Home

Newsletter

Listserv

Programs

Resources

Special Libraries Association

Copyright and Disclaimer

ARTICLE I: NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the LEGAL Division, Special Libraries Association.

Section 2. The objectives of this Division shall be those of the Special Libraries Association: to provide an association of individuals and organizations having a professional, scientific or technical interest in library and information science, especially as these are applied in the recording, retrieval and dissemination of knowledge and information in areas such as the physical, biological, technical and social sciences and humanities; and to promote and improve the communication, dissemination and use of such information and knowledge for the benefit of libraries or other educational organizations.

Section 3. The scope of this Division shall be: The Legal Division serves as a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge among law and regulatory affairs librarians. Particular emphasis is given to the concerns unique to librarians practicing in private law firm, business, and government libraries.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The membership of the Division shall be those members of the Association who elect to affiliate with the Division. 

Section 2. Members, Associate Members and Retired Members of the Association who are members of the Division shall have the right to vote, to hold any elective or appointive office in the Division, and to receive the Division bulletin free.

Section 3. Student Members of the Association who are members of the Division shall have the right to vote, to hold any appointive, but not elective office in the Division, and to receive the Division bulletin free.

Section 4. The rights and benefits of Sustaining Members and Honorary Members shall be determined by the Association Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III: EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. There shall be an Executive Board that shall have the power and authority to manage the Division's property and to regulate and govern its affairs. The Board shall: determine Division policies within the limits of the Bylaws of the Association and of the Division; take such actions as it considers necessary to carry out the objectives of the Division; and perform such other functions as the membership may direct.

Section 2. The Board shall consist of seven members elected by the membership: the chair, the chair-elect, the chair-elect-elect, the past chair, the secretary, the treasurer, and one director. All members of the Executive Board shall be Members, Associate Members or Retired Members of Special Libraries Association.

Section 3. The Board shall hold at least one meeting annually and may hold additional meetings upon call of the chair or upon written request of any member of the Board. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4. A vacancy in the membership of the Executive Board, except in the office of the chair, shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board, this Board-elected member to serve until the next annual election.

Section 5. The term of office of chair, chair-elect, chair-elect-elect, and past chair shall be one year. The term of office of secretary, treasurer and director shall be two years. All members of the Executive Board shall serve until their successors are elected and assume their duties. The term of office shall commence at the adjournment of the Association Annual Business Meeting, or, if there is no annual Business Meeting, on July I following the election.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1. The chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Division and, subject to the Executive Board, shall: have general supervision and control over its affairs; be responsible for supervision of Division program planning for the Association Annual Conference during the year the office is held; preside at all business meetings of the Division and of the Executive Board; recommend to the Board such measures considered desirable to further the objectives and broaden the effectiveness of the Division; sign all contracts and other legal documents jointly with the secretary; be authorized with the Treasurer as co-signatory on all checks drawn upon Division funds, unless determined otherwise by the Executive Board; be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee; represent the Division, together with the chair-elect, at meetings of the Division Cabinet and Joint Cabinet during the Association Year in which the office is held, or, if either is unable to attend, shall designate a Member, Associate Member or Retired Member of the Division to serve as alternate representative; prepare such reports as may be required by the Association; and be responsible for supervising the preparation of such reports as may be required of other Division officers by the Association.

Section 2. The chair-elect shall:

assist the chair in the performance of the duties of the chair; represent the Division, together with the chair, at meetings of the Division Cabinet and Joint Cabinet during the Association Year in which the office is held; and assume all the duties and obligations of the chair in the event of absence or withdrawal of the chair.

Section 3. The chair-elect-elect shall:  assist the chair and the chair-elect in the performance of the duties of the chair and chair-elect; and observe the meetings of the Division Cabinet and the Joint Cabinet during the Association Year in which office is held.

Section 4. The secretary shall: keep a record of all meetings of the Division and of the Executive Board; sign all contracts and other legal documents jointly with the chair; and perform such other duties as the chair may assign.

Section 5. The treasurer shall: have custody of the Division funds; be authorized with the chair as co-signatory on all checks drawn upon Division funds unless determined otherwise by the Executive Board; and furnish such financial statements as may be required by the Executive Board, the chair, and the Association.

Section 6. The past chair shall carry out such duties as the chair may assign.

Section 7. The director shall carry out such duties as the chair may assign.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1. The Division annual business meeting shall be held during the Association

Annual Conference, or, if there is no Conference, upon call of the chair. At least

one business meeting shall be held during the term of office of each elected

Executive Board.

Section 2. Special meetings may be held upon call of the Executive Board or on petition of 25% of the members of the Division. Notice of a special meeting shall specify the business to be transacted, and no business other than that stated in the notice shall be considered.

Section 3. Notice of meetings in writing or printed in the Division official bulletin shall be sent to each member at least thirty days before the meeting.

Section 4. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be twenty-five Division members.

Section 5. Whenever in the judgment of the Executive Board, a question arises that should be put to vote on the entire voting membership and cannot await the annual business meeting, the Executive Board may submit the question for vote by mail. The closing date for the return of mail votes shall be established by the Board. The question presented shall be resolved by a two-thirds vote of the returned mail ballots sent to the entire voting membership.

Section 6. When not in conflict with these Bylaws, the Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (latest edition) shall govern all deliberations.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing and special committees shall be established by the Executive Board for the purpose of delegating such powers and functions as the Board finds desirable for the conduct of its business and for carrying out the objectives of the Division. These committees shall be responsible to the Board.

Section 2. The Division chair shall appoint the chairs of all committees except the Nominating Committee. Except as required elsewhere in these Bylaws, appointment of members to standing and special committees shall be made by the respective committee chairs and all appointments shall be for one year unless determined otherwise by the Executive Board. No member may serve continuously on any one committee in excess of four years.

