Last Revised September 2002
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name

The name of this Association shall be the Wyoming Library Association. See Article VI of By-laws.

ARTICLE II
Object

The Purpose of the Association shall be:

• To promote library service in Wyoming;
• To promote the profession of librarianship in Wyoming;
• To promote the continued improvement of Wyoming libraries;
• To support Wyoming Librarians in their professional roles;
• To promote the participation of Wyoming Librarians and libraries in regional, national and global library arenas.

BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Membership

Section 1. Types of Membership.

(A) Active. Active membership is available to any individual who is or has been engaged in library work, or who is interested in library work and the objectives of this Association. Examples of this membership category are:

Library employees - those who are employed in library service or related activities in Wyoming; Trustee members - those who are trustees or former trustees, or who are members of friends groups or foundations; Retired members - those who are retired from library service or related activities; persons in the business of selling goods or services to libraries. Active members shall be entitled to all privileges of the Association upon payment of annual dues.

(B) Associate. Associate membership is available to any individual, not employed by a library who is interested in library work and the objectives of this Association. Examples of this membership category are: unemployed members - temporarily not employed in a library at the time of joining or renewing; students members - persons enrolled in a library degree program and not currently working in a library (limited to 2 years); Annual dues for an associate membership shall be less than the dues for an active member. Associate members shall receive mailings and membership rates for annual meetings and be eligible to serve on committees of the association, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold office.

(C) Life. Life membership is an option which is no longer available to Wyoming Library Association members. Members who currently hold this type of membership will be entitled to all of the privileges of an active member. Life members may pay the annual assessment for section memberships.

(D) Business members. Business members are companies and corporations interested in the work of the association. Representatives shall be eligible to serve on any board or committee of the association, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold office.

(E) Institutional. Any library or educational institution or other organization interested in the work of the Association may become an institutional member upon payment of dues. Institutional members will receive mailings, but shall not be eligible to vote, hold office, or serve on any board or committee of the association.

(F) Honorary Membership. Upon nomination by the Executive Board, persons who have rendered important service to the library interests of the state may be elected honorary members by a vote of the membership present at any official meeting of the Association. Honorary members shall not be eligible to vote, hold office, or serve on any board or committee of the association.

Section 2. Membership Privileges

(A) Active members shall be eligible to vote, hold office, and serve on any board or committee of the Association.

(B) Associate members shall be eligible to serve on any board or committee of the Association, receive mailings and membership rates for annual meetings, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold office.

(C) Life members shall be eligible to vote, hold office, and serve on any board or committee of the Association.

(D) Business members shall not be eligible to vote or hold office, but shall be eligible to serve on any board or committee of the Association.

(E) Institutional members will receive mailings, but shall not be eligible to vote, hold office, or serve on any board or committee of the Association.

(F) Honorary members shall not be eligible to vote, hold office, or serve on any board or committee of the Association.

ARTICLE II
Officers

Section 1.

The officers of the Wyoming Library Association shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, who shall be President Elect, a Recording Secretary, and an Executive Secretary, ex officio. The terms shall begin at the conclusion of each annual WLA meeting, and end at the conclusion of the next annual meeting. In the event an annual meeting is not held, the officers shall continue in their respective positions until such time as elections are held.

Section 2.

(A) The Vice-President shall be elected annually. In the event the Vice-President is unable to serve as President, a President shall be elected from a slate prepared by the Nominations and Elections Committee. The Nominations and Elections Committee will prepare the slate within thirty (30) days of the time the vacancy occurs.

Should a vacancy occur between annual meetings, a ballot by mail will be taken and a simple majority will constitute election.

(B) The Executive Secretary shall be appointed annually by the Executive Board, and shall receive a stipend agreed upon by the Executive Board as being a just fee commensurate with the amount of work to be done and the amount of income of the Association.

Section 3.

The terms of office of the President and Vice-President, and Recording Secretary shall be one year.

ARTICLE III
Executive Board

Section 1.

