Proposed Changes to MAC’s Bylaws
MAC Members,
With the merger of MAC and the Pittsburgh Chapter MAC bylaws had to be modified to accommodate our new geographical boundaries. While making those changes, the Bylaws Committee and the MAC Board opted to make some other changes that bring the Bylaws more in line with the actual practice of the MAC membership. Please view the proposed changes below. The comments area is open for any discussion. Private discussion can be directed to Dale Prince at jprin001@umaryland.edu.
Voting on the proposed Bylaws amendments will be made via Survey Monkey. Ballots will be sent to MAC members via e-mail as listed in the MAC Membership database. A voting period of at least 30 days will be provided.
MAC/MLA Proposed Bylaws Amendment
2009-2010
Please read below for a review of the issues that will be on the ballot. The complete MAC Bylaws are available at http://www.macmla.org/bylaws .
Question 1
ARTICLE I. Name and Boundaries.
Section 2. Boundaries
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: change Chapter boundaries to reflect merger vote by adding Western Pennsylvania
Rationale: MAC’s Bylaws must describe the Chapter as now defined by the merger vote to include western Pennsylvania as a region within MAC’s boundaries.
Current: The boundaries of this Chapter shall include the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Proposed: The boundaries of this Chapter shall include the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania.
Question 2
ARTICLE III. Membership.
Section 3D. Dues.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: change the fiscal year of the chapter from: July 1 – June 30 to: January 1 – December 31.
Rationale: MAC has been operating on this fiscal year for several years; the Bylaws need to reflect his procedural change.
Current: The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be from July 1st to June 30th.
Proposed: The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be from January 1st to December 31st.
Question 3
Article III. Membership.
Section 3B,C, & E. Dues
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: change the date that dues are payable from the beginning of the calendar year to match an October-September membership year.
Rationale: A large proportion of MAC members pay dues when registering for the annual MAC conference. This typically leaves them in arrears for 10 months and ineligible to vote until they have registered. The proposed changes bring bylaws into sync with practice.
Current:
B. Chapter dues shall be payable on joining the chapter and thereafter by the beginning of the calendar year.
C. Dues shall be assessed on an annual basis for the period of one calendar year.
E. If dues are unpaid by January 1, the dues shall be considered in arrears and without further notice the Active Member shall be suspended from all rights and privileges.
Proposed:
B. Chapter dues shall be payable on joining the chapter and thereafter by the beginning of October each year.
C. Dues shall be assessed on an annual basis for the period of one year from October 1 to September 30.
E. If dues are unpaid by October 1, the dues shall be considered in arrears and without further notice the Active Member shall be suspended from all rights and privileges.
Question 4
ARTICLE IV. Officers.
Section 3C Elections
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: change procedure for breaking election ties to decide by a vote of the Nominating Committee rather than a paper ballot at the Annual Business Meeting.
Rationale: MAC elections currently end in August to give time for new officers to attend the September Board meeting to support transition to their new offices. If elections are not decided until the Annual Business Meeting, it does not give time for this transition period. Other MLA Chapters employ a variety of methods for breaking ties, including by lot or by a Board vote. The Nominating Committee has representation from each MAC region, so having this group break the tie ensures geographic distribution of tie breakers.
Current: If a tie occurs, the election shall be decided by a majority vote at the Annual Business Meeting. Voting shall be by paper ballot.
Proposed: If a tie occurs, the election shall be decided by a vote of the members of the Nominating Committee.
Question 5
ARTICLE VII Committees
Section 1 A,B,C. Standing Committees
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: remove the mention of specific committees in the Bylaws.
Rationale:
The MAC Executive Board decided at its Winter Board Meeting to make the special (temporary) Research Committee a Standing Committee called the “Research and Assessment Committee” to further support research efforts of MAC members. Rather than change the Bylaws each time a committee is added, removed, or has its name changed, it is proposed to change the Committees section to parallel the MLA Model Bylaws (http://www.mlanet.org/members/directory/chap_mod_bylaws.html) and not include names of each committee in our Bylaws. Section B would be removed from the Standing Committees Section. Standing committee names and charges will be recorded in the MAC Policy and Procedure Manual.
Current:
Section 1. Standing Committees
A. The Executive Board shall establish standing committees to consider matters of the Chapter that require continuity of attention by the members. The Executive Board shall recommend the name and size of each committee.
B. Standing committees of this Chapter shall consist of Annual Meeting, Communications, Honors and Awards, Membership and Recruitment, Professional Development, and the Strategic Planning Committee.
C. The MAC Chair, in consultation with the MAC Executive Board, shall designate committee members and chairs and when these appointments shall take effect. Unless otherwise approved by the Executive Board, members of standing committees shall be appointed for terms of 3 years, and may be reappointed for a second term. The Chair shall have the discretion to terminate appointments. Neither the Chair nor the Chair-Elect shall serve on or appoint members to the Nominating Committee.
Proposed:
Section 1. Standing Committees
A. The Executive Board shall establish standing committees to consider matters of the Chapter that require continuity of attention by the members. The Executive Board shall recommend the name and size of each committee.
B. The MAC Chair, in consultation with the MAC Executive Board, shall designate committee members and chairs and when these appointments shall take effect. Unless otherwise approved by the Executive Board, members of standing committees shall be appointed for terms of 3 years, and may be reappointed for a second term. The Chair shall have the discretion to terminate appointments. Neither the Chair nor the Chair-Elect shall serve on or appoint members to the Nominating Committee.