Mission

The ARLIS/NA Canada Chapter of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) represents the interests of Canadian art information professionals by serving as their national association. The Chapter’s goals are:

1. To foster communication among art and architecture librarians and archivists, visual resources professionals, artists, curators, educators, publishers, and other art information professionals across Canada;
2. To encourage and increase the effectiveness of the membership in providing art information services;
3. To develop, promote, and coordinate art information and visual resources collections and services throughout the country;
4. To encourage and sponsor research and publication on Canadian art, architecture and related topics in the arts;
5. To support continuing education programmes and activities for the membership;
6. To represent Canadian art information professionals within ARLIS/NA, and to bring Canadian perspectives to its deliberations and policy and decision making;
7. To conduct business on behalf of its membership without purpose of financial gain, and to ensure that any profits or gifts to the Chapter shall be used in promoting its goals.

Article I. Name.

1. The organization is a national chapter of the Art Libraries Society of North America (hereafter referred to as ARLIS/NA).
2. The name of the organization is ARLIS/NA Canada (hereafter referred to as the Chapter).

Article II. Office and Administration.

The office and administration of the Chapter shall reside with the Chair of the Chapter.

Article III. Membership.

1. Eligibility.
   1. Membership is open to members of ARLIS/NA with a declared interest in Canadian art and architecture libraries and archives.  
2. Privileges.
   1. Members of the Chapter may vote on Chapter issues, hold executive office in the Chapter, and serve on Chapter committees.
3. Dues.
   1. There are no dues associated with membership in the Chapter.

Article IV. Officers.

1. The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall be composed of the current Canadian Liaison of ARLIS/NA; the past chair of ARLIS/NA Ontario or a member appointed by the executive of ARLIS/NA Ontario; the past chair of the Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec chapter of ARLIS/NA (hereafter referred to as ARLIS/NA MOQ) or a member appointed by the executive of ARLIS/NA MOQ; the past Canadian chair of the Northwest Chapter of ARLIS/NA (hereafter referred to as ARLIS/NA Northwest) or a Canadian member appointed by the executive of ARLIS/NA Northwest; a regional representative from Atlantic Canada; a regional representative from the prairie provinces of Saskatchewan or Manitoba, and the former Canadian Liaison of ARLIS/NA.
   1. Chair. The Chair of ARLIS/NA Canada shall be the current elected Canadian Liaison to the Executive Board of ARLIS/NA.
   2. The Regional Representatives from Atlantic Canada and the Prairies shall be appointed by the Chapter Chair.
   3. Secretary. The office of Secretary shall be appointed by the Chapter Chair from the membership of the Executive Committee.
   4. Past Chair. The Past Chair of ARLIS/NA Canada shall be the former elected Canadian Liaison to the Executive Board of ARLIS/NA.

Article V. Terms of Office.

1. Chair. The term of office of the Chair of ARLIS/NA Canada shall be two years, concurrent with holding the office of Canadian Liaison to the Executive Board of ARLIS/NA. The term will be based on the ARLIS/NA annual conference year.
2. Secretary. Appointed at the first Executive Committee meeting for a term of one year.
3. Past Chair. The term of office of the Past Chair of ARLIS/NA Canada shall be two years, concurrent with the office of the Chair. The term will be based on the ARLIS/NA annual conference year.
4. Other members of the Executive Committee normally serve a term of one year. Terms are renewable at the discretion of the Executive Committee and the respective chapter executive officers. The term will be based on the calendar year.

Article VI. Duties of Officers.

The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Chapter during the intervals between regular meetings. The Executive Committee is empowered to make decisions and take actions necessary to ensure the continuous and effective operation of the Chapter, within the limits established by these bylaws and subject to ratification by the Chapter membership at the next regular meeting.

1. Chair.
   1. The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Chapter and its representative on official business.
   2. The Chair shall be a member ex-officio of all special project committees of the Chapter.
   3. The Chair shall prepare the annual report for ARLIS/NA and other reports as required.
   4. The Chair shall submit the Executive Committee’s recommendations for special projects for the approval of the membership.
   5. The Chair shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Chapter website and communication platforms.
2. Secretary.
   1. The Secretary shall keep minutes of Chapter and Executive Committee meetings and perform other duties inherent in the office.
   2. The Secretary shall support the maintenance of the Chapter website and communication platforms.

Article VII. Meetings.

1. The Chapter shall meet at least once a year, usually at the ARLIS/NA annual conference.
2. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a year, usually in conjunction with the ARLIS/NA annual conference.
3. The Executive Committee may convene special business meetings as necessary.

Article VIII. Committees.

1. The Chair shall appoint the Melva J. Dwyer Award Committee each year to oversee nominations and selection of a recipient, before each ARLIS/NA annual conference. This committee shall consist of three people chosen from the Chapter membership.
2. The Chair shall establish special committees as needed, subject to approval by the Executive Committee. Chapter members may also petition the Executive Committee to appoint committees for projects or other purposes related to Chapter activities.
3. Each committee shall report its activities in writing to the Executive Committee and the membership once a year, or more frequently if the Executive Committee so requires.
4. No committee shall incur expenses on behalf of the Chapter without the Executive Committee’s authorization.

Article IX. Reports and Correspondence.

1. The Chair shall prepare regular and annual reports as prescribed by ARLIS/NA policy.
2. The Chair shall provide an annual narrative report directly to the Chapter membership describing annual activities of the Chapter. 
3. All official reports and correspondence with Chapter members shall be in French and English.

Article X. Publications.

The Chapter shall maintain a platform for communication with Canadian members and other interested individuals. This platform is for the posting of Chapter news and announcements, the discussion of professional concerns and Chapter business, and the dissemination of art information.

Article XI. Affiliation.

1. The Executive Committee shall seek affiliations with other Canadian organizations in consultation with the ARLIS/NA Executive Board.
2. The Chair may act as liaison with other organizations or appoint other Chapter members to do so.

Article XII. Amendments.

1. Proposed amendments to the bylaws may be submitted to the Executive Committee in writing by Chapter members.
2. Amendments shall be passed by a majority vote by Chapter members and require the approval of the ARLIS/NA Executive Board.
3. The bylaws shall be reviewed at least every five years or more frequently at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Article XIII. Archives.

The Chair is responsible for preservation of all materials of possible archival value. All such materials, including official correspondence and reports, will be deposited in the archives of ARLIS/NA according to the Society’s Archives Guidelines.

Article XIV. Dissolution.

The dissolution of this Chapter shall follow ARLIS/NA guidelines.