The Constitution and By-Laws Of the New England School Library Association
The NESLA board reviewed the Constitution and By-Laws in the year 2018-2019 and made recommendations for updates and changes. These recommendations were posted for review, comment and approval by membership. They were approved in the spring of 2019 by a vote of the membership.
The New England School Library Association, formerly known as the New England Educational Media Association, revised its constitution in Fall 1988, Fall 1994, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2008, Winter 2012, and Spring 2019.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the New England School Library Association (“NESLA”), an affiliate of the American Association of School Librarians (“AASL”).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
SECTION 1: The purpose of NESLA shall be to promote the professional development of school librarians and enhance school library programs in New England. The mission of the New England School Library Association is to educate and to foster communication and collaboration among the members of the school library associations within the six New England States as well as the school library associations throughout the country.
SECTION 2: NESLA will provide professional development opportunities for members to strengthen leadership skills within their state and the region.
SECTION 3: NESLA will provide a strong regional voice at the national level.
SECTION 4: NESLA is organized exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, no part of the earnings of which shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. No substantial part of the activities of NESLA shall support any
political campaigns or candidates for political office.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Upon payment of annual dues, a member is any person in agreement with the purpose of NESLA. Members shall be entitled to vote, to attend meetings, to hold office, to serve on committees and to receive any publications prepared or
contracted by this Association.
SECTION 2: Life and honorary members shall be chosen by unanimous vote of the Officers and the Governing Board. Life and honorary members shall be entitled to all privileges granted an active member. Life members are NESLA members who have been exemplary contributors to the organization. Honorary members are executive officers or directors of other organizations with whom we wish to maintain regular contact.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND GOVERNING BOARD
SECTION 1: The Governing Board of NESLA shall consist of the four elected NESLA officers (Past President, President, Treasurer, and Technology Officer) and also include the following:
SECTION 2: The elected officers of NESLA’s Governing Board, Past President, President, Treasurer, and Technology Officer will:
SECTION 3: The President will appoint members to the Executive Committee who are ex-officio.
SECTION 4: In the absence or incapacity of the President, the succession of officers shall be the following: Immediate Past President, Technology Officer, and Treasurer.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: The Constitution and Bylaws shall be reviewed by each incoming president and the constitution chair, and amended as deemed necessary. Those amendments shall be sent to each member at least 30 days before the annual meeting and will be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present or responding to an online or mail ballot.
SECTION 2: Amendments to the Constitution are initiated by the Governing Board although any member in good standing may present in writing a proposed amendment to the Governing Board for the first September meeting each year.
ARTICLE VI – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, in the current edition, shall govern NESLA in all cases to which it can be applied and in which it is not inconsistent with the Constitution, the Bylaws or special rules of NESLA.
NESLA By-Laws
ARTICLE I – OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The President shall:
SECTION 2: The immediate Past President shall:
the Constitution Committee;
SECTION 3: The Technology Officer shall:
SECTION 4: The Treasurer maintains all financial records and is authorized, along with the President, to have full access to the NESLA. In accordance with this, the treasurer shall:
SECTION 5: All officers and committees of NESLA are required to submit before May 31st a yearly written budget to the Finance and Strategy Consultants and the Treasurer for any expenses or income their committee or office is anticipating for the coming fiscal period. From this information the Finance and Strategy Consultants member of the Executive Committee will create a tentative budget, in consultation with the President and Treasurer, for the coming fiscal year, which will be voted on by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE II – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The officers are as follows:
SECTION 2: Elections by ballot for President, Technology Officer and Treasurer shall be held every three years in accordance with the written report submitted by the Nominating Committee to the Governing Board. All ballots will be submitted
electronically or by mail.
SECTION 3: The Nominating Committee, consisting of members of the Executive Committee, shall prepare an official slate of candidates for office by March 1st. Space shall be provided on the ballot for each office for members to write in the names of
people for whom they wish to cast a vote. The official ballot shall be mailed electronically or by regular mail, to NESLA members in good standing by April 1st. Print ballots shall be mailed upon request and must be returned to the person designated on the ballot. Election results shall be announced on the NESLA website and list serv on or before May 1st.
