Article I - Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be The Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation, hereafter known as “The Friends.”
Article II - Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of this organization shall be:
a. To encourage understanding and appreciation of the work of the Loveland Public Library;
b. To build up a greater realization of the importance of the Library to the future development of the community;
c. To attract bequests and gifts of books, manuscripts, money, materials or equipment which are beyond the resources of the Library, and to develop a program of planned giving to the Library;
d. To serve as a medium through which citizens of the community may become acquainted with each other, and share their enthusiasm for books and other library materials;
e. To encourage volunteer support for the Library’s purposes and activities;
f. To support the freedom to read as expressed in the Bill of Rights of the American Library Association;
g. To facilitate technological changes in the Library’s dissemination of information;
h. To facilitate the education of the public regarding local culture, history, environment and life style;
i. To support appreciation for and development of the Library staff.
Section 2. Mission Statement: The Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation, Inc. supports the Loveland Public Library’s work as the information center of the community by advocating for the public support and use of the library, by generating current and long-term funding, and by developing volunteer involvement.
Article III - Membership
Section 1. Membership shall be open to all individuals, businesses, and organizations that support these purposes.
Section 2. Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 3. Annual dues and categories of membership shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Article IV - Meetings
Section 1. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the membership for the election of the Board of Directors, and the transaction of other business, including annual reports by the Board of Directors and committee chairpersons. It shall be at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the Executive Committee or by written request of 10% of the members, upon ten days’ notice.
Section 3. All meetings of The Friends’ Board of Directors are open to all members for information and discussion. At meetings of the Board of Directors, only Board members may vote.
Article V - Board of Directors
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of The Friends between Annual Meetings and shall direct disbursement of funds. It shall fill by appointment any vacancies occurring in any office or position on the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the four officers of the organization -- President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer -- plus no less than three nor more than seven Members at Large.
Section 3. Board members shall be nominated by a Nominating Committee preceding the Annual Meeting. Such nominations shall be presented to the membership prior to the Annual Meeting, and nominees shall be elected by a majority of the members present at the Annual Meeting.
Section 4. If elected, Board members shall serve for three year terms, and may be re-elected. The Board membership shall be grouped into staggered terms so that one third of the Board membership is elected each year.
Section 5. Each Board member shall be expected to take an active role in the work of the Foundation. Board members’ attendance is required at all Board meetings. Three absences without cause will result in termination of Board membership. Time and frequency of the Board meetings shall be determined annually.
Section 6. The Board of Directors, at the Annual Meeting, may designate a former Board Member to be “Board Member Emeritus.”
Article VI. - Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees, and carry out any other duties connected with the office.
Section 2. The Vice-President, or an appointee of the President, shall assist the President and, in case of the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President.
Section 3. The Secretary shall record the attendance at all meetings, record the minutes of all proceedings of all meetings, and shall be responsible for all corporate records, excluding financial records.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the Foundation’s funds, collect all dues and administer all funds as directed by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep all financial records, shall make regular written reports to the Board of Directors, and submit an Annual Report to the membership at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall prepare and submit any reports required by law.
Article VII. - Committees
Section 1. There shall be at least four standing committees:
a. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and one Board Member at Large. The Executive Committee, except for the power to amend the Bylaws, shall have all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors.
b. The Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer (chair), President, one Board Member at Large, and additional members as deemed necessary by the Treasurer. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures of The Friends and the annual budget with input from staff and other Board members. Regular reports shall be submitted to the Board showing actual and accrued income and expenditures. The Finance Committee shall work closely with the Major Gifts Committee.
c. The Fund Raising Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, at least one Board Member at Large (chair) and at least two members of The Friends. The Fund Raising Committee shall plan, develop, implement, and supervise all major, long-term fundraising activities, including capital campaigns, charitable bequests, and deferred contributions. The Fund Raising Committee will receive reports from other fund-raising activities of The Friends.
d. The Membership Committee shall consist of one Board Member at Large (chair) and at least three members of The Friends. The Membership Committee shall be responsible for recruiting and retaining members and for maintaining the membership list and a current membership brochure. It shall provide a membership card for each member unit. It shall be responsible for involving members as volunteers and for nurturing, recording and recognizing the volunteer efforts of members of The Friends.
Section 2. Other committees shall be created as needed. Members and chairs of the committees will be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors. The duties and tenure of the additional committees shall depend on their purpose.
Section 3. Committee reports shall be submitted to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
Article VIII. - Amendments to the Bylaws
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting of The Friends by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing that notice of such proposed amendments shall have been sent to all members at least 10 days before said meeting.
Article IX - Parliamentary Procedure
Section 1. Roberts’ Rules of Order Revised, when not in conflict with these bylaws, shall guide the proceedings of The Friends.
Originally adopted January 12, 2003
Amended January 13, 2004, January 13, 2005, January 22, 2007