STAR, Ltd. has adopted the following policies for the safety and well-being of its members. These policies primarily protect our youth; however, they also serve to protect adult staff and volunteers.
Two-deep leadership is required at all times. A minimum of two adults is required for all activities at STAR workshops. One of these adults must be 21 years of age or older.
One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. In situations requiring coaching (voice, dance moves, etc), the meeting is to be conducted with the knowledge and in view of other adults and/or youth.
The policies of two-deep leadership and no one-on-one contact between adults and youth members also apply to digital communication. Leaders may not have one-on-one private online communications or engage one-on-one in other digital activities (games, social media, etc.) with youth members. Leaders should copy a parent and another leader in digital and online communication, ensuring no one-on-one contact takes place in text, social media, or other forms of online or digital communication.
The buddy system should be encouraged at all times. The buddy system is a safety measure. Buddies should know and be comfortable with each other. Buddies should be encouraged to select each other, with no more than two years’ age difference and the same level of maturity. When necessary, a buddy team may consist of three youth. No youth should be forced into or made to feel uncomfortable in a buddy assignment. The buddy system comes in handy when youth need to use the restroom, or when the group is outside playing, for instance.
The privacy of youth is respected. Adults and youth must respect each other’s privacy, especially in situations such as changing clothes backstage. Adult and volunteer assistance is typically necessary backstage, in between scenes, so youth are asked to wear leotards or t-shirt and boxers under all costumes.
Inappropriate use of smartphones, cameras, imaging, or digital devices is prohibited. Most of our staff, volunteers, and youth participants come to our workshops with a cell phone. We will ask them to keep them in their bags during the workshop, with the exception of checking them at lunch and other breaks. If they are observed using them inappropriately, they will be asked to turn them over to staff until the end of the day. The staff will not take any pictures or videos of youth participants without a signed release on file; in which case the photos/videos will only be used on the STAR website, Facebook, brochures, and other promotional materials.
Summer Workshop Refund Policy
Full refunds (after 5% administrative fee) are available before the first date of the workshop or rehearsals. After the first date, a partial refund may be granted on a case-by-case basis; please notify the Director and Producer. Please allow 2-3 weeks to receive your refund.
Refunds for other STAR events/performances/Non-summer Workshops are done on a case-by-case basis.
Supporting the Arts in Relay, Ltd EIN 20-3218727
Bylaws of Supporting the Arts in Relay, Ltd.
This organization has been formed by persons in Baltimore County, MD to perpetuate the performing arts in the community.
Article I:
Name The name of the organization shall be Supporting the Arts in Relay, Ltd., also known as S.T.A.R.
Article II: Purpose
Section 1. The Purpose of the organization shall be to promote development of and provide educational opportunities in the arts. S.T.A.R. shall be a Maryland non-profit, non-stock, non-sectarian, non-political Corporation organized and operated exclusively for educational, entertainment, and community purposes as specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 2. No substantial part of the activities of S.T.A.R. shall be spent on propaganda, or otherwise attempt to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by Internal Revenue Code section 501(h)). S.T.A.R. does not participate in or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section 3. Sections of the Bylaws conflicting with incorporation laws of the State of Maryland shall be null and void. S.T.A.R. complies with the Annotated Code of Maryland Corporations and Associations Volume, Title 5, Subtitle 2. S.T.A.R. is not authorized to issue capital stock.
Article III: Board of Directors
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of at least seven (7) Active Members. The Board of Directors may, by majority vote, create additional offices as it deems necessary. Newly created positions shall not have voting privileges until approved by the Board of Directors (revised September 2019). They will be elected by the Active Members at the Annual Meeting. There shall be no limit to the number of terms a Director may serve.
Section 2. Not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting, the President, with the consent and approval of the Board, shall appoint a Nominating Committee comprised of two or more Members. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of nominees to the Members at the Annual Meeting for each person to be filled.
Policy: Additional nominations may be taken from the floor.
Article IV: Board Eligibility
Section 1. Board eligibility is open to all persons regardless of political or religious opinion or affiliation, marital status, race, color, creed, age, national origin, sex or sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or geographic location.
