Friends of the Webster Public Library
By-Laws

ARTICLE I NAME

The name of this organization shall be the FRIENDS OF THE WEBSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Friends are an independent, voluntary auxiliary organization operating within the Webster community in cooperation with the Director of the Webster Public Library and will serve as a liaison between the community and the Library staff.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote increased knowledge of the Webster Public Library via the following activities: maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries; stimulate and promote informed public interest in the Webster Public Library, its services, facilities, and needs; encourage and receive gifts, endowments, and bequests to the library; support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community; sponsor and encourage volunteer service for Friends’ activities; promote cultural and related programs for the community; promote library needs to legislators.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in this organization shall be open to all individuals in sympathy with its purpose, and to representatives of organizations and clubs, interested in promoting the purposes of the Friends.

Section 2. Each membership shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

ARTICLE IV ELECTIVE OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.

Section 2. Officers shall be nominated by a nominating committee appointed by the Executive Committee at least two months before the Annual Meeting. With the consent of each nominee, the nominations shall be submitted in writing to the membership at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee.

Section 3. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of those present at the Annual Meeting, for the term of two years, commencing upon election. An officer may not hold the same office for more than two successive terms.

Section 4. All requests for withdrawal from office prior to the end of the term should be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may appoint a person to serve out the unexpired term of an office rendered vacant. Any officer, upon leaving office, must relinquish all documentation, monies, and other properties to his/her successor.

ARTICLE V DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND CHAIRPERSONS

Section 1. President

  1. to preside over and conduct meetings
  2. to be an ex-officio member of all committees
  3. to prepare all agendas for Executive Committee meetings
  4. to preside over the Executive Committee
  5. to verify banking accounts with the Treasurer on a bi-annual basis.

Section 2. Vice-President

  1. to perform the duties of the president in the absence of the same
  2. to assist the president
  3. to work with and assist the various committees and other individuals appointed by the Executive Committee

Section 3. Treasurer

  1. to collect all dues and contributions from the Membership Chairperson on a regular basis and deposit them accordingly
  2. to keep and maintain the financial records of the organization
  3. to administer all funds
  4. to collect and present any funding requests to the Executive Committee for approval
  5. to present oral and written financial reports at each meeting of the Executive Committee
  6. to provide financial status of checking and savings accounts at each meeting
  7. to provide assistance in completion of any financial statements required by state and federal governments

Section 4. Secretary

  1. to record attendance at all meetings of the organization
  2. to take minutes of all meetings and later distribute them to all appropriate individuals
  3. to notify members of the time, date, and place of meetings
  4. to conduct correspondence of the organization

Section 5. Membership Chairperson

  1. to keep a membership list together with addresses and notify members of renewal dates
  2. to submit all dues and contributions to the Treasurer in a timely manner
  3. to keep the library adequately stocked with membership forms and newsletters
  4. to pursue alternatives for recruiting new members
  5. to promote donations through gifts and bequests
  6. to promote the Friends in all news media and through community presentations

Section 6. Event or Fundraising Chairperson

  1. to identify, develop, and coordinate appropriate special events or fundraising activities
  2. to plan and supervise the scheduling of special events or fundraisers
  3. to identify, develop and coordinate volunteer support for activities
  4. to identify appropriate community organizations with whom to conduct special events to benefit the Friends

ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES

Various committees are sometimes needed to further the objectives and interests of this organization. They shall be appointed as needed by the Executive Committee and will meet as required to perform their responsibilities. The Chairperson will report to the Executive Committee as to the status of their committee’s activities as requested.

ARTICLE VII EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the officers of the organization and the chairpersons of all standing committees. The staff liaison shall serve as ex-officio member of the executive committee.

Section 2. The executive committee shall hold a minimum of four (4) meetings per year to conduct the business of the organization. Special meetings may be called by any member of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. The executive committee shall transact business by a majority vote of the members present.

Section 4. A majority of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum. A quorum will be required to approve all financial and business transactions of the organization.

Section 5. Staff Liaison: The Webster Public Library Director shall appoint an ex-officio staff member to the Executive Committee. The staff liaison shall act as an advisor to the officers and members of the Executive Committee, make such recommendations to the Executive Committee as may promote the goals of the organization, and serve as liaison to the Webster Public Library Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS

Section 1. An Annual Meeting open to the general membership shall be held each year, at a time to be determined by the Executive Committee for the purpose of electing officers when scheduled and to report on the business of the organization from the previous year. Members shall be notified in writing at least one month prior to the date of the meeting. Voting at the Annual Meeting is open to each paid membership.

Section 2. Special Meetings may be called at any time by the President, or by any three members of the Executive Committee, for the purpose of conducting business.

ARTICLE IX DUES

Dues shall be payable annually to the Membership Chairperson and shall become due on the day of the member’s anniversary date. There shall be four classes of dues, amount to be decided by the Executive Committee annually. The categories will be: individual membership, family membership, supporting membership, and organizational membership.

ARTICLE X FUNDS AND DISBURSEMENTS

Section 1. Funds: All funds shall be invested in the name of, or deposited to the account of, the Friends of the Webster Public Library.

Section 2. Disbursements: With the authorization of the Executive Committee, all disbursements for routine conduct of business and operating expenses incurred by the Friends of the Webster Public Library shall be made by the treasurer with the co-signature of the president or vice-president.

Section 3. Dissolution: In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall, after payment of necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or, to another organization to be used in such manner as in the judgment of a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the judicial district where the principal office of the organization is then located will best accomplish the general purpose for which this corporation was formed.

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the By-Laws may be made at any meeting of the general membership, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the persons present who are eligible to vote. Each paid up member shall be notified in writing one month prior to the meeting at which the voting is to take place and provided with a copy of the proposed changes to the by-laws.

ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, when not in conflict with these By-Laws, shall govern the proceedings of this organization.

ARTICLE XIII TAX EXEMPT STATUS

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization is organized exclusively for literary or educational purposes and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.)

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the corporation, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the organization), and no member, trustee, officer of the corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets upon dissolution of the organization.

No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be devoted to carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except to the extent authorized by Internal Revenue Code section 501(h) as amended, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, during any fiscal year or years in which the corporation has chosen to utilize the benefits authorized by the statutory provision) and the organization shall not participate in or intervene (including the publishing or distribution of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Adopted February 13, 1984

Revised June 4, 1984

Revised April 13, 1999

 

 

Webster Public Library
Webster Plaza, 980 Ridge Road, Webster, New York 14580 USA
Telephone: 585-872-7075    Web site: www.websterlibrary.org
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