APSL+Constitution+and+Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL LIBRARIANS Revised 6/2011

Article I: Name of Organization The name of this organization shall be The Association of Philadelphia School Librarians, officially abbreviated as APSL, and hereafter in this document referred to as the Association.

Article II: Purpose The purpose of this Association shall be to:

• Promote the development of quality library service to the students of Philadelphia and the interests of its members, • To compare and exchange ideas; and • To unite the endeavors of the professional librarians to promote legislative, civic, educational, technological, and social measures in the development of libraries.

Article III: Membership Section 1. Membership is open to any person with Pennsylvania state school library certification currently working in a school library environment in Philadelphia and paying the full membership fee. Section 2. An associate membership is open to any person interested in school library concerns and paying a partial membership fee. These associates include, but are not restricted to, those persons working in a school library without the benefit of Pennsylvania state school library certification, all retirees who have worked in Philadelphia school libraries, and friends. Section 3. The School District of Philadelphia Library Media Supervisor or equivalent is invited to join APSL as a general member, paying certified librarian dues. The L.M. Supervisor may be invited to attend executive board meetings in whole or in part, or may request to be included to speak on an item on the executive board meeting agenda.

Article IV: Officers Section 1. The officers of this Association, referred to as the Executive Board or Board, shall be a President, a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, a Membership Chair, and representatives at large. Section 2. The number of representatives at large will be a minimum of six (6) up to a total number representing ten percent (10%) of SDP certified school librarians in the school year of the vote. Section 3. These officers shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association and perform the duties described in these bylaws. Section 4. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at least five (5) times per year. Upon request, they may be open to any voting member during an open portion of the meeting. Section 5. If a vacancy should occur in an elective office, it shall be filled by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board. Section 6. The immediate past President shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board for the first term of the succeeding President.

Article V: Duties of Officers Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Board, and be the official representative of the Association, shall perform all duties pertaining to the office, and be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee. Section 2. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President or if the President is unable to fulfill his or her duties. The Vice President shall perform all other duties as the President may direct. Section 3. The Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of the Association meetings and of the Executive Board; shall be custodian of the records of the Association, and shall serve as President in the absence of the President and Vice President. The Recording secretary shall perform all other duties as the President may direct. Section 4. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to all correspondence. He or she shall perform such other duties as the President may direct. Section 5. The Treasurer shall collect and give receipts for all dues, and receive all monies for the Association, depositing it in the name of the Association in a bank designated by the Executive Board. Disbursements shall be made upon order of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep an itemized account of the receipts and disbursements and present a report at all meetings of the Association and Executive Board. Section 6. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in all duties. He or she shall perform the duties of the treasurer in his or her absence, or if the Treasurer is unable to fulfill his or her duties. Section 7. Members of the Executive Board must not miss three (3) consecutive meetings (including General Membership and Executive Board). If an Executive Board member misses three consecutive meetings, the member may be replaced by a 2/3 vote of those in attendance at the next Executive Board meeting. Article VI: Elections Method and Timeline Section 1. Each officer shall be elected biennially, in the Spring of even numbered years. The calendar used for determination of dates shall be that of the School District of Philadelphia. Section 2. A Nominating Committee to be appointed by the Executive Board will accept nominations and certify eligibility of nominees. No elected President or Vice President may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms. Section 3. Voting for officers shall be by a two-envelope ballot system to preserve anonymity and to determine that all voting members have exercised their rights to vote. The first envelope shall contain the ballot. This is to be placed in the second envelope, which the voting member shall sign. Section 4. Ballots will be mailed by the first school day of March. Section 5. The nominating committee will count the ballots on the first school day of April. Any member wishing to observe the counting of the ballots may do so. Section 6. Election results will be published by the first school day in May. Section 7. In the event of a tie, that section of the ballot shall be recast. Section 8. Terms of office shall begin at the close of the June meeting. Section 9. The Membership Chair will maintain the official ballot count for the duration of the newly elected Board members term of office. Such ballot count will be considered in the event that an officer or member at large should need to be replaced (unless otherwise specified).

Article VII: Committees Section 1. The standing committee of the Association shall be Membership. The Executive Board shall appoint additional committees as needed. Section 2. Associate members are welcomed and encouraged to serve on all committees. Section 3. No committee shall incur expenses on behalf of the Association except as authorized by the Executive Board.

Article VIII: General Membership Meetings Section 1. General membership meetings shall be held at least two (2) times per year, at a time and place determined by the Executive Board. Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board or may be requested in writing by five voting members. Section 3. The first fall meeting shall be known as the Annual Membership Meeting, for the purpose of announcing programs and budget, and for receiving reports of officers and committees. Section 4. Fifteen voting members present at any general membership meeting of the Association shall constitute a quorum. Section 5. A simple majority of votes cast is sufficient for passage of any motion on the floor.

Article IX: Dues Section 1. Section 1. The dues for members (voting) and associate members (non-voting) of this Association shall be determined by a vote of the Executive Board, to take effect on September 1 following the vote. Annual dues are to be paid on or before the first general membership meeting, although dues will be accepted throughout the school year. Annual memberships expire August 31st of each year. Section 2. Members must be current in their dues in order to vote.

Article X: Amendments Section 1. A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board for review. Section 2. The Executive Board shall present any amendment deemed appropriate to the general membership through electronic mail and/or posted mail at least two (2) weeks in advance of voting. The mailing will include the date of the general membership where discussion and voting will take place. Section 3. An amendment shall become effective upon approval by 2/3 of the voting members present at the designated meeting.

Article XI: Authority The latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all deliberation of the Association in all cases where they are applicable, and when they are not inconsistent with the Association's Constitution and Bylaws.