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SECTION 4: All ballots shall be returned electronically or by mail. All ballots must be returned to the person designated on the ballot on or before the stated closing date to be counted. The Nominating Committee shall count and tabulate the vote and report the results to the Governing Board and the membership.
SECTION 5: Transition of officers will occur on June 30th.
ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SECTION 1: The President, with the approval of the Governing Board, has the authority to hire an Executive Director for one contractual year. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall have the authority to renew the contract upon expiration.
SECTION 2: The Governing Board shall define the duties of the Executive Director in a job description that is subject to annual review.
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
SECTION 1: There shall be at least one annual NESLA membership meeting.
SECTION 2: The Governing Board shall convene as often as is necessary. Additional meetings must be convened upon request to the President and the Secretary by at least five members of the Board.
SECTION 3: The Executive Committee, during the intervals between meetings of the Governing Board, shall possess and may exercise, in all cases when special directions have not been given by the Governing Board, all powers of the Board with
respect to the management of the Association consistent with its best interests, but may not fill any vacancy on the Governing Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Governing Board at its next meeting.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Standing and special committees shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the President with the approval of the Governing Board. Each Committee Chairperson will select the appropriate number of members needed to assist in carrying out the charge. Duties of the Committees shall be described by the President when the committee is charged with its responsibilities. Standing Committees might include some or all of the following and any other committees that may be deemed appropriate by the Board:
ARTICLE VI – DUES
SECTION 1: Dues shall be paid in September with the onset of the fiscal year and cover a time period of twelve months, expiring on the fixed date of August 31. Members who renew after September 1 are subject to the fixed expiration date.
SECTION 2: Life and honorary members, appointed through the procedures stated in Article III Section 2 of the Constitution, shall be exempt from membership dues. Retiree and student (to those enrolled half-time, at least 6 credits) membership shall be offered at a reduced rate.
ARTICLE VII – AFFILIATIONS
SECTION 1: The New England School Library Association, by vote of the Governing Board, may affiliate with other organizations having purpose similar to those of the Association.
SECTION 2: NESLA will send two delegates, the NESLA President and President-Elect, to attend the AASL Affiliate Assembly at the ALA mid-winter and annual conference. The NESLA Governing Board may approve a stipend for the two NESLA
delegates upon submission of registration, travel and housing receipts and a written report about the proceedings of the AASL Affiliate Assembly.
SECTION 3: NESLA will send the AASL Director and Director-Elect Region I, to attend the AASL Affiliate Assembly at the ALA mid-winter and annual conference. The NESLA Governing Board may approve a stipend for the the AASL Director and
Director-Elect Region I upon submission of registration, travel and housing receipts and a written report about the proceedings of the AASL AASL Board meetings.
ARTICLE VIII– DISPOSITION OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1: In the event of the dissolution of NESLA, the property and assets
thereof, after providing for all obligations and liabilities, shall then be disposed of
exclusively for the purposes voted upon by a majority of the Executive Board.
SECTION 2: No part of the net earnings of NESLA shall inure to the benefit or,
be distributed to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the
Executive Board shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for
services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes
set forth in Article II hereof.
SECTION 3: The assets must be distributed to such an organization(s) exempt
from taxation under Section 501 C. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
The New England School Library Association, formerly known as the New England Educational Media Association, revised its constitution in Fall 1988, Fall 1994, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2008, Winter 2012, and Spring 2019.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the New England School Library Association (“NESLA”), an affiliate of the American Association of School Librarians (“AASL”).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
SECTION 1: The purpose of NESLA shall be to promote the professional development of school librarians and enhance school library programs in New England. The mission of the New England School Library Association is to educate and to foster communication and collaboration among the members of the school library associations within the six New England States as well as the school library associations throughout the country.
SECTION 2: NESLA will provide professional development opportunities for members to strengthen leadership skills within their state and the region.
SECTION 3: NESLA will provide a strong regional voice at the national level.
