NMRT 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 Vice-Chair, who serves in subsequent one year terms for a total of three years as Vice-Chair/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: Vice-Chair/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. Ballots, with a brief biographical sketch and statement of concern from each nominee, shall be mailed to Round Table members not less than six weeks prior to the TLA Annual Conference and returned to a designated member of the Nominating Committee postmarked not later than twnety-one days prior to the first day of the Annual Conference. Ballots shall provide for write-in votes.

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, TLA Annual Assembly, and the Fall Executive Committee Meeting. 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 Vice Chair/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 Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint a member to fulfill the duties of the Vice-Chair/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 Vice-Chair 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: Bag Check, 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.