LISSAByLaws

From lissa

Article I – Ratification of the Constitution

This Constitution and Bylaws will be ratified by the student body of Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science by the following procedures:

1. A rough draft of the proposed constitution and bylaws shall be conspicuously posted on the official LISSA bulletin board for a period of at least one week.
2. The LISSA Executive Council will stimulate opinions regarding the rough draft and will advertise the general meeting of the LISSA at which the draft will be discussed.
3. At the open meeting the draft will be read and all suggested additions and changes will be discussed.
4. The LISSA Executive Council, meeting privately, will then consider the additions and changes suggested at the general meeting and will make appropriate changes in the draft.
5. The final draft will be posted and distributed to each member with an official ballot and directions for voting procedures.
6. A majority of the ballots received voting in favor of adoption will ratify this Constitution and Bylaws.
7. The Constitution and Bylaws will take effect from the time of ratification.
8. Prior appointments will not be ruled invalid but are subject to dismissal procedures.

Article II – Amendment of the Constitution and Bylaws

Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Council or by individual students, and action must be initiated within three months of receipt of the Executive Council.

1. A draft of the proposed amendment(s) shall be conspicuously posted on the official LISSA bulletin board and website for a period of at least one week.

2. The LISSA Executive Council will stimulate opinions regarding the proposed amendment(s) and will advertise the general meeting of the LISSA at which the amendment(s) will be discussed.

3. At the open meeting the amendment(s) will be read and discussed.

4. The final draft of the amendment(s) will be posted and distributed to each member with an official ballot and directions for voting procedures.

5. A majority of ballots received voting in favor of the adoption will amend the Constitution.

6. The amendment(s) will take effect from the time of passage.

Article III – Procedure

Meetings of the Executive Council and general meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order revised, latest edition providing they do not conflict with the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws.

Article IV – Election of Officers

To insure continuity of office, elections for a post will be held 4 weeks before the end of the semester when that post becomes vacant.

Section A – Nominating Procedures

1. Nominations will be solicited for a one week period through electronic notification.

2. Nominations will then be posted on the official LISSA bulletin board and website for one week to permit additions and withdrawals.

3. During this time candidates will submit brief statements of intentions and interests to the LISSA. This information will be posted on the official bulletin board and website and included with the official ballots.

Section B – Voting Procedures

1. Ballots will be distributed to each member of the LISSA.

2. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes will be declared winner.

3. The President will not vote except in case of a tie.

Section C – Term of Office The members of the Executive Council are required to serve in office for at least two semesters but no more than four semesters.

Section D – Reelection An officer may not be reelected for the same office. An office becomes vacant when the officer is not currently enrolled in the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science as a student.

Article V – Removal of Officers

Section A – Impeachment of Elected Officers

1. Impeachment procedures against elected officers are initiated by a petition signed by at least 10 members of the LISSA which is presented to any member of the Executive Council

2. The impeached officer has a right to a hearing before the general meeting of members of the LISSA. The only non-members in the attendance shall be those specially requested by the impeached officer.

3. The Executive Council is required to hold a vote according to the voting procedures of the Bylaws (Article III, Section B).

4. Nominations will then be accepted according to the Bylaws for the vacant position (Article III, Section A).

Section B – Dismissal of Appointed Officers

An appointed member of the Executive Council may be dismissed only by a majority of the Executive Council.

adopted: September 1969

retyped: March 1974

retyped: Spring 1994

retyped: November 2006

proposed amended: February 2008