Puppeteers of America

Dedicated to The Art of Puppetry

Guidelines for Guilds

The Puppeteers of America, Inc., encourages its members to form local chapters to be known as Guilds. The Board of Directors shall issue charters for these guilds. 

PROCESS FOR A GUILD TO BE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED (CHARTERED)

  • The group organizes and has a written constitution and by-laws following the sample provided by Puppeteers of America, Inc.
  • Three or more members of the groups must be members in good-standing of the Puppeteers of America and reside in the same geographic area.
  • The President must be a member of the Puppeteers of America, Inc.. All other officers should be members in good-standing of Puppeteers of America, Inc.. Other members should be encouraged to be members of Puppeteers of America, Inc.
  • When the group is organized, they send to the Regional Director for review, a copy of the written constitution and by-laws, a list of officers, and the list of members in good-standing of Puppeteers of America, Inc. 
  • After review, the Regional Director submits the guild information to the Vice-President of the national organization. 
  • After necessary revisions, the application for charter is made to the Board of Directors of the Puppeteers of America, Inc. 
  • After approval by the Board of Directors, the new guild includes on its letterhead, announcements, and other publications, the following statement: Chartered by the Puppeteers of America, Inc.

The charter shall continue in affect as long as the Guild shall sustain the requirements by which it was chartered.

  • A Guild may change its name if the members-in-good-standing of that Guild vote to do so and have the approval of the Board of Directors of the Puppeteers of America, Inc.
  • A Guild may continue to have support from the Puppeteers of America, Inc., in establishing and maintaining Guild activities.

YEARLY STANDARDS

  • Hold at least one meeting a year.
  • Publish a newsletter with copies sent to the Regional Director and trustee in charge of guilds of the Puppeteers of America, Inc.
  • Submit a yearly report to the Regional Director and the Vice-President of the Puppeteers of America, Inc.
  • The Guild President is a member of the Regional Board of Directors and must attend or assign a representative to attend the Annual Regional meeting and any other specific regional meetings.
  • Maintain communication with the Regional Director and the Puppeteers of America, Inc., and notify them of any changes in Guild officers.
  • Promote the art of puppetry and the Puppeteers of America, Inc., by involvement in community, civic, and public events and assisting in local, regional, national, and international events where puppetry can be highlighted.