Constitution

AkASL is an independent association which is also a roundtable of the Alaska Library Association (AkLA) and an affiliate of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). 

The Puffin is the AkASL logo.

“The mission of the Alaska Association of School Librarians is to advance a high standard for the the school library profession and the library/information programs in the schools of Alaska.”

APPROVED BY MEMBERSHIP MARCH 1982
AMENDED, FEBRUARY 1987
AMENDED, DECEMBER 1989
AMENDED, MARCH 1993
AMENDED, NOVEMBER 1995
AMENDED, MARCH, 2003
AMENDED, NOVEMBER 2007
AMENDED, FEBRUARY, 2009

I.     ARTICLE I:  NAME

A. The name of this organization shall be the Alaska Association of School Librarians, hereinafter referred to as the “Association”.

II.   ARTICLE II:  OBJECTIVES The Objectives of the Association shall be:

A.  to advance a high standard for the school library profession and the library/information program in the schools of Alaska.

B. to promote the development of continuing education activities in order to facilitate the development of professional skills and the extension of professional knowledge.

C.  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.

D. to promote public understanding of the importance of library/information programs and libraries in the education of all students.

E.  to support the inherent right of the individual to have access to ideas and information.

III. ARTICLE III:  MEMBERSHIP

A.  Membership in this organization shall be confined to those who have paid their dues in the following classes: B.  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.

C.  Honorary members.

1.  Individuals who have served the profession with distinction shall become voting members for life with the approval of the Executive Board.

D.  Associate members. 

1. 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.

E.  Commercial: 

1.    Any commercial organization interested in library service shall be without vote.

F.   Courtesy: 

1. A one-year complimentary, non-voting membership may be granted upon approval of the Executive Board.

IV. ARTICLE IV:  ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT

A.Executive Board.

1.    Authority. 

a) 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.

2.    Members.

a)  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.

3.    AkLA Liaison.

a) The Presidentor his/her designee shall serve as liaison to the AkLA Board on behalf of the Association.

4.    Chair.

a) The President shall serve as Chair of the Board.

5.    Quorum.

a) A quorum shall consist of eight (8 ) voting members.

B.   Officers.

1. The elected officers of the Association shall be:

a) President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Regional Representatives.

2.    Membership.

a) 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.

3.    Voting.

a) 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.

4.    Term of Office.

a) 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.

5.    Vacancies.

a) 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.

6.    Duties.

a) Duties of the officers shall be described in the Association Policy Manual.

V.  ARTICLE V:  MEETINGS

A. 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. 

B. Any business of the Association may be transacted at a meeting of the Association, with the exception of the final ballot on amendments to this Constitution. 

C.  There shall be regular meetings of the Executive Board.

VI. ARTICLE VI:  VOTING

A. Voting privileges shall be exercised by all current individual members.

VII. ARTICLE VII:  COMMITTEES

A.  Special Committees.

1.    The President shall establish special committees with the approval of the Board.

2. 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.

3. The length of time a special committee will function will be determined by the President and the Board.

B.  Chair. 

1. 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

VIII. ARTICLE VIII:  FISCAL YEAR

A.  Dates. 

1. The Fiscal Year of the Association shall be July 1 through June 30.

B.  Dues. 

1. Dues shall be determined by the Executive Board.

IX.        ARTICLE IX:  PARLIAMENTARY STANDING

A. In parliamentary procedure, Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the authority except in matters specifically provided for in this Constitution.

X. ARTICLE X:  AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

A.  Proposals.

1. 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.

B.  Notice.

1. 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.

C.  Voting. 

1. The Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the members voting on a ballot.

XI.        ARTICLE XI:  DISSOLUTION

A.    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.

AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT I.  NAME

AMENDMENT II.  

AMENDMENT III.   ARTICLE IV:  1,b

AMENDMENT IV.   ARTICLE IV: 1,e

AMENDMENT VI.   ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT VII.  ARTICLE VIII 

AMENDMENT VIII.   ARTICLE X

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

2. Members

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, A, C, D

A.   to advance a high standard for the school library profession and the library/information program in the schools of Alaska.

C.   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.

D.   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.

AMENDMENT XIX Article IV ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT A, 2a

A. Representatives shall be elected from each of the four regions of the state

1.      AkASL regions of representation and boundaries are as follows:

a.   Northern region shall become region 1:

Alaska Gateway, Fairbanks, Delta/Greely, Bering Strait, Copper River, Denali, Galena, Nenana, Nome, Kuspuk, Lake and Peninsula, North Slope, Northwest Arctic, Tanana, Yukon Flats, Yukon Koyukuk, Aleutians East, Bristol Bay, Dillingham, Iditarod, Kashanamiut, Kodiak, Lower Kuskokwim, Pribilof, Southwest, St. Mary's, Unalaska, Yupiit

b.    Western region shall become Region 2:

Mat-Su, Kenai

c. Southcentral region shall become Region 3:

Anchorage

d. Southeast region shall become Region 4:

No change to members

---(adopted 11/07):

AMENDMENT XX Article IV ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT B, 4a

4.      Term of Office.

a.       A treasurer shall be elected every 3 years. A treasurer-elect shall be elected on the second year in order to be trained and debriefed during the treasurer's final year.

---(adopted 2/09):

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