AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
LAW LIBRARIES
STANDING COMMITTEE ON
LESBIAN AND GAY ISSUES
of the
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
Constitution:
Article I. Name.
The name of this Committee is the Standing Committee on
Lesbian and Gay Issues of the Social Responsibilities
Special Interest Section (“SIS”).
Article II. Purpose.
The primary purpose of this Committee
is to provide an avenue to members for interaction and discussion of issues
within the group, but also within the larger American Association of Law
Libraries (“AALL”), to the extent of making all members aware of and react to
the needs of lesbians and gays within the law library community.
The Committee is also intended to serve as a
vehicle for dissemination of information, including but not limited to the
provision of programs for AALL and other such groups.
In addition, the Committee serves as a social force in bringing
the membership together at AALL meetings.
Article III. Membership.
Membership shall be open to all people
interested in the individual rights of others, whether they be gay or
straight. Thus, membership is open to
all AALL members who are sensitive to and concerned about lesbian and gay
issues.
Article IV. Meetings.
The Committee shall meet at least once
a year during the Annual Meeting of the AALL.
Notice of the meeting will be provided to the membership at least 30
days prior to the meeting.
Article V. Officers.
The Committee shall be directed by an
Executive Committee, consisting of a chair, chair-elect, secretary and
treasurer. The Executive Committee
shall be installed at the annual meeting for a one year term, serving without
compensation, but receiving reimbursement by the Committee for any necessary
expenditures incurred in the discharge of their duties.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for
dispensing necessary expenses incurred by the Executive Committee.
By-Laws:
Final Modified and Approved at the July 19,
2005 Business Meeting
Article 1. Membership.
Section 1.
Each member, whenever possible, is expected to participate in the
activities of the Committee, including, but not limited to, attendance at the
annual meeting, service on ad hoc task forces or similar groups, assistance in
program development for AALL conferences and other like functions.
Section 2.
Each member shall provide their name and address for the
membership roster/mailing list at the annual meeting.
The roster/list shall remain confidential within the Committee.
Article 2. Officers.
Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall be installed at the annual meeting
for the upcoming year. The Executive
Committee will include a chair, chair-elect, and secretary-treasurer.
Each Executive Committee member shall take
office at the end of the annual meeting.
The Chair-Elect will become Chair at the annual meeting the year
following the election.
Section 2.
The duties of the Officers shall include, but not be limited to:
A. The Chair shall:
1. Organize and chair the annual meeting of the Committee
the year following their installation;
2. Submit an annual report to the membership at each annual
meeting;
3. Sustain a communications channel with the membership to
disseminate relevant information;
4. Communicate with the chair of Social Responsibilities
and the AALL board on behalf of the Committee and the
Executive Committee;
5. Maintain the Committee binder containing all correspondence
and Committee information.
B. The Chair-Elect shall:
1. Communicate with the Chair on a regular basis between
meetings to discuss Committee business;
2. Be kept apprised of all Committee news by the Chair.
C.The Secretary-Treasurer shall:
1. Take minutes at the annual meeting;
2. Maintain a current membership list;
3. Provide mailing labels to the chair when necessary;
4. Present the minutes to the membership at the annual
meeting.
4. Collect any moneys raised at Standing Committee events and coordinate
with the Social Responsibilities SIS Treasurer on their proper handling.
5. Inform Social Responsibilities SIS Treasurer of any donations made to support
Standing Committee Events.
Article 3. Sub-Committees, Task Forces, etc.
The Executive Committee may appoint such sub-committees, task forces or like groups as are needed to carry out the functions of the Committee.
Article 4. Funding.
Section 1.
The Committee is funded through the Social Responsibilities SIS
of the AALL. Dues paid to the parent group are used to support the Committee’s work.
Other funds may upon occasion come to the group by private donors.
The Executive Committee may assess additional charges to pay for Committee activities,
such as social events or educational meetings on an ad hoc basis.
Section 2.
Funds received by the Committee shall be used to assist with
expenses at the annual meeting and to defray other costs incurred by the
Executive Committee, sub-committees or task forces.
Article 5. Amendment of By-Laws.
Section 1.
Proposed amendments to the By-Laws shall be submitted by any
member of the Committee to the Executive Committee at least 45 days prior to
the annual meeting. The Executive
Committee must send notice of such proposed amendments to the members at least
30 days prior to the annual meeting. Notice may be given via members' electronic
mail addresses of record with AALL. A two-thirds majority vote of the members in
attendance at the annual meeting is required in order to
adopt the proposed amendments, provided that a minimum of twenty people are
present.