BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1              APPLICATION AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

             Section 1         Individuals seeking admission to the organization must:

a)                  Properly fill out an Application Form and pay for the Application Fee;

b)                  Be oriented, screened, and recommended for Admission by a Screening Committee;

c)                  Pass all requirements set by the Executive Board and/or the Screening Body;

d)                 Individuals who passed the auditions by the screening committee shall be called a probationary member.

            Section 2         Duties of the Probationary Member

a)         It is the duty of the probationary member to fulfill the requirements below to become an apprentice member:

1. Signatory;
2. Attendance in General Assemblies as well as Special Meetings;
3. Must accomplish all workshops/trainings offered by the organization;
4. Must accomplish all productions of the organization within the season of his/her probationary membership;
5. Must accomplish the Showcase of New Talents;
6. The EB has the discretion to require additional tasks if deemed necessary.

Section 3         Suspension of the granting of membership status

a)         Failure to complete any of the requirements would mean suspension of the granting of membership status promotion.    

ARTICLE 2              DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS

Section 1         The general duties of all members are:

a)                  To attend all General Assemblies as well as Special Meetings called;

b)                  To actively participate in the organization's activities;

c)                  To abide by the organization's Constitution and By-Laws;

d)                 To exercise his right to vote with care and deliberation;

e)                  To be an accredited member by having an index file on record, an ID card provided by the organization and pay an annual membership fee;

f)                   To guide and advise the organization for its well being and maintaining its artistic goals;

g)                  To enrich his/her own aesthetics and knowledge in Theater Arts.

Section 2         Requirements for membership status promotion

a)      It is the duty of the apprentice member to fulfill the requirements below to be promoted as junior member.

1. Must have at least two (2) years residency in the organization;
2. Attendance in General assemblies as well as special meetings;
3. Must complete the workshop/ trainings offered by the organization;
4. Must accomplish at least 4 major productions of the organization within the duration of his/her stay in the organization;
5. Must be able to pass the peer evaluation and over-all assessment of the Executive Board.

b)      It is the duty of the junior member to fulfill the requirements below to be promoted as senior members.

1. Must have at least three (3) years residency in the organization;
2. Attendance in General assemblies as well as special meetings;
3. Must complete the workshop/ trainings offered by the organization;
4. Must accomplish at least 5 major productions of the organization within the duration of his stay in the organization;
5. Must be able to pass the peer evaluation and over-all assessment of the Executive Board.

c)      It is the duty of the senior member to fulfill the requirements below to have the recognition as honorary member.

1. Must have at least four (4) years residency in the organization;
2. Attendance in General assemblies as well as special meetings;
3. Must complete the workshop/ trainings offered by the organization;
4. Must accomplish at least 6 major productions of the organization within the duration of his stay in the organization;
5. Facilitated at least one theater training with the supervision of the Executive Board;
6. Must be able to pass the peer evaluation and over-all assessment of the Executive Board.

Section 3         Request for Leave of Absence

a)      The duration of the Leave of Absence shall range from one (1) month minimum and one (1) semester maximum;

b)      The member who wishes to file for a Leave of Absence must pass a letter stating his/her reason/s of leaving and must be acknowledged by the Executive Board and Faculty Advisers of the organization;

c)      Each member is entitled to only one Leave of Absence during his/her stay in the organization.  The approval of the Leave of Absence depends upon the decision of the Executive Board;

d)     Returning members of the organization who filed for a Leave of Absence must submit a petition for the cancellation of their leave.

ARTICLE 3              ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DUTIES

            Section 1         The Executive Board’s general duties are:

a)                  They shall manage the organization in matters regarding its day-to-day operations as a university-wide entity;

b)                  They shall serve as the evaluating body that shall review each activity according to the general objectives of the organization; 

c)                  They shall accept or reject any project depending on its effect on the objectives as well as the existence of the organization; 

d)                 They shall formulate, create, and enact programs as well as rules and regulations in its duty for the development of the Members' artistic talent and Thomasian values;

e)                  To protect the Constitution and By-Laws from any form of violations;

f)                   They shall monitor the progress of productions and other special projects;

g)                  They shall report directly to the Executive Board and Faculty advisers;

h)                  They shall be answerable to the Faculty Advisers and the Executive Board upon committing a violation against the Constitution and By-Laws of the organization.

