Job Description for a TLA Councilor

MEMBER: TLA COUNCIL

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

TLA Councilors govern the Texas Library Association and determine its policy except where the Bylaws assign responsibility otherwise.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COUNCILOR:

Approves the annual budget of TLA which is prepared and recommended by the Budget Committee. The Executive Board has the power to amend the adopted budget within the limits of the total amount approved;
Chooses annually, by lottery, one Unit Councilor to serve on the TLA Budget Committee;
Authorizes a membership referendum on questions of policy;
Fills vacancies in the office of Treasurer and among the Representatives-At-Large on the Executive Board;
Grants permission, by majority vote, for TLA members other than Councilors to speak on issues at Council meetings;
Resolves a conflict in election of officers;
Approves all proposed amendments to the Bylaws. A 2/3 vote of Council is required to amend Articles VII, IX, X, XII. Amendments to other Articles must be submitted to membership after approval by Council;
Retains all powers not otherwise provided for in the Bylaws;
Votes and speaks on all Council matters and actions. Voting members of Council are: President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, ALA Councilor, Five Representatives-At-Large, Councilors of Units (or their Alternates): Divisions, Districts, Round Tables;
No person shall have more than one vote on Council;
Non-voting Members of Council: Speaks at Council but does not vote. Non-voting members of Council are: Executive Director, TLA Legal Counsel, Chairs of organizations affiliated with TLA; Chairs of Standing Committees, Councilors of Interest Groups;
Represents, speaks for and reports for constituents of Unit, Affiliate, Interest Group or Standing Committee at Council meetings and to TLA Executive Board if so requested; and
Reports to constituents concerning Council and TLA Executive Board actions on votes that affect the Association or the Group.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

All members of Council shall be TLA members in good standing and residents of Texas and must have paid Association dues by February 1.
In the event a member of Council, other than an Executive Board member, is absent without due cause from two meetings during tenure of office, the position shall be declared vacant by Council and a new election shall take place according to the Unit Bylaws.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:

Organizational structure of the Association goals of the Association and of the consultant group represented

Parliamentary procedure - in order to conduct the business of Council in an orderly and effective manner

Mental Applications:

Prepares self by reading all Council materials in a timely manner

Accountability:

Reports all considered Council actions to constituents and receives input

Represents constituent group at Council meetings but may exercise independent judgment when there is no directive

Reports Council actions to constituent group

Performs other activities as required in Unit's or organization's Bylaws

Attends Council meetings and participates in activities even without specific instructions or guidance from Unit

Brings to Council all appropriate action of Unit requiring Council approval

Provides to Council written reports of Unit’s activities

AUTHORITY FOR JOB DESCRIPTION:

TLA BYLAWS:

1.) Article VI Sec. 2 (a)
2.) Article VI Sec. 2 (b)
2a.) Article X Sec. 2
3.) Article VI Sec. 2 (c)
4.) Article VI Sec. 2 (d)
5.) Article VI Sec. 2 (e)
6.) Article VI Sec. 2 (f)
7.) Article VI Sec. 2 (h)
8.) Article XVI

9.) Article VI Sec. 2 (g)
10.) Article VI Sec. 1 (a) (1-7)
11.) Standing Rule 4 A 2
12.) Article VI Sec. 1 (b) (1-6)
13.) See separate Bylaws of: Units (Divisions, Districts, Round Tables), Affiliates and Interest Groups for duties of Councilors See TLA Bylaws Article IX and Standing Rule 9 for Committee chairs' duties and charges of committees
14.) Article VI Sec. 3
15.) Standing Rule 4 A 1