Section 3. Committee chairs may participate in meetings of the Executive Board but shall not have the right to vote.

Section 4. Each committee shall submit to the Executive Board a written annual report of its activities, together with any recommendations considered necessary or advisable. Additional reports may be submitted by a committee or requested by the Board or the chair.

Section 5. Funds for committee expenses shall be authorized by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII: SECTIONS

Section 1. Sections relating to definite areas of interest within a Division may be established by the Executive Board upon written petition of thirty members of the Division who desire to participate in the activities of the proposed Section. Sections shall receive needed operating funds from the Division, and shall submit to the Division Executive Board an annual report including a financial statement. Should dissolution of a Section occur, its assets shall revert to the Division. Formation or dissolution of a Section shall be reported to the Division Cabinet officers and the Association Office.

ARTICLE VIII: FUNDS, CONTRACTS AND PROPERTY

Section 1. Funds for Division expenses shall be derived from the Association as an allotted share of the annual dues paid by Division members. Eligibility for this allotment is based on the submission to the Association of the Division financial statement for the previous year and on its acceptance by the Association. Requests for additional funds or loans may be submitted to the Division Cabinet officers for presentation to the Association Board of Directors for its consideration. All funds received by the Division shall be used for purposes incident to the fulfillment of the Division's objectives. Should dissolution of the Division become necessary, its assets shall revert to the Association.

Section 2. Any agreement, contract, or obligation entered into by the Division, including the purchase of property such as office machines, filing cabinets, computer equipment, etc., shall have advance approval of the Executive Board. If cost or liability of a non-binding expense exceeds $2,000, it shall have the advance approval of the Division members. If cost or liability exceeds $5,000, the transaction must be reviewed and signed by the Association's Executive Director. If the cost or liability exceeds the Division's available or budgeted funds, the transaction must be reviewed and approved by the Association's Board of Directors.

Section 3. All affiliate and contractual relationships shall be directed toward the best interest of the Division and the Association and shall protect the property and identity of the Division and the Association.

ARTICLE IX: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. A Nominating Committee for each election of members to the Executive Board shall be appointed by the Board no later than six months prior to the Division annual business meeting. This committee shall be composed of three members, no more than one of whom is a member of the current Board but at least one of whom shall be a former Division officer or member of the previous Nominating Committee.

Section 2. Each year the Nominating Committee shall present at least one candidate for chair-elect-elect, either secretary or treasurer, the latter two offices to be filled in alternate years, and one director. The Committee shall obtain the written acceptance of each nominee prior to submission of its report.

Section 3. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be published in the official bulletin or otherwise sent to Division members at least sixty days before the Division annual business meeting. Further nominations, accompanied by written acceptance of the nominee, may be entered by petition of twenty-five Division members, and shall be filed with the Nominating Committee at least forty-five days before the annual business meeting. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented for approval by the membership at the Division annual business meeting.

Section 4. If the slate includes more than one candidate for an office, election shall be by secret ballot mailed to each Division member thirty days before the Division annual business meeting. The candidate who receives the largest number of votes for any office shall be elected. In the event of a tie, election shall be by majority vote of the members present at the annual business meeting.

ARTICLE X: PUBLICATIONS

Section 1. Control of all publications of the Division for its members shall be vested in the Executive Board.

Section 2. The Division shall not be responsible for statements or opinions advanced in its publications or at meetings of the Division, or for statements by any of its members, except those authorized by the Division Executive Board, or those reflecting duly established policies of the Division or the Association.

ARTICLE XI: DIVISION REPRESENTATION AND AFFILIATION

Section 1. Division representatives to joint committees and meetings of other societies having objectives allied to those of the Division and of the Association shall be appointed by the chair. Such representatives shall submit at least one written report to the Executive Board during the year.

Section 2. Upon approval by a majority of the Division members voting, the Division may affiliate or disaffiliate with a local common interest organization provided that: (1) The objectives of such organization are consistent with those of the Division and of the Association; and

(2) The activities of such organization are not in conflict with Article I: Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Association Bylaws. Any other affiliation, including that with a national or international organization, shall be approved by the Association Board of Directors. Notices of affiliations and disaffiliations shall be reported to the Association.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION AND MERGER

Section 1. The Division may petition for dissolution, or for merger with another Division, by mail vote of its membership, the ballots to be mailed not more than 45 days after an annual business meeting at which a majority of the members present votes that it no longer meets the needs of the membership. If two-thirds of the mail ballots favor dissolution, or merger, the petition shall be submitted to the Division Cabinet officers for presentation to the Association Board of Directors, which shall make the final decision.

Section 2. In the event of dissolution, all assets of the Division shall revert to the Association. In the event of a merger, assets shall become a part of the new merged unit, as decided upon by the bodies concerned. Any other assets shall revert to the Association.

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any Division meeting, provided written notice containing the text of the proposed amendment has been sent to each member at least sixty days before the meeting at which it is to be considered.

Section 2. Any revisions in or amendments to the Division Bylaws shall be submitted to the Association Bylaws Committee for review before presentation to the Division membership.

Section 3. Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Board, the Bylaws Committee or twenty members of the Division. Proposals originating in the Executive Board or in the Division committee concerned with Bylaws shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board before submission to the members. Proposals originating by membership petition shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board and shall be presented to the members with the recommendations of the Board.

These Bylaws were:

Approved by the Bylaws Committee, Special Libraries Association

, Chair

(Signed) (Date)

Approved by the Division membership

, Chair

(Signed) (Date)

Download a copy in Word