Design & Technology - May 1966 - 4

OBJECT The first page of the constitution may state
certain of the "objects" contained in our following
hypothetical declaration:
"The purposes of this Association are declared
To unite all members of a particular craft,
To promote, foster, advance, and
welfare and interests of its members,

protect the

To prevent and abolish abuses,
To assist in the securing of just and equitable
contracts and payments,
To lobby for appropriate legislation,
To assure a high standard of work and conduct,
To improve theatre in general."

BOARDS AND OFFICERS The control, general management, and direction of a typical uni.on's affairs,
funds and property lie with a board of directors. It
may have several names, as shown in Table 2. Its
composition varies according to the union. Representatives can be based on geographical area, craft
division, number of members or, most often, on some
combination of the three. As a result, the number of
representatives differs according to the year and the
group. There are boards with as many as 94 members
and as few as 8.

The board can create legi s lation regarding matters
which are not covered in the union's constitution. It
can repeal or amend by-laws, create new by-laws, or
make supplementary rules.
The merger or discontinuance of branches or divisions of the union, the
extent of these branches' jurisdiction, relotions and
obi igations of members, authorization of contracts,
retention of counsel, disposition and allocation of
funds, negotiation of fees (but not membership fees),
and the delegation of duties-all are areas frequently
reserved for board action. And finally, this governing
body may summon members for interrogation, ca II for
papers or witnesses, or render judgments against
outsiders who are prejudicial to union goals.
An executive branch is found in addition to the board,
or as a part of it. The branch is relatively standard
in composition and duties, in that there is almost
always a president, secretary, and treasurer. The
last two positions may be combined. From one to
nine vice-presidents can be found; when there are
r,lore than one, they may represent either specific
areas or craft groups. The executives carryon the
union's over-all business between board meetings and
generally represent the group. Actual power varies
with the union; the American Federation of Musicians,
as an example, appears to have a comparatively
strong chief executive.

There may also be a business agent or administrative
The board has extensive powers. It can appoint comsecretary. He is se lected by the board, is a pa id
mittees, agents, executives, assistants to officers,
member of the union, and is responsible for the deagents, and other employees to carryon the group's
tails of union operation.
work.
It can also determine the powers, duties,
authority and compensation of its appointees. The Elections, both of the board and the executive comboard can censure, suspend, drop, expel, fine, or plement, are a matter of great concern. A large part
terminate membership. Appeal of its decisions IS of each constitution is devoted to an electoral operausually made to the membership in meeting.
tion which may also be highly complex. In general,

AAAA

AEA

Internotlonal
President

President

TITLE OF
SECRETARY

Execu Ive
Secretary

Recording

Combined

Secretory

Treasurer

FINANCIAL
OFFICER

T feCSute,

T,eClute,

see above

SPECIAL PAID
ADMINISTRATOR

None

Secretory

GOVERNING
BODY

IntemoTlooo!
Boord

NUMBER IN
GOVERNING BODY

Vorles

FIRST
OFFICER

AFM

AGMA

AGVA

ATPAM

IATSE

SSDC

USA

President

Presldenr

President

Presldenr

President

Recording

Secretary

Recording
Secretary

Combined ..... Ith
Treasurer

Combined with
T feClute,

Secretory

Recording
Secrelory

Treosuret

Treasurer

see obo"e

see above

Treasurer

F lnonelol Seey.

Notional
ExecutIve
Secretory

NOlronol
Admln1i.

Buslnen
Agenl

ASSistant

EJle'culi .... e

President

Vice
Pteildenl

Business
Repreienlotive

Boord of
Governors

Generol
Execullve Boord

E;w;ecutlve
Boord

NUMBER OF
VICE PRESIDENTS
With

Executive

Treasurer and

Secretory

ORGANIZATION

EquITy
Councd

InternaTIonal
ExecuTIve Boord

Board of
Governori

NOTional
Boord

Tobie II

I OSITT

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOlOOY

ExecutIve
Boord

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - May 1966