ASSIST – SUPPORT – EDUCATE

ASSIST – SUPPORT – EDUCATE

Sample Constitution

 

CONSTITUTION FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE _________________LIBRARY

CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be ________________________.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purposes of this organization are as follows:

  1. To build support in the community for ________ Library.
  2. To encourage gifts, endowments, bequests, and memorials to the Library.
  3. To enhance the image, materials, services, and facilities of the Library by undertaking specific projects on its behalf.
  4. To maintain an association of individuals, civic organizations, businesses, and other groups specific projects on its behalf.
  5. To create public awareness of the activities of the Friends of _______ Library and encourage participation in the organization.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Friends of __________Library shall be open to anyone interested in supporting its purposes. Organizations, clubs, and businesses may become members. Each individual or organizational membership shall be entitled to one vote at official meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND ELECTION

  1. The organization shall be managed by a Board of seven (7) Directors composed of persons who shall be members of this organization. Each Director shall hold office for the term for which s/he is elected and until a successor is appointed or elected.
  2. The officers of the organization shall be elected by and from the membership of the board of Directors and shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
  3. At the first annual meeting of the organization, the members of the Board of Directors shall be divided into two groups. The first group shall be elected for a term of one year. The second group shall be elected for a term of two years. At each annual election thereafter, the directors whose terms have expired shall be elected for a term of two years.
  4. Directors shall be nominated by a nominating committee appointed by the President with the consent of the Board of Directors, such nominating committee to consist of at least one member of the Board of Directors and at least two persons appointed from the membership at large. Nominations from the floor may be made at the annual meeting.
  5. Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of those present and voting at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS
The Constitutions and Bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting by a majority of the members voting on such amendments.
ARTICLE VI: FINANCES

  1. Monies may be received from membership, endowments, projects, gifts, and memorials, and shall be used to further the purposes of this organization.
  2. All funds of the organization shall be deposited to the credit of the Friends of _____________ Library in such financial institutions as designated by the Board of Directors.
  3. All expenditures from these funds shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
  4. The fiscal year shall be from (date) to (date) of each year.
  5. No funds of the organization shall be used for the benefit of, nor be distributed to its members, directors, or officers, except that the organization shall be empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered when authorized in advance by the Board of Directors. It shall also be empowered to reimburse necessary expenses incurred on behalf of the organization.
  6. The Friends of ____________Library shall not intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. No substantial part of the activities or resources of the organization shall involve attempts to influence legislation.

ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the organization, the Board of Directors, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities and obligations of the organization, shall transfer all remaining assets of the organization to the ___________ Library.
If the ____________ Library no longer exists or is unable or unwilling to receive the assets, the remaining assets shall be distributed to an organization which, at the time, qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to a governmental unit for a public purpose.