August 11, 2023

Dear Believers Band,

In June, the Believers Concert Band Board communicated that we had been conducting a review of our existing Bylaws to identify areas where updating was needed.  Our existing Bylaws have been the guiding document for our organization since early 2018.  Our work has progressed to the point where we want to share the proposed amended Bylaws with the Band membership with the goal of voting to amend the existing Bylaws after we start back into rehearsal. 

The primary reasons for amending the Bylaws are:

  • To clarify the organization of the Believers Band by expressly including both the Believers Concert Band and the Southern Journey Big Band as the primary performing groups under the Believers Band name.
  • To add the Director of the Southern Journey Big Band to the Board.
  • To allow one or more at large members at the discretion of the Board.At large members could be Band members or non-members.
  • To emphasize in the Purpose statement (Article 2) that we are a non-denominational organization.
  • To further spell out the duties and terms of the officers.
  • To clarify our relationship with Gainesville First United Methodist Church (GFUMC).
  • To spell out the purpose of the Annual General Meeting and how officer voting is to be conducted.

To help see these changes, we have put together a document (see link below) that shows our existing Bylaws (Column 1), our proposed amended Bylaws (Column 2), and a comments column with explanation of the major changes. 

Beginning with the next concert band rehearsal (August 14th) we will be taking the next two weeks to address questions on the proposed amended Bylaws, with a vote to be taken at the August 21st concert band rehearsal.  This change to our Bylaws is important and we encourage all Band members to review this document.

Questions can be directed to our Board members by email or during question time at the next two rehearsals of the Concert Band. Those in the Southern Journey Big Band can direct their questions to any Board member via email.

Bylaws Comparison Document

Here is our current Board with their contact information if you have any questions or comments:

Thanks,

Believers Concert Band Board