SECTION 4: NESLA is organized exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, no part of the earnings of which shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. No substantial part of the activities of NESLA shall support any
political campaigns or candidates for political office.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Upon payment of annual dues, a member is any person in agreement with the purpose of NESLA. Members shall be entitled to vote, to attend meetings, to hold office, to serve on committees and to receive any publications prepared or
contracted by this Association.
SECTION 2: Life and honorary members shall be chosen by unanimous vote of the Officers and the Governing Board. Life and honorary members shall be entitled to all privileges granted an active member. Life members are NESLA members who have been exemplary contributors to the organization. Honorary members are executive officers or directors of other organizations with whom we wish to maintain regular contact.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND GOVERNING BOARD
SECTION 1: The Governing Board of NESLA shall consist of the four elected NESLA officers (Past President, President, Treasurer, and Technology Officer) and also include the following:
- The AASL Region I Director;
- Representatives from each New England state school library association with one from each state preferably being the President. Each association may send up to two representative members and will have no more than a total of two votes.
- Chairpersons of standing and special committees; All elected or appointed positions members of the Governing Board are voting members of the Governing Board.
- Members of the Governing Board are expected to attend Board meetings and are members in good standing who maintain their NESLA membership.
SECTION 2: The elected officers of NESLA’s Governing Board, Past President, President, Treasurer, and Technology Officer will:
- Each serve a three-year term;
- Also serve as voting members of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3: The President will appoint members to the Executive Committee who are ex-officio.
- The President will act as Chair of the Executive Committee and appoints three ex-officio members, with Board approval, who have made significant contributions to school librarianship. These appointed members of the Executive Committee consist of Finance Consultant; History Consultant; and Strategy Consultant. These members of the Executive Committee shall have expertise in their appointed areas and will provide advisement and oversight to the Executive Board and are expected to attend Executive Committee meetings and Governing Board meetings as needed;
- The presiding President appoints up to three ex-officio members to the Executive Committee, with Governing Board approval, who may be librarians, educators, publishers, partners, or collaborators from associations or organization(s) in private or non-profit sectors who are considered by the Governing Board to be appropriate. These ex-officio members serve three-year terms, which are renewable.
- All members of the Executive Committee, voting and ex officio, are expected to attend all committee meetings and maintain their NESLA membership in good standing.
SECTION 4: In the absence or incapacity of the President, the succession of officers shall be the following: Immediate Past President, Technology Officer, and Treasurer.
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: The Constitution and Bylaws shall be reviewed by each incoming president and the constitution chair, and amended as deemed necessary. Those amendments shall be sent to each member at least 30 days before the annual meeting and will be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present or responding to an online or mail ballot.
SECTION 2: Amendments to the Constitution are initiated by the Governing Board although any member in good standing may present in writing a proposed amendment to the Governing Board for the first September meeting each year.
ARTICLE VI – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, in the current edition, shall govern NESLA in all cases to which it can be applied and in which it is not inconsistent with the Constitution, the Bylaws or special rules of NESLA.
NESLA By-Laws
ARTICLE I – OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The President shall:
- Preside at all meetings;
- Disseminate the approved minutes to the Technology Officer for posting on the website;
- Disseminate the minutes to the Governing Board and Executive Committee by email and/or regular mail within a week after approval by the Governing Board;
- Report on the status of action items from the approved minutes at the next Governing Board meeting;
- Appoint standing and special committees and chairpersons with the approval of the Governing Board;
- Appoint up to three members at the onset of his or her term to the Executive Committee for three-year terms;
- Serve as one of the two delegates to Affiliate Assembly and publish a report for the membership;
- Serve as or designate a representative to any organization or council that may be deemed appropriate by the Governing Board;
- Appoint a NESLA member to fill any unexpired term of an elected office with the approval of the Governing Board;
- Serve as chair for conferences or summits and all special events and delegate related duties as needed;
- The President, or his or her designee, shall attend ALA Mid-Winter Annual, ALA Annual Conference, and AASL Biannual Conference and publish a report to the membership or may designate the Past President to attend as the official NESLA representative who will prepare a report to the membership.
