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WALE Charter

approved at WALE Business Meeting 10-30-2012 

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this organization shall be WAshington Library Employees, also known as WALE.

ARTICLE II: Relationship

This organization is an Interest Group of the Washington Library Association, as authorized by the Washington Library Association Bylaws. (Article XIII, Section 3.)

Article III. Purpose

The primary purposes of WALE shall be to:

  1. Build a communication network among library support staff 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 library Support Staff.

Article IV. Membership

Any member of Washington Library Association may become a member of WALE.  Payment of dues is provided for according to the Washington Library Association Bylaws.

Article V. Officers and Steering Committee

Section 1. The officers of WALE shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, and/or other positions as needed such as a Communications Coordinator.

Section 2. The Steering Committee of WALE shall consist of the officers and others as determined by the IG.

Section 3. The Chair, or their designee, shall serve as the WALE representative to the Washington Library Association Interest Group Council.

Section 4. Ad-hoc committees shall be appointed by the Steering Committee or WALE Chair as needed.

Section 5.
Vice Chair/Chair (Three Year Term)
Vice Chair/Chair Elect will be elected to serve one year as Vice Chair, one year as Chair and one year as Past Chair. Elections for Vice Chair shall take place annually.

Secretary Elected in odd-numbered-years:
The Secretary will serve for a term of two years.

After serving as Past Chair, there must be a year’s wait before a Past Chair can run for Vice Chair.

The Secretary may serve up to two consecutive terms with a term defined as two years.

Article VI. Nominations and Elections

Section 1. A Nominating Committee, appointed by the Steering Committee, shall submit a list of nominees for the positions in Article V, to members present at a WALE Meeting, or electronic ballot so that all officers will bein place by May 1 to participate in WLA Interest Group training offered in June. Additional nomination(s) may be made on the electronic ballot.  The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall be the most recent available Past Chair of WALE or designee by the Chair.

Section 2. Election Process: A ballot shall be sent to the membership or an election may be held at the annual business meeting.  A simple majority of members voting shall be sufficient to elect the officersIf election shall take place by ballot, ballots shall be sent to all WALE members and allow 21 days to return said ballot and will include directions for members to vote by mail, facsimile, or by electronic means as directed and approved by the WALE Steering Committee. If election shall take place at the annual business meeting, notice of the slate to be voted on at the election must be sent out 30 days in advance of the election.  

Article VII. Meetings & IG Activities

Section 1. An annual business meeting shall be held in conjunction with the annual conference of the Washington Library Association, or at another WALE Meeting.  WALE shall hold two or more membership meetings consisting of business meetings, workshops and/or programs, during the elective year.  Members are encouraged to attend all meetings.   A simple majority of members present will be sufficient to implement decisions made at these meetings.

Section 2. Meetings of the Steering Committee shall be scheduled as needed and may include online, telephone, or face-to-face meetings.  Steering Committee meetings shall be open to any WALE member who wishes to attend.

Article VIII. Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the Chair position, the Vice-Chair, or an officer appointed by the IG Steering Committee shall become the Chair.  All other vacancies in Steering Committee offices shall be filled by the Chair with the approval of the WALE Steering Committee.  Officers appointed to fill vacancies shall serve until the next regular election.

Vacancies in any ad-hoc committees shall be filled by the Chair with the approval of the Steering Committee.

Article IX. Amendments

Any additions or amendments to the bylaws shall be submitted to the membership through a ballot or vote at the annual business meeting.  Ballots will include directions for members to vote by mail, facsimile, or by electronic means as directed and approved by the WALE Steering Committee.  A simple majority of the votes shall be sufficient to amend the bylaws.