Section 2. All participants and their families involved in current and past seasons shall receive notice of the Annual Meeting.
Article V: Meetings
Section 1. There shall be an Annual Meeting each year in October at a date and time set by the Board of Directors. The election of directors shall take place at the Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall notify those eligible to vote, not later than fourteen (14) days prior to each Annual Meeting.
Section 2: To be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting, a non-Board Member must attend two Board Meetings prior to voting and be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Section 3. A quorum shall exist if ten percent (10%) of all voting Members are present at an Annual, or Special Meeting. Any action by a majority of the Members entitled to vote and present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be deemed the action of the Members.
Section 4. The Board of Directors shall meet at least six (6) times per year. The Executive Committee (Officers of the Board) shall meet no fewer than two (2) times per year and as often as necessary.
Section 5. Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply to all General and Special Membership and Board of Directors meetings.
Article VI: Officers
Section 1. The members of the Board of Directors shall, at the Annual Meeting, elect a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, to serve as Officers of said Board. Further, the Board of Directors may, from time to time, create and fill additional offices as it deems necessary.
Section 2. The term of office shall be one (1) year. No person shall hold one office more than three (3) consecutive terms. Terms of office will begin on the first day of the month following the election to office.
Policy: The term of office shall begin on November 1.
Section 3. In the event than any office is vacated by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, the Board of Directors shall elect a Board Member to fill the position and serve until the end of the term.
Policy: A Board Member who is absent for two (2) consecutive Board Meetings, and who does not notify the Board of intention to be absent, will receive a letter of notification from the President of the Board, reminding the Board Member that an additional absence will require a vote of the Board as to whether or not that position should be declared vacant.
Article VII: Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside at all Board Meetings. The President shall present an end of-year-summary of S.T.A.R.’s affairs at the Annual Meeting.
Section 2. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in case of absence and shall preside at the request of the President.
Section 3. The Secretary shall arrange for Board Meetings and shall keep all records of the meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for official correspondence and notification of meetings to members and local press.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall pay bills, be responsible for the business management of the organization, present a financial report at each Board Meeting in conjunction with the Administrative Manager. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial report and present it at the Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Administrative Manager.
Article VIII: Roles and Responsibilities of the Production Directors
Section 1. Production Directors will be contracted annually as independent contractors to produce and direct each of the S.T.A.R. summer workshops.
Section 2. Production Directors will be considered Acting Board Members but cannot vote on budget items or choice of show for their production nor can they hold an office. As such they are bound by the rules of attendance for the Board of Directors as stated in Article VI.
Policy: If Production Directors are required to present items at a Board Meeting, the Secretary shall give no fewer than five (5) days notice.
Section 3. Production Directors will prepare their respective budgets to be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval, assemble both hired and volunteer staff, and execute fully the production of their respective shows.
Section 4. Each November, Production Directors shall submit two (2) to three (3) show options to the Board of the Directors. The Board of Directors will approve one (1) show per workshop at the December meeting.
Article IX. Dissolution
Section 1. A Special Meeting of the Voting Members to discuss the dissolution of the Corporation shall be called by the President at the request of the majority of the Board of Directors or the written request of twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting members.
Section 2. As soon as possible after the Special Meeting, the Board of Directors shall hold a meeting to discuss the dissolution of the Corporation. A majority of the seated Board Members shall be required to vote to dissolve the Corporation.
Section 3. If a majority votes to dissolve the Corporation, the Secretary shall mail to all Voting Members, within fourteen (14) days of the board vote, a ballot requesting a vote to dissolve. A majority of the Voting Members shall determine the dissolution.
Section 4. In the event of dissolution, all the remaining assets and property of the Corporation shall, after payment of necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as amended, or to another organization to be used in such a manner as, in the judgement of a court of the State of Maryland with appropriate jurisdiction will best accomplish the general purpose for which this Corporation was formed.
Article X. Distribution of Assets
No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall benefit any member, director, or officer of the Corporation or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation shall be paid for services rendered to or for the corporation) and no member, director or officer of the Corporation or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the Corporate assets or dissolution of the Corporation.