- The President or his or her designee will attend, when possible, conferences of New England school library state associations and conferences relevant to school libraries, e.g., technology, education, and public/academic libraries;
- The President works with the History, Strategy and Finance Consultants to ensure: An annual strategic plan; adequate communication and progress of action items and strategic planning; continued follow-up and completion of each separate item listed of the strategic plan, including action items;
- The President is authorized by the bank he or she designates, along with the Treasurer, to perform bank transactions and have full access to the NESLA account and serves as a back-up if the Treasurer is incapacitated;
- The President or Past President may receive a stipend for each of the aforementioned ALA/AASL events for their attendance. If they are reimbursed by their school districts, they will not be eligible for re-imbursement from NESLA.
- Only the President or the President’s designee shall serve as the official voice for NESLA.
SECTION 2: The immediate Past President shall:
- Oversee and coordinate the activities of the standing and special committees,
the Constitution Committee;
- Serve as one of the two delegates to the AASL Affiliate Assembly;
- Attend the AASL Affiliate Assembly at the mid-winter and annual ALA conferences and co-ordinate with the President to publish a report for the members;
- Assume the duties of the President in his or her absence;
- Perform any other duties assigned by the President.
SECTION 3: The Technology Officer shall:
- Record minutes of the Governing Board and Executive Committee and disseminate approved minutes by email and/or regular mail within a week after approval by the Governing Board;
- Record and upload a summary of the minutes of Governing Board and Executive Committee meetings, and any other NESLA meeting as designated by the President, to the membership of NESLA on the public website and a full, archived version on the administrative website;
- The minutes shall include action items, and the meeting summary. Action items are items extracted from the annual strategic plan as presented by the Strategy Consultant and approved by the Governing Board in June and October meetings. The strategic plan is referenced with respect to work needed to be accomplished by Governing Board and Executive Committee members;
- Receive and upload all state reports on the NESLA website and consolidate this information for use at the June planning meeting;
- Upload updates to the NESLA website as requested by the Governing Board and Executive Committee;
- Maintain the NESLA website, including hosting, postings and renewals.
- Maintain an up-to-date the membership database.
SECTION 4: The Treasurer maintains all financial records and is authorized, along with the President, to have full access to the NESLA. In accordance with this, the treasurer shall:
- Keep a record of all receipts and disbursements;
- Pay only purchase orders signed by the President for bills, invoices, stipends, etc., with the amount of the purchase order assigned to an office or committee according to the approved budget for that fiscal period;
- Report on the status of the treasury and submit a report at each Governing Board meeting;
- Keep all funds in a depository approved by the Governing Board;
- Serve as a liaison to the Finance Consultant of the Executive Committee and meet with the Financial Consultant twice a year in September and June to review accounts;
- Present a financial statement as well as such additional reports as are requested by the President;
- Prepare an annual budget, in collaboration with the Governing Board, Finance and Strategy Consultants, and the Executive Board by April 1st of each year for the fiscal year starting in July and present the budget at the June planning meeting for Board approval;
- Receive motions to amend the budget and prepare a report for the Governing Board for a vote;
- Report any financial information that is legally required by any state or federal agency;
- Receive motions to revise the budget and prepare a report for the Governing Board for a vote;
- Prepare, report and mail any financial information that is legally required by any state or federal agency.
SECTION 5: All officers and committees of NESLA are required to submit before May 31st a yearly written budget to the Finance and Strategy Consultants and the Treasurer for any expenses or income their committee or office is anticipating for the coming fiscal period. From this information the Finance and Strategy Consultants member of the Executive Committee will create a tentative budget, in consultation with the President and Treasurer, for the coming fiscal year, which will be voted on by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE II – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The officers are as follows:
- The President holds office for a three-year term and can elect to run for an additional term for a maximum of two consecutive terms;
- The Technology Officer serves for a three-year term. There are no term limits for the office Technology Officer;
- The Treasurer serves a three-year term. There are no term limits for the office Treasurer.
