Friends of the Library

Friends of the Ramara Public Library are a group of dedicated volunteers who value the programs and services our amazing library offers. Founded in 1982, we are a non-profit organization run by public service-minded community members with library staff support.

We support the Ramara Township Public Library by raising funds to support activities, programs, resources, and services or our group of Friends will volunteer our time to help support setup, takedown, organization of events, and preparation of events. Below are a few ways we have supported the library:

1. March Break week
2. Special holidays 
3. P.D. Day Programming
4. Take and Make kits
5. Author talks and special presentations
6. Mobile shelving unit and resource upgrades
7. Contest gifts

How to Become a Friend

Send an email to forpl1982@gmail.com or submit a paper copy found at the library and become a Friend today! Membership is $10, payable by every April 1st. We only meet at the library every couple of months. We try to host a few fundraisers every year. You can decide your level of participation.

Our fundraising helps our library purchase items that are not covered by the operating budget. These items include snacks for patrons, craft materials for children activities, prizes for reading programs, March Break performers, supplies for make and take kits, media equipment, beautification projects, and so much more.

As a Friend you will:

• receive our Friends of the Ramara Library tote bag

   

• be eligible to serve on the Executive committee

   

• have voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting

   

• attend special events put on by the Friends

   

• be able to assist with existing activities

   

• contribute new ideas for fundraising and programming

Information & Constitution

Friends of the Ramara Library is a group of volunteers operating within the rules and regulations of the Ontario Not for Profit Corporations Act (ONCA).

Our mission is to promote and support programs and services offered by the Township of Ramara Library.

BYLAWS

If any of the provisions contained in the following Bylaws are inconsistent with those contained in ONCA, the provisions contained in ONCA will prevail.

GOVERNANCE

The Executive Committee (Officers) shall consist of Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary elected annually by the Members present at the first meeting following the annual meeting (AGM) of the Corporation. Each Officer term will be from the date of the meeting at which they are elected until the next annual meeting (AGM), or until their successors are elected or appointed.

Members may remove an Officer before the end of their term of office by passing a resolution at a Members Meeting with at least a majority (51%) of the votes cast by the Members present. If a vacancy in the Executive Committee occurs due to the resignation or removal of an Officer, Members present may fill the vacancy by a majority vote.

MEMBERSHIP

All Members are considered equal. Each Member in good standing, including Executive Committee Members, is eligible to vote on motions and proposals appearing before the Friends of the Ramara Library.

Membership will consist of individuals who have applied and been accepted for annual membership in the Corporation. Members shall have a valid library card for use at the Township of Ramara  Library and be in good standing. Any Member wishing to renew and unable to fulfill one or both of the membership criteria, may apply for renewal under special circumstances. Renewal approval shall be decided by a majority of voting Members.

Each Member is entitled to receive notice of, attend (either in person or by other means), and vote at all Members’ meetings, and is entitled to one (1) vote per proposal/motion at such meeting. In addition, life-time Members will have such rights as annual Members. There is no option for voting by proxy.

Membership – excepting Life-time Membership – automatically terminates on March 31^st of the calendar year unless a renewal fee is tendered. The Members shall establish the annual fee. The term of annual Membership will be April 1^st to March 31^st, subject to renewal in accordance with the policies of the Corporation. Membership is not transferrable.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

No Member shall directly or indirectly receive any profit from occupying the position of Member or from providing services to the Corporation, however Members may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses that they incur.

Any Member who is a party to a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction with the Corporation or is a director or officer of, or has a material interest in, any person who is a party to a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction with the Corporation shall make the disclosure required by ONCA to the Members.

MEETINGS

For the purposes of Friends of the Ramara  Library, a quorum shall be defined as the attendance of the Executive Committee and at least two (2) Members in good standing.

Business arising at any meeting will be decided by 51% of votes unless otherwise required by ONCA or the Bylaws.

ANNUAL

The date of the Annual Meeting (AGM) shall be decided by the Members and shall be held within Ontario.

The business of the Annual Meeting will include the following:

Approval of the Agenda for the AGM

Approval of the Minutes of the previous AGM and any special meetings

Approval of the Financial Statements for the previous year

Any new or special business that was included in the notice of the meeting.

Additional proposals may be added to the Agenda of the AGM by any Member by submitting such proposal(s) to the Executive a minimum of ten (10) days prior to the date of the AGM so that an amended Agenda may be provided to all Members at least seven (7) days prior to the AGM.

MEMBERS MEETINGS

Members’ Meeting will be held, as needed, throughout the year either in person or by other means. Each Member shall be given a minimum of ten (10) days notice prior to the date of the scheduled meeting. In the event that business arises of an unexpected or urgent nature, all Members will be advised of the reason for the previously un-scheduled meeting, invited to attend or participate, and provided with as much notification time as possible.

The Secretary (or designate) shall notify Members of any meeting by email, telephone, or other means. No error or accidental omission in giving notice to any Member of any meeting will invalidate the meeting or make void anything that happens at the meeting.

Every Member has the right to request from the Executive the scheduling of a Members’ Meeting.

If a Quorum exists at the beginning of any meeting, AGM, regular Members’ or special Members’, the Members present may proceed with the business of the meeting even if a quorum is not present throughout the meeting.

Every Member of the Corporation, the auditors of the Corporation (or the person who has been appointed to conduct a review engagement, if any) or other persons required under any provision of ONCA are entitled to attend Meetings.

The CEO of the Township of Ramara Library is invited to attend all meetings and assume an advisory role.  In addition, any member of the Township of Ramara  Library Board is entitled to attend any meeting.

FINANCES AND SIGNING AUTHORITY

The Financial year of the Corporation ends on March 31^st or on such other date as the Members may from time to time by resolution determine.

Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts, obligations, and other instruments in writing requiring execution by the Corporation may be signed by the Treasurer and one other Officer as proscribed under ONCA.

ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Members may from time to time amend these Bylaws with 51% of the votes cast at a Members’ Meeting.

Only voting Members may pass or amend these Bylaws.

DISSOLUTION

In the event the Members of the Corporation (Friends of the Ramara  Library) vote by a majority of 51% to dissolve, all assets will be transferred to the Township of Ramara Library.

Friends of the Library_Public by Ramara Public Library