Intellectual Freedom Bylaws

Intellectual Freedom Round Table By-Laws

Approved September 11, 2024

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be “Intellectual Freedom Round Table” (IF), a round table of the Nebraska Library Association.

Article II – Vision

To foster an engaged and passionate community of library professionals in Nebraska who are empowered to uphold intellectual freedom in their communities.

Article III – Mission

To promote intellectual freedom and advocate its value by educating and supporting Nebraska library workers and policy makers to create responsible organizations that better our communities.

Article IV – Membership

  1. Membership is open to any member in good standing in the Nebraska Library Association.
  2. There are no separate dues to be a member of IF. See the NLA Bylaws to know which benefits of membership your category includes. The IF Board will submit funding requests to the NLA Board for approval as needed.

Article V – Meetings

  1. The Annual meeting of this round table shall be held during the annual conference of NLA.
  2. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or Vice-Chair. Special meetings must be announced to all members of the round table no later than one week prior to the scheduled meeting date.
  3. A quorum for any regular or special meeting of the round table, convened in accordance with requirements of the bylaws, shall consist of those present at a properly called meeting.
  4. Any member in good standing of the round table shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.

Article VI – Officers and Duties

  1. Term Officers shall assume office at the Annual meetings and serve a term of two years. The Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected in even-numbered years and the Secretary will be elected in odd-numbered years.
  2. Reimbursement for Expenses. No member in their  role as a member of the organization shall receive a salary, wage, or fee for personal services relating to activities of the round table. The Board may authorize reimbursement for actual expenses incurred as a result of work performed.
  3. Chair – Duties
    1. Calls and presides at all meetings of the round table and its Board.
    2. With the advice and consent of the Board, establishes any standing or special committees.
    3. Serves as an ex-officio member of all IF committees.
    4. Represents the round table in official capacities.
    5. Serves as a voting member of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Library Association.
    6. Prepares and causes to be sent to each member of the Board an agenda for Board meetings, as well as an agenda for each meeting of the IF membership.
    7. Prepares an annual report as well as other reports describing the activities and accomplishments of the round table as requested by the Nebraska Library Association.
    8. Appoints a representative to AFCON (Academic Freedom Coalition of Nebraska) and the Advocacy Committee.
  4.  Vice-Chair—Duties
    1. Presides at meetings in the absence of the Chair.
    2. Assumes other duties and responsibilities at the direction of the Chair or the Board.
    3. Serves as a member of the NLA Professional Development Committee.
  5. Secretary – Duties
    1. Records minutes of all meetings of the Board and IF membership meetings.
    2. Maintains and preserves an archive of the minutes of meetings, reports of the Chair to NLA, and financial reports.
    3. Prepares an annual financial report for the IF membership meeting at the NLA Annual  Conference.
    4. Handles routine and other round table correspondence as requested by the Chair.
  6. Election of Officers. Election of officers shall be conducted with a ballot which shall have provision for write-in votes. The election will be held in conjunction with the Nebraska Library Association election of officers. A special election may be conducted in the event that an officer position is available. This will be done with a ballot sent to all members of the IF round table.
  7. Removal of Officers. Any officer may be removed from office for failure to adequately perform the duties required of that office. Any IF officer may call a special meeting of all officers to discuss the removal of an officer. This meeting must make all reasonable attempts to include all officers and can occur in person or virtually. A majority vote, in favor of the removal of an officer, at this meeting will remove the officer.

Article VII – IF Board

  1. Membership. The Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary shall constitute the Board of the round table.
  2. Duties
    1. Establishes round table policies and directs its educational and programming activities.
    2. Provides advice to the Chair on all committees established and committee or liaison appointments.
    3. Cooperates with the NLA board in matters of mutual concern.
    4. Fills vacancies on the Board by a consensus vote of remaining members. 
  3. Meetings
    1. The IF Board shall be called into session by the Chair or Vice-Chair. The meeting time and place shall be set in consultation with members of the Board.
    2. A minimum of two board members shall be required to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the IF Board.

Article VIII – Amendment of the Bylaws

  1. Amendments to these bylaws must be sent in writing to the entire round table membership at least two weeks prior to a meeting.
  2. Amendments introduced to the membership in accordance with these bylaws may be voted on at a meeting scheduled at least two weeks after proposed amendments are sent for review. An electronic vote may also be conducted if the Chair decides to pursue that option.

Article IX – Committees

Special committees may be created or discontinued by the Chair upon the approval of the IF Board. Members of special committees shall serve at the discretion of the Chair and the IF Board.

Article X —Meeting Procedure

In general, Robert’s Rules of Order will be used to govern meetings when a formal process is needed and when requested by any member of the IF Board.

Article XI — Dissolution

  1. Dissolution. The round table may be dissolved by a majority vote of its membership at an annual meeting. Alternatively, it may be dissolved by a majority vote of the Nebraska Library Association Board after two years of inactivity or noncompliance with NLA bylaws.
  2. Disposal of Assets. Upon dissolution of the round table, all assets shall revert to the Nebraska Library Association.

                   

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