ORL — Okanagan Regional Librarians

ARTICLE I — Name

The name of the organization shall be the Okanagan Regional Library Chapter (ORL Chapter) of the Professional Employees Association.

ARTICLE II — Objectives

Okanagan Regional Library Chapter objectives are:

• To function as a chapter of the Professional Employees Association.
• To provide a forum for the discussion of employment issues.
• To determine the needs of ORLC members regarding compensation and working conditions and to assist the Professional Employees Association in negotiating collective agreements covering members of the ORLC.
• To carry out other functions consistent with the Professional Employees Association Constitution as may be desirable for the welfare of ORLC members.

ARTICLE III — Membership

Membership shall be open to all employees who are members of the bargaining unit at the Okanagan Regional Library or its successor for whom the Professional Employees Association is certified.

ARTICLE IV — Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the ORLC shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary/Treasurer, each position elected annually.

The ORLC shall rotate its entitlement to appoint an Association Executive member with other Association Chapters as determined by the Association Executive, on an annual basis. When it is entitled to do so, the Chapter Executive Committee shall appoint by motion an Association Executive member from among the members of the Chapter Executive Committee. The term of appointment shall be one year, effective at the close of the Association Convention in odd-numbered years, and effective on June 1 in even-numbered years.

The Chairperson shall preside over ORLC meetings and, in her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain ORLC minutes and records and be responsible for safekeeping of any ORLC funds.

A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be two members, and shall have the authority to take such measures in carrying out ORLC objectives as are consistent with the Professional Employees Association Constitution.

Should a vacancy occur on the Executive Committee, the remaining members may appoint a replacement from the ORLC membership for the remainder of the instant term of office.

Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be by majority vote. Executive Committee meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE V — Executive and Delegate Elections

The Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominating Officer consisting of one member not later than 35 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

The Nominating Committee shall prepare a list of candidates who have signified that they are willing to stand for Executive office. Nominations may be put forward to the Nominating Committee by any members of the ORLC.

The Nominating Committee shall put the list of standing executive candidates to the general membership for their vote. Ballots shall be delivered to each member or mailed to his/her last known address not later than 21 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The date by which the ballot is to be returned shall precede the Annual Meeting, and newly elected members of the Executive shall assume their duties at the ensuing Annual Meeting, except that the first Executive Committee shall assume office at the time of its election.

The Chair shall also prepare a list of candidates for delegate(s) to the Biennial Convention of the Association who have signified that they are willing to represent the chapter at convention. Normally, ORLC shall be represented at convention by a member of the Executive Committee and a member-at-large. Nominations may be put forward to the Chair by any members of the ORLC.

The Chair shall put the list of standing delegate candidates to the general membership for their vote. Ballots shall be delivered to each member or mailed to his/her last known address not later than 105 days prior to the Biennial Convention of the Association. The date by which the ballot is to be returned shall precede the Biennial Convention by at least 80 days.

ARTICLE VI — Meetings

There shall be an Annual Meeting not later than September 30. Other general meetings can be called by the Executive Committee, or, on a written request from at least two members. When a meeting is called by at least two members, it shall take place within one calendar month of the request being received by the Executive. A quorum in any general meeting, including the Annual Meeting, shall be not less than 33 percent of the membership. Except as herein provided, ORLC meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VII — Meetings

A notice of meeting other than the Annual Meeting shall be delivered to each member or mailed to his last known address not less than 7 days before the meeting is to be held. Notice of meeting shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII — Adoption and Amendment of the Constitution

This Constitution shall come into effect when approved at the initial membership meeting. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of ORLC voting members.

ARTICLE IX — Fees

Fees, if required, shall be approved at the Annual Meeting or at a special general meeting.