Reference Division Bylaws
ARTICLE I Name
The name of this unit shall be the Reference Division of the Michigan Library Association.
ARTICLE II Goals and Objective
The goals and objectives of this Division shall be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Michigan Library Association. The specific goals and objectives of this Division shall be to:
a) - provide information on reference services
b) - promote improvement of reference services among all types of libraries within the state of Michigan
c) - provide for the professional growth of the Division membership by offering workshops and annual conference programs
d) - promote cooperation with other MLA units through cooperative program planning
e) - promote the publication of materials of interest to reference librarians
ARTICLE III Membership
Any person who is a member of the Michigan Library Association and is supportive of the goals of the Division may become a member of the Division as provided by the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association. Each member shall have the right to vote.
ARTICLE IV Officers and Executive Board
Section 1. The officers of the Division shall be Chair, Chair-Elect, and Secretary/Historian.
Section 2. The Division Executive Board shall consist of the officers, the Immediate Past Chair, and four Members-at-Large, one of whom shall be the runner-up for the office of Chair-Elect. All Executive Board members shall be elected by the members of the Division in accordance with Michigan Library Association election procedures.
Section 3. All Executive Board members shall perform the duties pertaining to their respective positions, those specified in the MLA Manual, and other duties as may be required to implement the programs of the Division.
Section 4. The term of office for all Executive Board members shall coincide with the fiscal year of the Michigan Library Association. Officers and the Immediate Past Chair shall serve for one year. The three elected Members-at-Large shall serve for two years (staggered terms); the Member-at-Large who was the runner-up for the office of Chair-Elect shall serve for one year.
Section 5. The Chair-Elect shall perform the duties of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence or incapacity. A vacancy in the office of Chair shall be filled by the Chair-Elect. This shall not prevent his/her succession as Chair for the following term. If the offices of Chair and Chair-Elect become vacant, the Division Executive Board under the direction of the Immediate Past Chair shall be responsible for calling a special election for the purpose of filling the vacant positions.
Section 6. Any other vacancy on the Division Executive Board shall be filled by appointment by the Chair with approval of the Division Executive Board. Such appointments will end at the completion of the term of office for that position.
Section 7. The Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee, consisting of at least two members of the Division, to be responsible for submitting a slate of candidates to the Division Executive Board for approval. The slate will include candidates for the positions of Chair-Elect, Secretary/Historian, and Members-at-Large in accordance with the Bylaws of this Division.
Section 8. Members may not serve more than two consecutive elected terms in the same position.
ARTICLE V Committees
Section 1. Special committees may be established by the Chair as needed. Standing committees may be established by the Division Executive Board.
Section 2. Appointments to committees shall be made by the Chair. The Division Chair shall designate the chair of each committee and shall formulate the charge for each committee. Terms of membership on these committees shall correspond with that of Division officers.
Section 3. The Chair of the Division is an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE VI Meetings
Section 1. The annual meeting of the Division shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Conference of the Michigan Library Association, or at a time to be determined by the Division Executive Board.
Section 2. Special meetings of the Division may be called by the Executive Board or by the Chair at the written request of 25% of the members of the Division. Three weeks notice shall be given. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call and only business specified in the call shall be transacted.
Section 3. Those members present shall constitute a quorum of the Division for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE VII Policies
The policies of the Division shall be consistent with the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association, and the Bylaws of the Division.
ARTICLE VIII Amendments and Bylaws
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at an annual or special meeting of the Division (provided that the question was stated in the call of the meeting) or by any other means consistent with the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.
Section 2. If any part of the Bylaws cannot be implemented, the Executive Board of the Michigan Library Association shall determine the appropriate action to be taken.
ARTICLE IX Dissolution of the Division
The Division may be dissolved as provided in the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.
Approved November 9, 1992
Revised bylaws approved by the MLA Executive Board 9/10/2004.
