Star Members: Stars are awarded for acceptance to the annual UWS Spring Show, annual UWS Fall Show, or annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies show. It normally takes two years or more to become a two-star member. Once earned, two star status is valid for life.

Exhibition Requirements: Membership shows sometimes have themes, size restrictions, and other requirements. These requirements are stated in the call for entries.

Activities:

The society holds one annual open juried exhibit (usually in May or June), two membership shows for members only (usually in winter and fall) and at least two workshops per year (one of these coincides with the Spring exhibit). Monthly meetings for information and demonstrations are held the first Tuesday night of the month from September until June, culminating with the annual meeting and demonstration (by the guest artist doing the workshop and adjudicating the Spring exhibit). At the annual meeting, the new officers for the next year are introduced for members' consideration.

Bi-monthly newsletters and other materials are mailed notifying members of activities, calls for entry, etc., providing a necessary link vital to the organization. Members are invited to contact the newsletter editor with news about honors, exhibits and personal accomplishments.

Article I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be Utah Watercolor Society. Its headquarters shall be in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Article II: PURPOSE AND GOALS

To advance the art of painting in watercolors*.

To hold yearly exhibitions of watercolors. *Watercolors here are defined as paintings in transparent and/or opaque water media or unvarnished water soluble media on paper as called for in "Call for Entries."

This organization was formed on December 30, 1974 and will continue to operate as an Utah Nonprofit Corporation and Cooperative Association exempt from taxes under IRC 501 (C) (3).

No part of the earnings of this organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to any member, except that the Society may be authorized and empowered to pay for services rendered and make payments and distributions as set forth in the bylaws.

Upon dissolution of this organization, all assets not otherwise disposed of shall be distributed exclusively for the purpose of the Society to such organizations complying with IRC 501 (c) (3).

To further activity and interest in the medium and to reaffirm the permanence and the importance of watercolor as a medium in its own right.

To promote artistic growth continuously as individuals and as a group and to maintain exhibits of the highest professional quality.

To assist in the organization of Member Chapters within the State of Utah, and upon the receipt of a request for charter from such member group(s), to issue a Member Chapter Charter upon approval of the Board of Directors of UWS.

Article III: MEMBERSHIP

General Membership - Shall be extended to those Residents of Utah, who have paid the required dues. UWS members who have moved out of state may belong if their dues are paid.

Two Star Membership - Shall consist of those who have exhibited in two juried annual exhibitions, applied for memberships, paid all fees and dues and been notified of their election to two-star membership not less than 30 days after the annual exhibit. A two-star member may hold office in the organization as President or Vice President.

Student Membership - Shall be granted to students in public or private high schools and colleges. Student Members may participate in activities of the Society except to vote and hold office. If students seek to enter exhibitions, their work will be judged according to the same standards as those used for all other entrants. At age 21 students shall relinquish Student Memberships and become General or Two-Star members. Dues for students shall be one half of the active membership rate.

Honorary Membership - May be granted by the Board of Directors to any person who has made a significant contribution to the Society or to the stature of watercolor as an art medium. Honorary members are not required to pay dues and are lifetime members. Honorary membership is awarded to the President on completion of their term of office.

Patron Membership - May be any artists, friends, spouses or patrons of art whom the Board of Directors, at its discretion, has invited to join the Society. Patron Members shall pay annual dues as set forth by the Board of Directors. Patron Members shall not vote nor hold office, nor shall they have the right, title or interest in or to any of the assets of the Society. They shall be entitled to receive the regular newsletter and attend meetings and social functions of the Society.

Shall consist of those members of the Society who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of watercolor and have created paintings which have been recognized in WFS shows as well as Society exhibits. These members shall receive certificates of Signature membership at the annual meeting.

Shall be awarded membership by merit alone by being accepted into eight annual UWS open exhibits, with at least one of these paintings winning an award. Acceptance into the WFS may count toward signature membership. Each applicant must furnish the Committee with dates and documentation of awards won and participation; retroactive to the year the Society was founded, 1974.

A Member Chapter may be formed by twelve or more UWS members in an area of the state where none now exists. The number of members in a Chapter shall not be limited nor shall the number of Chapters in the state. Local residence is not a requirement for Chapter membership.

Each chartered Chapter shall be designated as the: "Utah Watercolor Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter" upon approval of Board of Directors. Chapters shall be designated by city or other geographical location. There shall be no duplication of Chapter designations.

Application for Charter shall contain two copies of proposed Chapter bylaws; which shall set forth the purpose and goals of the Chapter, a roster of member applicants and the names of the proposed Chapter Officers.

Bylaws of each Chapter shall comply with and shall not be in conflict with the Society Bylaws. Members of the new Chapter shall approve and submit their bylaws to the Society Recording Secretary who, following approval by the UWS Bylaws Revision Committee, will present them to the Society Board of Directors for final approval. In a like manner, any revisions shall be filed with the Secretary within 90 days of adoption by the Chapter.

Each Member Chapter shall elect Chapter Officers empowered to conduct Chapter business. Chapter bylaws should detail the method of elections, list of Officers and their duties. Officers of Member Chapters shall function in parallel with their counterparts in the state Society.

The Chapter Corresponding Secretary shall send the names of elected Officers to the Society President immediately following Chapter elections.

The Chapter Recording Secretary shall send copies of minutes of all membership and Chapter Board meetings to the Society President.

