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Dade County Media Specialists Association
June 1994 Constitution
Revised October 2002

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Dade County Media Specilists Association Miami Dade County Media Specialist Association (MDMSA).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the association shall be:

1. To promote professionalism among media specialists.
2. To perpetuate the goal of the library media program as an integrated part
    of the school’s educational program.
3. To emphasize the role of library media specialists as vital in the integration
    of new technology within the media curriculum.
4. To foster the ideal of intellectual freedom within the library media center.
5. To represent library media specialists at the district level in support
     of media programs.
6. To promote awareness of library media programs within the school and community.
7. To promote and support the goals of our state and national associations.
8. To foster cooperation and friendship among members.
9. To mentor library media specialists new to library media services.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

There shall be three groups of membership.

1. Regular: any person actively serving as a library media specialist within a school who has paid dues may hold office and have voting privileges.
2. Associate: other members of the library and educational profession. This member shall have all the rights of membership but not hold office or have voting privileges.
3. Honorary: retired library media personnel and other interested persons. A member or associate, upon retiring, shall automatically assume honorary status which carries no dues or obligations and no voting privileges. Honorary membership may be conferred upon others by vote of the association.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section I. The elected officers of this association shall be president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and an historian.

Section II. Officers shall be elected for a term of one year and shall be installed no later than July 1st. Officers may be re-elected to any office.

Section III. Officers shall be elected by ballot, as provided for in the bylaws.

Section IV. If a vacancy occurs among the elected officers, the president shall fill the vacancy subject to approval of the executive board.

Section V. Duties

a. President

1. Presides at meetings and coordinates all activities.
2. Appoints interim officer in case of a vacancy.
3. Appoints committees and selects committee chairman not specified in the bylaws.
4. Appoints two (2) members to the nominating committee.
5. Keeps records of the office which are transmitted to the incoming president immediately after installation.
6. Serves as an ex-officio member and oversees the function of all committees.
7. Shall serve as mentor to the president-elect in order to promote continuity.

b. Vice President/President Elect

1. Perform the duties of the president in the president’s absence.
2. Acts as program committee chairperson for the year.
3. Assists the president in overseeing committees to ensure that they are functioning as charged.

c. Recording Secretary

1. Records proceedings (minutes) of the executive board and general meetings.
2. Maintains a file of all recorded association proceedings as provided by the bylaws.
3. Submits a copy of minutes to the president following the meeting.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section I. Regular meetings shall be held as provided for in the bylaws.

Section II. Special meetings may be called by the president with the approval of the executive board.

ARTICLE VI

QUORUM

Ten percent (10%) of the active membership of the association shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

Section I. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of membership present, providing the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing or using letserve to the membership at least one month before the vote is called.

Section II. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present.