The name of the organization is Friends of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library, which is located in the City of Statesboro, Bulloch County, Georgia.

Section 1. The organization has three principal aims: (1) to maintain a quality library;

(2) to increase services and facilities of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library; and

(3) to enrich the cultural opportunities available to the public.

Section 2. Friends sponsors special projects; informs the public of the resources, services, and needs of the library; secures materials that are beyond the library budget; and performs other beneficial services.

Section 3. The Friends is a non-profit organization.

Section 1. All persons who pay dues are eligible members.

Section 2. Any persons who joined the Friends in 1993 are designated as Charter Members.

ARTICLE IV – Gifts

The Board reserves the right to accept or decline any gift.

Section 1. The Friends is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of five (5) officers and eight (8) non-officer directors.

Section 2. Officers will consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 3. The Library Director and immediate Past President serve as ex officio (non-voting) members.

The fiscal year shall be from July 1 to June 30.

Section 1. All funds are to be deposited by the Treasurer to the account of Friends of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library.

Section 2. No personal liability shall be attached to any members of the organization in connection with any of its official undertaking.

Section 1. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at the Annual Meeting, provided those members have been notified that amendments will be presented at the meeting.

Section 2. Proposed amendments will be available for review at the Library prior to the Annual Meeting.

Section 1. Categories of Membership

Annual Individual Membership $15.00

Annual Family Membership $25.00

Annual Sustaining Membership $50.00

Annual Patron Membership $100.00

Total Life Membership $1000.00

Section 2. A Life Membership is attained when a total of $1000 has been paid by an individual to the Friends by dues.

Section 3. A Life Membership has all the privileges of membership without

additional obligations of membership fees.

Section 4. All categories of membership actively support and participate in the organization.

Section 5. The Board may award Life Membership for special contributions at its discretion.

Section 6. Non-monetary donations of any kind or for any reason do not accrue toward Life Membership.

Section 1. A Corporate Sponsorship is designated for one (1) fiscal year upon receipt of a minimum donation of $500 by a Corporate Sponsor.

Section 2. The Corporate Sponsorship does not carry voting or other membership privileges.

Section 3. Corporate Sponsors will be acknowledged in publicity and Friends newsletters when appropriate.

Section 1. An Annual Meeting of all Friends members will be held near the end of each fiscal year on a date set by the Board for the purpose of electing Officers and Directors and transacting any other business.

Section 2. A Special Meeting of the Friends may be called by a majority of the Board members.

Section 3. Notice of the Annual Meeting and any Special Meeting is to be distributed to the members, by the Secretary, at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 4. A vote of the majority of those attending the Annual Meeting or any Special Meeting is necessary to constitute an official action.

Section 5. The Board meets quarterly. The President may also request meetings at other times. Board members are notified of the time and place of each meeting by the President or the Corresponding Secretary at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Section 1. To be eligible for election to the Board of Directors, a person must be a current member of the Friends.

Section 2. Officers and Directors serve a two (2) year term.

Section 3. No member of the Board may serve more than three (3) consecutive two (2) year terms (6 years) but may be reappointed after being off for one term (2 years).

Section 4. A slate of nominees for Officers and Director vacancies will be presented by the Nominating Committee at the Annual Meeting for approval by the attending members. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

Section 5. Board members are expected to be present at all meetings.

Section 6. Vacancies on the Board that occur during the fiscal year will be filled for the remainder of the term through appointment by the Board. When a new Board member is appointed to fill and complete an unexpired term of one year or less, that time does not count as a full term and the member can be elected to three (3) full terms after completing the interim term.

Section 7. Each member of the Board serves on at least one of the Standing Committees.

Section 8. Eight (8) members or two-thirds of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board meeting.

The President presides at the meetings of the Board, communicates the goals and objectives of the organization to the membership, and is authorized to disburse funds with the approval of the Board. The President composes a newsletter to keep the membership informed.

The Vice-President presides at the meetings of the Board in the absence of the President and assists the President as requested. The Vice-President serves as President directly following a term as Vice-President.

The Recording Secretary records attendance, takes the minutes of all meetings, prepares copies of the minutes, and distributes them to the Board.

The Corresponding Secretary deals with all correspondence and prepares and distributes the newsletter.

The Treasurer maintains accurate records of the organization’s assets and disburses monies as needed with the approval of the Board, makes a financial report at each Board meeting and at the Annual Meeting, keeps a payment record of all members and their membership category, and notifies members when they reach Life Membership status.

The Treasurer will file the appropriate documents to maintain the Friends’ non-profit status. Financial records will be reviewed at the end of each fiscal year.

Section 1. The President appoints a Nominating Committee in January to be composed of three (3) members of the Board. The Nominating Committee presents a proposed slate of officers to the general membership at the Annual Meeting.

Section 2. A Director chairs each of the following Standing Committees:

Membership

Programs

Publicity

Special Projects

Volunteers

Fund Raising, including Book Sales

Section 3. Subject to Board approval, the President appoints committee members.

Section 4. Subject to Board approval, the President appoints ad-hoc committees as needed.

Section 5. When necessary, the Officers have the power to act for the Board between regular meetings. Any action taken by the Officers must be reported to the Board for approval at its next meeting.

The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board present, provided notice of the proposed amendment(s) has been included in the notice of the meeting of the Board.

Original Constitution and By-Laws 1993

Revised May 2005

Revised May 2008

Revised May 2009