OPA Constitution

Ohana Performing Arts and Leadership Constitution

Preamble

The members of this organization are dedicated to providing excellence in performing arts and leadership education for homeschool students. We strive to teach children the importance of developing strong moral character, and are devoted to truth and all that is good. Good character and truth are the foundation upon which we build the framework for sharing our God-given talents and becoming leaders for positive change in the world. 

Article I

The name of this organization is Ohana Performing Arts.  For purposes of simplicity it will be referred to as OPA in this document.

Article II

In order to accomplish the stated goal of OPA to ‘provide excellence in performing arts and leadership education,’ we will follow the homeschool philosophy of A Thomas Jefferson Education.  Mentors will be trained using principles from Leadership Education Mentoring Institute (LEMI), New Commonwealth Schools (NCS), and Curriculum Square (www.curriculumsquare.org).

Article III

Membership

Section 1.  Requirements for Membership

All adult members of OPA must meet the following requirements BEFORE registration in the first semester of attendance.

1. Fill out a membership request form. 

2. Review the OPA Standards of Conduct with participating children.  Submit a copy of the Standards of Conduct signed by each participating member before the beginning of each school year (or upon enrollment for late enrollees)

3. Read and review the OPA Bylaws, and Constitution every year.

4. Read A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille before classes begin or in the first semester of classes. 

5. Be in good financial standing with OPA.  All previous fees must be paid before being eligible to register for OPA.

6. Sign a Hold Harmless Agreement every year.

7. At least one parent/guardian from each family must maintain a position of responsibility within OPA(mentoring a class, serving on a committee or board, clean up crew, etc…)

8. All adult members must complete safety training as outlined below.

Section 2.  Active Membership

Active members are those who complete all registration requirements, regularly attend the semester, and have attended (or are in the process of attending) 1 semester of parent training.

It should be the goal of each family to achieve active member status after two semesters of attendance.  If any family has not achieved this after two semesters, the Parent Representative will be in contact with them to help determine a way to gain active member status.  If the family chooses to continue as an inactive member after two semesters, they will not be invited to re-enroll the following semester.

Section 3.  Inactive Membership

An inactive member is one who is not serving on the board or a committee, and/or is not mentoring a class in a semester.  This situation should be rare and of relatively short duration. For students whose parents are truly unable to contribute their time at OPA throughout the semester, arrangements may be made on a limited case-by-case basis and will be dependent on board approval for an inactive or drop-off fee of $200/month. 

Section 4.  Safety Training

We take seriously the responsibility to care for and protect our children and youth.  Therefore, we require that all mentors and other adults involved with OPA complete a youth safety course before participation.

Article IV

Tuition 

Family registration fee $40

Class tuition is $10 per month for up to one hour of class with a maximum of $50 a month - due the first Thursday of each month.

EPIC Broadway Musical Production:

• Registration fee: $30 per student due at sign-up

• Production fee: $100 per student due at the first day of class

EPIC Jr.

• Registration fee: $30 per student due at sign-up

• Production fee: $75 per student due at the first day of class

Article V

Officers and Board Members

Section 1.  As stated in the OPA By-laws, Article 5, “The Board shall have up to 5 members, but no fewer than three (3) Board members. The number of Board members may be increased beyond 5 members by the affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the then-serving Board of Directors…New and renewing Board members shall be approved by a simple majority of those Board members at a Board meeting at which a quorum is present.”

The OPA Executive Board includes the President, Vice Administrator, Treasurer, Secretary, and Parent Representative.  

The General Board of Directors includes Junior Director, Student Council Director, Backstage Director, Scholar Director/Principal Mentor, EPIC Director, Activities Director, Fundraising Director, 

Epic Leadership Team includes the Director, Front House Manager, and Stage Manager.

Section 2.  Duties and Responsibilities

• President: oversees the EPIC Director, Stage Manager, Costumes Director, Music Director, and Backstage Director

• Vice Administrator oversees the Principle Mentor, Junior Director, Student Council, and background checks

• Treasurer oversees Fundraising Director and Committee

• Secretary maintains the Website, class schedules, and registration

• Parent Representative oversees the Activities Director, Cleaning Committee, organizes parent helpers, and introduces and learns more about new families, organizes parent meetings/activities, and parent classes.

Section 3. Terms of Officers

Per OPA By-laws, Article 5, “All appointments to the Board shall be for a term of 1 year…No person shall serve more than 20 consecutive years.”

Article VI

Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings

• Board meetings will be held monthly 

• Production meetings will be held monthly

• Parent meetings will be held at least twice in a semester and up to once a month throughout the school year. 

Section 2. Special Meetings

Per OPA By-laws, Article 5, “The Chair of the Board or any 3 regular Board members may call a special meeting of the Board with 14 days' written notice provided to each member of the Board. The notice shall be served upon each Board member via hand delivery, regular mail, email, or fax.”