ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be Friends of the New Hanover County Public library

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section 1: The purpose of this organization shall be to maintain an association of persons interested in libraries; to focus public attention on New Hanover County Public Library System’s resources and services, and to receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to New Hanover Public Library System for use in developing library services and facilities for the community.

Section 2: In further support of the New Hanover County Public Library System, the organization shall sponsor development of programs designed to add to the cultural life of the community.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: General membership shall be open to all persons, firms and organizations interested in the goals and activitiesof the Friends of the Library and will be contingent upon the payment of dues on an annual basis.

Section 2: Each membership in good standing shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 3: It is the policy of the organization that membership lists will not be distributed to persons or organizations not affiliated with the Library. Any exception to this policy must be approved by the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of this organization, President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, shall be members in good standing

Section 2: The slate of Officers with the consent of the nominees shall be presented to the Board of Directors by the Nominating Committee at the September Board meeting. The nominations shall be posted on the library bulletin board 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 one year, but not more than a total of three consecutive terms. They shall take office January 1 following the annual meeting.


ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The president shall preside over and conduct meetings of the organization, act as Chairman of the Board, appoint all committees, be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee, and represent the Friends on the Library Advisory Board.

Section 2: The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall perform duties designated by the President.

Section 3: The Secretary shall take minutes of all membership and Board meetings, notify the members of the time and place of the meetings, and handle the correspondence of the organization.

Section 4: The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of this organization as directed by the Board Of Directors and shall keep an accurate and detailed record of all receipts and disbursements, which record shall, at all times, be subject to inspection by any member of the Board of Directors.

Section 5: The Treasurer shall be bonded in an amount designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: There shall be a board of Directors which will consist of the officers, the immediate past president and no less than nine or more than fourteen members in good standing. The Library Director and the Chairman of the Library Advisory Board shall serve as non-voting ex-officio members of the Board.

Section 2: The nomination and election of the nine to fourteen members to be directors shall be in the same manner as prescribed for the officers.

Section 3: The term of office of the nine to fourteen directors shall be for three years and for not more than two successive terms. Positions shall be vacated on rotation with at least three directors being elected each year.

Section 4: The Board of Directors shall conduct the affairs of the organization between general membership meetings.

Section 5: A vacancy on the Board shall be considered to have occurred when a member of the Board has two successive unexcused absences, resigns, or fails to fulfill the responsibilities of a board member. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired term. Board members filling vacancies may be elected to one full term in the succeeding year.

Section 6: The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly.

Section 7: A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section 1: The general membership shall meet at least annually in the fall, at which time elections will be held.

Section 2: Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors, or by written request to the President from fourteen members, in good standing, from the general membership. The general membership shall be notified no less than five days prior to the special meeting.

Section 3: A quorum for any general membership meeting shall be those members in good standing at the meeting.

Section 4: A simple majority shall rule at any general meeting except for voting on amendments, which require two-thirds of those present.

ARTICLE VIII: FISCAL YEAR

Section 1: The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES

Section 1: There shall be a nominating committee, composed of three members, the chairman of which shall be appointed by the President. The committee shall include one member-at-large and two from the outgoing class of the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Other Committees shall be appointed by the President as deemed necessary.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Amendments to these bylaws may be adopted at any general membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present after notification in writing to each member at least two weeks before the meeting at which the voting is to take place.

ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1: Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised when not in conflict with these bylaws shall govern the proceedings of this organization

1993
revised 11/1997
revised 11/2010