Bylaws

REFORMA Colorado Chapter Bylaws

Bylaws Revised: December 29, 2020

Article I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be REFORMA, Colorado Chapter.

Article II. PURPOSE

The objectives of this chapter are identical to its parent organization, REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking. The main purpose of this organization is to promote the advancement, growth, improvement, and implementation of library and information services to the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States of America, and in particular to the Hispanic/Latino community of the Colorado area.

Article III. MEMBERSHIP

  • PAID MEMBERS- Any person who is current with membership dues and is supportive of the goals and objectives of this organization and is eligible to vote. Annual dues are paid to National REFORMA at the rates listed on its website.
  • INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS – Institutions who are current with membership dues and are supportive of the goals and objectives of this organization are eligible to vote. Two staff members per institution are eligible. Annual dues are paid to National REFORMA at the rates listed on its website.

Article IV. OFFICERS

  • Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be the President, the Vice-President, the Past President, the Secretary-Historian, the Treasurer and the Webmaster.
  • Section 2. The terms of office shall be from July 1 to June 30th. With the exception of the Treasurer position, all of the Officers shall hold their offices for a term of one year or until their successors are chosen. Officers may succeed themselves in office for an unlimited number of terms. The term of office for the Treasurer position shall be for a term of two years. Any officer may be removed at any time by a majority of the membership at a regularly scheduled or special scheduled meeting.
  • Section 3. All officers shall be democratically nominated and elected by a voting majority of all paid
    members that cast their vote.
  • Section 4. Subject to Section 5, in the event of any vacancy, the President may fill the vacancy.
  • Section 5. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice-President will serve as President for the remainder of the term. A special election shall be held to elect a new Vice-President.
  • Section 6. Duties of Officers. It is the duty of the Officers to provide professional development opportunities to Membership in relation to the Purpose of the organization.
    • The duties of the President are as follows:
      1. To call and preside over all meetings of the general membership.
      2. To solicit the will of the membership and act in accordance with that will.
      3. To expedite the business of the organization in a manner consistent with the best interest of the membership.
      4. To officially represent and speak on behalf of the organization in its relationship with any other organizations or agencies as appropriate.
      5. To report to the membership regularly, including an annual report.
      6. To create and distribute the annual report to membership and Reforma National.
      7. To delegate responsibilities and form special committees as needed, and to notify the  membership of such actions.
    • The duties of the Vice-President shall be as follows:
      1. To assist in carrying out the duties of the President.
      2. To assume the duties of the President in the President’s absence or incapacity.
      3. To assume the duties of President after serving one year as Vice President.
      4. To assume the position of Chair of the annual conference committee, the year that it takes place.
      5. To attend all committee officers meetings.
    • The duties of the Past President are as follows:
      1. To attend all committee officers meetings.
      2. To manage the nominations and election process.
    • The duties of the Secretary-Historian are as follows:
      1. To compile agendas and take minutes for meetings of the general membership.
      2. To maintain and preserve the records of the organization. The preservation of records will include publications and history regarding the functions and activities of the organization.
      3. To be in charge of all official correspondence for the organization as directed by the President.
      4. To attend all committee officers meetings.
    • The duties of the Treasurer are as follows:
      1. To be responsible for handling all financial matters of the organization.
      2. To be responsible for keeping accurate and timely records regarding all income and
        disbursements.
      3. To prepare all the necessary reports to the membership and Reforma National.
      4. To obtain authorization from the President before expending Chapter funds.
      5. To attend all committee officers meetings.
    • The duties of the Webmaster are as follows:
      1. Manage and perform continual maintenance of the website.
      2. Manage and perform continual maintenance of social media.
      3. To attend all committee officers meetings.

Article V. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

  • Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held once every two months.
  • Section 2. Notification of regular meetings. All members shall be notified of all upcoming meetings by written notice at least two weeks prior to such meetings.
  • Section 3. Special meetings. The President shall be empowered to call special meetings in writing at least three working days prior to the meeting.

Article VI. COMMITTEES

  • Section 1. Standing Committees.
    1. A standing Website Committee shall be established that maintains all aspects of the official website of REFORMA Colorado, including updating information and working with the Treasurer to pay any fees associated with the website. The Webmaster shall chair the Website Committee.
    2. A standing Nominating Committee shall be established that is responsible for nominating and presenting the slate of eligible candidates to run for the three (3) offices–Vice President, Secretary-Historian, and Treasurer. The election by members must be held prior to July 1 of each year. The Past President shall chair the Nominating Committee.
    3. A standing Electronic Mail Distribution List Committee shall be established that is responsible for moderating, maintaining, and promoting the use of the chapter’s electronic mail distribution list.
    4. A standing Translation Committee shall be established that is responsible for promoting the chapter’s translation services to a broad range of library organizations and for managing these services.
    5. A standing Communications & Marketing Committee shall be established that maintains all aspects of official communications, including external communications to the public, outside organizations, through the website, social media, newsletters and email. The webmaster and listserv manager shall be members of this committee. This committee will also lead recruitment efforts.
    6. A standing Networking/Outreach Committee shall be established that is responsible for organizing events throughout the year in the community. These events will range from networking events for REFORMA chapter members and those interested in joining the chapter, to community events such as the Teen Literature Conference and/or presence at local Latino festivals
    7. A standing Professional Development Committee shall be established to plan, and carry out everything to do with the annual REFORMA CO Conference. The Vice President shall chair the Professional Development Committee.
    8. To be established by a majority vote of all paid members that are present at a membership meeting.
    9. The President may appoint members to serve in standing committees.
  • Section 2. Special Committees
    1. The President shall be empowered to establish special temporary committees to fulfill a special need.
    2. The President shall be authorized to appoint members to serve in special committees.
  • Section 3. Terms of Office
    1. Standing Committees. Members of these committees shall serve for one year.
    2. Special Committees. Members of these committees shall serve until the objectives of each committee have been met, but no longer than two years.

Article VII. QUORUM

  • Section 1. A quorum is determined by the members present at any meeting.
  • Section 2. At any meetings, a simple majority vote of those present is required for passage of a motion.

Article VIII. AFFILIATIONS

  • Section 1. The paid membership of this organization may vote, by a majority of the votes cast to affiliate itself with other local organizations.

Article IX. AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

  • Section 1. All members shall be informed in writing of all proposed changes to the bylaws at least two weeks prior to the meeting in which such changes will be brought up for consideration.
  • Section 2. All amendments to the bylaws shall require at least a majority of the votes cast by paid members.

Article X. DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of REFORMA, Colorado Chapter, any assets remaining after
payment, satisfaction, and discharge of any existing liabilities or obligations, and after lawful provisions for the administration and disposition of any property held in trust by or for REFORMA, and all other acts required to adjust and wind up its business and affairs having been done, REFORMA’s assets shall be collected and distributed to or among one or more organizations devoted exclusively to educational, charitable, or scientific purposes and exempt from Federal taxation. No private member or individual shall have any right, title, or interest to any remaining assets of the organization. No distribution of assets shall go to any private individual shareholder, nor shall any assets be distributed to any organization, a substantial part of whose activities is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, or which participates in or intervenes in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Bylaws Revised: December 29, 2020


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