ARTICLE I - TITLE

The name of this organization shall be Friends of the Madison County Public Library.
It is separate from, and in addition to, the Madison County Public Library Board and is a non-profit body.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES

A. The Friends will publicize and promote the value and variety of library services and programs.
B. They will communicate to the public the needs of the library.
C. They will provide volunteers for the day-to-day operations of the libraries and for special library programs and Friends' programs.
D. They will raise monies in various ways, including dues, to:
1. purchase books, equipment, and materials not funded by the Library Board.
2. provide a variety of special programs for children, for adults, and for both.
3. provide various forms of appreciation to the library staff.
4. fill any other library needs authorized by the Friends' Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

A. Members
1. Regular membership: open to all through payment of annual dues set by the Executive Committee.
2. All categories of membership entitle a Friend to seek appointment to the Executive Committee if he/she wishes to become involved in policy decisions and is able to attend the monthly meetings. All Executive Committee members have voting privileges. All other Friends of the Madison County Public Library may attend the Executive Committee meetings, but they may not vote. So it is that the Executive Committee and the Friends-At-Large constitute the Friends of the Madison County Public Library.

B. Meeting
The Friends of the Madison County Public Library shall have an annual meeting, preferably in the spring. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive Committee as needed.

ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS

A. The Executive Committee is formed from the Membership-At-Large from nominations presented at the annual meeting.
B. The Executive Committee of the Friends shall consist of fifteen (15) members. Each member shall serve a term of three (3) years, with the exception of the original members who shall serve terms varying from one to three years with one-third serving a year term, one-third serving a two-year term and one-third serving a three-year term, with one and two-year terms being determined by lot. Select and/or from floor nominations. The officers serve one year terms, but are eligible for renomination and reelection of new committee members shall take place before, and the selections be presented at the Executive Committee's May meeting. New committee members may be selected by the Executive Committee at any time during the year to fill unexpired terms.
C. The officers of the Executive Committee shall also serve as officers of the Friends-At-Large. They shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, all of whom shall be elected by the Executive Committee at their May meeting. Officers shall be chosen from a slate prepared by the Chair-appointed nominating committee
D. Any member of the Executive Committee is eligible for any office with this exception: no officer of the Executive Committee may hold an office concurrently with an office on the Madison County Public Library Board. It is desirable that a member of the Executive Committee should attend the Library Board meetings.
E. The duties of the officers shall be:
1. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings.
2. The Vice Chairperson shall perform all of the duties of the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent or unable to act.
3. The Secretary shall maintain a written record of all acts of the Committee, conduct, receive, and dispense all correspondence as directed; preserve all reports and documents.
4. The Treasurer shall maintain a written record of all financial transactions which are proper to the Executive Committee. These records shall be audited annually by an independent auditor.
5. The Chairperson of the Membership Committee shall conduct a Membership Drive each year and shall receive and record all memberships. This chairperson shall maintain a current list of names and addresses of the Friends, one list for the filed, one list for the Chairperson of the Friends, and two additional lists, one each for the files of the Berea and Richmond libraries.
F. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month and at any other time as needed. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by two members of the Executive Committee.
1. Quorum: For the purpose of transacting official business, it shall be necessary that eight (8) members be present and voting.
2. A simple majority of those present and voting shall carry the motion.
3. The rules of parliamentary procedures as contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern meetings of the Friends of the Madison County Public Library
4. The ordinary order of business shall be roll call, reading of the minutes, old business, new business, and adjournment.
5. Any member of the Executive Committee who misses three (3) consecutive meetings shall be replaced. (Members of the Executive Committee may vote to suspend this ruling up to six months for members with special situations.)

ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS and REVISIONS

A. Amendments to this constitution must be presented in writing to the Executive Committee at least two weeks prior to voting on such.
B. This constitution may be amended by a vote of one more than a simple majority of the voting members present at an Executive Committee meeting, provided that there is a quorum, and provided that the amendment has been duly presented at a previous meeting of the Executive Committee.
C. This constitution may be revised by a majority vote of those present at a duly called meeting of the Friends of the Madison County Public Library.