Model Bylaws for TLA Units
This set of model bylaws should serve as a guide for members in the process of establishing a new unit, amending or revising the bylaws of an existing unit. This sample provides only the basic information necessary for the operation of a unit. Modifications will be needed to make these bylaws appropriate to each unit. Some areas that are usually included in standard bylaws, such as dues and dissolution of the group, are covered by the TLA Bylaws and therefore do not need to be included in unit bylaws.

Note: Any information found within brackets is advisory in nature.

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
[Unit Name]
Bylaws

ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the [unit name] of the Texas Library Association (TLA).

[If a unit acronym is used, the acronym must be included in Article I following the complete name of the unit. Example: Unit Name, Acronym]

ARTICLE II
Objectives
The purpose of the [unit name] shall be ...

[...to contribute to library service and librarianship through...]
[...to represent Texas librarians in the field of...]

ARTICLE III
Membership
Any member of the Texas Library Association may select membership in the [unit name]. Officers must be current members of TLA.

ARTICLE IV
Administration

Section 1. Officers

  1. The officers of the [unit name] shall be Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer, Councilor and Alternate Councilor, and Immediate Past-Chair.

    [Other officers may be included as deemed necessary.]

  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 [unit name] shall perform those duties usually attached to their offices and all duties as prescribed in the TLA Bylaws and Standing Rules.

[Specific duties are usually spelled out for larger groups and include presiding at meetings, appointing committee members, planning programs, etc.]

Section 2. Elections

  1. A Nominating Committee [the Nominating Committee may either be elected by the membership or elected by the Executive Board of the unit. According to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, the Chair of the unit may not be involved in the appointment of the Nominating Committee and may not serve on the committee as ex officio or otherwise] 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.

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

[Units may prefer to do a mail ballot in order to allow more of their members an opportunity to vote. Keep in mind that an election may result in a tie vote. Another election must be held in the same manner as was used in the original vote if the unit bylaws do not specify an alternative means to break the tie. Some alternatives include, but are not limited to, reballoting membership at Annual Conference, drawing names, or a requirement for an Executive Board decision.]

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.

    [If the immediate past chair is to sit on the Executive Committee, be sure to include that information since this is technically not an elected officer. If the unit has a large number of elected officers, specify which officers actually make up the Committee. Also, any officers who are to serve as non-voting members of the Executive Committee should be so specified.]

  2. The Executive Committee shall meet at TLA Annual Conference and TLA Annual Assembly. Other meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Chair or a majority of the Executive 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 positions, the President of the Texas Library Association shall appoint a new Chair, who shall proceed as outlined above

[These procedures may be modified to meet the needs of each unit.]

ARTICLE V

Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held annually in conjunction with the TLA Annual Conference. X [number of ] members shall constitute a quorum.

["A quorum is the number of voting members who must be present in order that business can be legally transacted." (Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised) Choose a number that can reasonably be expected to attend.]

ARTICLE VI

Committees
Other 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.

[Any Standing Committees should be detailed in this Article.]

ARTICLE VII

Parliamentary Authority

The rules of procedure as stated in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this unit in all cases in which they are applicable and which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of TLA.

ARTICLE VIII

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 and voting, provided such changes are consistent with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Texas Library Association. 

[Groups with larger memberships may want to require advance publication of proposed changes or similar restrictions for bylaws changes.]

[Bylaws should include dates of adoption, amendments, and/or revisions. Adopted indicates the first time the bylaws were written; amended indicates very minor changes; and revised indicates extensive changes scattered throughout the bylaws.]

[Adopted 6/96]
[Amended 6/97]
[Revised 7/03]
[Revised 3/04]
Copyright © 1998 by the Texas Library Association