NMRT Bylaws
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TLA New Members Round Table Bylaws
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this organization shall be the New Members Round Table (NMRT) of the Texas Library Association (TLA).
ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES
The objectives and general purposes of this organization shall be:
- To bring together new librarians for orientation to the scope and potentialities of the profession;
- To acquaint them with the structure and purpose of TLA;
- To promote a greater feeling of responsibility among the newer members of TLA for the development of library service and librarianship in Texas.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any person who is a member of the Texas Library Association and who has been a member of TLA for ten years or less.
ARTICLE IV ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Officers
a. The designated officers shall be Chair; a Chair-Elect, who serves in subsequent one year terms for a total of three years as Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair; an Immediate Past Chair; Secretary/Treasurer; Newsletter Editor; Webmaster; Councilor; and Alternate Councilor.
b. All officers shall be members in good standing of the Round Table and residents of Texas.
c. Officers elected by the membership of the Round Table include the following: Chair-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer, Councilor, and Alternate Councilor.
d. Officers appointed by the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall be: Newsletter Editor and Webmaster.
e. Officers shall assume office immediately following the Texas Library Association Annual Conference and shall serve a term of one year or until a successor is elected or appointed. The Councilor and Alternate Councilor serve for three years or until a successor is elected.
f. These officers shall perform their duties as set forth in the TLA NMRT Standing Rules.
Section 2. Elections
a. A Nominating Committee consisting of three members shall be elected by the Executive Committee of NMRT. The NMRT Chair may not serve on this committee. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidates for the elective offices to the Executive Committee at the fall executive meeting. There shall be at least two candidates for the office of Councilor. Nominations may be made from the floor.
b. Officers shall be elected by mail, electronic ballot, or other method as permitted by the TLA Bylaws.
c. Officers shall be elected by a plurality vote of members returning ballots. The Councilor Candidate with the highest number of votes shall be elected Councilor. The candidate with the second highest number of votes shall become the Alternate Councilor. The Nominating Committee member to whom the ballots are returned shall count the votes and in the case of a tie, draw a name by lot to determine a winner.
Section 3. Executive Committee
a. The elected and appointed officers, including the Past Chair, and the chairs of the standing committees shall constitute the Executive Committee and shall administer the business of the unit when it is not in session.
b. The Executive Committee shall meet at TLA Annual Conference and TLA Annual Assembly. Other meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Chair or a majority of the Committee.
c. A majority of members of the Executive Committee present shall constitute a quorum for Executive Committee Meetings.
Section 4. Vacancies
a. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Chair, the Chair-elect shall become Chair for the remainder of that term and also serve the term to which the Chair-Elect had be elected.
b. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Chair-Elect, the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint a member to fulfill the duties of the Chair Elect for the remainder of that term, which shall include the subsequent terms as Chair and Immediate Past Chair.
c. If a vacancy occurs in any of the other elected offices, the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall fill the vacancy by appointment until the next general election.
d. If a vacancy occurs in both the Chair and Chair-Elect positions, the President of the Texas Library Association shall appoint a new Chair, who shall proceed as outlined above.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS AND QUORUMS
a. Regular business meetings of the Round Table shall be held during the Annual Conference and Annual Assembly of the Texas Library Association.
b. Special meetings may be called upon the request of one-fifth of the members.
c. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, those TLA/NMRT members who are present at the Round Table business meetings during the Annual Conference and Annual Assembly of the Texas Library Association shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES
a. Committees may be created as needed by the Executive Committee or the Chair. The Chair designates the chair of each committee, and appoints the members. The committees shall serve until their charges have been completed and reports have been accepted or until such time as the Executive Committee designates.
b. There shall be the following standing committees: Exhibit Booth, Nominating, Orientation, Outstanding New Librarian Award, Program, Outreach, TLA/NMRT Endowment, and the TLA/NMRT Quality Books Inc. Professional Development Grant. Committee appointments shall be for one year.
ARTICLE VII PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, shall govern this Round Table in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws of the Texas Library Association.
