Southeast Chapter of REFORMA

Article I-Name
This organization shall be called REFORMA Southeast.

Article II-Purpose
The objective of this organization will be the same as that of its parent organization, REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking. The main purpose of this chapter shall be to promote advancement, growth, improvement and implementation of library and information services to the Latino and Spanish speaking population of the Southeastern states of the United States of America. This includes but is not limited to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and parts of Virginia.

Article III-Nonprofit Status
This Chapter is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes, within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).

Article IV-Membership
Any person who is supportive of the goals and objectives of this organization may become an active and voting member by attending the regular meetings, becoming active in the work of the organization and paying membership dues. Annual membership rates apply per calendar year and are renewable in January.

The dues are set by the national REFORMA organization, and may be changed by a vote of the nationwide membership. If changed, the new dues shall go into effect on January 1st of the succeeding calendar year. One-third of the total chapter dues shall support National REFORMA activities.

Article V-Officers
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice President/President Elect, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. The terms of office shall be one year, beginning July 1. Officers may be re-elected.

Section 3. All Officers shall be democratically nominated and elected at the last Spring meeting or by June 1 if vote is conducted by mail ballot. Officers will be elected by a voting majority of all active members.

Section 4. In case of a vacancy, the President shall have the power to appoint an active member to fill said vacancy.

Section 5. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall serve as President for the remainder of the term, and also serve as President during the following year.

Section 6. Duties of Officers: President
a. Shall call and preside over all meetings of the general membership.
b. Shall be the official representative for the organization and shall provide leadership for all its activities, including midwinter, annual and other reports as required by National REFORMA.
c. Shall form special committees as needed and may also suggest members to serve on these committees.

Duties of the Vice-President/President Elect:
a. Shall assist in carrying out the duties of President.
b. Shall assume the duties of the President in the President?s absence or incapacity.

Duties of the Secretary
a. Shall be charge of the recording and preservation of all records, publications and history regarding the functions and activities of this organization.
b. Shall take minutes for meetings of the general membership.
c. Shall pass on all records to the succeeding officer who is elected to this position.

Duties of the Treasurer
a. Shall be responsible for handling all financial matters of the organization.
b. Shall be responsible for keeping accurate and timely records regarding all income and disbursements.
c. Shall prepare the necessary reports to the membership and the Internal Revenue.

Article VI-Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held quarterly and as deemed necessary.

Section 2. All members shall be notified of upcoming meetings by written notice or by email at least 2 weeks prior to such meetings.

Section 3. The President shall be empowered to call special meetings by written notice, by telephone, or by email at least one week prior to such meetings.

Article VII-Committees
Section 1. Standing committees. These committees shall be established by a majority vote of all members present at any regular meeting. The duties, powers and number of participants of such committees shall be set by the membership. The President may appoint members to serve on standing committees.

Section 2. Special Committees. The President shall be empowered to establish special temporary committees or work teams to fulfill a special need. The President may appoint members to serve on special committees.

Section 3. Terms of Office. Members on standing committees shall serve for one year. Members on special committees shall serve until the objectives of the committee have been met, but no longer than two years.

Article VIII-Quorum
Section 1. Decisions requiring a vote by membership shall be conducted by mail or email ballot if a quorum is not present at a regular or special meeting. A quorum shall be based on 60 percent of the average attendance of active members present at the two previous meetings.

Section 2. Elections and amendments to the Bylaws shall be conducted by mail or email if a quorum shall be based on 60 percent of the average attendance of active members present at the two previous meetings.

Article IX-Affiliations
The active membership of this organization may, by a majority, vote to affiliate itself with other local organizations.

Article X-Amendment to Bylaws
Section 1. All members shall be informed in writing of proposed amendments 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 a vote by mail or email if a quorum is not present at a regular or special meeting. A quorum shall be based on 60 percent of the average attendance at the previous two meetings.

Article XI-Earnings of the Organization
Section 1. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, directors, officers, or other private persons except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of Section 501(c) (3) purposes.

Section 2. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislations, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributions of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted be carried on:

a. by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code) or
b. by an organization contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code).

Article XIII-Dissolution
Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of the Southeast Chapter of REFORMA, any assets remaining shall be first used for payment and discharge of any liabilities of obligations of the organization; second, for lawful provisions for the administrations.

Section 2. Upon dissolution of this organization assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, i.e. charitable, educational, religious or scientific or corresponding section of any future federal tax code or shall be distributed to the Federal government or to a state or local government for public purpose.

Section 3. Distribution of such remaining assets may include the national REFORMA organization, i.e. the REFORMA scholarship program.

Section 4. No member, individual, nor any organization shall have any right, title or interest to any remaining assets of the organization.

Constitution and Bylaws accepted by the membership of Southeast Chapter of REFORMA:

Lexington, Kentucky
Date: March 15, 2007