Adopted 2011
Friends of the Great Bend Public Library
Constitution and Bylaws
Statement of Cooperation:
The Friends of the Great Bend Public Library are guided by an Executive Board that is responsible for the operations and planning of all Friends activities. This planning is done in coordination with the GBPL Staff. The finances and spending is a cooperation of the Friends and the GBPL Board of Directors; the GBPL Directors have final decision. A mutually agreed on liaison between the GBPL board of directors will be appointed by the GBPL Director with the approval of the Friends executive committee. The Friends will have a monthly report for the GBPL Board that may be delivered in person by the liaison. Friends books will be audited yearly.
Article 1: Name
The name of this organization shall be Friends of the Great Bend Public Library (hereafter referred to as FRIENDS)
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of the FRIENDS shall be:
Section 1: To foster closer relations between the Library and the community.
Section 2: To enhance the Library's functions, resources, and services.
Section 3: To provide volunteer services to the Library
Section 4: To encourage benefactions, gifts, endowments, appropriate fund raising, and
bequests to the Great Bend Public Library
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Membership shall be open to all individuals interested in the Library.
Section 2: Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 3: Annual dues shall be $10.00 due in October.
Article IV: Officers and Board of Directors
Section 1: The Board of the FRIENDS (hereafter referred to as the Board) shall consist of
four elected officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer; and
the chairs of three standing committees appointed by the President.
Section 2: At the first annual meeting of the organization, the members of the Board shall
be elected for a term of one year.
Section 3: Prior to the annual meeting, officers shall be nominated by a nominating
committee appointed by the President with the consent of the Board. The nominating committee will consist of at least one member of the Board and at least two persons appointed from the membership at large. Nominations from the floor may be made at the annual meeting.
Section 4: Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of those present and voting at the
annual meeting.
Section 5: No officer or standing committee chair shall serve for more than four
consecutive terms.
Section 6: Vacancies on the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term by the President,
with consent of the appointee. The appointed person shall serve until the next
annual meeting.
Section 7: Attendance: The third consecutive, unexcused absence of any member of the
Board shall constitute a resignation from the Board.
Section 8: The Librarian or an appointed Library employee will serve as a non-voting
member of the Board.
Section 9: An appointed GBPL Board member will serve as a non-voting member of the
Board.
Article V: Duties of Officers
Section 1 The President shall:
a. Preside at all meetings
b. With the consent of the Board of Directors, appoint all chairpersons and coordinate their activities
c. Represent the organization before any group requesting a FRIENDS presence; or delegate a substitute
d. Be an ex-officio member of all committees
e. Prepare a brief report for the Annual meeting to include information on the FRIENDS activities of the past year
f. Act as liaison between the FRIENDS organization and the GB Public Library
Section 2: The Vice-President shall:
a. Preside at the meetings and perform the duties of the President
in the absence of the President
b. Provide programs for the FRIENDS meetings
Section 3: The Secretary shall:
a. Keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the FRIENDS;
and distribute them to Board members, the Library Board, and
the Librarian
b. Conduct the correspondence for the organization in cooperation
with the President
c. Work with the Membership Committee to notify members of
upcoming meetings
d. Maintain files and historical records for the organization
Section 4: The Treasurer shall:
a. Be the chief financial officer of the organization
b. Collect all dues and maintain a current list of paid members
c. Pay all bills as approved by the Board
d. Keep an account of all money received and spent by the
organization. Deposit all receipts in the financial institution
designated by the Board
e. Make regular written financial reports to the Board of Directors
ArticleVI: Standing Committees
Section 1: The standing committees of FRIENDS shall be a) Finance and Fundraising; b) Membership; c) Publicity
Section 2: The standing committees of FRIENDS shall consist of a chairman appointed by the President and additional volunteers from the
membership:
a. Finance and Fundraising - This committee shall provide counsel in matters dealing with the funds and financial needs of the organization.
It shall meet with the Director of the GB Public Library to review the
need for funds and to make suitable fundraising recommendations to the
Board.
b. Membership - This committee shall be responsible for membership
campaigns, and keeping the membership informed about the meetings
and activities of the organization.
c. Publicity - This committee shall be charged with informing the
community as to the activities and accomplishments of the organization.
Section 3: The President, with the approval of the Board, may appoint other committees as needed.
Article VII: Meetings
Section 1: The FRIENDS will hold an annual meeting in April for the purpose of election of officers, to receive various reports, and to enact any other business before the organization. A program may be included for the purpose of information or entertainment. The date, time, and place of the annual meeting will be publicized two weeks prior to the meeting.
Section 2: A quorum for the annual meeting shall consist of the members present.
Section 3: The Friends general membership will have meetings as called by the President.
Members will be informed one week in advance of meetings.
Section 4: The Board will meet bi-monthly with called meetings at such other times as there
is business to discuss or activities to be planned.
Board members and committee members will be informed one week in advance
of meetings.
Section 5: A quorum for a meeting of the Board shall consist of a simple majority of the
Board members.
Article VIII: Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of this organization by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall be publicized at least two (2) weeks prior to said meeting.
Article IX: Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the organization, the Board, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities and obligations of the organization, shall transfer all remaining assets of the organization to the Great Bend Public Library.
If the Great Bend Public Library no longer exists or is unable or unwilling to receive the assets, the remaining assets shall be distributed to an organization which, at the time, qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to a governmental unit for a public purpose.
Article X: Parliamentary Authority
All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.