ARTICLE I:

Name - The name of the corporation shall be CITIZENS FOR MARYLAND LIBRARIES, INC., whose principal office shall be 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. It shall hereinafter be referred to as the CORPORATION.

ARTICLE II:

PURPOSE - The CORPORATION shall concern itself with these objectives.

1. To promote greater public awareness of and support for and services of libraries of all kinds.
2. To encourage the formation of volunteer support groups for individual libraries and/or library systems in Maryland.
3. To support and encourage public and private funding for libraries and promote appropriate legislation.
4. To work cooperatively with the state library association and other library support groups.

ARTICLE III:

POLICY

1. There will be no discrimination in this organization on the basis of race, religion, age, disability, sex or national origin.
2. An annual audit will be due no more than two months after the fiscal year ends.
3. The fiscal year is the calendar year.

ARTICLE IV:

MEMBERS:

1. There shall be three classes of members of the CORPORATION.
   
   
   1. Individual members.
   2. Corporation and organization members.
   3. Sustaining members.
      
      
2. Annual dues for the fiscal year shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
   
   
3. Members in good standing are eligible to:
   
   
   1. Attend membership meetings.
   2. Vote at the annual meeting. The vote of corporate and organizational members is that of an individual member.
   3. Election as a director or officer, after being a member for at least one year..
   4. Appointment to committees.

ARTICLE V:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

1. There shall be fifteen (15) directors, three (3) elected each year to serve a five (5) year term.
   
   
2. The officers of the CORPORATION shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as may be deemed necessary. They shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the Parliamentary authority adopted by the CORPORATION. Each is elected for a term of one year.
   
   
3. A nominating committee of three (3) persons shall be appointed by the President at least sixty (60) days before the annual meeting. The committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for officers and directors, obtain their consent and brief resumes and mail the slate and resumes to the membership fifteen (15) days before the annual meeting. Additional candidates may be nominated by individuals, each nomination stating name of candidate, acceptance by candidate, and a brief resume of candidates qualifications. Each nomination must be sent to the nominating committee no later than one month before the annual business meeting.
   
   
4. Officers and Directors may serve no more than three (3) consecutive terms. After three consecutive terms, an Officer or Director may continue to serve year to year upon vote of the Board of Directors.
   
   
5. The nominating committee shall present a slate at the annual meeting. Election shall be by majority vote of the members present.
   
   
6. Two unexcused absences in one year may result in removal from the Board. Any interim vacancy on the Board shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board.
   
   
7. Current and past state librarians are ex-officio members of the Board.
   
   
8. The officers shall constitute an Executive Committee and may at the initiation of the President make decisions regarding the expenditure of monies up to the amount of $200.00.

ARTICLE VI:

MEETINGS:

1. The annual meeting shall be held in the Fall to elect officers and directors, receive reports and carry on the business of the CORPORATION.
   
   
   1. Written notice of the annual meeting shall be sent to all members at least thirty (30) days in advance.
   2. A majority of the members present and voting shall constitute a quorum.
   3. There will be no nominations for officers or directors from the floor.
   4. The board reserves the right to set time limits for speakers at meetings.
      
      
2. The Board of Directors shall meet at least four (4) times a year to carry on the routine business of the CORPORATION.
   
   
   1. A majority of the members of the Board present shall constitute a quorum.
   2. Other meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Board with ten (10) days written notice.
      
      
3. Special meetings of the CORPORATION'S members may be called by the President with at least thirty (30) days written notice.

ARTICLE VII:

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY - The rules contained in the current edition of 'Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised" shall be the parliamentary authority of the CORPORATION, when applicable and not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII:

AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS - These Bylaws may be amended at any called meeting of members provided notice of the proposed change is included in the meeting notice. A Bylaw change shall require a 2/3rds vote of the members present.

Adopted October 27, 1990
Revised November 1, 1997, September 11, 1999, November 4, 2000, November 9, 2002, November 1, 2003, November 6, 2004.