MLA ByLaws Revision Notice

There will be an amendment to the bylaws proposed at the MLA Annual Conference. Please take time to review it ahead of the conference. If you have any questions regarding the amendment, please contact our Legislative Chair Verne Oleksowicz for further clarification. There will be time allocated during the general meeting for discussion as well.

MLA By-Laws Revisions Recommendations

The MLA Legislative Committee and the MLA board have recommended the following changes to MLA By-laws related to the legislative committee.

1) Current By-Laws indicate, “Only active, life and affiliate members of the Association may be members of a committee” (By-Laws 9.2).

Recommended change:
Only active, life and affiliate members of the Association may be members of a committee with the exception of the legislative committee: active MEMO members may also participate in the committee process that develops MLA/MEMO legislative initiatives.

This by-law change codifies an already existing relationship that has worked well for both organizations.

2) “A majority of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum of that committee (By-Laws 12.3.3).”

Recommended revision:
A majority of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum of that committee, with the exception of the legislative committee, which shall conduct business only when ten or more members, including remote sites, are in attendance.

This by-law change recognizes two important characteristics of the legislative committee: 1) Membership is not limited or defined. This allows an open committee process as well as allowing all members to participate in the legislative process if they are interested in doing so. 2) Without a fixed committee membership, a quorum is indefinable. Therefore, the minimum number of members necessary to conduct business is defined here.