Texas Library Association
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group

B   Y   L   A   W   S

Article I.  NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group of the Texas Library Association.

Article II.  OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group shall be:

1. to provide a forum for the discussion of activities, programs, and challenges for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered librarians, archivists, and other information specialists;

2. to contribute to the educational awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered issues, services, and collections within the profession and the communities that we serve.

Article III.  MEMBERSHIP

Any member of the Texas Library Association may select membership in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group. Officers must be current members of the Texas Library Association.

Article IV.  ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.  Officers

1. The officers of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered  Interest Group shall be Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-elect, Secretary/Treasurer, Councilor, Alternate Councilor, and Immediate Past Chair.

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 serve for three years or until a successor is elected.

3. The officers of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group shall perform those duties usually attached to their offices and all duties as prescribed in the TLA Bylaws and Standing Rules.

Section 2.  Elections

1. A Nominating Committee, elected by the Executive Committee of

2. the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group, shall present a slate of candidates for all offices.  There shall be at least two candidates for the office of Councilor.  Nominations may be made from the floor.

3. Officers shall be elected at a regular business meeting during

4. Annual Conference by a plurality of the members present. 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 3.  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.  The Immediate Past Chair is a member of the Executive Committee.

2. The Executive Committee shall meet at the TLA Annual Conference and TLA Annual Assembly.  Other meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Chair or a majority of the Committee.

Section 4.  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 had been elected.

2. 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.

3. If a vacancy occurs in both the Chair and Vice-Chair/Chair-elect positions, the Executive Committee of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Interest Group shall appoint a new Chair, who shall proceed as outlined above.

Article V.  MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held annually in conjunction with the TLA Annual Conference.

Article VI.  COMMITTEES

Committees may be created as needed by the Executive Committee or the 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 to the BYLAWS

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

Adopted March 30, 2001.