By-Laws
Reference Round Table
Texas Library Association
ARTICLE
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the
Reference Round Table of the Texas Library Association.
ARTICLE
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Reference Round Table
shall be to advance informational, bibliographical, and research services of
all types of libraries within the State of Texas.
ARTICLE
III. MEMBERSHIP
Any member of the Texas Library Association
who is interested in library reference service shall be eligible for full
membership.
ARTICLE
IV. ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Officers
The officers of this organization shall be a
Chairman, a Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect, a Secretary-Treasurer, and a
Councilor/Alternate.
Section 2. Term of Office
The Chairmans', Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elects',
and Secretary-Treasurers' terms shall be for one year beginning immediately
following the Annual Conference. A Councilor/Alternates' term shall be for
three years, or until a successor is elected.
Section 3. Election of Officers
A nominating committee, elected by the
membership, shall present a slate of nominees for offices (except Chairman) and
for a Nominating Committee of at least three members. Nominations may also be
made from the floor.
At least two candidates shall be nominated for
Councilor. The candidate with the highest number of votes shall be elected as
Councilor and the candidate with the next highest vote shall be elected
Alternate to serve in the absence of the Councilor.
Other officers shall be elected at the
annual meeting by a majority vote when a quorum is achieved.
Section 4. Duties of Officers
(a) The Chairman shall
(1) attend Annual
Assembly and the Annual Conference of TLA,
(2) preside at
meetings of the Executive Board and business meetings of the Reference Round
Table,
(3) appoint
committees and designate chairmen with the exceptions of the Nominating
Committee and the Program Committee,
(4) be responsible
for the overall conference planning,
(5) coordinate all
activities of the Reference Round Table.
(b) The Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect shall
(1) attend the
Annual Assembly and the Annual Conference of TLA,
(2) assume the
office of Chairman if that office is vacant,
(3) serve on the
Executive Board,
(4) appoint the
Program Committee and serve as its Chairman.
(c) The Secretary-Treasurer shall
(1) attend the
Annual Assembly and the Annual Conference of TLA,
(2) serve on the
Executive Board,
(3) prepare
minutes of all meetings,
(4) keep records
of all expenses of the Reference Round Table,
(5) make an annual
financial report at the meeting of the Reference Round Table at the Annual
Conference of TLA.
(d) The Councilor and Alternate shall
(1) attend the
Annual Assembly and the Annual Conference of TLA,
(2) represent the
Reference Round Table on the Texas Library Association Council,
(3) serve on the
Executive Board,
(4) report to the
Reference Round Table on the actions of the TLA Council.
(e) The Past Chairman shall
(1) attend the
Annual Assembly and the Annual Conference of TLA,
(2) serve on the Executive
Board.
Section 5. Vacancies
A vacancy in the office of Chairman shall be
filled by the Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect who shall serve as Chairman for the
unexpired term and the following year.
If the offices of both Chairman and Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect
become vacant, the president of TLA shall appoint a new Chairman, who shall
serve until the next regular election, at which time both Chairman and
Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect will be elected. The office of Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect
shall remain vacant until the next regular election.
A vacancy in the office of Councilor shall
be filled by the Alternate Councilor who shall serve as councilor for the
unexpired term.
A vacancy in any of the other offices, other
than Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect, shall be filled by appointment of the
Chairman with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 6. Executive Board
The Executive Board shall consist of the
officers and the immediate Past-Chairman, and shall administer the affairs of the
Round Table when it is not in session. The Chairman shall appoint a former
chairman to fill a Past-Chairman vacancy. A majority of the members of the
Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE
V. COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees
Standing Committees are 1) Nominating
Committee, whose duties shall be to place in nomination at the annual meeting
at least two names for the offices of Vice-Chairman/Chairman-Elect and
Secretary-Treasurer, and, every third year, for Councilor, and 2) Planning
Committee, whose duties shall include evaluating requests for assistance with
bibliographic and other reference projects in the State, and recommending to
the Executive Board possible projects for the Reference Round Table.
Other standing committees shall be authorized
as necessary by the membership at an annual meeting. The Chairman of the Round
Table shall appoint the chairmen and members of the standing committees except
the Nominating Committee. The term of appointment for committee members is one
year to begin immediately following the Annual Conference.
Section 2. Other Committees
All other committees may be authorized by
the Chairman of the Round Table. Chairmen of the committees shall be appointed
by the Chairman of the Round Table. A committee chairman may, with the approval
of the Round Table Chairman, appoint members of his committee. Members of the
committees shall serve for one term beginning immediately following the Annual
Conference.
ARTICLE
VI. MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings
A regular meeting shall be held during the
Annual Conference of the Texas Library Association and shall be for the purpose
of electing officers and transacting the business of the Round Table.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the
Chairman, and shall be called upon written request of one-fifth of the members.
Section 3. Quorum
A quorum is achieved when at least fifteen
(15) members of the Reference Round Table are present.
ARTICLE
VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The parliamentary authority governing this
organization is Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE
VIII. BY-LAWS
The Round Table may adopt, suspend, or amend
the By-Laws at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the quorum, provided
the results of such action are consistent with the Bylaws of the Texas Library
Association.
--Adopted 31 March 1982