The administration of the affairs of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Board which shall consist of the officers of the Association; the Past President, the ALA Councilor, the MPLA Representative, the chair of each organized section of the Association; a Parliamentarian, appointed by the President, ex officio; the Legislative Committee Chair, ex officio; the Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair, ex officio; the Communications Committee Chair, ex officio and the State Librarian, ex officio.

(A) All Wyoming Library Association Board members must reside within the state of Wyoming.

(B) Termination of residency constitutes termination of office.

Section 2.

In case of a vacancy in any office without an automatic progression, the Executive Board may designate some person to discharge the duties of the office until such time as elections are held.

Section 3.

Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held, as necessary, to transact business of the Association. Meetings may be called by the President at such times and places as s/he may designate or upon request of the majority of the Board.

Section 4.

A majority of the voting members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5.

Elected members of the Executive Board shall be voting members. Ex officio members shall be non-voting members.

Section 6.

The Executive Board members shall attend all meetings. Failure to attend two (2) consecutive meetings may result in relinquishing the Executive Board position. The Legislative Committee Chair and the Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair may appoint an alternate to attend Board meetings.

Section 7.

Meetings of the Executive Board, except when in executive session, are open to all members of the Association Permission to speak to the Executive Board must be obtained from the President and will not be unreasonably withheld by the President. An Executive Board member may move to go into executive session to discuss legal matters, property matters, or personnel matters such as appointments and salaries.

Section 8.

The Executive Board shall adopt a manual of procedure to establish and clarify the duties of the Executive Board and the duties of the different members of the Board, sections, and committees. Any conflicts between the manual of procedure and the By-Laws shall be resolved in favor of the By-Laws. Additionally, the Executive Board shall adopt an annual convention handbook to establish and clarify convention duties and procedures. Any conflict between the convention handbook and the manual of procedure will be resolved in favor of the manual of procedure.

ARTICLE IV
Distribution of Assets

In the event of the dissolution of the Association, its assets shall be disposed of to any similar non-profit organization, or to establish a scholarship for any current Wyoming resident to attend any library school accredited by the American Library Association. The disposition shall be determined by majority vote of the members of the Association at the time of dissolution. In the event of no majority decision, the Articles of Incorporation should be followed.

ARTICLE V
Sections

Section 1.

Members of the Association who are engaged in similar work, or have special interests in common, may organize into sections upon approval of their petition by the Executive Board.

Section 2.

A petition for the establishment of a section shall state clearly the purpose of and need for the proposed section. The petition shall be signed by no less than twenty (20) members of the Association, who are engaged in the work of the proposed section and thereby signify their intention of becoming charter members of the section.

Section 3.

Each section may adopt its own by-laws, subject to approval by the Executive Board. Proposed by-laws and amendments shall be submitted to the Constitution and By-laws Committee for review to assure conformity with the Association's Constitution and By-laws. When agreement has been reached between the section and the committee, the committee will recommend the proposed by-laws to the Executive Board.

The Executive Board may also sanction the formation of special interest round tables. No specially formed round table will collect dues or levy fees, but may be funded by the Executive Board or sections .

Section 4.

Each section shall adopt by-laws providing for accountability for its own funds. Any surplus or unanticipated deficit shall be carried over into the section's budget for the following year. In addition to monies the sections generate they may request funds from the Executive Board. See Article IX, Section (E).

Section 5.

A section or round table may be dissolved by action of the members of the Association at an annual business meeting upon recommendation of the Executive Board, when notice has been given prior to the meeting, or by the section or round table itself which shall notify the Executive Board of this action.

Section 6. Section officers are responsible for preparing reports of all meetings and programs and communicating them to the membership.

ARTICLE VI
Chapter Membership in the ALA
Association Membership in the MPLA

Section 1.

This Association shall hold a Chapter membership in the American Library Association and an Association membership in the Mountain Plains Library Association.

Section 2.

