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CONSTITUTION
AND BYLAWS Adopted July
2, 1980 N.Y. CONSTITUTION
The name of this organization shall be Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, hereafter referred to as APALA. The organization will be incorporated in the sate of Illinois. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE The purpose of this organization shall be: 1. To provide a forum for discussing problems and concerns of Asian/Pacific American librarians. 2. To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas by Asian/Pacific American librarians and other librarians. 3. To support and encourage library services to Asian/Pacific American communities. 4. To recruit and support Asian/Pacific American librarians in the library/information science professions. 5. To seek funding for scholarships in library/information science programs for Asian/Pacific Americans. 6. To provide a vehicle whereby Asian/Pacific American librarians can cooperate with other associations and organizations having similar or allied interests. ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATION In all of the activities of this organization, including the nominations of officers and in committee assignments, every genuine effort will be made for geographic representation as well as participation of members representing the various Asian/Pacific ethnic groups. ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP Membership shall be open to all librarians/information specialists of Asian/Pacific descent working in the United States libraries/information centers and other such related organizations and to others who support the goals and purposes of APALA. Asian/Pacific Americans are defined as those who consider themselves Asian/Pacific Americans. They may be Americans of Asian/Pacific descent, or Asian/Pacific people with the status of permanent residency, or Asian/Pacific people living in the United States. ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BOARD SECTION 1. The Executive Board: The Executive Board shall consist of officers of the Association, the immediate past president, and two members-al-large elected for two-year terms from among the general membership, as provided in the Bylaws. SECTION 2. Management: The Executive Board shall serve as the management board of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association. As the decision-making body, it shall act for the Association in the administration of established policies and programs. It shall report on its activities not later than the next meeting of the association. SECTION 3: Duties and terms of the officers of the Executive Board are those Board are those forth in the By-laws of the constitution. SECTION 4. A majority shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Board. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS The constitution of APALA may be emended as provided in the Bylaws.
BYLAWS
SECTION 1. Membership dues shall be paid annually, on a graduated scale for regular members, students/unemployed members and organizations. SECTION 2. The Executive Board may review the membership dues from time to time, and may place before the Annual General Assembly Meeting for changes of such dues. Final approval of such changes of dues shall be determined by a simple majority of members present at the annual General Meeting. SECTION 3. Only paid members shall have the rights and privileges of voting and holding office. Organization shall have one vote. SECTION 4. On receipt of dues, new members shall be sent a copy of the Constitution/Bylaws and a newsletter subscription. ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES SECTION 1. The officers of this organization shall be: a) President These four officers, the immediate past president and two elected members-at-large shall constitute the Executive Board. SECTION 2. The President shall: (a) President at all meetings of the APALA, shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations committee, and shall be empowered to fill all vacancies by appointment in consultation with the Executive Board. (b) Manage all the activities of APALA, as well as the coordination and direction of such activities. (c) Co-sign with the Treasurer on financial accounts of APALA, as well as exercise authority to appropriate funds and control the expenses. (d) Present annual budget and report to the General Meeting and be the spokesperson, representative, and correspondent for APALA in its external activities. SECTION 3. The Vice-President/President Elect shall: (a) Perform the duties of the President during his/her absence and shall fill the office of President should it become vacant before the next election. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President the next year following his/her term as Vice-President. (b) Assist the President in accomplishing the purposes of APALA. (c) Chair the Program Committee and plan annual program of APALA. SECTION 4. The Secretary shall: (a) Prepare the agenda and notify the members of the Executive Committee and general members of forthcoming meetings fifteen (15) days prior to the date of such meeting. (b) Prepare and make the correspondence of APALA. Respond to correspondence of APALA in consultation with the president and maintain files of the current year. (c) Maintain a list of members and volunteers for various functions of APALA. (d) Make sure that minutes of the Executive Committee and General Meetings are maintained properly. (e) Perform all duties incidental to the office of the General Secretary and as such other duties as assigned by the Executive Board. (f) In absence of the President and Vice-President, the General Secretary will preside over the Executive Board. (g) In coordination with the Chair of the Membership Committee, shall maintain a current membership list of paid and non-paid members. SECTION 5. The Treasure shall: (a) Collect dues, keep a record of members, shall maintain an accurate accounting of all receipts and disbursement and make semi-annual status report after they have been reviewed by the Finance Committee. (b) Make disbursements only upon the order of the APALA President. (c) Deposit all monies received in the name of APALA at a bank or savings and Loan Institution. (d) Has the authority to handle financial matters of $99.00 or less, while checks greater than $99.00 would require the signature of the President. SECTION 6. The Members at Large shall: (a) Perform all such duties as assigned to him/her by the Executive Board. (b) Aid the Executive Board in the execution of its duties. ARTICLE III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SECTION 1. The position of Executive Director of Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association is appointed without stipend by the President in consultation with the Vice President/President Elect and approved by the Executive Board. SECTION 2. The Executive Director is an ex-officio member of the Executive Board. SECTION 3. The Executive Director reports to the President of APALA. SECTION 4. The Executive Director is appointed for a three-year term. The Executive Director may be reappointed for consecutive terms. SECTION 5. The duties of the Executive Director will include: (a) Act as the chief administrative
