Texas Library Association District 7

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be District 7 of the Texas Library Association.

ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES

The purposes of District 7 shall be to promote library service in Texas as well as in the District, and to promote and support the programs of TLA by means of planned programs in the District.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Any person, organization, or institution, as a member of the Texas Library Association, is a member of District 7 if residing in or employed within the boundaries of the District. The Council of TLA shall set district boundaries.

ARTICLE IV. ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Officers

1. The officers of District 7 shall be Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Councilor, Alternate Councilor, and Immediate Past Chair. A Trustee Representative shall be selected to serve on the District Executive Committee.
2. 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. The Councilor and Alternate Councilor shall serve terms of three years or until a successor is elected.

Section 2. Duties

1. Chair
   The Chair shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly;
   2. Preside at District meetings;
   3. Supervise District Committee activities;
   4. Direct preparations (programming) of the District Fall meeting;
   5. Participate as a member of the TLA District Planning Committee;
   6. Assume the office of Immediate Past Chair upon completion of term.
2. Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect
   The Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly;
   2. Perform the duties of the Chair in absence of the officer;
   3. Participate as a member of the TLA District Planning Committee;
   4. Assume the office of Chair should that office be vacated before the expiration of elected term;
   5. Assume responsibility of planning the District Fall meeting;
   6. Complete other duties as requested by the District Chair.
3. Secretary
   The Secretary shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly;
   2. Record the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings and the District Fall meeting, sending file copies to the TLA office;
   3. File instant minutes and record and disseminate the follow-up official minutes of the District Caucus at Annual Conference and Annual Asembly;
   4. Report and maintain records and correspondence as deemed necessary by the Chair, Executive Committee and/or TLA;
   5. Take attendance at each meeting, reporting to the Executive Committee when a member has missed two meetings during tenure of office without due cause;
   6. Complete other duties as requested by the District Chair.
4. Councilor
   The Councilor shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly;
   2. Represent the district and vote at all TLA Council meetings held during TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly;
   3. Serve as liaison between the district and TLA and report on Council activities at the District Caucus held at TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly, and the District Fall meeting;
   4. Notify the District Chair and the Alternate Councilor should it be necessary to be absent from any meeting of TLA Council;
   5. Complete other duties as requested by the District Chair.
5. Alternate Councilor
   The Alternate Councilor shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly;
   2. Assume duties and responsibilities of TLA Councilor in the absence/vacancy of the officer;
   3. Complete other duties as requested by the District Chair.
6. Immediate Past Chair
   The Immediate Past Chair shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly if possible;
   2. Serve in an ex-officio capacity on the District Executive Committee;
   3. Offer additional measure of continuity to planning process;
   4. Complete other duties as requested by the District Chair.
7. Trustee Representative
   The Trustee Representative shall:
   1. Attend all District Executive Committee meetings, the District Fall meeting, TLA Annual Conference and Annual Assembly if possible;
   2. Serve as a liaison to Trustees within the district;
   3. Serve on the District Executive Board;
   4. Offer insights from the viewpoint of the trustee and/or user;
   5. Complete other duties as requested by the District Chair.

Section 3. Nominations and Elections

1. A Nominating Committee elected be the Executive Committee shall present a slate of candidates for all offices, with the exception of the Chair and Trustee Representative. There shall be at least two candidates for the office of Councilor. Nominations may be made from the floor.

2. Officers shall be elected annually at the regular business meeting during the District Fall meeting by a plurality of the members present.

3. 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.

Section 4. Executive Committee

1. The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Committee and shall administer the business of the unit when it is not in session.
2. The Executive Committee shall meet at TLA Annual Conference, TLA Annual Assembly, and the District Fall meeting. Other meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Chair or a majority of the Committee.
3. The Executive Committee shall elect a Nominating Committee and designate its Chair each year.

Section 5. Vacancies

1. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Chair, the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect shall become Chair for the remainder of that term and also serve the term to which the Chair-Elect has been elected.
2. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, the Executive Committee shall elect one of its members to fulfill the duties of Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect for the remainder of that term. A new Chair and Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect shall be chosen at the next general election.
3. If a vacancy occurs in both the Chair and Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect positions simultaneously, the President of the Texas Library Association shall appoint a new Chair, who shall proceed as outlined above.
4. If there is a vacancy in the office of Councilor, the Alternative Councilor shall become the Councilor and serve the remainder of the term.
5. If a vacancy occurs in any of the other elected officials, the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall fill the vacancy by appointment until the next general election.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held annually in conjunction with the TLA Annual Conference and TLA Annual Assembly. The District shall also hold a District Fall meeting. A registration fee in the amount agreed upon by the officers of the district shall be charged to defray the costs of each meeting.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

1. The Executive Committee shall elect a Nominating Committee and designate its Chair each year.

2. Other committees shall be created as needed by the Executive Committee or Chair. The Chair shall appoint the members and designate the Chair of each committee. The committees shall serve until their charges have been completed and reports have been accepted or until such time as the Executive Committee designates.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

Bylaws may be amended at any general membership meeting of the unit by a majority of the vote of the members present, provided such changes are consistent with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Texas Library Association.

ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The parliamentary authority governing District 7 meetings shall be the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.