SECTION 2: Elections by ballot for President, Technology Officer and Treasurer shall be held every three years in accordance with the written report submitted by the Nominating Committee to the Governing Board. All ballots will be submitted
electronically or by mail.
SECTION 3: The Nominating Committee, consisting of members of the Executive Committee, shall prepare an official slate of candidates for office by March 1st. Space shall be provided on the ballot for each office for members to write in the names of
people for whom they wish to cast a vote. The official ballot shall be mailed electronically or by regular mail, to NESLA members in good standing by April 1st. Print ballots shall be mailed upon request and must be returned to the person designated on the ballot. Election results shall be announced on the NESLA website and list serv on or before May 1st.
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SECTION 4: All ballots shall be returned electronically or by mail. All ballots must be returned to the person designated on the ballot on or before the stated closing date to be counted. The Nominating Committee shall count and tabulate the vote and report the results to the Governing Board and the membership.
SECTION 5: Transition of officers will occur on June 30th.
ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SECTION 1: The President, with the approval of the Governing Board, has the authority to hire an Executive Director for one contractual year. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall have the authority to renew the contract upon expiration.
SECTION 2: The Governing Board shall define the duties of the Executive Director in a job description that is subject to annual review.
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
SECTION 1: There shall be at least one annual NESLA membership meeting.
SECTION 2: The Governing Board shall convene as often as is necessary. Additional meetings must be convened upon request to the President and the Secretary by at least five members of the Board.
SECTION 3: The Executive Committee, during the intervals between meetings of the Governing Board, shall possess and may exercise, in all cases when special directions have not been given by the Governing Board, all powers of the Board with
respect to the management of the Association consistent with its best interests, but may not fill any vacancy on the Governing Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Governing Board at its next meeting.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Standing and special committees shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the President with the approval of the Governing Board. Each Committee Chairperson will select the appropriate number of members needed to assist in carrying out the charge. Duties of the Committees shall be described by the President when the committee is charged with its responsibilities. Standing Committees might include some or all of the following and any other committees that may be deemed appropriate by the Board:
- Awards Committee
- Constitution and By-laws Committee
- Finance Committee
- Leadership Conference Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Communications Committee
- Archive Committee
ARTICLE VI – DUES
SECTION 1: Dues shall be paid in September with the onset of the fiscal year and cover a time period of twelve months, expiring on the fixed date of August 31. Members who renew after September 1 are subject to the fixed expiration date.
SECTION 2: Life and honorary members, appointed through the procedures stated in Article III Section 2 of the Constitution, shall be exempt from membership dues. Retiree and student (to those enrolled half-time, at least 6 credits) membership shall be offered at a reduced rate.
ARTICLE VII – AFFILIATIONS
SECTION 1: The New England School Library Association, by vote of the Governing Board, may affiliate with other organizations having purpose similar to those of the Association.
SECTION 2: NESLA will send two delegates, the NESLA President and President-Elect, to attend the AASL Affiliate Assembly at the ALA mid-winter and annual conference. The NESLA Governing Board may approve a stipend for the two NESLA
delegates upon submission of registration, travel and housing receipts and a written report about the proceedings of the AASL Affiliate Assembly.
SECTION 3: NESLA will send the AASL Director and Director-Elect Region I, to attend the AASL Affiliate Assembly at the ALA mid-winter and annual conference. The NESLA Governing Board may approve a stipend for the the AASL Director and
Director-Elect Region I upon submission of registration, travel and housing receipts and a written report about the proceedings of the AASL AASL Board meetings.
ARTICLE VIII– DISPOSITION OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1: In the event of the dissolution of NESLA, the property and assets
thereof, after providing for all obligations and liabilities, shall then be disposed of
exclusively for the purposes voted upon by a majority of the Executive Board.
SECTION 2: No part of the net earnings of NESLA shall inure to the benefit or,
be distributed to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the
Executive Board shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for
services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes
set forth in Article II hereof.
SECTION 3: The assets must be distributed to such an organization(s) exempt
from taxation under Section 501 C. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.