BYLAWS

Article 1. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Washington Association of Library Employees, also known as WALE.

Article 2. GOAL/PURPOSE
The goal/purpose of WALE shall be to: (1) build a communication network among Support Staff library employees on a statewide basis. (2) encourage continuing education for library personnel. (3) improve library service through skill development. (4) be a forum for the discussion of issues relating to Support Staff.

Article 3. MEMBERSHIP
WALE membership is open to any Washington Library Association member with an interest in the needs of Support Staff.

Article 4. OFFICERS AND STEERING COMMITTEE
Section (1) The officers of WALE shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chair, and Conference Chair.
Section (2) These officers shall compose the Steering Committee and conduct all business pertaining to WALE.
Section (3) Two members, one of which must be the Chairperson, shall constitute a quorum of the steering committee.  WALE members are encouraged to attend steering committee meetings.

Article 5. NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, VACANCIES
Section (1) Nominations Committee:  A Nominating Committee appointed by the Steering Committee shall submit a list of nominees for the positions in Article IV, to members of WALE by February of each year.
Section (2) Election process: A paper ballot or electronic balloting shall be sent to the membership. A simple majority of members voting shall be sufficient to elect the officers. 
Section (3) Term of office:  Officers will assume their positions after the WLA Conference in April.   Officers shall serve a one-year term, and may be re-elected, serving a total of no more than two consecutive years in one position. It is the expectation of WALE that the vice-chair agree to run for the position of WALE chair for the forthcoming year.
Section (4) The Chairperson shall appoint a member to fill the unused term of office for any vacancies.
Section (5) The Steering Committee shall appoint committee positions such as:  Conference Treasurer, Newsletter editor and/or Webmaster.

Article 6. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section (1) The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be reasonably construed as residing in the Chairperson of the WALE Interest Group.
Section (2) The Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chairperson in her absence, and shall be training to become the Chairperson.
Section (3) The Conference Chair shall coordinate the annual conference.
Section (4) All checks require two signatures, either a Conference Chair and Conference Treasurer, or the WALE Chair and one other designee. Expenditures that are paid by the WLA Treasurer only require the WALE Chair’s signature.

Article 7. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE and OTHER ACTIVITIES.
Section (1) At the discretion of the Steering Committee, there will be an annual conference. The date will be determined each year by the Steering Committee.  A business meeting will take place at the annual conference.
Section (2). A corollary business meeting will take place at the annual meeting of the Washington Library Association.
Section (3) The Interest Group may plan and/or sponsor other workshops or activities throughout the year in addition to the annual conference.

Article 8. AMENDMENTS
Any additions or amendments to the bylaws shall be submitted to the membership through a paper ballot or electronic balloting.  A simple majority of members voting shall be sufficient to amend the bylaws.

Revised 7 October 2006