Association for Theatre in Higher Education

Design and Technology Focus Group Bylaws

 

Passed unanimously at the D&T Business Meeting (New York, August 5, 1989

Revised by Kent Goetz, D&T Focus Group Representative (Chicago, August 8, 1997)

Revised by Michael Mehler, D&T Focus Group Representative (San Diego, July 17, 2002)

Revised by Steve Holliday, D&T Focus Group Representative (approved: Toronto, July 30, 2004)

Revised by DT&M Focus Group Representatives Denise Massman, Amanda Nelson, & Owen Collins (August 2014) 

Revised by DTM Focus Group Rep Elena SV-Flys & DTM Conference Planner Laura J. Eckelman (approved virtually, 29 July 2020)

 

Statement of Purpose

The focus group addresses the needs and concerns of educators interested in strengthening the relationship between theatre design, technology, and management and all other areas of theatre production and scholarship.

 

Mission Statement

The Design, Technology, and Management (DTM) Focus Group provides a forum within ATHE that addresses the current and future needs and concerns of theatre educators interested in strengthening the relationship between theatre design, technology, management, and other areas of theatrical scholarship and production. We strive to provide opportunities for the active exchange of historical and theoretical explorations, pedagogical approaches, and production experiences among designers, technicians, administrators, and management. We remain dedicated to fostering the spirit of collaboration in our efforts to create and teach the art of theatre.

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Theatre Design, Technology, and Management Focus Group.

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The Purpose of the Theatre Design, Technology and Management (DTM) Focus Group is to:

1. Represent the interests of designers, technicians and managers in the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE).
2. Provide programming at the annual ATHE Conference which addresses the related needs, interests, and concerns of theatre educators and practitioners in the areas of design, technology, and management.
3. Promote the interdisciplinary study of design, technology, and management both inside and outside traditional theatrical fields of study.
4. Encourage contemporary, historical, and theoretical scholarship on technology, theatre spaces, designs, designers, artisans, and managers.
5. Stimulate dialogue and artistic exploration among the various disciplines of theatre education and practice.

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all ATHE members in good standing who are interested in design, technology, and management.

 

ARTICLE IV - GOVERNING BODY

The leadership for the Design, Technology, and Management Focus Group shall be provided by the Focus Group Representative and the Conference Planner. 

 

1. The Focus Group Representative shall serve a two-year term, commencing at the end of the annual business meeting that concludes their term as Conference Planner.

    

2. The responsibilities of the Focus Group Representative shall be:
   1. to conduct the annual business meeting
   2. to support and assist the Conference Planner in setting priorities for annual conference programming according to the DTM Focus Group Statement of Purpose and Mission Statement
   3. to represent the DTM Focus Group at administrative meetings and in all other communications with the ATHE Governing Council
   4. to serve on one of the ATHE governance committees throughout the term of office
   5. to provide leadership and direction to the DTM Focus Group
   6. to communicate with the Focus Group constituency via electronic or paper media as deemed necessary and beneficial
   7. to submit requests for and administer the distribution of monies allocated to the Focus Group by ATHE, if there is no Treasurer in place
   8. to oversee the election of new officers and the revision of DTM bylaws
   9. to mentor the Conference Planner.

       

3. The Conference Planner shall serve a two-year term commencing at the annual business meeting of the conference in the year following their election. At the end of this term, the Conference Planner will automatically become Focus Group Representative. If the Conference Planner is unable or unwilling to become the Focus Group Representative, a new Focus Group Representative and Conference Planner must be elected.

    

4. The responsibilities of the Conference Planner shall be:
   1. to solicit, generate, coordinate, prioritize, and realize future conference programs, according to the schedule established by the ATHE Conference Committee
   2. to communicate with the Focus Group Representative to establish priorities for the annual conference programming according to the DTM Focus Group Statement of Purpose and Mission Statement
   3. to assist the Focus Group Representative as needed in providing leadership to the DTM Focus Group, communicating with DTM members, and representing the DTM Focus Group in meetings and communications with the ATHE Governing Council.

    

5. Additional leadership positions (such as Secretary, Treasurer, or Members-at-Large) may be created by the Focus Group Representative and filled by vote of the DTM membership, following the election procedures outlined below. Within one year of being created, any new leadership position(s) must be written into the DTM bylaws, which then must be approved by vote of the DTM membership.

 

ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS

1. Elections for all leadership positions shall be held on alternate years, or as needed to fill vacant positions. [Elections for Treasurer shall be held in the same year as that for Conference Planner, when applicable.]
2. All leadership positions shall be elected at or within 60 days following the annual business meeting.
3. Nominations for open positions may be submitted to the Focus Group Representative or Conference Planner during the annual meeting, or at any point before an election. Before any election, all nominees will be given an opportunity to accept or decline their nomination.
4. No member of the leadership team may serve consecutive terms in the same position.
5. If a Focus Group Representative or Conference Planner  cannot be elected due to lack of accepted nominations, the Focus Group Representative shall appoint a person to fill the position.

 

ARTICLE VI - VOTING

All members are eligible to vote on all issues presented to the membership, including but not limited to the election of leadership officers and the amendment of bylaws. Voting may be conducted at the annual membership meeting, or by written or electronic ballot. For voting conducted at the membership meeting, the winner/motion must receive a majority of votes from among those present. For voting conducted remotely, the winner/motion must receive a majority of votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Focus Group Representative may cast the deciding vote. 

 

ARTICLE VII - ANNUAL MEETING

The DTM Annual Business Meeting will be held at the annual ATHE Conference. The Focus Group Representative will be responsible for developing and administering the agenda for this meeting.

 

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

1. These bylaws may be amended by a vote of a majority of members present at the annual business meeting, or via written or electronic ballot.
2. These bylaws must be examined and revised (if so desired) at least every five years.