Comparison to the ​Current By-Laws of the Friends of the Anacortes Public Library with Proposed New By-Laws

​Proposed new by-laws will be presented for adoption at the November 12, 2019 Annual Meeting of the Friends.  The current by-laws and proposed new by-laws are presented on other pages of this website.


​The information below is to assist the Executive Board and membership in tracking the proposed changes to the January 1, 2014 FOL Bylaws.  The Bylaws have been updated to reflect best nonprofit governance practices and assist the organization in fulfilling its stated mission for supporting the Anacortes Public Library.  A key element is the establishment of a 5 to 15 - member board of directors and transferring the current fiscal, fiduciary, and statutory responsibilities from individual organization members to the new board of directors.  

January 1, 2014 Bylaws	Proposed 2019 ​ Bylaw Changes
Article 1 - Name ​	Article 1 – Name No change ​ ​
Article 2 - Purpose	Article 2 – Purpose The Purpose is focused on library support in alignment with American Library Association Bill of Rights principles and Anacortes Public Library values. The objectives for fundraising etc. are moved to another section of the bylaws.
Article 3 – Membership Serves as the board of directors May attend all meetings and vote on all organization matters Shared fiscal, fiduciary, and statutory responsibilities	Article 3 – Membership Remains the same, but transfers fiscal, fiduciary, and statutory responsibilities to a board of directors Defines when membership term begins and that each paid membership has one vote. Removes the dues from the text and places the responsibility within the budget process and board.   Establishes the annual membership meeting in November of each year.  ​
Article 4 – Meetings Replaces this section with a new Article 4 – Governance Establishes an executive board of officers without a board of directors. Establishes monthly membership meetings Establishes membership as the governing board voting on all organization matters	Articles 4 – Governance Establishes a board of director with 5 to 15 members Defines the length of board term of office  Establishes a process for filling open board positions Establishes meeting schedule and quorum Establishes an Executive Committee Establishes four standing committees Library Director is a non-voting ex officio member of the Board
Article 5 – Officers No required Secretary of the Board Includes recording and corresponding secretaries FriendShop Manager is as officer and executiv	Article 5 – Officers Reduces the number of officers from six to five and conforms structure to best practices Establishes the duties for each officer Establishes the term of office Permits the Board to establish additional officer positions as needed for operations FriendShop Manager need not be a board member
Article 6 – Elections No board of directors are specified for governance Specifies that only officers are elected and for a one year term  Officers form an executive board ​	Article 6 – Elections Permits election of a board of directors by the membership Continues the nominating committee process Permits the board to elect officers Permits both mail and in-person ballots Officers assume office at time of election e
Article 7 – Budget Executive board established budget and any budget revision This conflicts with membership voting on all organization matters in Article 4	Article 7 – Budget Refines the budget process starting with the Finance Committee Establishes a budget amendment process for unexpected expenditures Establishes procedures for restricted and sequestered funds Establishes the board with fiduciary, fiscal, and budgetary responsibility as required by statute.
Article 8 – Financial Interest of the members	Article 8 – Interests of the Members Strengthens the conflict of interest statement Strengthens the organization dissolution language.
Article 9 – Amendment of the Bylaws	Article 9 – Amendment of the Bylaws Permits bylaw amendments with 50 percent voting either in-person, electronic, or mail ballot