THE PALM HARBOR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, INC.

                                                      BYLAWS

ARTICLE I — NAME

The name of this organization shall be the PALM HARBOR FRIENDS of the LIBRARY, INC., a non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II — PURPOSE

This is a volunteer, non-profit organization.  The purpose shall be to maintain an association of people interested in supporting quality library services in the community through fund raising, volunteerism and serving as advocates for the library’s programs; to focus public attention on library services, facilities and needs; to promote projects of service to the Palm Harbor Public Library; to stimulate interest and accept gifts which will benefit the Palm Harbor Library.

ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Membership in this organization shall be open to all people who support its purpose and shall entitle each member to one vote at the general membership meetings.  Families, clubs, businesses and corporations shall be treated as a single individual.

Section 2.    There shall be five classes of members.  Annual dues for all but “Life” shall be as designated by the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2008.

Individual                                                                                                         $10.00             Business         $ 50.00

Family                                                                                                                         15.00              Sustaining            $ 25.00

 

Life: $  100 with Giving Tree Leaf

        $ 1,000 or more with  Giving Tree Monument

ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.  The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  They shall constitute the Executive Board.  The officers and chairpersons of each standing committee are the Board of Directors.

Section 2.  The Director of the Palm Harbor Library, the immediate and other past Presidents of the Palm Harbor Friends of the Library, Inc., shall function as ex officio members of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership and Board of Directors, shall appoint all committee chairpersons with the approval of the Executive Board, and shall function as ex officio member of all committees.

Section 4.  The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence, may serve as member or chairperson of any committee, and shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the President.

Section 5.  The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the membership, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Board, preserve all current records and be custodian of all records of the organization which no longer are needed for current operations, but have historical significance.  The Secretary shall execute organization correspondence.

Section 6.  The Treasurer shall receive all money, property and gifts to the organization; shall pay all bills authorized by the Board of Directors, make reports at all meetings of the membership, Board of Directors and Executive Board and insure other financial concerns such as tax filing and annual audits are completed as required.  

            Section 7. The permanent Board of Directors shall consist of the following positions: Fund Raising/Volunteers, Hospitality, Literacy, Membership and Publicity.

     A) The Fund Raising/Volunteer Director shall be responsible for fund raising projects.  Such projects require approval by the Board of Directors. The Director will also serve as a liaison to the Volunteer Coordinator of the Library.

     B) The Hospitality Director shall organize and prepare for all social functions of the organization.  The Director is responsible for sending cards during illness and bereavement and gifts for special occasions.

     C) The Literacy Director shall develop and maintain services which would benefit the Library Literacy Program.

      D) The Membership Director shall be responsible for formulation of plans for the enlistment of new members and for coordinating all activities relating to acquiring new members, keeping membership records, and collecting annual dues. The Director will also be responsible for correspondence relating to monetary donations.

      E) The Publicity Director shall be responsible for media coverage of the activities of the organization and also for publishing the newsletter. 

      F)  As many as two Directors-At-Large may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V — FUNDS

Section 1.  All money, property, and gifts shall be considered as donations to a non-profit organization and must be used exclusively for the benefit of the Palm Harbor Friends of the Library and the Palm Harbor Library.  If the organization is disbanded, all remaining assets shall be given to the Palm Harbor Library Endowment Foundation, Inc., a (501(C)(3)) organization, to be used exclusively for the benefit of the Palm Harbor Library.

Section 2.  All money shall be deposited in a local bank in the name of the Palm Harbor Friends of the Library, Inc., and disbursed by the Treasurer as directed by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.  The records of the Treasurer shall be audited by a CPA annually.

ARTICLE VI — MEETINGS

Section 1.  A meeting of the membership shall be held annually during the last quarter of the calendar year for the election of officers and transaction of other business.  Special meetings of the membership may be called by the Executive Board with reasonable notice.

Section 2.  The Board of Directors shall meet monthly at a regular time and place determined by the Board, unless a meeting is canceled with prior approval by the Board of Directors.  Special meetings may be called by the President with reasonable notice.

Section 3.  Eleven members shall constitute a quorum at a general meeting of the membership.  Five persons of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.  Three persons of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4.  The Board may vote to replace any board member who is absent from three meetings, unable to perform or guilty of negligent or criminal conduct.

ARTICLE VII — ELECTIONS

Section 1.  At least sixty days prior to the annual meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three members.  The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers at the annual meeting.  Nominations from the floor will be considered with the written approval of the individual nominated, if not present, or orally, if the nominee is present.  Election shall be by majority vote of members present which constitute a quorum.

Section 2.  Term of office for the Executive Board shall be for two years beginning the first day of January.  No person shall be elected to the same office for more than two consecutive terms, with the exception of the Treasurer, who may continue in that office at the will of the majority of the Board of Directors.  Serving by appointment to fill a vacancy until the next regular election shall not be a bar to serving two full terms by election. There is no limit of consecutive terms of office for the remaining Board of Directors. Directors-At-Large may be appointed each year at the pleasure of the President with approval by the Executive Board.  

Section 3.  Any vacancy in office shall be filled for the remainder of the term through appointment by the Executive Board.

Section 4.  Outgoing officers and directors must turn over all materials pertinent to their office to the incoming officers and directors within thirty days after the election.