A Councilor for representation to the ALA shall be elected in accordance with provision of the by-laws of that Association by all voting members of the WLA. Term of office shall be for three years, and shall begin at the start of the mid-winter American Library Association conference following Wyoming Library Association election to office. If a vacancy occurs, the WLA Executive Board may appoint a qualified person to fill this position until the next Wyoming Library Association general election.

Section 3.

A representative to MPLA shall be elected in accordance with provisions of the by-laws of that Association by all voting members of the WLA. Term of office shall be for three years, and shall begin at the conclusion of the WLA meeting following election to office. If a vacancy occurs the Executive Board may appoint a qualified person to fill this position until the next Wyoming Library Association general election.

ARTICLE VII
Meetings

Section 1. Meetings

(A) There shall be an annual meeting of the Association at the time and place determined by the Executive Board.

(B) Parliamentary authority at all meetings shall be by Roberts Rules of Order Revised.

The conclusion of the convention is defined as the conclusion of the last general session of the convention.

Section 2. Notification

A notice for each regular and special meeting shall be published at least thirty days before the time of the meeting. In case of special meetings, this notice shall specify the object for which it is called.

Section 3. Quorum

The presence of fifteen percent of the membership in good standing shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any official meeting of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII
Nominations and Elections

Section 1. Nominations and Elections Committee

(A) The President of the Association shall appoint at least nine (9) months before the annual meeting a Nominations and Elections Committee of not less than four members, representative of the organized Sections of WLA. Length of term for this committee shall be two years. This Committee shall solicit not less than two and not more than three candidates for each elective office and a Councilor to ALA and a Representative to MPLA as provided in the by-laws of these Associations; and shall verify the eligibility of each candidate through the Executive Secretary and report its nominations to the President six (6) months before the annual meeting.

(B) Voting for these candidates will be done by eligible WLA members through the use of a mail ballot.

(a) The Nominations and Elections Committee, in cooperation with the Executive Secretary, shall publish and send to the members not later than two months before the annual meeting, a list of candidates with their photographs, brief biographies, and statements of purpose.

(b) The Executive Secretary, not less than two months before the annual meeting, will mail to all members a ballot, together with a blank envelope, for voting on all offices.

The completed ballot shall be enclosed and sealed in an envelope marked BALLOT and addressed to the Executive Secretary.

(d) The ballots must be postmarked no later than 15 days prior to the beginning of the annual meeting.

(e) The Executive Secretary shall, immediately upon receipt, set aside the ballot in its unopened envelope, and shall take the ballots so collected to the annual meeting.

(f) At the annual meeting the Nominations and Elections Committee will verify eligible ballots based on the postmarked date, open the envelopes and record the vote.

(g) In the event of write-in votes, the Nominations and Elections Committee will verify the eligibility of the write-in candidate with the Executive Secretary and count the vote.

All candidates will be introduced to the general membership at a business meeting.

Section 2. Election

The election shall be conducted by secret ballot. The candidate receiving the most votes shall be elected. In case of a tie vote the successful candidate shall be determined by lot.

Section 3. Quorum

Fifteen percent of the total membership at the time the ballots are mailed shall constitute a quorum. In the event a quorum of voting members has not voted, ballot shall be taken by mail within twenty days following the adjournment of the meeting.

ARTICLE IX
Dues and Fees

Section 1. Dues

(A) The budget year for the Association shall be January 1 through December 31. The budget shall be set at the budget session meeting of the Executive Board.

(B) Dues shall be payable on January 1 of each year. Lapsed members may be reinstated upon payment of dues for the current year.

(C) Dues may be changed at any official business meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that at least thirty (30) days advance notice of the proposed change has been given, or at any official annual meeting by the unanimous approval of those members attending and voting.

(D) Honorary members shall pay no dues.

(E) Sections shall establish their own dues, subject to Executive Board approval.

