AkASL
CONSTITUTION
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ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS
CONSTITUTION
APPROVED BY MEMBERSHIP
MARCH 1982
AMENDED, FEBRUARY 1987
AMENDED, DECEMBER 1989
AMENDED, MARCH 1993
AMENDED, NOVEMBER 1995
AMENDED, MARCH, 2003
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Alaska Association of
School Librarians, hereinafter referred to as the "Association".
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
The Objectives of the Association shall be:
1. to advance a high standard for the school library profession
and the library/information program in the schools of Alaska.
2. to promote the development of continuing education activities
in order to facilitate the development of professional skills
and the extension of professional knowledge.
3. to encourage elected officials, administrators, teachers and
library/information specialists to provide the best possible
library/media experiences for all students in the state of
Alaska.
4. to promote public understanding of the importance of
library/information programs and libraries in the education of
all students.
5. to support the inherent right of the individual to have access
to ideas and information.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization shall be confined to those who have paid their
dues in the following classes:
A. Individual: An individual member shall be entitled to a vote.
1. Active members.
Alaska school librarians who currently teach, direct, coordinate or
supervise in the field of school library information services.
2. Honorary members.
Individuals who have served the profession with distinction shall become
voting members for life with the approval of the Executive Board.
3. Associate members.
Retired Alaskan school librarians, individuals in school library
paraprofessional positions, librarians working in associated fields,
library friends and supporters, unemployed or out of state librarians,
and students.
B. Commercial: Any commercial organization interested in library service
shall be without vote.
C. Courtesy: A one-year complimentary, non-voting membership may be granted
upon approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT
1. Executive Board.
a. Authority.
The Executive Board shall have the power and authority to
manage the Association's property and to regulate and govern
its affairs. The Board shall determine policies of the
Association and shall take such actions as it considers
necessary to carry out the objectives of the Association.
b. Members.
The Board shall consist of the President, the President-
Elect, the Immediate-Past-President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, a representative elected from each of the four
regions of the state (Southeast, Southcentral, Northern, and
Western), the Membership coordinator, the Puffin
Editor/Publisher,online Communications coordinator, the Battle
of the Books Chair(s), the Awards Chair, and the Governor's
Advisory Council Representative. The State School Library Media
Coordinator shall be an ex-officio member with the privilege of
attending all meetings.
c. AkLA Liaison.
The Presidentor his/her designee shall serve as liaison to the
AkLA Board on behalf of the Association.
d. Chair.
The President shall serve as Chair of the Board.
e. Quorum.
A quorum shall consist of eight (8 ) voting members.
2. Officers.
The elected officers of the Association shall be: President,
President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Regional
Representatives.
a. Membership.
The President shall be an active member of ALA, AASL, AkLA,
and this Association. All other elected officers are also
encouraged to be members of these organizations.
b. Voting.
Balloting shall be conducted by e-mail not less than thirty (30) days
prior to the annual meeting. The candidate who
receives the highest number of votes shall be elected to each office.
c. Term of Office.
The President and President-Elect shall serve a term of one
year. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected on
alternate years to serve for two years. The Regional
Representatives shall serve for one year.
d. Vacancies.
In the event that an elected officer shall be unable to
serve out his term, the Executive Board shall appoint a
successor to complete that term. If the office of President
becomes vacant, the President-Elect shall fill the office.
A vacancy in the office of President-Elect shall be filled
by the election process.
e. Duties.
Duties of the officers shall be described in the Association
Policy Manual.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
There shall be one or more meetings of the general membership
annually, to be convened by the Executive Board. Such meetings
shall be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of
the meeting, and the assembled members shall constitute a quorum.
Any business of the Association may be transacted at a meeting of
the Association, with the exception of tne fibal ballot on amendments to
this Consitution.
There shall be regular meetings of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VI: VOTING
Voting privileges shall be exercised by all current individual members.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
1. Special Committees.
a. The President shall establish special committees with the
approval of the Board.
b. The powers and duties of each special committee will be
determined at the time of the establishment by the President
with the approval of the Board.
c. The length of time a special committee will function will be
determined by the President and the Board.
2. Chair.
The President shall appoint a Chair for each committee, with
the approval of the Board. The President shall serve as a
member of all committees.
ARTICLE VIII: FISCAL YEAR
1. Dates.
The Fiscal Year of the Association shall be July 1 through
June 30.
2. Dues.
Dues shall be determined by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY STANDING
In parliamentary procedure, Robert's Rules of Order, latest
edition, shall be the authority except in matters specifically
provided for in this Constitution.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. Proposals.
Amendments to the Constitution may be initiated by:
a. the Executive Board
b. a written petition to the Board signed by fifteen (15)
active members.
2. Notice.
Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the
to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the day of voting.
membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the day of
voting.
3. Voting.
The Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the
members voting on a ballot.
ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION
In the event that AkASL should cease to exist or perform its
constitutional function, any assets, be they monetary or material,
shall be conveyed to the Alaska Library Association by the last
existing Executive Board.
