APALA members are invited to vote on the following proposed amendments to the current APALA Constitution & Bylaws. A “yes” vote will accept the proposed amendments; a “no” vote will reject the proposed amendments.
Proposed Amendment 1
An amendment to Bylaws Article II, Section 7(b):
Current Wording: “Serve on the Fundraising Committee and any other committee as ex-officio as appointed by the President.”
Proposed Amendment: Serve as chair of the Nominations Committee and a member of any other committee as ex-officio as appointed by the President.
Reasoning for amendment: To clarify the role of the Immediate Past President on the Nominations Committee and bring it in alignment with description of the Nominations Committee in ByLaws Article VI. Section 1.A; Remove membership in the fundraising committee to reflect current practice.
Proposed Amendment 2
An amendment to Bylaws Article VI, Section 2:
Current Wording: “Officers shall be elected by ballots sent to the entire APALA membership.”
Proposed Amendment: Officers shall be elected by ballots sent to the entire APALA membership, coordinated by the Nominations Committee.
Reasoning for amendment: to provide clarity and name the group that coordinates the elections.
Proposed Amendment 3
An amendment to Bylaws Article VI, Section 2:
Current Wording: “The person receiving the largest number of the votes for each office shall take office immediately following the ALA Annual Conference.”
Proposed Amendment: The person receiving the largest number of the votes for each office shall take office on July 1st of the election year.
Reasoning for amendment: to bring the Bylaws into current practice
Proposed Amendment 4
An amendment to Bylaws Article VI, Section 3:
Current Wording: “Recall shall take place if two-thirds (2/3) of the current paid membership approve by mail vote.”
Proposed Amendment: Recall shall take place if two-thirds (2/3) of the current paid membership approve by ballot.
Reasoning for amendment: to remove mail vote language and replace it with “ballot”, which opens up the possibility for an online ballot, reflecting current practice.
Proposed Amendment 5
An amendment to Bylaws Article X, Section 1:
Current Wording: “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.”
Proposed Amendment: The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall prepare and present amendments to the membership four weeks prior to the APALA election. Members shall be notified of proposed amendments through the APALA website and APALA listserv.
Reasoning for amendment: to bring the Bylaws in alignment with current practice.
Proposed Amendment 6
An amendment to Bylaws Article X, Section 2:
Current Wording: “Constitution/Bylaws of 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.”
Proposed Amendment: The APALA Constitution and Bylaws shall be amended by ballots sent to the entire APALA membership. Voting shall coincide with the annual APALA Officers election coordinated by the Nominations Committee. A proposed amendment shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the submitted ballots. Approved amendments shall take effect July 1st of the election year.
Reasoning for amendment: to align the timelines for the officer elections process with the amendment voting process.