LITA Manual Section 2 Officers and Board Duties

Outline of duties
President
Vice-President/President-Elect
Past President
Board of Directors
Executive Committee

LITA Manual Table of Contents

Outline of Duties of LITA Officers and Board

The officers of the Division as defined by the bylaws are the President, Vice-president/President-elect, and the Executive Director. The list below includes those duties mentioned in the bylaws but also other responsibilities that are generally accepted as the function of the various officers.

[Officers Table of Contents]

President

  1. As specified in the Bylaws: in addition to the regular duties of this office, the president shall see that the bylaws are observed by the officers and members of the Board of Directors and that the orders of the Board of Directors and of the Division are carried out. The president shall identify actions in the interest of the division and shall recommend such actions to the Board of Directors. The president shall submit an annual report, to be published in full or be otherwise transmitted to the membership, no later than four months after the Annual Conference of the Association. The president shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may assign to this office.

  2. Presides at LITA Board of Directors meetings.

  3. Presides at LITA Executive Committee meetings.

  4. Sees that the bylaws are observed by the officers and members of the Board of Directors, and that the orders of the Board of Directors and of the membership are carried out.

  5. Represents LITA between meetings of the Board and Executive Committee.

  6. Identifies actions in the best interest of LITA and of the profession, and recommends such actions to the Board of Directors.

  7. In consultation with the Executive Director, draws up agendas for Board, Executive Committee, and Membership meetings.

  8. Assures that activities and programs approved by the Board are properly carried out.

  9. Makes interim appointments to fill committee vacancies, the appointee to serve until the expiration of the term of the member replaced.

  10. Submits an annual report to the ALA Council.

  11. Plans the LITA President's Program at ALA Annual Conference.

  12. Keeps the Executive Committee informed of all actions and activities by forwarding copies of relevant documents.

[Officers Table of Contents]

Vice-President/President-Elect

  1. As specified in the Bylaws: in addition to the regular duties of this office, the vice-president shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may assign to this office.

  2. Serves as an officer of LITA and as member of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and the Budget Review Committee.

  3. In the absence of the President, presides at meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee and at Membership meetings. Draws up agendas in consultation with the Executive Director.

  4. Appoints committee members and chairpersons, coordinating this activity with the committee chairpersons whenever possible. (See LITA Committees, Committee Appointments.)

  5. Appoints representatives to outside organizations and other ALA units as needed.

  6. Appoints the Nominating Committee with approval of the Board of Directors.

  7. Represents LITA on the ALA Planning and Budget Assembly.

  8. RepresentsLITA on the ALA Committee on Appointments.

  9. Plans the activities, programs and projects to be carried out during his/her term as president.

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Past-President

(The Past-President is not a Division officer but is a voting member of the Board of Directors.)

  1. Serves as a member of the Board of Directors and attends its meetings.

  2. Serves as a member of the Executive Committee and attends its meetings.

  3. Serves as chair of the Budget Review Committee.

  4. Provides information to the Board related to activities and experiences while President and Vice-President.

  5. Carries out duties as assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.

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Board of Directors

The composition and the responsibilities of the Board of Directors are defined in Article V, Sections 1 and 2 of the LITA Bylaws:

Sec. 1. Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of the president, the vice-president (president-elect), the immediate past-president, the ALA councilor, and seven directors. The executive director and the chairperson of the Bylaws and Organization Committee shall be members of the Board ex-officio, without vote. Other ex-officio members as shall from time to time be so designated by action of the board, shall not have the right to vote.

Sec. 2. Powers and Duties. The Board of Directors shall have authority over the affairs of the Division during the period between meetings of the Division provided, however, that none of its acts shall conflict with or modify any actions taken by the Division. The annual and any other budget requests shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall perform such other duties as are specified in the Bylaws, and shall report upon its work to the membership of the Division.

Guidelines for electronic discussions by the LITA Board of Directors: Issues for electronic deliberation may be presented by any Board member, including the Executive Director.

Presentation of an issue should include:

  • some sense of the issue and its background
  • time frame for deliberation and voting
  • nature of the expected outcome (motion or other official action, general discussion)
  • if an issue is to be voted on electronically, it should be presented as a motion at some point in the discussion.
  • all postings on the issue should be made to the list, rather than to the originator or other Board members (unless the communication is intended to be private.)

If a voted is requested, every effort should be made to vote within the preferred deadline and to cast that vote on the Board list.

The result of a vote will be posted to the Board list as well as being included in the agenda for the next official Board meeting.

The Executive Director in consultation with the LITA President will administer the discussion/voting process to the extent that it needs to be managed.

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Executive Committee:

The Executive Committee is composed of the president, vice-president, past-president, executive director (ex officio), the ALA Councilor and one other Board member appointed annually by the Board. The Committee acts for the Board between regular meetings. It shall meet in the Spring and Fall of each year to carry out the business of the Division. Decisions must be reviewed by the full Board at its next regular meeting. Expenses of the Executive Committee members to attend the Fall and Spring meetings are reimbursed by LITA.

[Officers Table of Contents]