ARTICLE VIII BYLAWS AMENDMENT
a. Bylaws may be amended at any general membership meeting of the unit by a majority vote of the members present, or by a majority of votes cast by mail, provided such changes are consistent with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Texas Library Association.
b. Changes to be voted on at the TLA Annual Conference must be submitted in writing to all members at least one month prior to the Annual Conference at which the proposed change is to be considered.
Submitted to and approved by the TLA Bylaws & Resolutions Committee on July 28, 2009.
Voted on and adopted by NMRT members on July 29, 2009.
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NMRT Rules & Procedures
I. MEMBERSHIP
Members shall receive all general New Members Round Table mailings.
II. OFFICERS
A. Chair
The Chair shall:
- Preside at all meetings of the Round Table and its Executive Committee;
- Establish, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, any standing committees, special committees, or liaison positions;
- Make appointments as needed, with the approval of the Executive Committee;
- Serve as an ex-officio member of each committee;
- Involve the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect in the operation of the Round Table;
- Assume the office of Immediate Past Chair after serving as Chair.
B. Chair-Elect
The Chair-Elect Shall:
- Preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair;
- Assume the office of Chair if that office should be vacated;
- Serve as Chair of Nominating Committee;
- Make arrangements for the Fall Executive Committee Meeting, if held;
- Assume the office of Chair after serving as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect.
C. Immediate Past Chair
The Immediate Past Chair shall:
- Coordinate the mentor program;
- Shall perform other duties as assigned by the Chair and the Executive Committee.
D. Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer shall:
- Keep minutes of all business meetings of the Round Table and its Executive Committee;
- Maintain financial records of the Round Table;
- Handle routine correspondence.
E. Newsletter Editor
The Newsletter Editor shall:
- Act as editor of the newsletter;
- Liaison with the officers and standing committees chairs of the Round Table.
F. Webmaster
The Webmaster shall:
- Design the TLA NMRT website;
- Maintain the TLA NMRT web pages;
- Liaison between TLA NMRT and the TLA Webmaster;
- Liaison with the officers and standing committee chairs of the Round Table.
G. Councilor
The Councilor shall:
- Attend all meetings of the TLA Council;
- Submit all resolutions from the Round Table that require Council action;
- Communicate Council proceedings to the Executive Committee at Committee meetings and to the membership at regular business meetings;
- Prepare and submit to TLA the TLA Annual Assembly Progress Report and the TLA Annual Conference End of Year Progress Report for the Round Table in consultation with the Chair.
H. Councilor-Alternate
The Counilor-Alternate shall:
- Perform the duties of the Councilor if said officer is unable to do so.
III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. The Round Table's business may be conducted by e-mail between meetings.
B. An Executive Committee member who wishes to bring an issue to an e-vote may submit it to the Chair who sends it to the Committee for a vote.
C. A majority of the Executive Committee responding to an e-vote within the time specified by the Chair determines the outcome.
IV. MEETINGS
A. A Fall Executive Committee meeting shall be held between Annual Assembly and Annual Conference. This may be an e-meeting with the approval of the Executive Board.
B. If an Executive Committee member is unable to attend an Executive Committee meeting or a regular business meeting, a written progress report will be submitted to the Chair prior to the meeting.
V. COMMITTEES
A standing committee may be declared inactive for a specified period with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee.
VI. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION
A. This organization will maintain a relationship with the American Library Association's New Members Round Table.
B. The NMRT Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, may appoint a TLA NMRT ALA Affiliate Council Representative, who serves as an officer and member of the Executive Committee of NMRT.
C. The TLA NMRT ALA Affiliate Council Representative shall:
- Attend American Library Association New Member Round Table meetings at the ALA Midwinter and ALA Annual Conferences as the representative of TLA NMRT;
- Liaison between TLA NMRT and ALA NMRT
VII. STANDING RULES
A. Shall be adopted by majority vote of the Executive Committee.
B. May be amended or rescinded by majority vote of the Executive Committee
Approved by TLA Bylaws Committee March 29, 2001.
Adopted by mail vote by NMRT membership September 17, 2001.