officer of APALA. SECTION 6. In case, the Executive Director does not perform to the satisfaction of the President or Executive Board, the Executive Board can take final action to remove the Executive Director. ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES SECTION 1. The following shall constitute Standing Committees of the organization: a) Awards Special committees or Task Forces that will support the goals and purposes of the organization can be appointed by the Executive Board. The life of a special committee or task force shall be limited to one year unless the Executive Board shall otherwise provide. SECTION 2. Each committee shall consist of at least three (3) members. All paid APALA members can volunteer or be nominated to serve on a committee. Appointments to committees will be made by the President in consultation with the Executive Board. SECTION 3. Standing Committee members shall serve one (1) year terms and shall be eligible for reappointment. SECTION 4. The Program Committee shall be responsible for planning the annual conference. The Finance Committee shall review all financial matters and the Awards Committee shall handle the selection of the "Awardee of the Year." SECTION 5. The duties of the other Standing Committees, Special Committees and Task Forces shall be assigned by the Executive Board. ARTICLE V. CHAPTERS SECTION 1. Ten (10) or more members can form a chapter for ease of communication, so that librarians in one local area can discuss and act on mutual problems and interests; with the approval of the Executive Board. SECTION 2. A chapter Chairperson, elected by chapter membership, will call all meetings. SECTION 3. Chapters can meet on their own as needed. SECTION 4. The chapter may by a majority vote, impose dues as it deems necessary in addition to APALA membership dues. SECTION 5. The chapter may draw up its own Bylaws, providing that there is no conflict with the APALA Constitution/Bylaws. The existence and eradication of such a conflict shall be determined by the Executive Board. SECTION 6. The chapter news shall be included in the APALA newsletter. ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS AND RECALL OF OFFICERS SECTION 1. A Nominations committee of three (3) past presidents of the APALA shall nominate candidates for the office of Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as two member-at-large of the Executive Board. The immediate past president shall serve as chair of the committee while two members shall be appointed by the president by the time of the ALA Midwinter Meeting. If the immediate past president can not serve, the president shall appoint the chair. SECTION 2. Officers shall be elected by ballots mailed to the entire APALA membership within four weeks preceding the ALA Annual Conference. The person receiving the largest number of the votes for each office shall take office immediately following the ALA Annual Conference. SECTION 3. Preceedings for recall of the President, Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer or member-at-large of the Executive Board may be originated by a petition of twenty (20) percent of the membership or at least 20 members of APALA and a special meeting called to hear arguments of the parties concerned. A summary transcript of the entire proceedings shall be sent to every member together with a secret ballot. Recall shall take place if two-thirds (2/3) of the current paid membership approve by mail vote. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS SECTION 1. An annual membership meeting shall be held in conjunction with the ALA Annual Conference. Membership meetings may be called in connection with the ALA Mid-winter Meeting as decided by the Executive Board. Notices of the general membership meetings shall be distributed to the entire membership. SECTION 2. Decision shall be made on the basis of simple majority vote of paid members in attendance unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws. Each APALA member has one vote. SECTION 3. The Executive Board shall have a regular meeting to be announced in the APALA newsletter. It shall be open to all APALA members. ARTICLE VIII. NAME OF SPONSORSHIP SECTION 1. All project plans or proposals must be submitted to the Publicity and Program Committee for review and recommendation. Final approval of the Executive Board is required before any action and/or implementation is taken with the APALA name used for endorsement. ARTICLE IX. Books, Records, Official Address, and Audit SECTION 1. Books and Records: The records of APALA shall consist of its Articles of Incorporation, by-laws and amendments thereto, minutes of all General, Executive Board, and Special meetings, register of members, financial documents, inventories and such other Records. SECTION 2: Audit of accounts: Before the closing of every fiscal year, the Finance Committee members of APALA shall audit the books of account, to be presented by the Treasurer to the annual general meeting of the members. SECTION 4. All records of APALA shall be open to all office bearers; and by advance approval of at least one elected office bearer, to any member subject to allotment of reasonable time and place of examination. ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS SECTION 1. The Constitution/Bylaws Committee shall prepare and present amendments to the membership at the annual meeting. Members shall be notified of proposed amendments through the APALA Newsletter. SECTION 2. Constitution/Bylaws of the APALA may be amended by ballots mailed to the entire APALA membership within four weeks after its discussion at the membership meeting. A proposed amendment shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the returned mail ballots. ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION In the event of dissolution of the Association, the Officers of the Association, with the approval of general membership, shall after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the Association exclusively for the purpose of the Association, in such a manner or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for professional, charitable, cultural or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law. ARTICLE XII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY SECTION 1. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority of this organization. ARTICLE XIII. IMPLEMENTATION SECTION 1. This document shall become effective when adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members.
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