ABQLA Constitution

Constitution of the Association des Bibliothécaires du Québec/Québec Library Association, McGill Student Chapter

As approved by the chapter on September 16, 2008.

1. Name
   The name of this organization will be L’ Association des Bibliothécaires du Québec/The Québec Library Association, McGill Student Chapter; also referred to as the ABQLA Student Chapter.
2. Affiliation
   The ABQLA Student Chapter will be affiliated with L’ Association des Bibliothécaires du Québec/The Québec Library Association, and exists as a way for students to come into contact with and involved in this association.
3. Objectives
   The goals of this organization are to provide students with networking opportunities within the sphere of Québec libraries, to encourage participation by students in activities of the ABQLA, to create opportunities for learning about various aspects of Québec libraries as desired by the students, and to be involved as a student presence at the annual ABQLA conference in Montreal.
4. Membership
   All students at the McGill School of Information Studies are permitted to become members of the ABQLA Student Chapter. Membership is claimed by attending meetings and participating in activities. All members have the right to vote and run for executive council positions. The President and one other council member should be paid members of the ABQLA. Paid membership is not required of other members of the student chapter or participants in chapter events, although it is encouraged.
5. Executive Council
   The Executive Council will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Communications Officer.
    

   5.1 The President will be responsible for communication with the ABQLA, for presiding over ABQLA Student Chapter business, for ensuring that the activities of the ABQLA Student Chapter are consistent with its objectives, and for acting as final authority in decision making.

   5.2 The Vice President will be a first year student, who will be expected to take over the role of President the following year. In addition, in the absence of the President, the Vice President will fill this role. The Vice President will carry out any other duties necessary to assist the President.

   5.3 The Secretary will be responsible for taking minutes at ABQLA Student Chapter meetings, as well as any other necessary clerical duties. The secretary is also responsible for the bank account and any other treasury duties.

   5.4 The Communications Officer will be responsible for maintaining the ABQLA Student Chapter website, and for communicating with the McGill SIS student body as necessary.

6. Elections
   Elections will be held annually in September, at the first General Meeting. All members of the association are eligible for positions on the Executive Council. They must make themselves known at the election meeting, and should be prepared to give a brief speech indicating their skills and abilities. Elections will then be conducted by secret ballot of the members present. If a position is vacated during the course of the school year, it will be filled by the same procedure.
7. Quorum
   
   All voting decisions and amendments to the constitution may be made by a majority vote of members present at the vote. For a vote to take place, at least three executive members must be present, and half of the general membership.
8. Meetings and Events
   General meetings of the ABQLA will be held twice each semester; the executive will meet monthly. Other events will be held in conjunction with the schedule of the Montreal Chapter of the ABQLA and as demand arises from students and membership. The ABQLA Student Chapter will be actively involved in the annual ABQLA Conference in Montreal.