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Open Comment Period: 2021-2022 Proposed Amendments to the APALA Constitution & Bylaws

APALA members are invited to submit comments about the following proposed Amendments to the APALA Constitution & Bylaws for 2021-2022. These proposed amendments were gathered from APALA’s Committee Chairs, Task Force Chairs and Executive Board Officers.

This comment period will stay open until Friday, February 18. 

Once the comment period closes, the APALA Constitution & Bylaws Committee will review any submissions and finalize Amendment language with the APALA Executive Board. Finalized proposed Amendments will then be adopted or rejected by the APALA membership by vote.

Suggested changes, comments or questions should be emailed to the APALA Constitution & Bylaws Committee by Friday, February 18 at 5:00pm PT at constitution@apalaweb.org.

Proposed Amendment 1

An amendment to the Constitution, Article II. Purpose: 

Current Wording

  • The purpose of this organization shall be:
    • To provide a forum for discussing problems and concerns of Asian/Pacific American librarians.
    • To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas by Asian/Pacific American librarians and other librarians.
    • To support and encourage library services to Asian/Pacific American communities.
    • To recruit and support Asian/Pacific American librarians in the library/information science professions.
    • To seek funding for scholarships in library/information science programs for Asian/Pacific Americans.
    • To provide a vehicle whereby Asian/Pacific American librarians can cooperate with other associations and organizations having similar or allied interests.
    • To assist and support the Asian/Pacific American librarian’s ethnic affiliates and allied organizations on initiatives, resolutions, statements and strategic goals with the mission of diversity.

Proposed Amendment

  • The purpose of this organization shall be:
    • To provide a forum for discussing problems and concerns of Asian American and Pacific Islander librarians.
    • To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas by Asian American and Pacific Islander librarians and other librarians.
    • To support and encourage library services to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
    • To recruit and support Asian American and Pacific Islander librarians in the library/information science professions.
    • To seek funding for scholarships in library/information science programs for Asian American and Pacific Islander community members.
    • To provide a vehicle whereby Asian American and Pacific Islander librarians can cooperate with other associations and organizations having similar or allied interests.
    • To assist and support allied organizations on initiatives, resolutions, statements and strategic goals with the mission of diversity.

Reasoning for Amendment

To bring language throughout the organization’s Constitution and By-Laws into alignment with the APALA Style Guide and the APALA Inclusive Language Guidelines.

Proposed Amendment 2

An amendment to the Constitution, Article III. Representation:

Current Wording

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.

Proposed Amendment 

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 many different ethnicities, nationalities, and cultural heritages of our communities.

Reasoning for Amendment

To bring language throughout the organization’s Constitution and By-Laws into alignment with the APALA Style Guide and the APALA Inclusive Language Guidelines.

Proposed Amendment 3

An amendment to the Constitution, Article IV. Membership:

Current Wording

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.

Proposed Amendment

Membership shall be open to individuals of Asian or Pacific Islander birth or descent working in United States libraries, information centers, and other such related organizations, and to individuals and organizations who support the goals and purposes of APALA.

Reasoning for Amendment

To bring language throughout the organization’s Constitution and By-Laws into alignment with the APALA Style Guide and the APALA Inclusive Language Guidelines.

Proposed Amendment 4

An amendment to the By-Laws, Article II, Section 3:

Current Wording

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES / 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 the annual program of APALA.

Proposed Amendment

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES / SECTION 3. The Vice-President/President Elect shall: (a) Perform the duties of the President during the President’s 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 the Vice-President’s term. (b) Assist the President in accomplishing the purposes of APALA. (c) Chair the Program Committee and plan the annual program of APALA.

Reasoning for Amendment

Removing gendered language.

Proposed Amendment 5

An amendment to the By-Laws, Article II, Section 6:

Current Wording

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES / SECTION 6. The Members at Large shall: Perform all such duties as assigned to him/her by the Executive Board.

Proposed Amendment

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES / SECTION 6. The Members at Large shall: Perform all such duties as assigned by the Executive Board.

Reasoning for Amendment

Removing gendered language.

Proposed Amendment 6

An amendment to the By-Laws, Article II, Section 5D:

Current Wording

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES / SECTION 5. The Treasurer shall: D. Have the authority to handle financial matters of $300 or less, while checks greater than $300 would require the signature of the Executive Director.

Proposed Amendment

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND DUTIES / SECTION 5. The Treasurer shall: D. Have the authority to handle financial matters of $750 or less, while checks greater than $750 would require the signature of the Executive Director.

Reasoning for Amendment

Allows the Treasurer to write checks at a higher amount, up to our largest grant disbursement. Most scholarships and awards now fall above the current threshold in the By-Laws, delaying check disbursement as the Treasurer and Executive Director require additional communication.