PRATT INSTITUTE
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION AND LIBRARY SCIENCE
STUDENT ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

Preamble:

The students of the Graduate School of Information and Library Science at Pratt Institute hereby establish the student chapter of the American Library Association, which shall further be called the School of Information and Library Science Student Association with SILSSA serving as its acronym.

Article I

Purpose:

1. To facilitate and encourage participation in the American Library Association, work to promote scholarly achievement and professional awareness among its members, and promote active, imaginative research in the field of Library and Information Science.

2. To increase awareness and use of the resources of the American Library Association, including publications, promotional materials, scholarships and conferences.

3. To provide a local forum for the exchange of ideas and information about trends, issues, and opportunities in the profession.

4. To promote involvement in professional activities beyond the classroom.

5. To develop skills and relationships that will enable students to have a creative impact on the profession.

Article II

Membership:

1. All students admitted to and enrolled in the School of Information and Library Science are automatically members of SILSSA.

2. Membership shall be open to all part-time and full-time students presently enrolled at Pratt Institute.

3. Only registered ALA members shall be allowed to vote on resolutions which pertain to American Library Association matters, including the election of the student delegate to the Annual convention.

4. In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons because of race, national, origin, creed, color, disability, age, gender, any consideration based on affectional, sexual, or associational preference, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.

Article III

Officers and Duties:

1. Only members of ALA can hold office.

2. The President will coordinate activities between SILSSA and other organizations, set and run meetings, and count the votes of the election.

3. The Vice- President will assume the duties of the President in her/his absence, and assist with programming and conference planning.

4. The Secretary shall be in charge of notes at the meetings, general correspondence, notifying people of meetings, and aiding in program and conference coordination.

5. The Treasurer will aid the Secretary, collect dues and membership fees if any, do promotion and recruiting, maintain the organization's financial records and present financial reports.

6. The Executive Board shall consist of the above Executive Officers and the Faculty Advisor.

7. The Executive Board reserves the right to set up committees as necessary to aid in their functions.

Article IV

Advisor:

The advisor for the student chapter of the American Library Association will be:

1. A current member of the faculty at Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science.

2. A current member of the American Library Association.

Article V

Activities:

1. At the beginning of each semester there will be an organizational meeting. Subsequent meetings will be held as necessary throughout the semester.

2. Executive officers will meet once a month or more depending on the needs of the organization.

3. Activities and programs sponsored by the chapter will be open to individuals who are not chapter members.

Article VI

Elections:

1. The offices will be held for two semesters.

2. Nominations for offices will be accepted one month before the election.

3. Incumbent officers may be re-elected.

4. One must be a member of SILSSA to vote.

5. Voting will be done by an agreed upon method.

6. In the event of a vacancy the executive board will nominate an interim officer to serve until the next membership meeting, where an election shall take place.

7. The Executive Board may remove an individual holding an office by a majority vote.

Article VII

Finances:

1. Funds shall be raised through annual budget requests and fund raising activities.

2. Designated members of the Executive Board have the authority to authorize expenditures.

3. Upon dissolution group fees shall be divided in a manner decided upon by the membership. Upon dissolution state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization. Group fees should be divided as stated in the constitution.

Article VIII

Amendments:

1. Any member may suggest amending the constitution at any meeting. These suggestions will be voted on at the next meeting, or a special meeting may be called.

2. Amendments to the constitution will be voted on and passed by a majority vote of the members in attendance at the meeting.

Article IX

Ratification:

A majority of those present is necessary to ratify this constitution.