LLNE Constitution (1949-2005)

The original LLNE Constitution was approved by the members on April 6, 1949. The original LLNE By-laws were approved by the members at the annual meeting on October 30, 1982. The current By-laws of the Corporation were approved by the members on July 19, 2005.

ARTICLE I. NAME
ARTICLE II. OBJECT AND PURPOSE
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE VIII. PROTECTION OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS
ARTICLE IX. EFFECTIVE DATE

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this Association shall be “LAW LIBRARIANS OF NEW ENGLAND”, a chapter of the American Association of Law Libraries.

ARTICLE II. OBJECT AND PURPOSE

The Association is organized for the purpose of promoting the profession of law librarianship, and more particularly, to enhance the roles of law librarians in the legal and library professions, to provide for the further professional education of law librarians, to establish a continuing relationship between law librarians and legal entities in New England, and to foster a spirit of cooperation among the members of the profession.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP (1)

Section 1.

Any person may become a member of the Association by complying with the provisions of the bylaws.

Section 2.

Membership in the Association or participation in any activity of the Association shall not be denied to any individual or abridged on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Meetings shall be held as provided in the bylaws.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.

The officers of the Association are a President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers of the Association must be members in good standing of the Association and the President and Vice-President/President-Elect must also be members in good standing of the American Association of Law Libraries. No officer shall hold more than one office simultaneously.

Section 2.

The officers, the Past President and two Directors shall constitute the Executive Committee, which shall be responsible for planning and directing Association activities.

Section 3.

The terms of office shall be for one year commencing at the Annual Meeting held in July, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. (2)

A. President. The Vice-President/President-Elect shall become President of the Association and shall serve for a term of one year as President, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.

B. Vice-President/President-Elect. The Vice-President/President-Elect shall serve for a term of one year, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.

C. Secretary. The Secretary shall serve for a term of two years, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.

D. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall serve for a term of two years, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution.

E. The Secretary of the Association shall be elected in even numbered years, and the Treasurer of the Association shall be elected in odd numbered years.

F. Directors. Two Directors of the Association shall serve a term of two years, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. One director is to be elected in even numbered years and one director is to be elected in odd numbered years. (2)

G. In the event that a successor has not been duly elected or qualified at the end of any term of office specified above, the incumbent shall continue to serve until duly succeeded.

H. In the event that the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President/President-Elect shall succeed to that position, and shall hold the office of President through the unfinished term of the departing President and the succeeding term. If the Vice-President/President-Elect is unable to do so, the position will be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. All other offices that become vacant shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

I. The duties of the officers shall be those ordinarily assigned to said officers in similar Associations and such duties as may be assigned to them by a majority of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Creation

There shall be such committees and Association representatives to other organizations as determined by a majority of the Executive Committee. Substantial committee restructuring shall be determined by a majority vote of the members. (2)

Section 2. Appointments

The President shall make all appointments and reappointments of committee chairpersons, committee members, and Association representatives.

Section 3. Reports

Each committee chairperson and Association representative shall submit a written report to the Association’s Secretary before the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Removal

The President, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee, may terminate the appointment of any committee chairperson, committee member, or Association representative.

Section 5. Term of Appointment

Unless otherwise specified by the President, all committees and Association representative appointments are for a term of one year.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

Amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by ten (10) members of the Association. Proposed amendments shall pass when approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at any chapter meeting, provided that all members have been notified of such proposed amendments at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2.

Such amendments shall become effective upon approval by the American Association of Law Libraries.

ARTICLE VIII. PROTECTION OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS(1)

Section 1. Activities Restricted

No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, Executive Board members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to make reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the Association’s educational and scientific purposes, including distributions to either such organizations under Section 501 (c)(5) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).

No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the association shall not participate in, or intervene in, including the publishing or distribution of statements, any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Association’s Constitution and By-laws, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).

Section 2. Dissolution

Upon any dissolution, voluntary or involuntary, revocation of its chapter, insolvency or bankruptcy, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all of the assets of the Association exclusively for the purpose of the Association in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, education, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as a exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law), as the Executive Board shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the district court of the county in which the principal office of the Association is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine.

ARTICLE IX. EFFECTIVE DATE (1)

The Constitution shall become effective upon approval by the American Association of Law Libraries.

(1) Amendment approved April 23, 1988.

(2) Amendment approved March 28, 2003.