Friends of the Ruidoso Public Library By-Laws
Article I: Name
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be Friends of the Ruidoso Public Library
Article II: Purpose
Section 1: The purpose of the Friends of the Ruidoso Public Library (herein after referred to as Friends) shall be to maintain as association of persons interested in libraries; to focus public attention on the library; to stimulate the use of the library’s resources; to receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the library; to support and cooperate with library staff in developing library services and facilities for the community; and to support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights.
Section 2: The Friends shall derive no benefit from its operation either directly or indirectly
Section 3: The Friends is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization as defined by Internal Revenue Code of 1954
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Membership in the Friends shall be open to all with payment of dues.
Section 2: Classification of membership and their dues shall be:
Individual $5
Family $15
Club or Corporation $50
Lifetime $150
Contributions and dues to the friends are tax deductible. Each members shall be entitled to one vote at the annual membership meeting.
Section 3: The Board of Directors may grant the title Honorary Life Member to individuals who have made a great contribution to Ruidoso Public Library. Such a member shall enjoy a lifetime membership without payment of dues.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1: The elected officers of the Friends shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Section 2: The Nominating Committee shall nominate the slate of officers. The nominations shall be submitted to the membership in writing with the candidates' prior consent at least one week before the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting with the consent of the person nominated.
Section 3: Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of those present at the Annual meeting for a two-year term.
Section 4: The Board of Directors shall fill a vacancy that occurs in an office for the remainder of the term
Article V: Duties of Officers
Section 1: The President shall preside over and conduct meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors, appoint all committees, and may appoint someone to serve as representative of the friends at meetings of the Ruidoso Library Board of Trustees.
Section 2: The Vice President shall assist the president, assume the duties of the President in the president's absence, serve as a member of the Board of Directors, and maintain a membership list.
Section 3: The Secretary shall take minutes of membership and Board meetings, conduct the organization's correspondence, and serve on the Board of Directors.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall be responsible for all organization funds, keep and maintain the organization's financial records, make a detailed Annual Fiscal report to the membership, compile such other fiscal reports as may be required by law, and serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: The Friends membership shall hold at least one meeting a year. Meetings shall be held in the Ruidoso Public Library. The annual meeting shall be held on a date to be determined by the President. Members shall be given written notification of the annual meeting at least one week prior to the date. The notification shall include the officers’ slate chosen by the Nominating Committee.
Section 2: The parliamentary authority shall be the most recent Roberts Rules of Order.
Article VII: Board of Directors
Section 1: The number of directors shall be nine (9) and shall include the elected officers of the Friends. The Library Manager shall serve as an ex-officio member.
Section 2: The Board shall meet six (6) times a year as determined by the Board
Section 3: A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Board members.
Article VIII: Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees shall be:
Book Shop
Membership
The President shall establish additional committees as needed.
Article IX: Finance
Section 1: The fiscal year shall be from January through December 31.
Section 2: Dues of all members are payable annually.
Section 3 A financial review shall be conducted annually by a committee appointed by the President.
Article X: Amendments
Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended, repealed or altered in part or in whole only by a majority vote in any duly organized meeting of the directors.
Revised September 2010