BayNet Bylaws

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Bay Area Library and Information Network (BayNet)

Article II. Mission Statement

BayNet strengthens connections among all types of Bay Area libraries and information centers for communication, cooperation, and innovative resource sharing.

Article III. Membership

Qualifications:
Any library, individual librarian/information professional or library school student in the Greater CA Bay Area is eligible for membership.
Fee:
Each member library, individual librarian/information professional or library school student will pay an annual fee which is determined by the Executive Board.
Voting Rights:
1. Each BayNet member library will have one (1) vote. Only members in good standing shall have the right to vote.
2. Unless otherwise designated, the Director of the member library shall be the official member representative for all voting.
Duration of Membership:
1. Membership will be from July 1st through June 30th.
2. Members who fail to pay their annual dues by the deadline established by the Executive Board shall be notified by the Treasurer and, if payment is not made within the next sixty (60) days, shall be reported to the Executive Board as being in arrears, and shall no longer be members.
3. Any member may withdraw from membership during the year by giving written notice to the Executive Board at least sixty (60) days prior to withdrawal. Membership fees are not refundable.

Article IV. Executive Board

Officers:
The Officers of the organization shall be the President, the Vice President/President Elect, the Immediate Past President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary/Archivist and the following Representatives:
1. Academic Libraries – 2 representatives
2. Public Libraries – 2 representatives
3. Special Libraries (For Profit) – 1 representative
4. Special Libraries (Non Profit) – 1 representative
5. At Large (school, academic special, or any other type) -1 representative
All Officers shall be elected by a vote of the membership at the Annual meeting.
Prior to each election, a Nominating Committee, appointed by the Executive Board, will recommend a slate of candidates for all positions to be filled.
Terms of Office:
1. The Vice President/President-Elect shall serve the first year after election as Vice President.
2. The Treasurer and Secretary/Archivist shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.
3. Representatives are elected to the Executive Board at an annual election held in April and serve for two (2) years after election. The term of office begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the second year.
4. Representatives’ terms are staggered. The representatives for the special libraries (non-profit), special libraries (for profit), and public libraries as well as the Secretary will be elected in odd years. The representatives of the academic and the at-large libraries as well as the Treasurer are elected in even years.
5. Newly elected officers shall take office on the first day of July.
Vacancies:
1. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President.
2. A vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by a special election.
3. A vacancy of any Executive Board member other than President or Vice President shall be filled by appointment (made by the Executive Board).
Duties of the President.
The President shall be the chief officer of BayNet and shall:
1. Preside at and conduct membership meetings and meetings of the Executive Board.
2. Appoint such committees or subcommittees as may be required by these bylaws, or as the President may deem necessary, subject to approval of the Executive Board.
3. Act as liaison between BayNet and other library networks.
4. Perform such other duties which are incident to the Office of President or as may be prescribed by the Executive Board.
5. Deliver to the successor President all books and other property at the expiration of the term of office.
Duties of the Vice President.
The Vice President shall:
1. Perform the duties of the President in the event of the President’s absence.
2. Be the BayNet public relations liaison with other library, professional and community groups.
3. Organize the Annual Meeting.
4. Deliver to the successor Vice President all books and other property at the expiration of the term of office.
Duties of the Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall:
1. Send out renewal notices.
2. Keep records of current memberships.
3. Collect annual fees and other monies as required.
4. Keep an account of all funds received and expended, and make disbursements as authorized by the Executive Board and approved by such officers as the Board may prescribe.
5. Prepare and recommend an annual budget for Executive Board approval.
6. Deliver to the successor Treasurer all books and other property at the expiration of the term of office.
Duties of the Secretary/Archivist.
The Secretary/Archivist shall:
1. Attend all meetings of the Executive Board.
2. Keep a record of proceedings of all Executive Board meetings and membership meetings.
3. Collect, organize and return all BayNet materials including, but not limited to, the BayNet newsletter, Executive Board meeting agendas, minutes, job descriptions, and annual list of members.
4. Deliver to the successor Secretary all books and other properties at the expiration of the term of office.
Duties of Representatives
The Representatives shall:
1. Assist in the preparation of all meeting agendas.
2. Contribute as called upon toward the accomplishment of the missions of the organization.
3. Represent BayNet on committees of other regional library networks.

Article V. Meetings

Membership
1. The Executive Board meets at least every two (2) months beginning in August and conducts an annual membership meeting in May. Executive Board meetings are open to all BayNet members.
2. The membership shall meet annually in May. The purpose of the meeting will be to transact any business which may come before the meeting, announce newly elected officers and present an educational program. The place and time of the meeting will be set by the Executive Board.
3. The Executive Board may also, upon majority vote of the Board members, call any special meeting(s) it may deem necessary.
Quorum.
A quorum will consist of those members present.
Powers.
Voting members of BayNet shall have the power to:
1. Elect members of the Executive Board.
2. Amend the Bylaws in accordance with Article IX.
3. Adopt the rules and agenda governing their meetings.
4. Enact other measures as may be necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization and fulfill its mission statement.

Article VI. Programs of Cooperation

The BayNet Executive Board will assess the needs and with the approval of the membership develop cooperative programs/committees. Examples of programs/ committees are:
1. Resource Sharing/ILL
2. Professional Development
3. School Libraries
4. Internet
5. Newsletter
6. Membership
Programs/Committee Chairs will be solicited by the Board from among BayNet members and shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Board.

Article VII. Publications

The Executive Board shall authorize all BayNet publications. However, the Board is not responsible for individual statements or opinions expressed in BayNet publications (e.g., Newsletter, Web page).

Article VIII. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a simple majority of returned ballots of the membership following written notification of the proposed changes with text of the amendments.

Article IX. Parliamentary Authority

Except as otherwise provided herein, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised will govern the conduct of meetings.

Article X. Abolishment

BayNet may be abolished by a simple majority vote of the membership following written notification by the Executive Board to all members with the text of the Statement of Abolishment.
Upon abolishment, revenues will be used to cover outstanding debts and the Executive Board will dispose of the remainder in ways that will further library cooperation in the Bay Area.