Friends of the Washington Parish Library Constitution


Adopted 01/12/06

Amended 09/06/07



I. Name
The name of this organization shall be Friends of the Washington Parish Library, hereinafter referred to as FWPL.


II. Purpose
The purpose of FWPL is to support and promote the use of the Washington Parish Library System by (1) raising discretionary funds, (2) assisting the library staff and Library Board of Control in conducting library sponsored events and activities, (3) promoting volunteer service for the library, (4) promoting knowledge of the functions and resources of the library, and (5) conducting such further activities as directed by the Friends Board of Directors.

Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

III. Governance
A. The governing body of FWPL shall be a Friends Board of Directors consisting of our officers and three directors-at-large elected in accordance with the procedures contained in the bylaws. The Librarian and the Chairman of the Library Board of Control shall be ex officio members of the Friends Board of Directors but shall have no voting rights.

B. The officers of FWPL shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

IV. Meetings
Meetings of FWPL shall be as directed by the Friends Board of Directors in accordance with the procedures provided in the bylaws.

V. Amendments to the Constitution
This constitution can be amended by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting held in accordance with the procedures provided in the bylaws.

VI. Membership
Any person interested in supporting the purposes of FWPL may become a member upon the payment of annual dues as provided in the bylaws.

VII. Affiliation
At the discretion of the Friends Board of Directors, FWPL may affiliate with like organizations having a similar purpose.

VIII. Bylaws
FWPL shall adopt bylaws containing governance provisions consistent with the constitution. Such bylaws may be amended as provided therein.

IX. Restrictions
A. No part of the funds of FWPL shall benefit any officer, director, or member of FWPL, or any member of the Library Board of Control, or any employee of the Washington Parish Library.

B. FWPL shall not participate in any manner in the political campaign or activities of any candidate for public office.

X. Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of FWPL, and prior to the completion thereof, all liabilities and obligations shall be paid, satisfied, or discharged, and all remaining funds and assets distributed to the Washington Parish Library System for use in furtherance of the purposes contained in Article II of this constitution.

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Louisiana District Court for the parish in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.