Section 2. Fees

For all persons attending any annual or special meeting of the Association, there may be a registration fee and/or exhibit fee to be fixed by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE X
Special Duties of Officers
Section 1. President

(A) The President shall appoint members of standing committees and such other committees as are necessary to carry on the work of the Association. New and special committees may be created and old committees discontinued when conditions make such action advisable. The President shall, when possible, preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, shall either sign all contracts ordered by either body, or authorize the Vice-President to do so; shall approve all orders or bills handled by the Executive Secretary, and shall serve ex officio on all committees except the Nominations and Elections Committee.

(B) The President, or his appointee, is designated the official representative of the Association with the exception of those instances for which delegate election is provided (as in Article VIII, Section 1. (A).) In the event that the elected representative cannot attend a meeting, the President or his appointee would become the official delegate.

Section 2. Vice-President

The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall Chair the Program Council. The Vice President shall appoint a Recording Secretary to take minutes at all meetings of the program council.

Section 3. Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary shall prepare reports of the annual meeting and all Executive Board meetings and submit them for inclusion in the WLA NEWSLETTER and other leading library publications.

Section 4. Executive Secretary

The Executive Secretary shall maintain membership records and handle the finances and perform other duties as directed by the President and the Executive Board.

Section 5. WLA Archives

The officers of the Association shall deposit all correspondence, records and archives, not needed for current use, with the Executive Secretary.

ARTICLE XI
Program Council and Standing Committees

Section 1. Program Council

(A) The Council shall be responsible for annual conference planning as well as for the direction and coordination of continuing education, professional development activities, leadership training, and mentoring within the Association.

(B) The Chair of the Council shall be the Vice-President of the Association and shall serve as chair of the annual conference. The Council shall consist of the Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Section Chairs (or their designees), Awards Committee Chair and Communications Committee Chair, Local Arrangements Chair and recording secretary. S/he may appoint individuals outside of the committee to be responsible for local arrangements, exhibits, and any other convention-related activities in conformity with the annual convention handbook.

Section 2. Legislative Committee

(A) The Wyoming Library Legislative Committee is responsible for: Initiating and promoting legislation beneficial to Wyoming libraries; disseminating accurate and timely information about state and federal issues affecting Wyoming libraries; educating the Wyoming library community and advocates with respect to the legislative process.

(B) The legislative committee shall consist of at least 10 (ten) members representing the various sections and geographical areas of the State and the State Librarian (or designee when necessary) as a non-voting, ex-officio member. The terms of office for the members of the committee shall be 3 years with staggered terms. The Committee Chair shall appoint a vice-chair for state legislative issues, a vice-chair for federal legislative issues, and a vice-chair for legislative education.

Section 3. Intellectual Freedom

(A) The duty of this Committee shall be to provide services to the Association membership and all Wyoming libraries on the question of intellectual freedom.

(B) The Intellectual Freedom Committee shall consist of members representative of the Wyoming Library Association Sections and geographical areas of the state, each to serve a term of four years.

Section 4. Membership Committee

(A) The Membership Committee shall recruit new personal and institutional members to the Association.

(B) The Membership Committee shall consist of a Chair and a member of each section appointed by the President, each to serve 2 years. The Past-President shall serve as liaison of the Committee to the Executive Board.

Section 5. Awards/Grants Committee

(A) The Awards/Grants Committee shall provide information on the awards sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association; determine which awards should be presented during a given year; encourage and solicit award applications; select recipients for the awards; and arrange for the formal presentations at the annual convention. This committee shall also encourage, solicit, and award Nora Van Burgh Development Grants. The Awards/Grants Committee shall also solicit nominations for MPLA and ALA awards.

(B) The Awards Committee shall consist of a Chair and at least five members representative of the various types of libraries and geographic areas within the state. The term of office for the members of this Committee shall be two years, with at least two new members being appointed each year.

Section 6. Financial Auditing Committee

(A) The Financial Auditing committee shall be responsible for providing an audit of the financial records of the Wyoming Library Association for each fiscal year. This Committee shall present its final report at the February meeting of the Executive Board.

