CONSTITUTION OF THE
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION STUDENT CHAPTER
OF THE
GRADUATE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE SCHOOL
AT
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
ARTICLE 1: NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1.1
The name of this organization shall be the American Library Association chapter of
Graduate Library and Information Science Students at Catholic University of America,
also known as ALA Student Chapter at Catholic University.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE OF ALA STUDENT CHAPTER
Section 2.1
The purpose of AGLISS shall be to further the intellectual, professional and to generally
enhance the experience of the graduate students in the School of Library and Information
Science at the Catholic University of America by encouraging professional contacts in
the field. To this end, the proper functions of ALA shall include, but shall not be limited
to: sponsoring speakers, discussion sessions, professional development seminars, other
presentations, and field trips of interest to its members; purchasing printed and electronic
publications and/or subscriptions of interest to, and for the use of the entire membership;
hosting a variety of social events.
The ALA Student Chapter will work in conjunction with the broader GSA student
organization AGLISS to share resources on campus. The focus of ALA chapter is to
promote ALA as a professional resource for librarians and library science students and
ensure that there is a representation of student voices in the ALA.
Section 2.2
Membership shall be open to all students at the Catholic University of America and shall
represent the interest the School of Library and Information Science to the American
Library Association.
Section 2.3
Activities
The chapter shall hold general meetings at the beginning of Spring and Fall semester.
Activities and programs will be planned in accordance with the purposes set forth in
Article II. Activities and Programs sponsored by the chapter will be open to all
individuals in good standing with the School of Library and Information Science.
ARTICLE III: ADMINISTRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 3.1
There shall be two elected officers of ALA Student Chapter: Chair and Co-Chair sharing
treasurer and secretarial duties between them. A Secretary may be assigned at the
discretion of the Chair depending on the needs of the organization. This structure will
constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 3.2
The Chair shall specifically be responsible for presiding at all meetings, for serving as
official ALA representative and liaison with ALA headquarters and for representing
ALA in the orientation program for new students, for acting as an ex-officio member of
all committees, and for overseeing the functions of the other members of the Executive
Committee.
Section 3.3
The Co-Chair shall specifically be responsible for assuming the duties of the Chair in
case of emergency, for publicizing all meetings, and for coordinating the reports of the
ALA representatives to AGLISS and advising the President of AGLISS of any GSA
business affecting ALA Student Chapter. In the absence of secretary/treasurer, the CoChair will perform these duties.
Section 3.4
The Secretary, if appointed, shall specifically be responsible for recording the minutes of
each meeting and making them available to ALA members prior to regular meetings, and
for maintaining the records of incoming and outgoing ALA correspondence.
Section 3.5
The Treasurer shall specifically be responsible for keeping accurate records of funds
received from all sources, particularly those funds credited to the ALA account by the
Treasurer of the Graduate Student Association, through the AGLISS Treasurer and for
supervising the disbursement of ALA funds.
Section 3.6
In the event of the resignation of a member of the Executive Committee before the
expiration of her/his term in office, the other members of the Executive Committee shall
appoint an ALA member to fill the position and complete the term of office.
ARTICLE IV: ELECTIONS
Elections and Terms of Office
All members of the Chapter are entitled to vote for the officers of the organization.
Nomination and elections of officers shall be supervised by the Chair and coordinated
with the Faculty Advisor. Nominations will be accepted by letter and all elections shall
take place by secret ballot.
Terms of Office: Terms for all officers shall be for one academic year with a 2 year limit
to incumbencies.
ARTICLE V : MEETINGS
Notification of the time and place of meetings of the ALA Student Chapter must be
conspicuously posted in the AGLISS/ALA lounge, on the shared AGLISS/ALA website
and on the bulletin board on the second floor of Marist Hall as well as in the library
science library in Marist Hall at least one week in advance of the meetings.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
When deemed necessary or desirable for the conduct of ALA business, special
committees may be established by the ALA Chair.
ARTICLE VII: RATIFICATION AND PROVISION FOR AMENDMENTS
For ratification of the constitution, it shall be necessary that fifteen percent (15%) of
ALA members vote, and that a majority of those voting approve the constitution.
The constitution may be amended at any general meeting of the ALA Student Chapter,
provided that the amendment shall have been submitted at the last general meeting of
ALA Student Chapter in writing, and that the amendment shall have the approval in
writing of fifteen percent (15%) of ALA student members.
As of July 3, 2003