Friends of the Grafton-Midview Public Library Constitution and By-Laws

Article I

1. Name the Name of the organization shall be:  Friends of the Grafton-Midview Public Library.

 Article II

Purpose 

The purposes of the organization are as follows: 

1. To maintain an association of persons interested in books and other information sources and libraries; to focus public attention on the Grafton-Midview Public Library’s services, facilities and needs; to encourage gifts of materials and financial support for the Grafton-Midview Public Library; to work with the Director and the Board of Trustees on matters which relate to major development projects, including building programs;  and to sponsor programs and exhibits and promote library-sponsored activities and services. 
2. The purpose of this Corporation, which is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 
3. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.  No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax coder, or (b) by any organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 
4. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.  

Article III 

Membership

Section 1.  Membership in this organization shall be open to all individuals and organizations that support the aims and purposes of the Friends of the Grafton-Midview Public Library. 

Section 2. Each member shall be entitled to one vote.  Voting must be in person and members must have attended at least 8 of 12 meetings in the prior year.  

Section 3.  Each member shall receive early entry into the semi-annual book sale. 

Article IV
Officers 

Section 1.  The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and a Treasurer. Each position carries a two year term minimum.  Officers shall not be employed in any capacity by the Grafton Midview-Public Library or on its current Board of Directors. 

Section 2.  Officers shall be nominated by the membership.  Notice of the election shall be posted in at least two public places in October.  All nominations must be received by the October meeting.  Nominated officers must be a member in good standing for at least one full year.  The general election will be at the November meeting with the officers taking office at the January general meeting.
  
Section 3.  The President shall appoint committees as necessary. 

Section 4.  The Executive Committee shall be composed of all elected officers. 

Article V 
Duties of Officers 

Section 1.  The President: to preside over General Meetings and Executive Board Meetings. 

Section 2.  Vice President: to perform all duties of the President in the President’s absence. 

Section 3.  Secretary: to take the minutes of all the meetings, maintain the records and membership list with addresses, to conduct the correspondence of the organization, and to post notices of all meetings. 

Section 4.  Treasurer: to keep financial records of the organization and to prepare the books for the annual audit as arranged by the Executive Committee as well as to prepare the books for filing of taxes, and pay bills in a timely fashion.

Section 5.  The Executive Committee: develops policies, strategies, and tactics for fund raising and activities; enacts business for the organization when in the judgment of the President, a special membership is not required.  

Article VI
Meetings 

Section 1.  The organization shall hold its annual Membership meeting in November for the purpose of election of officers, receiving reports, and enacting any other business.  Public notification in at least two sources shall be given two weeks prior to the meeting.  New officers will take office at the January meeting. 

Section 2.  Meetings of the membership shall be held as determined at the annual membership meeting or as directed by the President.  There shall be public notice for every meeting.  

Section 3.  The officers shall form an Executive Committee (Board).  The Committee shall meet as required at the direction of the President. 

Section 4.  A quorum of the Executive Committee is required to conduct business provided that proper notification was given.

 Article VII 
Dues 

Section 1.  The following annual memberships are available: 

• Senior (55+) Membership $10.00 
• Individual Membership  $20.00 
• Family Membership   $30.00 
•  Golden Friends Membership (Lifetime) Individual  $150.00 [revised for Jan. 1, 2026] 

Section 2.  Dues shall be payable at the beginning of the fiscal year, which is from January 1 to December 31. 

Article VIII
Amendments
 
Amendments to these by-laws may be made at any meeting of the general membership, provided that members have received proper notice. 

If the Friends of the Grafton-Midview Public Library disband, the Funds are to go the GMPL Library Endowment Fund and any remaining assets to be given to the Grafton-Midview Public Library Fund. Revised 7/2019 

Board Member Signatures: President ____Beth P.____   Secretary ____Brenda J. ____    Treasurer ___ Marilyn C.____