Article XII: Implementation Section 1. Revised Bylaws replaces all existing Constitutions and Bylaws, and shall take effect immediately following approval of the membership.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL LIBRARIANS Revised 2004

CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name of Organization The name of this organization shall be The Association of Philadelphia School Librarians, officially abbreviated as APSL, and hereafter in this document referred to as the Association.

Article II: Purpose The purpose of this Association shall be to: • Promote the development of quality library service to the students of Philadelphia and the interests of its members, • To compare and exchange ideas; and • To unite the endeavors of the professional librarians to promote legislative, civic, educational, technological, and social measures in the development of libraries. •  Article III: Membership Section 1. Membership is open to any person with Pennsylvania state school library certification currently working in a school library in Philadelphia. Section 2. An associate membership is open to any person interested in school library concerns and paying a partial membership fee, determined by the Executive Board. These associates include, but are not restricted to, those persons working in a school library without the benefit of Pennsylvania state school library certification, and all retirees who have worked in Philadelphia school libraries.

Article IV: Officers Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, a Membership Chair, and twelve (12) representatives at large. Election of these officers shall take place biannually. Section 2. The officers will constitute the Executive Board. The Executive Board will conduct the business of the Association.

Article V: Amendments Section 1. A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board for review. Section 2. The Executive Board shall present any amendment deemed appropriate to the general membership through electronic mail and/or posted mail at least two (2) weeks in advance of voting. The mailing will include the date of the general membership where discussion and voting will take place. Section 3. An amendment shall become effective upon approval by 2/3 of the voting members present at the designated meeting.

BYLAWS

Article I: Officers and Elections Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, a Membership Chair, and twelve (12) representatives at large. Section 2. These officers shall perform the duties described in these bylaws. Section 3. Each officer shall be elected biennially, in the Spring of even numbered years. Terms of office shall begin at the close of the June meeting. Section 4. A Nominating Committee to be appointed by the Executive Board will accept nominations and certify eligibility of nominees. Section 5. If a vacancy should occur in an elective office, it shall be filled by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board. Section 6. No elected President or Vice President may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms. Section 7. The immediate past President shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board for the first term of the succeeding President.

Article II: Executive Board Section 1. These officers shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association. Section 2. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at least five (5) times per year. Upon request, they may be open to any voting member during an open portion of the meeting.

Article III: General Membership Meetings Section 1. General membership meetings shall be held at least two (2) times per year, at a time and place determined by the Executive Board. Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board or may be requested in writing by five voting members. Section 3. The first fall meeting shall be known as the Annual Membership Meeting, for the purpose of announcing programs and budget, and for receiving reports of officers and committees. Section 4. Fifteen voting members present at any general membership meeting of the Association shall constitute a quorum. Section 5. A simple majority of votes cast is sufficient for passage of any motion on the floor.

Article IV: Dues Section 1. The dues for members of this Association shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per year, to be paid on or before the first general meeting. Annual memberships expire August 31st of each year. Section 2. Dues for associate members shall be $10.00 per year, to be paid on or before the first general meeting. Annual memberships expire August 31st of each year. Section 3. Members must be current in their dues in order to vote.

Article V: Duties of Officers Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Board, and be the official representative of the Association, shall perform all duties pertaining to the office, and be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee. Section 2. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President or if the President is unable to fulfill his or her duties. The Vice President shall perform all other duties as the President may direct. Section 3. The Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of the Association meetings and of the Executive Board; shall be custodian of the records of the Association, and shall serve as President in the absence of the President and Vice President. The Recording secretary shall perform all other duties as the President may direct. Section 4. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to all correspondence. He or she shall perform such other duties as the President may direct. Section 5. The Treasurer shall collect and give receipts for all dues, and receive all monies for the Association, depositing it in the name of the Association in a bank designated by the Executive Board. Disbursements shall be made upon order of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep an itemized account of the receipts and disbursements and present a report at all meetings of the Association and Executive Board. Section 6. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in all duties. He or she shall perform the duties of the treasurer in his or her absence, or if the Treasurer is unable to fulfill his or her duties. Section7. Members of the Executive Board must not miss three (3) consecutive meetings (including General Membership and Executive Board). If an Executive Board member misses three consecutive meetings, the member may be replaced by a 2/3 vote of those in attendance at the next Executive Board meeting.

Article VI: Elections Section 1. Elections shall be held in the spring of even years. The calendar used for determination of dates shall be that of the School District of Philadelphia. Section 2. Voting for officers shall be by a two-envelope ballot system to preserve anonymity and to determine that all voting members have exercised their rights to vote. The first envelope shall contain the ballot. This is to be placed in the second envelope, which the voting member shall sign. Section 3. Ballots will be mailed by the first school day of March. Section 4. The nominating committee will count the ballots on the first school day of April. Any member wishing to observe the counting of the ballots may do so. Section 5. Election results will be published by the first school day in May. Section 6. In the event of a tie, that section of the ballot shall be recast. Section 7. The Membership Chair will maintain the official ballot count for the duration of the newly elected Board members term of office. Such ballot count will be considered in the event that an officer or member at large should need to be replaced (unless otherwise specified).

Article VII: Committees Section 1. The standing committee of the Association shall be Membership. Additional committees shall be appointed by the Executive Board as needed. Section 2. Associate members are welcomed and encouraged to serve on all committees. Section 3. No committee shall incur expenses on behalf of the Association except as authorized by the Executive Board.

Article VIII: Amendments to the Bylaws These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of members present and voting, providing the amendment has been properly submitted. Article IX: Authority The latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all deliberation of the Association in all cases where they are applicable, and when they are not inconsistent with the Association's Constitution and Bylaws.

Article X: Implementation Section 1. This revised Constitution and Bylaws replaces all existing Constitutions and Bylaws, and shall take effect immediately following approval of the membership.