Section 2         The Artistic Director shall head the organization in its day to day operation and makes sure that its artistic goals are achieved.  He/She shall:

a)                  be responsible for the efficient administration and management of Teatro Tomasino programs, from detailed unit planning, implementation, monitoring to evaluation of the members and programs of the organization;

b)                  ensure the aesthetic development of the organization by setting out a theme for the season and providing appropriate  workshops/training for the organization;

c)                  head the artistic department of the production;

d)                 make final decisions on organizational and production matters upon consultation with the Executive Board;

e)                  convene and preside over the Executive Board Member’s meetings as well as special meetings;

f)                   be a co-signee in the organization's bank account;

g)                  shall help in the improvement of the production in consultation with the director;

h)                  sign or note correspondences pertaining to internal and external matters of the organization;

i)                    oversee the artistic development and  process of the production in consultation with the  play director;

j)                    oversee his/her staff and convenes artistic staff meetings.

Section 3         The Technical Director shall manage/supervise the technical aspects of a production and makes sure that the organization's technical goals are achieved.  He/She shall:

a)                  maintain and supervise the upkeep of the organization's technical equipment;

b)                  supervise the maintenance, cleanliness, and upkeep of the organization's office and stockroom;

c)                  have basic knowledge in lights, sounds, costume, make-up, set, and props design and construction;

d)                 help in the improvement and safety of the technical aspect of a production in consultation with the director and production heads;

e)                  be the technical director of all the productions throughout the season;

f)                   appoint and mentor assistant technical directors and technical team in every production;

g)                  coordinate closely with the Auditoriums in the university;

h)                  coordinate with the Artistic and Production staff;

i)                    take over the position of Artistic Director upon the latter's resignation, leave of absence or dismissal.

Section 4         The Business Director shall handle the financial and business matters of the organization.  He/She shall:

a)                  maintain and keep the financial records of the organization;

b)                  maintain a bank account for the funds of the organization;

c)                  assist in the auditing of the financial records and funds of the organization;

d)                 represent the organization in business matters;

e)                  supervise the Production Manager in the accounting of the expenses and earnings of the production and approves the production budget prepared by the Production Manager;

f)                   present a financial report to the Executive Board and Members;

g)                  ensure the submission of liquidations one week after the final performance;

h)                  be responsible in financing all investments in equipments and workshops/trainings;

i)                    set the prices for the rental of equipments owned by the organization;

j)                    prepare the financial reports of the organization with the Auditor.

Section 5         The Executive Secretary shall handle the records and other secretarial matters regarding the day-to-day operations of the organization.  He./She shall:

a)                  head the processing or organizational papers to the administrative offices;

b)                  maintain documents regarding the operation of the organization; the archives; the production books; correspondences; minutes of the meeting and other records pertaining to the organization;

c)                  preside over the General Assembly;

d)                 maintain minutes of the Executive Board's meeting; General Assembly, and other special meetings;

e)                  assign necessary tasks to the Assistant Secretary.

Section 6         The Assistant Secretary assists the Executive Secretary in his/her over-all duties. He/she shall:

a)                  take down and secure notes from all meetings;

b)                  provide attendance sheets, LOA letters, certificates for special events, contact directory of the members, evaluation sheets, and membership renewal forms;

c)                  take responsibilities and tasks of the Executive Secretary upon his/her absence respectively;

d)                 coordinate minutes of the meeting and other important matters to the Executive Board.

Section 7         The Auditor shall audit all accounts, financial records, and other documents pertaining to the financial and business aspects of the organization.  He/She shall:

a)                  audit the accounts of the organization as well as the financial and business records of the productions staged during the year;

b)                  maintain financial records separate from the Business Director;

c)                  audit the financial reports of the organization with the Business Director;

d)                 ensure completion of all financial reports;

e)                  render a written report on the audit performed at the end of the academic year;

f)                   make recommendations with regard to proper procedures for the disbursement of funds;

g)                  certify all transactions of the organization with the Business Director;

h)                  check the progress and productivity of the Executive Board.

