MEMBERSHIP

HANDBOOK
Last Revised: July 4, 2023

Revised 06/2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 OUR VISION, MISSION & HISTORY 5

1.1 Our Vision 5
1.2 Our Mission 5
1.3 Artistic Policy 5
1.4 A Brief History of GMCLA 6
2 HOW WE’RE ORGANIZED 6
2.1 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 6
2.1.1 Nature of the Corporation 6
2.1.2 Board of Directors 7
2.2 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE (MemCom) 7
2.2.1 Committee Responsibilities 7
2.2.2 Duties of the Membership President 8
2.2.3 Duties of the Membership Vice President 8
2.2.4 Duties of the Membership Secretary 9
2.2.5 Duties of the Membership Treasurer 9
2.2.6 Duties of Section Representatives 9
2.3 MUSIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAC) 10
2.3.1 Duties of Elected MAC Representatives 11
2.4 MEMBERSHIP ELECTIONS 11
2.4.1 Vacancies 11
2.4.2 Removal of Elected Officers 12
2.5 SECTION MUSIC LEADERS 12
2.6 STAFF OF GMCLA 12
2.6.1 Executive Director 13
2.6.2 Artistic Director 13
2.6.3 Assistant Conductor and Alive Music Project (AMP) Coordinator 13
2.7 MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS 13
2.7.1 Membership Handbook 13
2.7.2 Rehearsal Announcements 14
2.7.3 Weekly Newsletter 14
2.7.4 Member Website 14
2.7.5 Social Media 15
 2.7.6 Branding 17
2.7.7 Member Feedback 17
2.8 GMCLA ARCHIVES 17
3 WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO 18
3.1 Membership Types 18
3.1.1 Singing Members 18
3.1.2 Non-Singing Members 19
3.2 MEMBERSHIP STATUSES 20
3.2.1 Active 20
3.2.2 Leave of Absence (LOA) 20
3.2.3 Emeritus members 21
3.2.4 Alumni 22
3.3 PERFORMANCES 22
3.3.1 Annual season 22
3.3.2 Community Outreach 22
4 MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS & PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 23
4.1 Financial 23
4.1.1 Membership Investments 23
4.1.2 Members in Good Standing 25
4.1.3 Members Not in Good Standing 25
4.1.4 Annual Retreat 25
4.1.5 Other Chorus Expenses 25
4.1.6 Payment of Chorus Expenses 25
4.1.7 Reimbursement for Chorus Expenses 26
4.2 WARDROBE 26
4.3 REHEARSAL 26
4.3.1 Rehearsal Schedules for the Annual Subscription Concert Season 26
4.3.2 Rehearsal Guidelines 27
4.4 ATTENDANCE 27
4.4.1 Regular Rehearsals 28
4.4.2 Additional Rehearsals 28
4.4.3 Required Rehearsals 28
4.5 STAGE/PERFORMANCE ETIQUETTE 28
 4.5.1 Entrance 29
4.5.2 Performance 29
4.5.3 Exit 29
4.5.4 Performance Calls 30
4.5.5 Safety 30
4.5.6 Personal Care 30
4.6 SOLO/SMALL GROUP/DANCE OPPORTUNITIES 30
4.6.1 GMCLA Small Ensemble (Aftershock) 31
4.7 MEMBER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT 32
4.7.1 Privacy 32
4.7.2 Respect 33
4.7.3 Prevention of Sexual Harassment 33
4.7.4 Non-Discrimination 33
4.7.5 Accommodations 33
4.7.6 Grievances 33
4.7.7 Sanctions of Membership Status, Including Probation,
Suspension, and Termination 33

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles does not discriminate as to membership eligibility based on
gender or sexual identity and expression. Throughout this document, the singular third person male
pronouns (“he,” “his,” and “him”) are intended to be gender neutral and inclusive.