PREAMBLE

The Southern California Theological Library Association is an independent organization dedicated to strengthening delivery of and resources for theological information, knowledge, culture, and research through the development of cooperative programs, services, and collections in the Southern California area. The Association supports cooperative effort among theological libraries to improve access to theological and religious information, promote the growth of specialized collections in religion and theology, and to reduce duplication of services and resources.

ARTICLE I. MEMBERS

1. Classes of Members. The Association shall have three classes of members. The designation of such classes and the qualifications and rights of the members of such classes shall be as follows. 1) Founding members shall consist of the of the six founding schools, including Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Claremont School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Masters College and Seminary, and St. John's Seminary. Founding members shall have full membership privileges. 2) Full Membership shall consist of any educational institution offering a graduate program in religion or theology which is located in the Southern California area, has at least 10,000 volumes in the library, at least one full-time librarian, accreditation by a CHEA recognized U.S. Accrediting Organization, and applies and is accepted as a full member. Full membership entitles the institution to one vote and full participation in the Association. 3) Associate Membership shall consist of any library in the Southern California area which has an interest in the Association but either does not qualify for full membership or does not wish to apply for full membership. Associate Members do not have voting rights, but have various participatory privileges as determined by the Association.
2. Admission. An applicant shall be admitted to membership in the Association by submitting a formal application for membership and on being accepted by vote of the full members. Applications for membership shall be in such form as shall be prescribed by the Association. An affirmative vote of two-thirds shall be required for acceptance.
3. Voting Rights. Each Full Member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.
4. Suspension or Expulsion of Members. Full members, by a majority vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, may terminate, suspend or expel a member of the Association, provided the member is given notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be herd in its defense in a meeting called for this purpose. Reasons for such action might include, but are not limited to, default in the payment of dues, or conduct deemed detrimental to the interests of the Association.
5. Resignation. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the secretary, but such resignation shall not relieve the member from the obligation to pay any dues or charges previously accrued.

ARTICLE II. DUES

1. Annual Dues. The Association may determine from time to time the amount of initiation fee, if any, and annual dues for each membership class.

ARTICLE III. MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the members will be held at least three times per year. The dates, times, and locations of these meetings shall be communicated to the membership with as much advanced notice as possible. Ordinarily, these meetings will be convened at one of the member institutions.
2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by majority vote of the membership.
3. Quorum. The members holding two-thirds of the votes that may be cast at any meeting shall constitute a quorum at such meeting. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of members, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

1. Officers. The officers of the Association shall be a president, vice-president, and a secretary. The Association may elect or appoint other officers as needed.
2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Association shall be elected for a one-year term at the last regular meeting of a given academic year, and will serve until successors have been chosen. From time to time the Association may fill unanticipated vacancies, and may remove officers to serve the best interests of the Association.
3. President. The president shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation and shall supervise and manage all of the business of the Association. The president shall preside at all Association meetings, provide adequate, advanced, written notification of all meetings and agendas, serve as the contact person in the Association's partnerships with other associations, libraries, or external relationships deemed appropriate by the Association, design programs and agendas for Association meetings, and coordinate any current projects of the Association.
4. Vice-President. In the absence of the president, or in the event of the president's inability or refusal to act, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the president. The vice-president shall perform other duties that may be assigned by the president or the Association.
5. Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of Association meetings, be the custodian of any Association records, maintain a membership directory and/or database, and perform other appropriate duties as assigned by the president or Association.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES

1. Committees. The President or the Association, to assist in the work of the Association, may appoint committees.

ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Books and Records. The Association shall keep correct and complete books and records of the Association's business, transactions, and minutes of all meetings of the Association and its committees.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

1. Power of Members to Amend Bylaws. The bylaws of this Association may be amended , repealed, added to, or new bylaws may be adopted by the vote or written assent of seventy-five percent (75%) of the members entitled to vote.

Amended Friday, February 9, 2007. Quorum reduced from three-quarters to two-thirds of the full membership.
Amended Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Classes of Members. Full Membership requirements to include accreditation.