(B) The Financial Auditing Committee shall consist of three members of the Wyoming Library Association. The term of office for the member of this Committee shall be three years, with one member being appointed each year.

(C) A professional audit of the financial records of the Wyoming Library Association may be recommended by this committee or called for by action of the Executive Board as deemed necessary.

Section 7. Revenue Committee

(A) The Revenue Committee shall be responsible for identifying possible and potential sources or mechanisms to increase operational and special revenues for the Association.

The committee shall make recommendations to the Executive Board annually.

(B) The Revenue Committee shall consist of three members of the Association. The term of office for each member shall be three years with one new member being appointed each year. Initially, the President will appoint one member for one year, one member for two years, and one member for three years. The Past President shall serve as liaison of the Committee to the Executive Board.

Section 8. Constitution and By-Laws Committee

(A) The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall be responsible for making recommendations on revisions of the Constitution and By-Laws.

(B) The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall consist of three members of the Association. The term of office for the members of this committee shall be for three years with one member being appointed each year.

Section 9. Wyoming Youth Book Standing Committees

(A) The Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council will jointly sponsor three awards: The Buckaroo Book Award for children in grades K-3; the Indian Paintbrush Book Award for children in grades 4-6; and the Soaring Eagle Book Award for youth in grades 7-12.

(B) The purpose of the Buckaroo, Indian Paintbrush and Soaring Eagle Book Awards will be to provide an opportunity for the youth of Wyoming to read and select favorite books and to honor the authors of those books.

(C) The Wyoming Library Association shall have a standing committee for each of the three awards.

(D) The division of representation between the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council shall be as follows for all three book award committees: The Wyoming State Reading Council shall appoint four members to each committee. The Wyoming Library Association President shall appoint four members: two from the School Library/Media Personnel Section and two from the Children's/YA Section, to each committee. Each book award committee shall have co-chairs, one from the Wyoming Library Association and one from the Wyoming Reading Council. Committee members shall be appointed for 3-year terms.

(E) The committee shall serve as specified in the guidelines that govern each award.

(F) The Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council agree to split the costs of the three awards. The cost for the Wyoming Library Association shall be paid from funds accrued in the Children's Author Funds. If these funds are exhausted, the School Library/Media Personnel Section and the Children's/YA Section will each pay equally from their own budgets the costs of supporting the book award programs.

Section 10. Communications Committee

(A) The Communications Committee shall consist of four members appointed by the President, with the advice of the Executive Board. Members shall be chosen to represent the Wyoming Library Association Sections, and geographical areas of the state.

(B) Members of the Committee shall be appointed for a two-year period with staggered terms.

(C) The Chair of the Committee, or a designee, shall serve on the WLA Executive Board and the Program Council.

(D) The Committee shall assist the Executive Board and the Program Council to disseminate information regarding WLA programs and activities, develop and release library advocacy material, and establish an effective public "voice" for the Association.

Section 11.

Each committee shall submit an approved annual budget based on the anticipated revenues and expenditures of committee sponsored activities. Any surplus shall be added to the Association's general fund and any deficit subtracted.

ARTICLE XII
Ad Hoc Committees

Section 1. Ad Hoc Committees

(A) Ad Hoc committees shall be established as needed by the President.

(B) Such committees shall serve for a one year period or less.

ARTICLE XIII
Publication

Section 1. Official Publication

The official publication of the Association shall be called the WLA NEWSLETTER. It shall be edited by the Executive Secretary.

Section2.

The WLA Executive Board will have final authority over anything involving finances and editorial content for the WLA Newsletter.

ARTICLE XIV
Amendments

Section 1. Constitution

This Constitution may be amended at any official business meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that at least thirty (30) days advance notice of the proposed change has been given, or at any official annual meeting by the unanimous approval of those members attending and voting.

Section 2. By-laws

Any by-law may be amended at any official business meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that at least thirty (30) days advance notice of the proposed change has been given, or at any official annual meeting by the unanimous approval of those members attending and voting.

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