Palm Beach County Library Association
Bylaws
Article I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be: PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Article II. PURPOSE
Section A.
The Palm Beach County Library Association is a county‐wide professional library organization committed to the support and advancement of libraries and those interested in library service, through professional development, networking opportunities, and advocacy.
Section B.
The Palm Beach County Library Association will fulfill this mission by:
•Promoting professional growth of its members.
• Supporting library initiatives and services throughout the county.
•Encouraging cooperation among libraries, librarians, staff and supporters.
•Communicating to association members and the public on library matters.
•Providing professional support and assistance to members of PBCLA.
Article III. MEMBERS
Section A. Eligibility
Membership is open to any person interested in libraries and librarianship.
Section B. Dues
1. A dues schedule shall be set by the Board of Directors and reviewed as needed.
2. Membership may be accepted at any time and will be valid one year from the date paid.
3. Holding office, making motions, voting, and all other privileges of membership shall be limited to those persons whose dues are paid.
4. Membership roster maintained, updated, and archived based on paid and unpaid memberships on a schedule determined by the Board.
Article IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
Section A. Officers
1. Officers shall be the President, Past President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chair and three (3) Directors. Directors shall be: from academic libraries (1), from public libraries (1) and at large (1). Officers are to be elected each year. When circumstances do not allow for this, length of term may be adjusted to maintain the balance of the election cycle, but not to exceed three years.
2. The officers must maintain current membership for the duration of their term.
3. The officers shall perform the usual duties of office and those duties prescribed by the Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.
4. All Board offices up for election, with the exception of Immediate Past President, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and assume their official duties at the close of the Annual Meeting.
5. The term of office for President, Past President, and President Elect shall be one (1) year.
6. The term of office for Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chair and three (3) Directors shall be (2) years with the ability to be elected for one (1) additional successive term in the same office.
7. A vacancy in the membership of the Board, except in the office of President, shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board electing an eligible member of the Association to serve out the remainder of the term. If the office of President becomes vacant, the President Elect shall fill it, in the capacity of Acting President, until the next election.
8. An officer having three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from Board and/or general membership meetings may be removed from office. Removal of office shall require a majority vote of two thirds (2/3) of the Board.
Section B. Nominations
1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of a minimum of three Association members selected by the Board.
2. It shall be the duty of the Nominating committee to nominate candidates, with the nominees’ consent, for the offices to be filled at the Annual Meeting.
3. Elections will be electronic ballots and will include a write-in option; members will have two weeks to submit their ballots. Election of officers shall be by electronic ballot.
Article V. MEETINGS
Section A.
Meetings will be set by the Board, at a time and a date convenient for the members and the host library.
Section B.
The Annual Meeting will be held in the last quarter of the fiscal year.
Section C.
The members present shall constitute a quorum.
Article VI. BOARD
Section A.
The Board shall consist of the duly elected officers.
Section B.
The Board shall conduct the general supervision of the affairs of the Association.
Section C.
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at the times and dates to be determined by the Board. The President shall call the first meeting.
Section D.
A quorum shall be a majority of Board members.
Article VII. COMMITTEES
Section A.
Committees may be created by the Board as required.
Section B.
The makeup, purpose, and governance of each committee will be included in the charge as defined in the Policies and Procedures.
Article VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Parliamentary authority shall be Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, latest edition, when not in conflict with these Bylaws.
Article IX. AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by a two‐thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting of the Association or by electronic vote at any time within 30 days.
Amended 6/21/2023