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AMENDMENTS
---(adopted February 1987):
AMENDMENT I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be changed from the American
Association of School Librarians/Alaska to the Alaska Association
of School Librarians, hereinafter referred to in the Handbook as
the "Association".
---(adopted December 1989):
AMENDMENT II.
The Board of Directors shall be heretofor renamed the Executive
Board; diminutive E Board.
AMENDMENT III. ARTICLE IV: 1,b
The Executive Board shall consist of the President, the President-
Elect, the Immediate Past-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer,
and an elected representative from each of the three regions of
the state--Southeast, Southcentral, and Northern. The Puffin
Editor, the State School Library Media Coordinator, the Battle of
the Books Chair, and the Governor's Advisory Council
Representative shall be ex-officio members with the privilege of
attending all meetings.
AMENDMENT IV. ARTICLE IV: 1,e
A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of five (5) voting
members.
AMENDMENT VI. ARTICLE VII
Standing committees shall be abolished and special committees
shall be established by approval of the Board.
AMENDMENT VII. ARTICLE VIII
1. The Fiscal year of the Association shall be July 1 - June 30.
AMENDMENT VIII. ARTICLE X
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION
---(adopted March 1993):
AMENDMENT IX. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP, 1
1. Active Members.
Alaska school library media specialists, as well as those who
teach, direct, or supervise in the field of school library
media services, and who are in agreement with the objectives of
the Association shall become members of the Association upon
payment of dues.
AMENDMENT X. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP, 3
3. Courtesy Members.
Individuals who are actively promoting and advancing school
library media programs, who are in agreement with the
objectives of the Association shall become members upon payment
of dues, and shall have all privileges of membership except the
right to vote and hold office.
AMENDMENT XI. ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT, 1b
1. Executive Board
b. Members.
The Board shall consist of the President, the President-
Elect, the Immediate-Past-President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, and an elected representative from each of the
four regions of the state-Southeast, Southcentral, Northern,
and Western. The Puffin Editor, the State School Library
Media Coordinator, the Battle of the Books chair(s), and the
Governor's Advisory Council Representative shall be ex-
officio members with the privilege of attending all
meetings.
AMENDMENT XII. ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT, 2
2. Officers.
The elected officers of the Association shall be:
President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Regional
Representatives
AMENDMENT XIII. ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT, 2a
a. The President shall be an active member of ALA, AASL, AkLA,
and this Association. Other elected officers are encouraged
to be members of these organizations.
---(adopted 11/95):
AMENDMENT XIV. ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES, 1,3,4
1. to advance a high standard for the school library profession
and the library/information program in the schools of Alaska.
3. to encourage elected officials, administrators, teachers and
library/information specialists to provide the best possible
library/information experiences for all students in the state
of Alaska.
4. to promote public understanding of the importance of
library/information programs and libraries in the education of
all students.
AMENDMENT XV. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP, 1,2,3,4
1. Active Members.
Alaska school library/information specialists who currently
teach, direct, or supervise in the field of school
library/information services, and who are in agreement with the
objectives of the Association, shall become members of the
Association upon payment of dues.
2. Honorary Members.
Individuals who have served the profession with distinction
shall become members for life with the approval of the
Executive Board.
3. Associate Members.
Retired school librarians, individuals in school library
clerical positions, and those who are in agreement with the
objectives of the Association, shall become members upon
payment of dues. They shall have all privileges of membership
except the the right to vote or be elected to office.
4. Commercial Members.
Businesses or organizations shall become commercial members
upon payment of dues and shall receive copies of the AASL
Information Directory, the Puffin and the official Battle of
the Books list.
AMENDMENT XVI. ARTICLE IV:ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT,1b,1e,2c, 2e
1. Executive Board.
b. Members.
The Board shall consist of the President, the President-
Elect, the Immediate-Past-President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, a representative elected from each of the four
regions of the state (Southeast, Southcentral, Northern, and
Western), the Membership coordinator, the Puffin
Editor/Publisher, the Battle of the Books chair(s), the
Awards chair, and the Governor's Advisory Council
Representative. The State School Library Media Coordinator
shall be an ex-officio member with the privilege of
attending all meetings.
e. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of eight (8) voting members.
2. Officers.
c. Term of Office.
The President and President-Elect shall serve a term of one
year. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected on
alternate years to serve for two years. The Regional
Representatives shall serve for one year.
e. Duties.
Duties of the officers shall be described in the Association
Policy Manual.
AMENDMENT XVII. ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
There shall be one or more meetings of the general membership
annually, to be convened by the Executive Board. Such meetings
shall be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of
the meeting, and the assembled members shall constitute a quorum.
Any business of the Association may be transacted at a meeting of
the Association, with the exception of the final mail ballot on
amendments to this Constitution.
There shall be regular meetings of the Executive Board.
AMENDMENT XVIII. ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES, 2
2. Chair.
The President shall appoint a Chair for each committee, with
the approval of the Board. The President shall serve as a
member of all committees.