APALA members are invited to submit comments about the following proposed Amendments to the APALA Constitution & Bylaws for 2022-2023. These proposed amendments were gathered from APALA’s Committee Chairs, Task Force Chairs and Executive Board Officers.
This comment period will stay open until Wednesday, February 1.
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 Wednesday, February 1 at 5:00pm PT at constitution@apalaweb.org.
Proposed Amendment 1
An amendment to the Constitution, Article IV. Membership:
Current Wording
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 others who support the goals and purposes of APALA.
Proposed Amendment
Membership shall be open to individuals of Asian or Pacific Islander birth or descent working in libraries, information centers, and other such related organizations, and to others who support the goals and purposes of APALA.
Reasoning for Amendment
Expands inclusion of members, regardless of where they are based.
Proposed Amendment 2
An amendment to the Bylaws, Article IV. Committees, Section 1:
Current Wording
The following shall constitute Standing Committees of the organization:
- Constitution and Bylaws
- Family Literacy Focus
- Finance and Fundraising
- Literature Awards
- Media and Publicity
- Membership
- Mentoring
- Nominations
- Program Planning
- Scholarships and 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 otherwise provides.
Proposed Amendment
Include “ k. Statement and Advocacy Committee” in between “j. Scholarships and Awards” and “Special committees or task forces…” on the list.
Reasoning for Amendment
The Statement and Advocacy Committee has been a task force previously (2 years) and now is a special committee. To be listed as a permanent APALA standing committee, it also needs to be in the Constitution and Bylaws.
Proposed Amendment 3
An amendment to the Bylaws, Article V. Chapters Section 6:
Current Wording
The chapter news shall be included in the APALA newsletter.
Proposed Amendment
The chapter news and updates shall be included in the APALA newsletter and the APALA website as needed.
Reasoning for Amendment
Clarifies that the chapter news will be available in the newsletter as well as the website (at the discretion of the chapters).
Proposed Amendment 4
An amendment to the Bylaws, Article XI. Dissolution:
Current Wording
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.
Proposed Amendment
In the event of dissolution of the Association, the Officers of the Association, with the approval of general membership, shall:
- Pay or make provisions for the payment of all Association Liabilities.
- Dispose of all assets of the Association to organizations exclusively for professional, charitable, cultural, or scientific purposes.
- Ensure that disposal of assets are to organizations that, at the time, qualify as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United State Internal Revenue Law.
Reasoning for Amendment
As it stands, Article XI is one sentence spanning about eight lines of text. We propose breaking this statement into smaller segments to enhance readability.