Friends of the Plattekill Library

Constitution and By-Laws

Article I
Name
The name of the Association shall be Friends of the Plattekill Library.

Article II
Purpose

Section 1.

It is recognized that the administration of the Library is vested in the town of Plattekill through the Library board of Trustees, and the Library Director.

Section 2.

The purpose of the Friends shall be to maintain an association of persons interested in good library service; to increase the facilities and service of the Plattekill Library; and thus to enrich the cultural opportunities available to the citizens of Plattekill.

Section 3.

The activities of the association shall include sponsorship of special projects; informing the public of the resources and services of the library, securing materials that are beyond the command of the ordinary library budget, and performing other services deemed helpful to the Library.

Article III
Membership
Section 1.

Membership in this organization shall be open to individuals, organizations, and businesses in sympathy with its purposes.

Section 2.

There shall be no categories of membership; all shall be equal, with the President being first among equals.

Article IV
Officers
Section 1.

The officers of this Association may be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

The officers shall constitute the Executive Board of the Friends of the Plattekill Library. The Library Director or designee, shall be an ex-officio member of the Board.

Section 2.

The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the President. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3.

The direction of affairs of this Association shall rest with the Executive Board, the President acting as chairman.

Section 4.

The President may appoint chairpersons of standing and ad-hoc committees, which shall be formed as deemed necessary, with the approval of the Executive Board.

Section 5.

The President is an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the Nominating Committee.

Section 6.

Nominations for officers and the Executive Board shall be presented by a Nominating committee of three, to be appointed by the Board. At the annual meeting, nominations from the floor will be invited, with the consent of the nominee.

Section 7.

The officers of the Executive Board shall be elected at the annual meeting.

Section 8.

Vacancies arising on the Board shall be filled by appointment made by the remaining Board members.

Article V
Meetings
Section 1.

This association shall hold an annual meeting  for the purpose of election of officers, to receive various reports, and to enact other business. Public notice shall be made prior to the meeting.

Section 2.

Additional meetings shall be scheduled as recommended by any special committees and approved by the Board.

Article VI
Funds
Section 1.

Adequate books of account shall be maintained by the Treasurer who shall be responsible thereof.

Section 2.

All disbursement of funds shall require the approval of at least two members of the Board, including the Treasurer.

Section 3.

The Executive Board shall appoint an auditor, not an officer, to audit the Treasurer's books prior to the annual meeting.

Section 4.

No member of this Association shall be liable and no personal liability shall in any event be attached to any member in connection with any of its undertakings.

Section 5.

The fiscal year of this Association shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Article VII
Activities and Dissolution
Section 1.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association is organized exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the providing of facilities or equipment) or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, as specified in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Section 2.

No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except otherwise provided by Internal Revenue code section 501 (h), or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Section 3.

No part of the net earnings of the Association shall insure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the Association, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the Association), and no member, trustee, or officer shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets upon dissolution of the Association.

Section 4.

In the event of dissolution of the organization, the assets of the Association shall be distributed for one or exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the Federal Government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

Article VIII
Amendments

These Articles of Association may be amended on prior notice at any meeting of this Association, by a three-fourths vote of the members present, provided that notice of the proposed change was provided with all notices of the meeting.

Adopted 2/27/2003

Carol Maxwell,  President

Glenn Henricksen, Treasurer