Dual membership is permitted. A dual member is defined as an UWS member whose primary mailing address may be in one part of the state and in addition belongs to a Member Chapter in another area. The Chapter of choice may require payment of a Chapter fee.

A dual member shall enter juried UWS shows through one Chapter only.

The Chapter Treasurer shall furnish to the Society Treasurer not later than 45 days after the end of the fiscal year a listing of Chapter membership (with addresses, phone numbers and membership categories), together with a check to cover the appropriate portion of UWS dues.(50% split of the Annual Dues)

The Chapter Membership Chairman shall send to the Society Membership Chairman notification of deaths and changes of address for Chapter members.

When a Chapter is inactive for more than a year, its charter, property and funds in the treasury after settlement of all obligations of the Chapter shall be forwarded to the Society Board of Directors, where they shall be held in escrow for a period of 5 years. Should the Chapter become reactivated within 5 years, the charter, property, and funds shall be returned.

Each member, as defined in the Articles of Incorporation, shall have the right to cast one vote in any election duly called pursuant to the provisions of the Bylaws.

Annual non-refundable dues shall be paid by June 1. Dues will be declared delinquent September 1 and membership of the individual shall be dropped. Chapter Treasurers shall collect members’ dues and forward the appropriate portion to the Society Treasurer.

Should the necessity arise, the Board of Directors shall have the power to change the rate of the annual dues, subject to the approval of the Society. Annual dues are currently $30.00.  (As of 2005, the board has voted to increase annual dues to $35.00)

Only paid members may participate in exhibitions.

Members shall notify the Membership Chairman of any change of address.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS / BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Vice-president/President-elect

Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

Treasurer

Past President

All Committee Chairpersons

WFS Delegate(s)

Delegates from each Member Chapter

President - Shall preside at all meetings of the Society. Shall exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the. Society. Shall serve as Chairman of the Annual Exhibition. And shall perform other duties as are customarily assumed by the Chief Executive Officer.

Vice-president/President-elect - Shall perform all duties of the President when (s)he is not available. Shall assume the office of President at the end of his/her term as Vice-president. Shall perform such other duties as assigned by the President. Shall be in charge of writing proposals for Grants and workshops and serve as workshop chair.

Recording Secretary - Shall keep minutes of all Board of Directors and all general meetings of the Society.
Minutes shall be typed and read at the next meeting. These records shall be kept as an accurate history of the Society.
In the absence of the President and Vice-president, the Recording Secretary shall preside at Board and General meetings.
Shall keep up to date record of current Honorary and Signature members.

Corresponding Secretary - Shall conduct all correspondence of the Society as directed and shall send newsletters, and other publications and notices to members.

Treasurer - Shall receive all of the Society's funds and keep them in an acceptable Bank or Depository. Shall pay all legitimate financial obligations of the Society (Such obligations shall be paid only on proper order signed by the President and Treasurer). Shall keep the accounts in an acceptable manner and have them available for review by the President and Board of Directors at all times. Shall make a complete financial report at the Annual Meeting. Shall perform such other duties as assigned by the President. The Treasurer need not be bonded. There shall be an audit of the books at the conclusion of the President's term of office. If the Treasurer leaves office midterm, the Board of Directors will determine the advisability of an audit at that time.

Past President - Shall be available as an advisor at Board Meetings.

The Board of Directors is granted general authority as a policymaking body of the Society.

The Board shall fill all vacancies arising between elections of Officers.

The Board shall evaluate the activities of the Society.

The Board shall determine the rate of annual dues.

The Board of Directors and Officers shall be responsible for all fund-raising activities of the Society.

The Board shall choose a Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall then choose 4 members, to include at least two Board Members, to prepare a slate of nominees.

Board Members may conduct Society business by mail or by phone when necessary.

The Board shall meet monthly with the exception of July and August.

Article V: MEETINGS

There shall be one meeting of the membership to review the financial statements of the Society. These statements shall be prepared by the Treasurer. General membership meetings shall be once a month, with the exception of July and August. Additional meetings can be called.

The election of Officers and review of the yearly financial reports will be held in June.

Ten percent o f the membership constitutes a quorum.

Article VI: ELECTIONS

Election of Officers shall be at the June meeting, by a simple majority of the membership present at the meeting.

All Officers are elected annually for a term of one year. No Officer may serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms, except for the Office of the Treasurer and WFS delegates.

Those whose names appear on the ballot must have given their permission and acceptance of their nomination.

At least one name and not more than three names shall be submitted for each office.

Nominations for Office other than from the Nominating Committee may be made from the floor.

Robert 's Rules of Order will be followed on questions of procedure.

Article VII: EXHIBITIONS

The objective shall be to produce annually the best possible exhibit of water media in the State of Utah.

The annual exhibit shall be open to all members and all residents of the state of Utah. Rules and regulations for exhibit shall be set forth in the "Call for Entries"

A non-refundable entrance fee of an amount determined by the Board of Directors, shall be charged for each entry. Nonmembers may elect to become members at this time.

A juror shall be appointed or employed.

Only works approved by the juror shall hang.

No juror may serve more than once during a two year period.

The President shall serve as Chairman of the Jury of Selection but will at no time serve as a juror. 

Membership Exhibits

At least two membership exhibits will be held for current UWS membership per year.

Rules and Regulations governing these exhibits shall be determined by the officers and set forth in the "Call for Entries"