Section 8         The Marketing and Public Relations Officer shall ensure an efficient relations and communication between and among the Executive Board and the Members, as well as the organization and the university officials.  He/She shall:

a)                  head the marketing department of the production;

b)                  conduct research on new trend in theater for strategic marketing;

c)                  write and disseminate press releases/ publicity/ promotions;

d)                 ensure audiences for the production;

e)                  produce and distribute the organization ID to members;

f)                   promote organization productions and events;

g)                  head the recruitment of new members;

h)                  head in the selling of organization merchandise;

i)                    create a pool of marketing team who are also responsible for ushering;

j)                    maintain a linkage and coordinate with other college theater groups inside and outside the university.

Section 9         The Assistant Marketing and Public Relations Officer assists the Marketing and Public Relations Officer in his/her over-all duties.  He/She shall:

a)                  handle the dissemination of announcements of meetings to the members;

b)                  check with the Executive Secretary a record of the status of each member of the organization;

c)                  maintain a directory of all the members of the organization;

d)                 maintain communication with the other college-wide theater groups inside the university.

Section 10       The Alumni and Special Events Coordinator shall serve as the liaison officer with the alumni of the organization and also coordinate and plan other activities of the organization except for productions and workshops.  He/She shall:

a)                  maintain with the Executive Board communication with the alumni of the organization;

b)                  handle communications with the Business Director on business matters regarding special projects inside and outside the university;

c)                  delegate tasks to the members of the organization pertaining to special projects inside and outside the university;

d)                 disseminate announcements regarding productions, workshops, and other theatrical activities from outside the university to the Executive board and members of the organization;

e)                  represent the organization in meetings regarding special projects and events.

ARTICLE 4              THE ADVISERS

            Section 1         The Advisers shall perform the following functions:

a)                  to enlighten and aid the Executive Board in the discharge of their functions;

b)                  to guide the members of the organization in the pursuit of their objectives and ensure its progress;

c)                  Are expected to attend general assemblies and special meetings;

d)                 to render moral support to the members;

e)                  to protect the Constitution and By-Laws from any form of violation.

ARTICLE 5              MEETINGS AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Section 1         Executive Board Meetings shall be held at least thrice a month to be followed by a General Assembly;

Section 2         Special Meetings will be held on any day as called by the Executive Board;

Section 3         Absences are considered violations of these By-Laws.  Disciplinary action will be done based on the following:

a)                  Four (4) absences from the Executive Board Meeting without valid reason/s constitutes gross neglect of duty and subject to disciplinary action;

b)                  Four (4) absences by a Member from the General Assembly without valid reason/s constitute gross neglect of duty and subject to disciplinary action.

ARTICLE 6              DISCIPLINARY ACTION

            Section 1         The following offences warrant disciplinary action:

a)                  gross neglect of duty;

b)                  gross discourtesy to an Executive Board Member, Adviser, or Member;

c)                  malversation of organization funds;

d)                 disrespect of workplace;

e)                  all other offenses cited in the university student handbook.

            Section 2         Disciplinary actions constitute the following:

                                    a)         First Offense               -           Warning

b)         Second Offense          -           Suspension of rights and privileges of the Executive Board Member /Member.

These includes workshop scholarships, production work, and attendance to meetings and conferences within a period of one (1) week to one (1) semester.

c)         Third Offense             -           Dismissal and Forfeiture of Rights and Privileges as a Member

Section 3         Malversation of organization funds is considered a third offense and merits dismissal from the organization;

Section 4         Procedure in addressing an offence and meeting of disciplinary action are as follows:

a)                  The Artistic Director will appoint a Disciplinary Action Board (DAB) to investigate complaints and offenses. It will be composed of five (5) members from the Executive Board and Senior Members provided that the Artistic Director is not Part of the DAB;

b)                  The DAB has one (1) month to investigate the complaint and present its result to the Artistic Director and Faculty Advisers with a recommendation for action;

c)                  The Artistic Director shall act on the recommendation within five (5) days upon receipt;

d)                 The offender is given three (3) days upon receipt of the decision to file or state reconsideration to the Artistic Director.  Failure to do so within the prescribed period renders the decision final;

e)                  The DAB is given three (3) days to act on the reconsideration after which a decision will be given to the Artistic Director.  All decisions after the reconsideration are final.

