EIN: 46-4140155
The following is the text of
the document converted after scanning. This method sometimes leaves a few
spelling errors, so please view this PDF to ensure accuracy.
REFORMA de Nuevo México
(NM REFORMA)
Constitution & Bylaws
Article I - Name
This organization shall be known as
REFORMA de Nuevo México. NM REFORMA will be the abbreviation.
Article II — Purpose
The main purpose of this
organization will be the same as that of its parent organization, REFORMA, The
National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking: To
promote the advancement, growth, improvement and implementation of library and
information services to the Spanish Speaking and Latino population of the State
of New Mexico. In particular, the purposes of the Corporation are to: (i) unite
Hispanic librarians and all other librarians interested in working with the
Spanish speaking, (ii) promote and conduct research and studies concerning
educational materials and library programs available to serve the Spanish
speaking, (iii) promote the development of Spanish-language and Hispanic
oriented library collections, (iv) collect and disseminate information about
and for the benefit of the Spanish speaking, (v) help recruit prospective
bilingual and bicultural librarians, including providing scholarship aid for
students, the criteria for such scholarships to be determined by a Committee
designated by the Board of Directors, and (vi) engage in all other educational
and charitable activities permitted by law.
Article III — Nonprofit Status
This Chapter is organized
exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes,
within the meaning of section 501(0) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or
corresponding section of any future Federal tax code)
Article IV - Membership
Any person who is supportive of the
goals and objectives of this organization shall be eligible to apply for
membership. All members in good standing have the right to vote for officers,
dues, or matters presented for approval to the membership. Only members who are
individuals in good standing are eligible to be elected or appointed as
Officers of the Corporation.
Annual membership rates apply per
calendar year and are renewable in January. The current schedule of annual
dues* is as follows.
1. Librarian earning more than
$60,000 per yr. $40
2. Librarian earning more than
$30,000 per yr. $30
3. Librarian earning less than $3
0,000 per yr. $25
4. Library Support Staff $15
5. Library Trustee/Commissioner $20
6. Library Science Student (1st yr.)
Free
7. Community supporter/Retired $15
8. Library/Library School $33 50
9. Corporate member $200
10. Life member $400
11. International member $10
*Approximately one third of the
total chapter dues shall support the REFORMA Scholarship program (in accordance
with the national REFORMA guidelines).
Article V – Officers
Section 1. The officers of this
organization shall be the President, Vice President/President Elect,
Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2. The terms of office shall
be one year for all offices except for the Vice President elect. The term of
office shall end at the conclusion of the business meeting of the Organization
at the New Mexico Library Association (NMLA) conference each spring.
Section 3. All officers will be
democratically nominated and elected during the business meeting at the spring
NMLA conference. A voting majority shall elect officers. Elected officers shall
be announced immediately and by email or paper notices to the entire
membership.
Section 4. In case of a vacancy, the
President shall have the power to appoint an active member to fill said
vacancy.
Section 5. In the event of a vacancy
for the of President, the Vice President shall serve as President for the
remainder of the term and also serve as President during the following year.
Section 6. Duties of Officers:
President
a. Shall call and preside over all
meetings of the general membership.
b. Shall be the official
representative for the organization and shall provide leadership for all its
activities.
c. Shall form special committees as
needed and may also suggest members to serve on these committees.
Vice President/President Elect
a. Shall assist in carrying out the
duties of the President.
b. Shall assume the duties of the
President in the President’s absence.
Secretary/Treasurer
a. Shall be in charge of the
recording and the preservation of all records, publications, and history
regarding the functions and activities of this organization.
b. Shall take minutes for meetings
of the general membership. Shall provide copies of said minutes to the entire
membership, either through email or postal mail.
c. Shall pass on all records to the
succeeding officers who are elected to this position.
(1. Shall be responsible for
handling all financial matters of the organization.
e. Shall be responsible for keeping
accurate and timely records regarding all income and disbursements.
f. Shall prepare the necessary
reports to the membership and the IRS.
Article VI Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings shall be
held quarterly (Jan., April, July, Oct.) or as needed. Location will differ
from meeting to meeting in order to be most accommodating to the membership.
Section 2. All members shall be
notified of upcoming meetings by written or email notice at least (how many?)
weeks prior to all scheduled meetings.
Section 3. The President shall be
empowered to call special meetings with written notice, by telephone or by
email at least one week prior to such meetings.
Article VII -- Committees
Standing Committees:
these committees shall be established by a major vote of all members present at
any regular meeting. The duties, powers and number of participants of such
committees shall be set by the membership. The President may appoint members to
serve on standing committees. Members on standing committees shall serve for
one calendar year.
Special Committees:
The President shall be empowered to establish special temporary committees or
work teams to a special need. The President may appoint members to serve on
special committees. Members on special committees shall serve until the task of
the committee has been met, but no longer than two years.
Nominating Committees:
This committee will research potential officers and present nominations to the
membership prior to the REFORMA meeting at the annual NMLA conference.
Article VIII -- Quorum
Section 1. Decisions requiring a
vote by the membership shall be conducted by electronic or postal mail ballot
if a quorum is not present at regular or special meetings. A quorum shall be
based on 60 percent of the average attendance of active members present at the
two previous meetings. [isn’t this a bit specific for a group our size?]
Section 2. Elections and amendments
to the Bylaws shall be conducted by email or mail if a quorum is not present at
regular or special meeting. A quorum shall be based on 60 percent of the
average attendance of active members present at the two previous meetings.
[same as above]
Article IX Affiliations
Section 1. The active membership of
this organization may choose by a majority vote to affiliate itself with other
local organizations.
Article X -- Amendment to Bylaws
Section 1. All members shall be
informed through email or postal mail of all proposed amendments to the bylaws
at least two weeks prior to the meeting in which such changes will be brought
up for consideration
Section 2. All amendments to the
bylaws require a vote by mail or email if a quorum is not present at a regular
or special meeting. A quorum shall be based on 60 percent of the average
attendance by active members at the two previous meetings.
Article XI -- Earnings of the
Organization
Section 1. No part of the net
earnings of the organization shall be disbursed to the benefit of, or be
distributed to its members, trustees, directors, officers or other private persons
except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay
reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of Section 501 (c) (3) purposes.
Section 2. No substantial parts of
the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation; nor will the organization
participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of
statements) any political campaigning on behalf of or in opposition to any
candidate in public
Section 3. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the activities, the organization shall not carry on activities not
permitted: (omitted some words here)
a. By an organization exempt from
Federal income tax under section 501 c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or
corresponding section of any future Federal tax code, or
b. By an organization contributions
(not sure what this means) to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of
the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax
code).
Article XII - Dissolution
Section 1. In the event of the
dissolution of REFORMA de Nuevo Mexico (NM REFORMA), any assets remaining shall
be first used for payment and discharge of any existing liabilities or
obligations of the Organization; second, for lawful provisions for the
administration and disposition of any property held in trust by or for REFORMA
and third, for all other acts required to adjust and complete its business and
affairs, including a return of funds to the National REFORMA association.
Section 2. Upon dissolution of this
organization, remaining assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt
purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
i.e. charitable, educational, religious or scientific, or corresponding section
of any future federal tax code, or shall be disturbed distributed to the
Federal government or to the state of New Mexico for a public purpose. No
member, individual, nor any organization shall have any right, title or
interest to any remaining assets of the organization.
Adopted on xxxx, xx, 200X, at the
spring meeting of the New Mexico Library Association, XXXXX, New Mexico
