ALAO logo

Constitution of the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO)

Updated Adopted 9/86; Amended 11/99, 3/05

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the association shall be to advance academic library services in Ohio by identifying, studying and promoting the interests of academic librarianship and the personnel of academic libraries.

ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION

  1. The primary affiliation of the association shall be with the Ohio College Association, Inc. of which the association is a Section.
  2. Since January 1981, ALAO has been recognized by the Association of College and Research Libraries as the Ohio Chapter of ACRL.
  3. The association may also affiliate with or disaffiliate from other organizations provided such actions are approved by a simple majority of the members voting on the question. Balloting shall be conducted in accordance with processes outlined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

  1. Eligibility for Membership
    Any person interested in the purpose of the association shall be a member upon payment of annual dues, which shall be determined by the Executive Board.
  2. Membership Year
    The membership year shall be as defined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE V. OFFICIAL YEAR

The Official Year, for all purposes other than membership, shall be as defined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

Officers of the association are elected annually by the membership, and assume office at a time set by the Executive Board. Elected officers are:

  1. President (one year term) who:
    1. Presides at all meetings of the Executive Board,
    2. Appoints all committees,
    3. May serve as a non-voting member of any standing committee,
    4. Represents, or appoints a representative(s) of the association to other organizations,
    5. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board,
    6. Serves one year as immediate Past President
  2. Vice-President/President-Elect (one year term) who:
    1. Chairs the Standing Program Committee,
    2. Serves as President with the authorization of the Executive Board whenever the President is absent, or if the President is unable or refuses to act, with the powers appertaining to the office of the President,
    3. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board,
    4. Succeeds to the presidency.
  3. Secretary (two year term) who:
    1. Records the minutes of all membership and board meetings,
    2. Receives and publishes proposed amendments to this constitution in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII,
    3. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board.
  4. Treasurer (two year term) who:
    1. Ensures sound fiscal management of the association’s funds,
    2. Reports the financial status of the association at each Executive Board meeting and submits a written statement at that time,
    3. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board.
  5. Membership Chair (two year term) who:
    1. Promotes association membership and ACRL membership,
    2. Ensures the accuracy of membership records,
    3. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board.
  6. Past President (one year term) who:
    1. Chairs the Nominating Committee,
    2. Chairs the Awards Committee,
    3. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board.
  7. Public Relations/Outreach Coordinator (two year term) who:
    1. Provides publicity for the association and its activities.
    2. Ensures sound fiscal management of Public Relations funds.
  8. Member-at-Large (6; two-year staggered terms) who:
    1. Participates in Executive Board meetings.
    2. Performs other duties prescribed by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE BOARD

  1. There shall be an Executive Board that shall serve in the following capacities:
    1. Develop overall policies for the guidance and direction of the association,
    2. Establish such committees as it deems necessary or desirable to implement its policies,
    3. Determine appropriate rules and procedures to assure fair and impartial balloting,
    4. Delegate and assign to appropriate officers or members such special duties and responsibilities as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the association.
  2. The Executive Board shall consist of the following elected members. Elected members shall have full voting privileges.
    1. President,
    2. Vice-President/President-Elect,
    3. Immediate Past President,
    4. Secretary,
    5. Treasurer,
    6. Membership Chair,
    7. Public Relations/Outreach Coordinator, and
    8. Six Members-at-Large.
  3. The President with the approval of the Executive Board may appoint other individuals as members of the Board. Appointed members of the Board shall serve in a capacity that directly contributes to the purpose of the association. Voting privileges of appointed members shall be determined by the Executive Board and set forth in the ALAO Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE VIII. NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

  1. The Nominating Committee shall provide a slate of at least two candidates for each Executive Board vacancy.
  2. In addition, the Nominating Committee shall place in nomination the name of any other member, whose candidacy is proposed by at least 25 members of the association.
  3. Before placing the name of any person in nomination, the Nominating Committee shall have determined the willingness of such person to be a candidate and that the person is a member of the association.
  4. Regular and special elections of the Executive Board shall be conducted in accordance with processes outlined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.
  5. Election shall be by a simple majority of valid votes received. In the event of a tie vote, decision will be made as prescribed in the ALAO Procedures Manual.
  6. If the office of Vice-President/President-Elect is vacated prior to the expiration of a term, the Executive Board shall arrange for a special election as soon as is reasonably possible, but no later than 60 days after the office is vacated.
  7. If the office of any other elected officer [Article VI] is vacated prior to the expiration of a term, the President with the approval of the Executive Board shall appoint a member to fulfill the duties for the remainder of the term. Consideration will be given first to candidates not elected in the most recent election.

ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS

  1. Membership
    1. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the membership.
    2. Other meetings of the membership shall be called by the President upon:
      1. written request of at least 10 percent of the members or
      2. request of a majority of the Executive Board.
  2. The Executive Board shall meet at least twice annually.

ARTICLE X. COMITTEES

  1. Standing Committees:
    1. Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of at least three members. The immediate Past-President shall chair the committee.
    2. Program Committee. The President shall appoint a program committee. The Vice-President/President-Elect shall chair the committee.
  2. Other Committees. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint and dissolve other committees as appropriate.
  3. Interest Groups. Interest groups organized for the purpose of discussing specific concerns and issues in the field of academic librarianship may affiliate with ALAO as deemed appropriate by both the interest group membership and the Executive Board. Interest groups shall govern themselves in accordance with guidelines defined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE XI. QUORUM

  1. Executive Board. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members of the Executive Board.
  2. Membership Meeting. A quorum for membership meetings shall be 15 percent of the membership.

ARTICLE XII. AUTHORITY FOR PROCEEDINGS

Robert’s Rules of Order (revised) shall govern all meetings of the membership and the Executive Board unless they are specifically contravened by the Constitution.

ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS

  1. A proposal to amend this constitution shall be filed with the Secretary and placed before membership for consideration provided such proposal is sponsored either by
    1. at least 25 members or
    2. a majority of the Executive Board.
  2. The Secretary shall submit such proposed amendments to the membership in accordance with processes outlined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.
  3. Balloting on amendments shall be conducted in accordance with processes outlined in the ALAO Procedures Manual.
  4. The amendment shall be adopted upon approval by two thirds of the members voting.