Texas State Association of Architects Minutes and Proceedings

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. -- NAME.

SECTION 1. The name of this association shall be "THE TEXAS STATE ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS."

ARTICLE II. -- OBJECTS

SECTION 1. The objects of this association are to unite in one common fellowship the architects of the state of Texas, to combine their efforts so as to promote the artistic, scientific and practical efficiency of the profession, and to cultivate and encourage the kindred arts, and to correct unprofessional practices.

ARTICLE III. -- MEMBERS

SECTION 1. The association shall consist of Fellows and Honorary members.

SEC. 2. Any architect in this state who may have been engaged in the honorable and exclusive practice of his profession for the term of three years shall be eligible as a Fellow.

SEC. 3. Other persons who manifest an interest in the objects of this association shall be eligible to election as Honorary members; but they shall not be entitled to vote, nor to take any part in its deliberations.

ARTICLE IV. -- OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The officers of this association shall be a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and five trustees. The trustees shall constitute an Exeuctive Committee. The president shall be ex-officio a member of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V. -- DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The president, and in his absence the vice-presidents, in order, shall preside at all meetings of the association; and in the absence of the president and both of the vice-presidents, a presiding office shall be chosen from the Fellows present.

SEC. 2. The secretary shall keep minutes of all proceedings of the association, and of the Executive Committee; and conduct all correspondence, and notify applicants for admission of their election; all mebers of their appointment on committees, and distribute such papers for general information of members and others, and act under the instruction of the Executive Committee.

SEC. 3. The Treasurer shall collect all funds of the association, and disburse the same on the written order of the secretary countersigned by the president; but they shall not involve the association in any indebtedness.

SEC. 4. Both the secretary and treasurer shall make a written report of all matter s in their charge at each annual meeting of the association.

Constitution. 19

SEC. 5. The Executive Committee shall have control of the property and general interests of the association; shall receive and act upon nominations for members; receive complaints; give written admonition to any member whose conduct may appear to them to be injurious to the interests of the Association, or contrary to its By-Laws; and if in their opinion the nature of the offense requires it, may request him to resign; expel members of the Association for cuase; call all extra meetings; act as a Committee of Arbitration on questions submitted to it by members of the Association, and generally control the welfare of the Association and its interests, including the matter of state legislation, looking to the welfare and growth of the association. They shall keep a record of all their proceedings, and report the same at each annual meeting of the association. Appeals may be taken from the decisions of the Executive Committee, and all such appeals shall be to the Association. Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a less number may adjourn from time to time. The President and Vice-Presidents, in order, shall be entitled to sit and vote at any time or place as members of the Executive Committee when necessary to form a quorum one or more of the regular members of the Executive Committee being present. Any such action shall be subject to the approval of the regular Executive Committee, and to appeal to the Association.

ARTICLE VI. -- FILLING VACANCIES.

SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the President, or in his absence the Vice-Presidents, to fill all vacancies which from any cause may occur in the Executive or any other committee.

ARTICLE VII. -- AMENDMENTS.

SECTION 1. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the fellows present at any meeting of the association; provided, that a notice of such proposed change shall have been mailed to each fellow by the secretary sixty days before the date of such meeting.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I.

There shall be a regular of the association on the third (3rd) Tuesday in January of each year, and at every such meeting the place of the next regular meeting shall be decided upon before adjournment. One-third of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum; but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time. No member shall be considered in good standing if more than thirty days in arrears for his dues.

ARTICLE II. -- RULES OF ORDER.

The meetings of this association shall be conducted according to "Robert's Rules of Order."

ARTICLE III. -- APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.

Any candidate for membership in this association shall send his application in writing to the Executive Committee, endorsed by two Fellows of the Association in good standing, and who are personally acquainted with the candidate.

ARTICLE IV. -- ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

When receiving an application for membership, the Executive Committee shall investigate the standing of the candidate, and shall, by ballot, admit or refuse him.

All discussion of applicants shall be strictly confidential. Any person so elected, who shall not within three after notice of his election, left or sent to this address, signify his acceptance and pay his proper fees and dues, shall be considered as having declined to become a member.

ARTICLE V. -- DUES.

All Fellows -- including charter members -- of this association shall pay an initiation fee of five dollrs and annual dues of five dollars. Honorary members shall pay an initiation fee of twenty-five dollars and no dues. All dues ahll be payable within thirty days after each regular meeting, in default of which any member shall be liable to suspension or expulsion by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI. -- ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

All officers shall be elected at the annual meetings of the association by majority ballot vote of the Fellows present. An officer shall be eligible to the same office not to exceed two (2) successive years, but all officers shall hold over until their successors shall be duly elected.

ARTICLE VII. -- PAPERS AND RECORDS.

All papers and other records not considered by the Executive Committee as confidential shall be at all times open to the inspection of the Fellows of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII. -- AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS.

The by-laws of this association may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Fellows present at any annual meeting, notice having been given as in the case of proposed amendments to the constitution.

