"Preparation" of Agenda

[patbaeske]

Does the language below in the city's library bylaws authorize the librarian to add agenda items she deems pertinent herself or just those submitted by voting library board members:

"An agenda for each regular meeting shall be prepared by the Library Director preceding each meeting. Board members who wish to have items listed must give them to the Director on or before the Thursday preceding the regular meeting. The agenda and/or information packet shall be distributed to each Trustee by the Library Director prior to each regular monthly meeting."

 

The Librarian's duties in the bylaws are listed as:

 

"LIBRARY DIRECTOR

"SECTION 1 The Library Director shall be employed by the Board to serve as administrative officer with the authority and responsibility to implement the policies established by the Board. Among its duties shall be the hiring, training, supervision, evaluation and dismissal of library employees.

"SECTION 2 The Library Director shall submit monthly reports on the operation of the Library and shall recommend to the Board such policies and procedures that, in its opinion, would improve the Library's efficiency and value to its patrons.

"SECTION 3 The Library Director shall be responsible for the expenditure of library funds as authorized by the Board in its annual budget. The authority to spend threshold and need of a second signature to sign checks shall be $1,000 as stated in the Routine Banking Policy."

 

 

 

[Richard Brown]

On 2/11/2023 at 6:48 PM, patbaeske said:

Does the language below in the city's library bylaws authorize the librarian to add agenda items she deems pertinent herself or just those submitted by voting library board members:

Unfortunately, this appears to be a matter of bylaws interpretation and it is up to the members of the library board to interpret what it means. The provision is ambiguous and it is not clear as to whether the librarian (the library director) can add items to the agenda and/or has the final authority to set the agenda or if it is vested in the board. Under the rules in RONR, an agenda prepared in advance of the meeting is merely a proposed agenda, or an outline, until it is actually adopted by the assembly. However, this provision Is ambiguous and can be interpreted to mean that the librarian alone has the authority to set the agenda. It is also not clear as to whether the library Director can add additional items to the agenda.

In such a situation, only the members of the society itself (in this case likely the board) can interpret its own bylaws. 

[laser158689]

Is the Library Director even a member of the Board?

[Richard Brown]

On 2/13/2023 at 3:02 PM, laser158689 said:

Is the Library Director even a member of the Board?

The OP (original poster) will have to answer that question, but I don't believe it makes any difference.  He (or she) is an employee of the school board Library Board and can be charged with the responsibility of preparing the agenda.  That is rather common with some public bodies such as school boards, etc.  For example, It is rather common for the superintendent or administrator to have the responsibility for preparing the agenda for school board meetings.

Edited February 13, 2023 at 10:09 PM by Richard Brown
Changed "School Board" to "Library Board" as indicated

[laser158689]

In the original post, I think there's an implied distinction between the mechanistic preparation of the agenda vs the addition of specific items (eg a new resolution coming from the Library Director).

Maybe I read too much into the question?