I. NAME

The name of this College of Education student organization will be the College of Education Library and Information Science Student and Alumni Association  and will be referred to as "LISSAA" or "the Association."

II. MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Library and Information Science Student and Alumni Association (LISSAA) of the College of Education of the University of Denver is to provide a gateway to the professional world of librarianship. As a network of students and other information professionals dedicated to the success of all students in the Library and Information Science program (LIS), the association will complement classroom education by sponsoring professional development and leadership workshops, speakers, and programs. LISSAA will provide a conduit for open communications among the student body, the library and information professionals, the LIS Department, and the College of Education.

III. MEMBERSHIP

A. All students enrolled in Library Information Science classes, whether admitted degree or certificate students, or students who are designated as Lifelong Learners, will be considered student members of LISSAA.
 

IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The Executive Board of LISSAA will consist of the Director of the LIS program or a faculty designee, the President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Program Coordinator.

B. Responsibilities of the Executive Board of LISSAA

The Executive Board will:

1. create ad hoc committees, as needed,
2. appoint LISSAA members to LISSAA standing or ad hoc committees, as appropriate, and
3. in consultation with the Director of the LIS Program, remove and replace officers or committee chairpersons who do not adequately meet their responsibilities according to these by-laws.

C. Responsibilities of Executive Board Members

     1. President

          The President will:

1. attend all Board meetings or send a proxy in his/her place,
2. coordinate all activities and functions of the Association,
3. serve as a liaison between LISSAA and other DU organizations, and
4. submit to the succeeding President a complete report of the accomplishments of his/her term of office.

     2. Vice-President/President-Elect

          The Vice-President/President-Elect will:

1. attend all Board meetings or send a proxy in his/her place,
2. assist the President in coordinating the activities and functions of the Association,
3. serve as chair of the Professional Development committee and Peer Resource Board,
4. in cooperation with the Program Coordinator, engage at least one guest speaker for a LISSAA meeting each academic year,
5. assume the duties of the President in his/her absence,
6. submit to the succeeding Vice-President/President-Elect a complete report of accomplishments of his/her term of office,
7. Assume the Office and title of President at the beginning of the second year of his/her two-year term.

     3. Secretary

          The Secretary will:

1. attend all Board meetings or send a proxy in his/her place,
2. record accurate minutes of all general LISSAA meetings,
3. present a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting for approval at each meeting
4. provide a copy of the minutes of each meeting to the Director of the LIS Program and the faculty advisor,
5. post a copy of the minutes of each meeting on the LISSAA web site,
6. notify members of all scheduled meetings and events,
7. serve as chair of the Publications Committee,
8. perform the duties of the Vice-President/President-Elect and President in their absence or until special elections take place, and
9. submit to the succeeding Secretary a complete report of the accomplishments of his/her term of office.

     4. Treasurer

          The Treasurer will:

1. maintain a complete and accurate financial record of LISSAA,
2. plan the yearly budget with the assistance of the Director of the LIS Program and the Executive Board,
3. authorize all expenditures with the approval of the Executive Board,
4. deposit all revenue from fundraising activities in the financial institution designated by the Director of the LIS Program,
5. provide a financial report at each LISSAA meeting,
6. perform the duties of the Secretary, Vice-President/President-Elect and President in their absence or until special elections take place, and
7. submit to the succeeding Treasurer a complete report of the accomplishments of his/her term of office.

     5. Program Coordinator

1. organize and coordinate educational, cultural, and social activities for LISSAA,
2. in cooperation with the Vice-President/President-Elect engage at least one guest speaker for a LISSAA meeting each academic year,
3. perform the duties of the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice- President/President-Elect and President in their absence or until special elections take place, and
4. submit to the succeeding Program Coordinator a complete report of the accomplishments of his/her term of office.

D. Elections of Executive Board Members

Any member of LISSAA may nominate himself/herself or another member for any of the elected offices of the Executive Board: President, Vice- President/President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Program Coordinator. For each office, the nominee receiving the most votes via the electronic ballot on the LISSAA Web site during the Summer Quarter, shall be declared the winner. He/she will assume the office for which he/she was elected for a term of one year starting in the fall quarter, except for the Position of Vice-President/President-Elect, who shall serve a two-year term.

E. Vacancies in the Executive Board

If a vacancy occurs in an elected office of the Executive Board, nominations will be solicited from all LISSAA members at a special meeting and an election will be held at the next general Association meeting, or via the LISSAA Website. Nominees receiving the most votes, for each office, will be elected to the office and will serve the remainder of the term. If the vacancy of the office of President occurs, the Vice- President/President-Elect will assume the office and a new Vice President/President-Elect will be elected. If the Vice-President/President-Elect is unable to fulfill the duties of the President, the Executive Board will seek nominations from all LISSAA members for the position at a special meeting and an election will be held at the next general Association meeting or conducted via the World Wide Web through the LISSAA Web site.

In an emergency situation, the LIS Director or Faculty Advisor may make temporary appointments to the Executive Board until such time when nominations are appropriately made and elections held.

V. FACULTY ADVISOR

A. The Director of the LIS Program, in cooperation with the LISSAA Executive Board will select a Faculty Advisor to the Association.

B. The Faculty Advisor will:

1. attend Executive Board meetings as requested by the Director of the LIS Program,
2. serve as a representative of the faculty of the LIS Program and as a liaison to LISSAA,
3. attend all LISSAA meetings, and
4. provide professional support to the Association.

VI. STANDING COMMITTEES

A. Leadership and membership of the Standing Committees

     An Executive Board member will chair each standing committee, with the exception of the Web Site Committee and committee membership will be composed of the general LISSAA membership.

B. Professional Development Committee

     The Professional Development Committee, under the direction of the Vice- President/President-Elect, will be responsible for organizing and planning at least one professional development event during each academic year and will inform the LISSAA membership of events via the Publications Committee.

C. Publications Committee

     The Publications Committee, under the direction of the Secretary, will be responsible for promoting all LISSAA activities, assisting LISSAA and the LIS Program in publicizing events and issues relevant to LIS students, compiling and distributing the LISSAA newsletter, and posting to the LISSAA web site.

D. Peer Resource Board

     The Peer Resource Board will be responsible for acting as a liaison between students and LIS faculty.  The mission of the Board is to listen to student concerns and, when necessary, intercede with College of Education staff to speak to student problems. It is meant to be an information resource and sounding board to students.

     The Peer Resource Board will be under the direction of the Vice-President/President elect and  two additional students. Appointment to the Board will be based on student and faculty recommendations and approved by the Executive Board.

VII. ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

The Executive Board will meet at least once a quarter prior to the scheduled Association meeting, or as deemed necessary by the Executive Board or the Director of the LIS Program. Meetings will be open to all LIS students unless the purpose is to discuss personnel matters or decisions. Issues regarding LISSAA funds, election of officers, or revision of the by-laws will be decided at the general meetings. These issues may be decided by a simple majority vote of Association members present at the meeting, provided that due notice of the issues are given to members prior to the meeting.

VIII. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

These by-laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the membership present at a scheduled meeting, with the approval of the Director of the LIS Program, provided that due notice of the proposed amendment(s) have been given to each member prior to the meeting.

IX. STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION

LISSAA will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, gender, disability, military status, or sexual orientation.