Poudre River Friends of the Library, Inc.

Bylaws

Article I. Name

The legal name of this organization is Poudre River Friends of the Library, Inc. As a Colorado nonprofit corporation it is organized for charitable and educational purposes as specified in Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:

• To maintain an association of persons interested in the Poudre River Public Library District.

• To raise money to enhance and support the resources of the Poudre River Public Library District.

• To provide volunteer opportunities in support of the Library.

• To advocate for the Poudre River Public Library District.

• To sponsor programs to promote use and enjoyment of the Library.

• To encourage literacy within the community.

Article III. Membership

Membership in this organization shall be open to all individuals and groups in sympathy with its purposes upon payment of appropriate dues, and shall be terminated by non-payments of dues. Membership shall be non-redeemable, non-transferable, and non dividend-bearing and shall be renewable annually.

Membership classifications and dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Membership meetings shall be held at times set by the Board of Directors. One meeting during the year shall be designated the Annual Meeting.

Each Member present is entitled to one vote at any meeting of the general membership.

Article IV. Government

Section 1. Board of Directors

The government of this organization shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Past-President, and five members elected at large.

Section 2. Officers

1. The elected officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and five members at large.

2. Officers shall serve the organization for one operating year and may succeed themselves in office for one additional year.

3. Written requests for leave of absence from an office must have the approval of the Board of Directors. Three consecutive unexplained absences from a regular Board meeting shall be deemed a resignation.

Section 3. Nomination

The President shall appoint a nominating committee composed of at least four members of the organization, one of whom shall be a Board member. The committee shall submit a slate of nominees for acceptance by the Board of Directors at least two months before the end of the operating year. The approved slate of nominees shall be made available to the general membership at least one week prior to the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Eligibility for Office

Any member in good standing shall be eligible to hold any office.

Section 5. Elections

A. Voting shall be by ballot at the Annual Meeting. If there is but one candidate for an office, voting may be by a show of hands.

1. Election of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer shall be by majority vote of the members present.

2. Election of the five members at large shall be a plurality vote of the members present.

B. Two tellers shall be appointed by the President to count the vote.

Section 6. Duties of the Officers

A. The PRESIDENT shall:

preside over all meetings of the members and Board of Directors, ensure that all members receive a copy of the Bylaws, appoint Interest Group Liaisons with the approval of the Board, and be an ex-officio member of all groups except the nominating committee.

B. The VICE-PRESIDENT shall:

perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and assist the President as requested.

C. The SECRETARY shall:

take minutes at General Membership meetings and Board of Directors meetings, oversee the archives, and handle the designated correspondence of the organization.

D. The TREASURER shall:

account for all funds, receive and disburse funds, be responsible for managing them in a manner consistent with policies set by the Board of Directors, and file appropriate internal and corporate fiscal forms in a timely manner.

E. The ASSISTANT TREASURER shall:

assume any duties of the Office of Treasurer when requested to do so by the Treasurer or the President.

F. The MEMBERS-AT-LARGE shall:

serve as Liaisons from the Board to the Interest Groups and perform other duties as assigned by the President.

G. The PAST-PRESIDENT shall:

advise Board members as needed.

Article V. Board of Directors

Section 1. Meetings

The meetings of the Board of Directors shall be open meetings and may be attended by any member in good standing of the organization. The Board of Directors shall meet once a month or as determined by the President.

Section 2. Vacancies

Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the President, with the advice and approval of the Board by a two-thirds vote of the members present. The appointee shall serve until the term expires. In the event of a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice-President shall assume the office and appoint a member to fill the Vice-Presidency.

Section 3. Ex-Officio Members

The Executive Director of the Poudre River Public Library District, a representative from the Poudre River Public Library District Board, and a representative from the Fort Collins Public Library Trust Board shall serve as non-voting Liaisons to this organization.

Section 4. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Interest Groups

The primary work of this organization shall be defined by three Interest Groups: Ways and Means, Membership, and Public Relations.

• Ways & Means Interest Group responsibilities include but are not limited to Book Sales, Friends Shop, sorting and pricing of donations, Special Books, Cartridge recycling, and other fund raising activities.

• Membership Interest Group responsibilities include but are not limited to membership growth, maintenance of current membership, database management, volunteer clearing house, and programs.

• Public Relations Interest Group responsibilities include but are not limited to the website, newsletter, publicity for sales and events, hospitality, outreach, and advocacy.

Section 6. Interest Group Liaisons

Liaisons to the Board of Directors from the Ways and Means, Membership, and Public Relations Interest Groups shall be members-at-large or other officers as assigned by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. Where appropriate, the Liaisons shall prepare an annual report of activities and accomplishments for their Interest Groups to be made available for review at the Annual Meeting, and shall assist with correspondence needed by the Interest Group.

Section 7. Other Interest Groups

Other Interest Groups shall be created as needed. The duties and tenure of these additional Interest Groups shall be determined by the Board.

Article VI. Finances

Section 1. Deposits and Disbursements

Funds received by the organization shall be deposited in the accounts of the Friends of the Library and shall be disbursed by the Treasurer as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Overview

A. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for direction and overview of the management of the organization’s funds.

B. All monies raised shall be spent in accordance with the stated Purpose of this organization and for organizational and membership needs.

Article VII. Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any general membership meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to the Board of Directors in writing, recommended by the Board, and made available to the general membership at least ten days prior to submission for general membership vote.

Article VIII. Meeting Procedures

Section 1. Meeting Procedures

Meetings shall be run in a respectful manner and in an efficient order. A quorum shall be required for a Board meeting and a majority vote shall be required to pass proposals.

Article IX. Dissolution

Section 1. Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Poudre River Friends of the Library, Inc. all assets shall be assigned to the Poudre River Public Library District. None of the funds shall inure to the benefit of individual members.

Revised March 1977

Revised February 1980

Revised March 14, 1984

Revised March 13, 1985

Revised March 8, 1995

Revised November 10, 1999

Revised May 7, 2001

Revised November 3, 2004

Revised November 2008

Revised September 15^th, 2009 (name change only)

Home     Who We Are     Membership        Participate         Bookshop     Poudre River Public Libraries