BYLAWS
MISSION STATEMENT
The North Texas Film Critics Association consists of broadcast, print, and online journalists from throughout the North Texas area. The North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) is an unincorporated, members-only organization of print, broadcast, and internet film reviewers serving the North Texas area who meet association standards.
ITS OBJECTIVES INCLUDE
- To promote the publishing and/or broadcast of film reviews and bring together those who participate in said actions.
- To increase the public’s knowledge and enjoyment of films.
- To conduct an annual North Texas Film Critics Association awards ceremony recognizing excellence in film. Members will be asked to submit their choices for nominations and based on the results, top awards. This event and the results will be publicized.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
In general, all members must publish or broadcast, film reviews under their own names or bylines. “Student” memberships must meet the age requirement of eighteen years of age. To preserve membership in good standing, members must pay annual dues and participate in the NTFCA annual award opinion poll. Members must qualify under at least one of the three membership categories listed below:
- PRINT: Reviews must include the member’s byline and appear in one or more recognized publications with a minimum circulation of 3,000. Members must release a minimum average of 3 reviews per month or 36 individual reviews annually and must remain current. It is the intent of the NTFCA that members give a rating and/or opinion within their review of all films. A short synopsis (under 200 words) is insufficient to qualify as a “review”. When a publication contains reviews by more than one reviewer, an individual contributor must publish at least twenty-five reviews annually to meet the minimum membership requirements.
- BROADCAST: Members must broadcast on a regular basis, either on commercial, public radio and/or television. The member must customarily broadcast commentary on newly released films in one or more segments each week.
- INTERNET: A member must publish on a site of professional quality as determined by the committee. Each member must post reviews averaging at least three per month containing at least 250 words per review for a minimum of 90 days (3 months) prior to membership. They must remain current by publishing, on average, at least three film reviews per month thereafter. If a site hosts reviews by more than one reviewer, to be considered for membership, each individual reviewer must meet the above requirements.
MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL DUES
Every January, but preferably at the annual meeting, all members will have to pay their yearly membership dues, currently at a rate of $10 per year. Any new members joining during the year will be obligated to pay membership dues on a prorated basis. Any new members joining between January through April will pay a full yearly amount. Any new member joining between May and September will pay half of the amount of the yearly dues. Any new member joining between October through December will pay no dues at the time, but will be obligated to pay the full normal dues amount the following January. All monies collected will be expended on the costs of, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining the association website, preparing and disseminating screening and release calendars, and costs associated with year-end film ballots and awards. The Board President also may authorize the expenditure of funds for “reasonable” costs for the Annual Meeting / Awards Event.
AUXILIARY MEMBERS
This category is created for those individuals who routinely assist regular members (their sponsor) with research, drafts, or provide similar assistance on a regular basis. Dues for auxiliary members are $5 annually due by January 1st of each year. They normally will be accompanied to screenings by their sponsor, though on some occasions, such as conflicting screenings, etc., they may attend in the sponsor’s absence. They may hold neither elected office nor vote in any election of officers or award balloting. New members will serve a 6 month probation period, after which, their body of work will be reviewed by the membership committee.
Any employee or representative of a promotional company that represents movie studios or is a media representative for an entertainment venue can apply to be an auxiliary member. The membership dues will be waived for such representatives. Those applicants will need to send an e-mail to Vice-President Donald Ford at dford1576@hotmail.com and put in the Subject Line “NFTCA Auxiliary Membership Application”. The e-mail should contain the representative’s professional information, the company or venue they work for, and their contact information.
MAINTENANCE OF MEMBERSHIP
An annual review of all members will be conducted by the end of each calendar year and any member failing to meet the requirements will be placed on an inactive list, and he or she must reapply for membership.
AMENDMENTS and RULE CHANGES
Revisions to membership requirements may be proposed by any member in writing to the Vice President or the Secretary of the NTFCA. Approval of any and all changes will require the approval of at least 51% of the membership via email or proxy.
OFFICERS
ELECTIONS
The membership shall elect the following officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. In the event a position becomes vacant at any time, the President shall appoint a replacement to serve for the remainder of the term. Each general member will receive notification of any upcoming election and the candidate receiving the highest number of votes of the voting membership present during the Annual Meeting/Awards Event in December or by proxy will be elected.
THE PRESIDENT
Shall be responsible for conducting all NTFCA meetings. The President shall represent the NTFCA at all functions or may appoint a delegate to represent the NTFCA. The President shall appoint a replacement for any vacancy occurring on any committee. The president shall also oversee all issues pertaining to the social media accounts of the NTFCA.
THE VICE-PRESIDENT
Shall act as an aide to the President and will perform the duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice-President will also oversee all duties that pertains to association membership. The Vice-President will keep an active record of current members and oversee the processing of new membership requests.
THE SECRETARY
Shall read the minutes of the previous meeting at each meeting when asked by the president. The Secretary shall oversee all duties pertaining to scheduling, leadership, and regular membership meetings.
THE TREASURER
Shall be in charge of all monies received on behalf of the NTFCA and disburse monies owed by the association when needed. The Treasurer shall also oversee all issues pertaining to the NTFCA website.
The intention of every member is to promote and work towards the continuation of THE NORTH TEXAS FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION within the legal limits of the laws of the city, county, state, and federal entities.
For questions or concerns:
Please reach out to President Rita Cooke at rcook13@earthlink.net or Vice President Donald Ford at dford1576@hotmail.com
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