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3. SECTIONS

3.1 Functions

Sections constitute a vital part of the activity of the Association and exist to provide a focus for a wide variety of interests. Sections are organized either on the basis of a special interest (i.e., dental), or on the basis of a type of library (i.e., hospital). Currently 23 Sections function within MLA:

  • Cancer Librarians Section
  • Chiropractic Libraries Section
  • Collection Development Section
  • Consumer and Patient Health Information Section
  • Corporate Information Services Section
  • Dental Section
  • Educational Media & Technologies Section
  • Federal Libraries Section
  • History of the Health Sciences Section
  • Hospital Libraries Section
  • International Cooperation Section
  • Leadership and Management Section
  • Medical Informatics Section
  • Medical Library Education Section
  • Medical School Libraries Section
  • Medical Society Libraries Section
  • Nursing and Allied Health Resources Section
  • Pharmacy and Drug Information Section
  • Public Health/Health Administration Libraries Section
  • Public Services Section
  • Relevant Issues Section
  • Research Section
  • Technical Services Section
  • Veterinary Medical Libraries Section

3.2 Bylaws

A Section’s bylaws define the broad outline of its activities. The bylaws and any revisions of these bylaws must be submitted to the Association’s Bylaws Committee to determine whether they are in conformity with Association bylaws. When revised, revisions should be sent to the Section Council Chair.  Model bylaws have been developed to assist Sections in writing their bylaws.  See also the Procedures for Submitting Bylaws Revisions to the MLA Bylaws Committee.  Questions concerning Bylaws should be referred to Coordinator, Information Issues and Policy at MLA Headquarters.

3.3 Section Composition

3.3.1. Section Chair

The Section Chair is one of several officers who contribute to the overall activity of the Section. Other officers include Past Chair, a Chair Elect, Secretary and Treasurer.

It is important to understand the scope of activity of a Section, as well as the way the Section’s work fits into the total Association picture. Therefore, most Chairs find it useful to meet with the Headquarters program staff and Section Council Chair during the Annual Meeting to be briefed on issues and trends pertaining to Sections and to discuss Section activities. Orientations sessions for new Section Chairs are usually scheduled at the Annual Meeting by MLA Headquarters and the Section Council Chair.

The Section Chair is the presiding officer of the Section and is responsible for:

  • The general organization of Section work, including the formulation of objectives.
  • The assignment of specific responsibilities to committees functioning within the Section.
  • Communication of Section activities and actions to the Section Council Board liaison (Section Council Chair), and other Sections as appropriate.
  • Implementation of Section Council decisions, monitoring section compliance standards, gathering information as requested, informing membership of issues under discussion by the Council, and soliciting comments and suggestions.
  • Establishment of a timetable for the Section.
  • Preparation of annual objectives, midyear and annual reports.
  • Maintenance of Section records, including procedure manuals, correspondence, and other files.

3.3.2 Relationship to Headquarters Staff

The Headquarters staff responds to information requests concerning Association policies, procedures, and planning. The business office can generate membership lists for Sections upon request. See the form for requesting mailing lists and labels.

MLA Headquarters sends out requests for the annual objectives, the mid-year and the annual reports. Completed documents are sent to MLA Headquarters with a copy to the Section Council Chair.

3.3.3 Relationship to MLA Committees

Sections should maintain close liaison with Association committees when they share the same or similar interests. The Governmental Relations Committee has established a network in which Sections participate through designation of a Governmental Relations Committee liaison.

3.4 Formation of Sections

Only Association members may organize and function as Sections. New Sections shall be recognized by the Association provided they meet the following conditions:

  • The stated purpose of the Section is consistent with and related to purposes stated in the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation and Constitution and its activities are consistent with these purposes.
  • The Section needs and interests cannot be met reasonably or served by an existing Section.
  • The requirements stated in the MLA bylaws are fulfilled.
  • Petitions to form a new Section must be signed by a minimum of fifty of the Association’s voting members, except that the Board may consider a petition with less than fifty signatures when a smaller number of members is pursuing a specific interest which may justify formation of a new Section.

3.5 Dissolution of Sections

Following the granting of permanent status, Sections shall continue to be recognized, except that recognition may be withdrawn by the Board when:

  • A Section fails to conduct any programs or activities related to its purposes (not including the election of officers) for a period of three consecutive years.
  • For three consecutive years a Section fails to submit annual reports by the specified date to Headquarters.
  • In the opinion of the Board of Directors, on the advice of the Section Council, the Section’s purposes are not being fulfilled or are not longer relevant to Association purposes and objectives.
  • A Section so requests.
  • A Section for a period of three consecutive years fails to maintain a minimum membership of fifty (50), except Sections existing on December 31, 1997, with fewer than fifty (50) members shall retain Section status. After December 31, 1997, other Sections which fail to retain a minimum membership of fifty (50) may petition the Board of Directors for continued recognition, providing all criteria for the formation of a Section continue to be met.
  • Section bylaws are inconsistent with Association bylaws.

MLA Headquarters and the Section Council’s Section/SIG Review Committee are responsible for ensuring that Sections continue to meet compliance requirements. (See 4.5 Section Compliance and Section Compliance)

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