Progressive Librarians Guild
PROGRESSIVE
LIBRARIANS GUILD
radical views on library & info issues

Coordinating Committee guidelines

A basic set of rules

1. Membership

The PLGCC is composed of at-large PLG members and members of the PL editorial board. Size is determined by the number of people on the editorial board, the number of at-large slots being equal to editorial positions, plus at least one.

PLG members who volunteer for the CC positions must bring to the group a commitment to PLG's principles and an activist approach to socially responsible librarianship. Volunteers must have been a member-in-good-standing of PLG for at least two years.

The at-large positions are for two-year terms and are filled by volunteers. Slots may remain vacant until filled. In the event of high interest in filling positions, at-large slots will be put up to a vote by the PLG membership. A timetable will be adopted for elections to ensure that members assume office at the end of the ALA midwinter meeting.

2. Duties of CC Members

CC members help carry out PLG activities. Any PLG member may propose projects and resolutions. Any member initiating an activity must shepherd it through to completion. It is the responsibility of CC members to respond in a timely fashion to proposals and communications. Any CC member not responding to two consecutive votes without reason will be considered to have abandoned their position. Members are expected to notify the CC if they anticipate cause for inactivity, and the quorum for discussions during that absence will not include them.

The CC will make decisions regarding statements, projects, resolutions, budget, meetings, chapters, endorsements and other activities. The CC will select a facilitator/chair. A simple majority vote is required to approve proposals, unless otherwise noted.

3. Duties of the CC Facilitator/Chair

The facilitator will be responsible for seeing that proposals are posted via the CC listserv for discussion and will oversee the voting process. The facilitator should work in coordination with whoever has initiated a proposal. The person initiating proposals is responsible for seeing that, once approved, the activity is carried out through to completion.

4. Proposal Process

Proposals will call for a four working day discussion period, after which point the proposer may call for a vote as/if amended. A two working day voting period will follow.

5. PLG Membership and CC Communications

Any PLG member may propose an activity intended to be an official PLG statement/project/resolution to the CC, which will decide on the matter. A PLG member wishing to make a proposal must send it to a CC member, who will act as the member's "sponsor." The names and contact information for CC members will be posted on the PLG website and in the directory. The CC will communicate decisions to PLG members in a timely fashion using the internet and other means (journal, newsletter, etc.)

A matter may be put to a vote of the membership if (a) the CC recommends a vote or (b) 10 PLG members recommend a vote.

6. Membership Meetings

PLG membership meetings will be held in conjunction with the midwinter and annual conferences of the American Library Association.

7. PLG Chapters

PLG allows and encourages the establishment of local, regional and student chapters.

8. Amendments

This document may be amended by 2/3 vote of either the CC or the membership at a membership meeting. Amendments follow process for any proposal as outlined above.

[Amended January 11, 2003. New language added Januay 26, 2004. Section 7 updated November 2015. Section 1 updated April 2017].

Last updated: 15 April 2022