C  O  H  S  L A
Central Ohio Health Sciences Library Association 

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Central Ohio Health Sciences Library Association.

ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this Association shall be to promote networking and information exchange; to provide local opportunities for professional development; to encourage and maintain interest in health sciences librarianship.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility
Persons actively working in or involved with health sciences libraries in the
Central Ohio area shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2. Membership Forms and Dues
Interested persons must, on an annual basis, complete a membership form and pay dues to the Association Treasurer.  Both membership and dues cover a fiscal year which runs from July 1 to June 30. Dues must be paid by April 1 to insure voting privileges in the May elections.  Dues paid after April 1 will count toward the following fiscal year.
Changes in the dues are proposed by the Executive Board. The Board's proposal shall be discussed at an Association business meeting. A majority vote by members present at the meeting is needed for approval of any changes to the dues structure.

Section 3. Rights and Privileges
All members shall have voting rights. All members shall be eligible for participation on committees or for officer positions.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Section 1. The Association shall have at least one business and one professional development meeting in any fiscal year. Informal lunch meetings will also be offered throughout the year.

Section 2. Business and professional development meeting dates and locations shall be established by Executive Board members. Association members shall be notified of any meetings at least 15 days prior to the scheduled date.

Section 3. A quorum at business meetings shall consist of 20% of the voting membership.

Section 4. Meetings shall generally be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE V. Elected Officers

Section 1. Officers shall be President, Past-President, Vice-President/President-elect, and Secretary/Treasurer. These officers shall constitute the Executive Board. The President, Past-President, and Vice-President/President-Elect, will serve a one-year term of office or until their successors are elected. The Secretary/Treasurer shall serve a two-year term of office or until the successor is elected.

Section 2. The Past-President will chair the Nominating Committee and serve on the Executive Board.

Section 3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board. The President shall conduct the business of the Association. The President shall serve as the Association's representative to other state and national professional groups.  The President is responsible for transferring all archives pertaining to the Association to the Medical Heritage Center (MHC) at the Ohio State University, following MHC guidelines, upon expiration of the term.

Section 4. The Vice-President/President-elect shall act as President in the absence of the President and shall become President upon the expiration of the terms of the previous President, or on the resignation of the President. The Vice-President/President-elect shall be responsible for formal meeting programming, including scheduling and procedures related to formal continuing education, in consultation with the Executive Board.

Section 5. The Secretary/Treasurer shall record the minutes, including attendance, at all Association and Executive Board meetings.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall collect dues, keep a record of all financial transactions, administer monies of the Association, keep the authoritative list of current members and act as Membership Coordinator, and report the financial standing of the Association at all business meetings.

Section 6. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the Association's affairs. The Board shall support the ideas and needs of the Association and shall not act in conflict with the Association members. The Board shall meet at least twice a year. Special meetings may be called by any officer as needed. Any Association member is welcome to attend Board meetings, but may not vote.

ARTICLE VI. Appointed Officers

Section 1. Appointed Officers include the Networking Coordinator, the E-Mail Listserv Coordinator, and the Web Page Coordinator.  These officers may attend Executive Board meetings as non-voting members. These officers are each appointed by the President to a one-year term.

Section 2. The Networking Coordinator shall be responsible for scheduling the date, time, and location for all informal meetings/luncheons of the Association.

Section 3. The Listserv Coordinator (residing at Ohio State University) shall be responsible for administering the membership's e-mail discussion list.

Section 4. The Web Page Coordinator shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of the organization's Web site.

ARTICLE VII. Elections

Section 1. The Vice-President/President-elect, and Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected by the membership from a slate chosen by the Nominating Committee.

Section 2. Elections shall be held annually by mail ballot no later than May 1. The newly elected officers shall assume their responsibilities July 1.

Section 3. In the event of the resignation of the Vice-President/President-elect, or Secretary/Treasurer, the Executive Board shall appoint a replacement to complete the term of office.

Section 4. A quorum for a mailed ballot election shall be 30% of the total paid membership of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. A Nominating Committee of three shall present a slate of officers by April 15 of each year.  The committee shall make recommendations to the President to fill vacancies as they may occur.  The Past-President, who is Chair of the Nominating Committee, will mail the election ballots.  Ballots should be returned to the Past-President.

Section 2. The President shall appoint other committees as needed or as recommended by the Executive Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by any member of the Association or by a Bylaws Committee as appointed by the Executive Board. Proposed amendments shall be discussed and may be further amended at a business meeting. These amendments may be voted upon at the business meeting or by a mail or email ballot (20% quorum needed), as ordered by the President. Approval of a proposed amendment at a meeting requires the votes of a quorum (see Article IV). Each proposed amendment shall be voted upon separately.

ARTICLE X. DISBANDMENT

In the event of the dissolution of the Association, after the payment of all outstanding expenses, the successor organization will be the recipient of any funds remaining in the treasury.  If there is no successor organization, the Ohio Health Sciences Library Association will receive the funds.

 lh/revised-approved 9/19/02

 sam/revised-approved 5/16/03