Last fall changes to MLA’s Model Bylaws for Use by Sections were approved. Accordingly, the PSS Bylaws Committee, with input from the PSS Board, prepared a draft revision of our section’s bylaws that conform to the new model bylaws.

The changes in the proposed revision relates to Article III, Section 2 A: Rights and Privileges; Article IV, Section 5 A: Candidate for the MLA Nominating Committee Membership; and Article X: Amendment of Bylaws. The proposed revision, if approved, will (finally!) allow voting on the section bylaws amendments electronically.

Recently our proposed revision was approved by the MLA Bylaws Committee. With the MLA Bylaws Committee’s blessing the proposed revision can now be distributed to the section membership for your review.

Here is the existing wording for Article III, Section 2 A in our current bylaws:

Voting members of this Section shall consist of all members, except that only Voting Members of the Medical Library Association shall be qualified to move or to vote on recommendations to the Section Council regarding MLA policies or actions.

…and here is the proposed revision:

Voting members of this Section shall consist of all members, except that only Voting Members of the Medical Library Association shall be qualified to move or to vote on recommendations to the Section Council regarding MLA policies or actions, and to vote on the selection of a candidate for the MLA Nominating Committee.

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Here is the existing wording for Article IV, Section 5 A in our current bylaws:

The name of the one voting member of the Medical Library Association, chosen by the Section Chair, shall be submitted each year to the Section Council as a potential candidate for membership on the MLA Nominating Committee. This submission shall be made to the Council (before its final assembly at the MLA Annual Meeting). The potential candidate shall prepare a biographical statement and a signed statement of willingness-to-serve if elected as a member of the MLA Nominating Committee. This statement shall accompany the name submitted.

And here is the proposed revision:

The name of the one voting member of the Medical Library Association, chosen by the Section Chair election, shall be submitted each year to the Section Council as a potential candidate for membership on the MLA Nominating Committee. This submission shall be made to the Council (before its final assembly at the MLA Annual Meeting). The potential candidate shall prepare a biographical statement and a signed statement of willingness-to-serve if elected as a member of the MLA Nominating Committee. This statement shall accompany the name submitted.

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Here is the existing wording for Article X. in our current bylaws:

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Section by a two-thirds vote of those attending, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the vote shall be taken.

…and here is the proposed revision:

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Section by a two-thirds vote of those attending ballots cast, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the vote shall be taken vote being taken.

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In accordance with procedures spelled out in our current bylaws the bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the section provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken. An email has been sent to all members which constitutes that submission. Let PSS President Mary Markland and me know if you have any questions concerning the proposed revision.

A vote on amending the bylaws will be one of the agenda items at the PSS business meeting that will be held at the Minneapolis MLA Annual Meeting. If the above proposed bylaws amendment is approved at that meeting, future votes on section bylaws amendments will be able to be conducted electronically.

Best regards,

Montie’ Dobbins
Chair, PSS Bylaws Committee

P.S. PSS’s current bylaws can be found here.

Minneapolis is a great city and MLA will be in the heart of downtown.  Restaurants abound and there are many opportunities to experience music, art and theatre.  Check out this Downtown Minneapolis link and discover what’s happening.  Two of my favorite restaurants are Brit’s Pub and Hell’s Kitchen – you have to have breakfast there and try the Mahnomen Porridge.

Another great thing about downtown Minneapolis is the ease of getting to and from the airport.  The light rail train goes directly to the airport and costs less than $3.  The light rail also goes to the Mall of America if you really need a shopping fix.