Broward County Library Association

Constitution

Article I: Name
The organization shall be known as the Broward County Library Association (BCLA).

Article II: Objectives
The objectives of BCLA shall be:

Section 1. To promote library interests and develop library services within the county.

Section 2. To promote relationships among library staff, Friends of the Library, trustees and other interested parties.

Section 3. To acquaint the public and elected officials with current library issues.

Section 4. To cooperate with local, regional and national organizations interested in the promotion of library affairs.

Section 5. To provide continuing education opportunities to our members.

Article III: Membership
Section 1. Membership shall be open to any person or institution engaged in or interested in library services, upon payment of annual dues.

Section 2. Honorary membership (either annual or lifetime) may be conferred upon any individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association or the profession by a majority vote of the executive board in any scheduled board meeting.

Section 3. The Samuel F. Morrison Award (a one year honorary membership) shall be presented on an annual basis, at the annual meeting, to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding library service during the year. The recipient of this award shall be chosen from nominations submitted by BCLA members and/or related library constituents by an ad hoc committee as provided in the bylaws of the Association.

Article IV: Officers
Section 1. The officers shall be a President, Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and any others as may be provided in the bylaws of the Association. Terms of office shall be for a period of two years with the President and Vice-President/President Elect's terms ending on alternate years from the Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. The Vice-President/President Elect shall assume the office of President upon the completion of the President's term of office.

Section 3. Officers and chairs of committees shall be limited to two consecutive terms of office.

Article V: Executive Board
The administration of the affairs of the Association shall be vested in an Executive Board which shall consist of the duly-elected officers of the Association, the immediate Past-President and Standing Committee Chairs.

Article VI: Bylaws
There shall be bylaws under which the Association shall operate. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or rescinded at the annual meeting of the Association by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that written notification of the proposed change shall have been mailed to the entire membership at least 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting.

Article VII: Amendments
This Constitution may be amended at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that written notification of the proposed change shall have been mailed to the entire membership at least 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting.

Bylaws

Article I: Nominations and Elections
Section 1. At least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three, to be chaired by the Past President. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate and secure the consent of the candidates for the elective positions specified by the constitution and bylaws. Names of the candidates for office will be mailed to the entire membership at least four weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. The Nominating committee has the responsibility of maintaining balance of representation among the various types of libraries within the county.

Section 2. At the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall present the names of candidates for elective positions and ask for additional nominations from the floor. Election shall be by majority of vote of the members present and voting.

Section 3. Any vacancies in office shall be filled by a Nominating Committee (appointed by the President) and ratified by the Executive Board for the unexpired term of office.

Section 4. Elected officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director and Historian. President, Vice-President/President Elect and Historian will be elected on alternate years from Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Director.

Article II: Duties of Officers
The officers shall perform duties in accordance with their respective offices as defined in Robert's Rules of Order. The Secretary and Treasurer shall keep adequate records and shall make an annual report to the membership at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall submit a year-end report by June 15 each year. The records entrusted to their care shall be presented in good order to their successors.

Article III: Committees
The President shall appoint the following standing committees: Programming, Paraprofessional, Legislative and Communication. The Communications Committee shall consist of the newsletter editor (Committee Chair), the Webmaster, the Technology Coordinator, and the Public Relations Coordinator. The President shall appoint the following ad hoc committees: Nominating and Samuel F. Morrison Award. The President may appoint such other committees as deemed necessary. Appointed committees requiring the allocation of funds shall submit requests for said funds to the Executive Board. The Committee Chair shall be responsible for all records of expenditures and shall submit a final itemization of expenditures to the Treasurer at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Committee Terms shall exist for the duration of the current President's term of office.

Article IV: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this Association shall be from July 1 to June 30. At the annual meeting officers will be elected and installed to take office July 1.

Article V: Dues
Section 1. Annual individual dues for the Association shall be ten (10) dollars.

Section 2. Annual individual dues for students for the Association shall be five (5) dollars.

Section 3. Annual institutional dues for the Association shall be based on their operating budget for the current fiscal year:
$0 to $100,00 $30
$100,000 to $500,000 $40
$500,000 to 1,000,000 $50
over $1,000,000 $100

Section 4. Annual Dues for Friends of Libraries organizations shall be fifteen (15) dollars.

Section 5. Honorary members of the Association shall be exempt from the payment of dues.

Article VI: Parliamentary Authority
Business shall be transacted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, unless otherwise specified by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association.

Section 2. A minimum of 6 Executive Board Members must be present at each board meeting to hold an official meeting.