SCHEDULE OF CHARGES AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTS AS USUAL AND PROPER AND ENDORSED BY THE TEXAS STATE ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS

CLASS A

Includes all churches, school houses, opera houses, city halls, office buildings, colleges, club houses. court houses, exchanges or other public buildings, 5 percent.

CLASS B

For monumental and decorative work, and designs for furniture, a special rate in excess of the above.

CLASS C - RESIDENCES

Costing less than 1,000 dollars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 percent Costing 1,000 or over, and less than 2,000 dollars . . . . . 6 1/2 percent Costing 2,000 or over, and less than 3,000 dollars . . . . . 6 percent Costing 3,000 or over, and less than 4,000 dollars . . . . . 5 1/2 percent Costing 5,00 dollars and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 percent

CLASS D -- MERCANTILE BUILDINGS

Includes storage warehouses, freight depots, wholesale business houses when occupied a entirety, shops, mills and all general business buildings not built for general rental purposes.

Costing less than 5,000 dollars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 percent Costing 5,000 or over, and less than 10,000 dollars . . . . . . 4 1/2 percent Costing 10,000 or over, and less than 25,000 dollars . . . . . 4 percent Costing 25,000 or over, and less than 50,000 dollars . . . . . 3 1/2 percent Costing 50,000 or over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 percent

In all classes of work fees are due and payable as follows:

20 percent of the fee for preliminary work when the same is complete and accepted or abandoned.

50 percent for preliminary work, plans and specification, when same are ready to invite bids on the work.

70 percent for all the above with details, when complete, or if with supervision, to be pro rata as payments are made to contractors on contract price.

In the event of abandonment or indefinite suspension of work, the architect is entitled to the full percentage for his serve, and upon every duplicate of his work. He may, however, make special agreement in such cases with his client in settlement.

For alterations and additions, an aadditional charge to be made for suveys and measurements.

An additional charge to be made for alterations or additions in ocntracts or plans, which will be valued in proportion to the additional time and service employed.

Necessary traveling expenses to be paid by the client.

Time spent by the architect in visiting for professional consultation, and in accompanying travel, whether by day or night, will be charged for, whether or not any commission, either for office work or supervising work is given. The architect's payments are exclusively due as his work is completed, in order of the above classificaitons. Until an actual estimate is received the charges are based upon the proposed cost of the works, and the payments are received as installments of the entire fee, which is based upon the actual cost.

The architect bases his professional charge upon the entire cost (to the owner) of the building when completed, including all fixtures necessary to render it fit for occupation, and is entitled to additional compensation for the furniture or other articles designed, selected or purchased by the architect.

If any material or work used in the construction of the building be already upon the ground, or come in possession of the owner without expense to him the value of said material or work is to be added to the sum actually expended upon the buildings, before the architect's commission is computed.

SUPERVISION OF WORKS

The supervision or superintendence of an architect (As distinguished from the continuous personal superintendence which may be secured by the employment of clerk of the works) means such inspection by the architect, or his deputy, of a building or other work in process of erection, completion or alteration, as he finds necessary to ascertain whether it is being executed in conformity with his designs and specifixations, or directions, and to enable him to decide when the successive installments or payments provided for in the contract or agreement are due or payable. He is to determine in constructive emergencies, to order necessary changes, and to define the true intent and meanings of the drawings and specifications; and he has authority to stop the progress of the work and order its removal when not in accordance with them.

CLERK OF THE WORKS

On buildings where it is deemed necessary to employ a clerk of the works, the remuneration of said clerk is to be paid by the owner or owners, an addition to any commissions or fees due the architect. The selection or dismissal of the clerk of the works is to be subject to the approval of the architect.

EXTRA SERVICES

Consultation fees for professional advice are to be paid in proportion to the importance of the querstions involved, at the discretion of the architect.

None of the charges above enumerated cover professional or legal services connected with negotiations for sites, disputed party walls, right of light, measurement of work, or services incidental to arrangements consequent upon the failure of contractors during the performance of the work. When such service becomes necessary, they shall be charged for according to time and trouble involved.

DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Drawings and specifications, as instruments of service, are the property of the architect.

The office services shall consist of original and duplicate sets of drawing and specifications. Both originals and duplicates are included as the property of the architect.

The architectural association of Missouri also endorses the following resolution, passed by the Western Association of Architects.

PRACTICE

Resolved, that in his relations to his clients and contractors, the architect should be an impartial arbitrator; and, that under no circumstances should he act as a special pleader for either party.

Resolved, that the relations between architects and clients should be confidential, and that no architect is worthy of employment who is unworthy of trust.

Resolved, that it is the sense of this association that it is desirable that the architect in all cases superintend the work designed by him.

Resolved, that in cases where for special reasons, the architect does not superintend the work designed by him, his responsibility ceases with the delivery and acceptance of the plans, unless by expert testimony it can be proven that the plans were defective.

The foregoing resolutions and schedule of charges are adopted by THE TEXAS STATE ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS.