SLNNY Constitution

School Librarians of Northern New York 

Constitution & Bylaws

(Approved March 11, 2024, incorporating all amendments)

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the School Librarians of Northern New York (SLNNY).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

As an affiliate of the New York Library Association’s Section of School Librarians (NYLA-SSL), the purpose of this organization shall be to provide communication between school librarians in the area and to promote the goals of the library media centers and school librarians.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERS

Section 1. Any school librarian or library paraprofessional working in a public or private school in areas covered by the following BOCES:  Franklin-Essex-Hamilton, Jefferson-Lewis, St. Lawrence-Lewis, and Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington, and any other interested person

Section 2. The annual dues shall be fifteen dollars for school librarians and five dollars for library paraprofessionals, long-term substitutes and unemployed librarians. Annual dues are waived for retired members and for student members.

Section 3. Annual membership in the organization shall run from July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Section 2. Officers will be elected every two years by the members. Terms of office shall begin on July 1.

Section 3. Officers may serve 3 consecutive terms.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section 1. There will be a minimum of two general meetings per school year.  

Section 2. The last meeting of the school year shall be called the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports and conducting any other necessary business.

Section 3. Special meetings can be called by the President or the Executive Board and shall be called at the written request of five members. The purpose of the meeting shall be included in the announcement to members. Except in case of emergency, five days notice shall be given in the event of a special meeting.

Section 4. One Third of current  members of the organization shall constitute a quorum. 

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The officers of the organization and the immediate past President shall constitute the Executive Board. 

Section 2. The Executive Board shall have the authority to conduct the business of the organization between general meetings.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall communicate prior to each of the general meetings. Special meetings of the Board can be called by the President and shall be called upon the request of a majority of the Executive Board. The President shall specify the times and places for Board meetings.

Section 4. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Any special or standing committees shall be appointed by the President or the Executive Board as such committees become necessary to carry out the business of the organization.

Section 2. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President by January 1 of the second year.

Section 3.  The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall:

Conduct all general and Executive Board meetings.

Appoint committees with the assistance of the Executive Board.

Serve as the organization’s representative in communication with other organizations.

Pass on the President’s records to the incoming President by July 15.

Section 2. The Vice President shall:

Perform all the President’s duties in case of the absence or resignation of the President.

Section 3. The Secretary shall:

Record the minutes of all general and Executive Board meetings and send copies of these minutes to the members of the Executive Board no later than two weeks before the next meeting.

Arrange for all mailings to members.

Maintain a list of committee assignments.

Handle all correspondence for the organization.

Pass on the Secretary’s records to the incoming Secretary by July 15.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall:

Maintain all financial records.

Accept dues from members and maintain an up-to-date list of members.

Maintain a list of members and submit it to the Secretary as requested.

Prepare a financial report for each meeting.

Pay all the bills for the organization.

Prepare a financial statement for the incoming Executive Board by June 30 of the year.

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the organization where applicable and where they do not conflict with the Constitution of the organization.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

This Constitution may be amended at a regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote of those Members present, provided that the amendment has been submitted to members in writing at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

Revised 12-19-11 

Revised 6-28-19

Revised 3-11-24