Constitution and Bylaws
Adopted June 20, 1941
Amended 1942, 1945, 1951, 1960, 1965, 1972, 1977
ARTICLE I - NAME
Sec. 1
The name of this organization shall be the Staff Organizations Round Table of the American Library Association.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES AND METHODS
Sec. 1
The objectives of this Round Table shall be
(a) to encourage the formation of staff organizations;
(b) to bring staff organizations of library employees into closer relationship so as to foster mutual cooperation;
(c) to cooperate with other units of the American Library Association which study or act upon library personnel matters;
(d) to act as a clearinghouse for information about staff organizations.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Sec. 1
Personal Membership
(a) Any personal member of the Association may become a personal member of the Staff Organizations Round Table by paying its annual personal membership dues.
(b) Personal membership in the Round Table is for the calendar year.
(c) Personal members of the Round Table shall be entitled to
- vote,
- be elected or appointed to office on the Steering Committee, and
- receive an annual subscription to the SORT Bulletin.
Sec. 2
Organizational Membership
(a) Library staff organizations may become members of the Round Table.
(b) They may do so by presenting the ALA organizational membership numbers of their parent libraries and paying the annual membership dues of the Round Table; or by becoming organizational members of the Association and paying the annual membership dues of the Round Table.
(c) Organizational membership in the Round Table is for the calendar year.
(d) Organizational members of the Round Table shall be entitled to receive an annual subscription to the SORT Bulletin.
Sec. 3
Dues
(a) Annual dues for personal membership shall be $3.00.
(b) Annual dues for organizational membership shall be $6.00.
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
Sec. 1
(a) The annual membership meeting of the Round Table shall be held during the Annual Conference of the American Library Association.
b) If the Annual Conference of the American Library Association does not take place, the Steering Committee may schedule a time for the annual meeting of the Round Table, provided that it also issues a call to this meeting at least 60 days in advance of the scheduled date.
Sec. 2
Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the Steering Committee.
Sec. 3
All membership meetings of this Round Table shall be open, in accordance with the Policy of the American Library Association.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
Sec. 1
The officers of the Round Table shall be a Steering Committee composed of nine members.
Sec. 2
The term of office for members of the Steering Committee shall be three years commencing at the close of the Annual Conference of the Association.
Sec. 3
(a) No affiliated organization shall have more than one member on the Steering Committee.
(b) No affiliated organization shall be represented on the Steering Committee for more than two consecutive terms.
Sec. 4
Members of the Steering Committee shall be elected by mailed ballot.
Sec. 5
The ALA timetable for nominations, printing of ballots, and elections will be observed in order that the Round Table may incorporate its elections into the ALA ballot.
Sec. 6
(a) The Steering Committee shall select from its membership a chairperson; a vice-chairperson who is chairperson elect; and a secretary.
(b) These officers shall be selected by ballot. Balloting may be conducted by mail, or it may take place at the Steering Committee business meeting at the Annual Conference.
(c) The terms of office of the chairperson and the secretary shall be one year, commencing at the close of the Annual Conference.
ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Sec. 1
The Steering Committee shall conduct all business of the Round Table between business meetings.
Sec. 2
The Steering Committee shall provide for the publication of a bulletin of news of interest to staff organizations.
Sec. 3
The Steering Committee shall pI and arrange an exhibit and a program for the Annual Conference.
Sec. 4
The Chairperson of the Steering Committee shall preside at the annual membership meeting.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1
These Bylaws may be amended by" a two-thirds vote of all members voting at an annual meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to all members at least 60 days before the meeting. These Bylaws may also be amended by a two-thirds vote in a mail referendum.
ARTICLE VIII - PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
Sec. 1
This organization shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised in the latest edition.