Section 5         The DAB shall in no way impede or supersede any investigation and decision of any university disciplinary board. 

ARTICLE 7              IMPEACHMENT

Section 1         Offenses warranting impeachment of an Executive Board Member are contained in Article 6 Sec.1 of this By-Law;

Section 2         Procedures in Addressing an Impeachable Offense and Impeachment are as follows:

a)                  The Executive Board shall convene a general assembly to vote an Impeachment Committee. It will be composed of five (5) members from the Executive Board and Senior Members from which five (5) shall appoint a chairman among themselves. The offender must be present at the general assembly. The Impeachment Committee (IC) has fifteen (15) days to investigate the impeachment complain and present its result to the Faculty Adviser for recommended action;

b)                  The Faculty Adviser upon receipt shall act within three (3) days. The impeached Executive Board Member is given 24 hours to file for reconsideration with the committee;

c)                  The committee is given three (3) days to act on the reconsideration after which the decision will be given o the Faculty Advisers, the Faculty Advisers will then act on the recommendation and notify Office of the Students Affairs.

Section 3         The Impeachment Committee shall in no way impede in any university disciplinary board;

Section 4         An impeached Executive Board Member automatically forfeits any rights and privileges given to him/her as an Executive Board Member of the organization.

ARTICLE 8              PRODUCTION

Section 1         The organization's production shall be staged inside the university campus to prioritize the Thomasian audience.  Outside venues will only be considered if there are no available venues inside the university;

Section 2         The organization must make or present an original play written by any member of the organization every year, which will be acknowledged as the organization’s own and unique masterpiece.

2.1       In order to protect the Intellectual Property Rights of the original playwrights, the Executive Board may apply for Intellectual Property Rights Certification at the National Library. The original playwrights’ IPR shall be given to the organization with accreditation of the Author.

Section 3         All materials that will be staged must be written by a Filipino playwright.  Scripts translated in Filipino by a Filipino playwright can be considered;

Section 4         Invitational performances staged outside the university can be considered a production with the discretion of the Executive Board and the Faculty Advisers;

Section 5         The Executive Board and Advisers shall give final decisions regarding production aspects in consultation with the director;

Section 6         Guest performers, directors, artists, etc. can only be allowed if deemed necessary and upon the approval of the Executive Board, the Faculty Advisers, and the Office for Student Affairs for non-Thomasian guests.

ARTICLE 9              GABI NG PARANGAL

Section 1         The annual Gabi ng Parangal will have the following categories in recognition of the plays presented for the school year:

                        Artistic Category:

a)                  Best Play (minor and major)

b)                  Best Director (minor and major)

c)                  Best Choreography (if any)

d)                 Best Actor in a Lead Role

e)                  Best Actress in a Lead Role

f)                   Best Actor in a Supporting Role

g)                  Best Actress in a Supporting Role

h)                  Best Ensemble

i)                    Best Original Theme Song (if any)

j)                    Best in Production Design

k)                  Best in Set Design

l)                    Best in Costume Design

m)                Best in Lighting Design

n)                  Best in Sounds Design

• o)                  Best in Makeup Design

p)                  Best Poster Design

q)                  Best Souvenir Program Design

Management and Technical Categories:

a)      Best in Production Management

b)      Best in Stage Management

c)      Best in Technical Direction

d)     Best Set Head

e)      Best Props Head

f)       Best Costume Head

g)      Best Lights Head

h)      Best Sounds Head

i)        Best Makeup Head

j)        Best in Promotions

k)      Best in Marketing

Section 2         The Executive Board shall convene a Board of Judges to decide on the winners of the different categories of the Gabi ng Parangal. 

The Judges for the artistic category shall be composed of seven (7) persons majority coming from professional theater practitioners and/or alumni of the organization who have watched all the productions nominated with necessarily considering alternates in the acting category.

The Judges for the management and technical category shall be composed of the Executive Board.

All decisions by the Board of Judges are final;

Section 3         Minor productions are separate in giving its respective awards as stated in section 1 of this article given that there are more than 1 minor production staged during the season;

Section 4         Additional categories to be added for awarding is of the discretion of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 10            ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1         Filing of Candidacy

a)      Members interested to be elected as part of the Executive Board should have the following qualifications:

1. A bonafide student of the university;
2. Should have no record of offenses with the organization and the university;
3. Has been a member for at least (2) years for the position of Artistic Director, Technical Director, Business Director and Executive Secretary; and at least (1) year for the rest of the positions. (special cases of exemptions may be given to candidates regarding their year of residency if deemed necessary by the current executive board).

b)      The Committee on Election (COMELEC) shall be composed of the current graduating members of the Executive Board with the committee Head to be selected amongst themselves and agreed upon by the Executive Board;

c)      Members interested to be elected as Executive Board Members should file for candidacy within the time allotted by the COMELEC. The forms can be acquired from the Executive Secretary of the organization or the Committee Head;

Forms are to be submitted to the Committee Head.

d)     Members who wish to nominate their co-members for Executive Board membership can also submit a nomination form to the Committee Head. It should be filled up in front of the Head, all names should be listed at once and it shall be given immediately after filling it up;

e)      Those nominated shall be approached by the Committee Head to fill up the form for formal filing of candidacy. There will be no open nomination on the actual election unless deemed necessary due to certain unforeseen circumstances on the election proper itself.

Section 2         Voting body

a)      Members who are qualified to vote:

1. An official member of Teatro Tomasino;
2. Must be a student member – a bonafide student of the University of Santo Tomas;
3. Alumni members are only allowed to vote if they’ve been part of a major production or if approved of by the current Executive Board.

Section 3         Election of Executive Board Members

a)      The actual election shall be headed by the COMELEC;

b)      Voting members should be present at the time of the elections. No absentee voting, and voting by any other means of communication is not allowed. Late comers will not be allowed to vote for the remaining positions;

c)      Ballots used for the elections should be stamped with the organization’s logo and signed by the Election Head. Unmarked ballots will not be valid for voting.

d)     Voting procedures

1. The Executive board shall convene the Members in a General Assembly;
2. The COMELEC shall take over the General Assembly and call the roll then read the rules of the election;
3. The voting body must at least be constituted of two-thirds (2/3) of the current members of the organization. If the minimum of two-thirds (2/3) of the current members constituting the voting body is not achieved, the COMELEC will declare a failure of election;
4. All those who filed for candidacy have the chance to be elected. If not elected for a previous position, they can still be nominated for other positions available;
5. Nominated candidate must be present at the time of the election to be qualified to be elected;
6. After the voting, the COMELEC shall proceed with the counting and tallying of votes. The following ballots shall be read as follows:

-          ballots written with the valid names of the candidates as stated by the COMELEC or with the word “ABSTAIN” are valid;

-          ballots with other markings or name other than the name of the candidate is considered invalid;

-          blank ballots are considered invalid.

1. After the tallying, the candidate with a majority of votes will be declared winner by the COMELEC;
2. In case of a tie, the COMELEC will declare the tie and proceed with another round of voting;
3. The COMELEC shall entertain objections to the elections only after the election proper. It shall be rendered within three (3) days after the receipt of the complaint.

Section 4         The COMELEC shall submit a report on the election returns to the incumbent Executive Secretary for the organization's archives.

These By-Laws are hereby ratified and accepted in accordance with the Constitution of the organization this _____ of ______________, 2011 at the Teatro Tomasino Office, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

John Paul Gonzales            Martin Joseph Remos          Joyce Ann Mosende

  Artistic Director                  Technical Director                Business Director                             

Mabel Esther Yu                Jean Joscel Dela Cruz      Anna Francesca Marfori

       Secretary                                  Auditor                          PRO (Internal)

Jessika Jane Torres

   PRO (External)

Noted by:

Ralph Semino Galan                                     Nerisa del Carmen Guevara

  Faculty Adviser                                                    Faculty Adviser