Article I: Powers, Purpose, and Responsibilities

1.1 Name: The name of the municipal corporation duly established pursuant to Chapter 27.12 of the revised Code of the State of Washington shall be the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (District), a Washington Inter-county rural library district.

1.2 Purpose: The purpose of the District is to provide free public library service to the residents of Clark (excluding the City of Camas), Skamania, and Klickitat Counties, as well as to the residents of any municipalities, counties or other library districts that may annex or contract for service.

1.3 Legal Basis: The Board of Trustees (Board) shall perform all functions and duties of the library board as authorized by chapter 27.12 RCW, as amended and all other laws that may be applicable. By and in the corporate name, the District will have and exercise all powers, functions, rights, and privileges now and hereafter given or granted to municipal corporations of the same class, and shall be subject to all related duties, obligations, and limitations by the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington.

1.4 Governing Body: The governing body of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District shall be a Board of Trustees (RCW 27.12.190).

Article II: Membership

2.1 Appointment: A Board of seven (7) Trustees will be appointed by joint action of the Boards of County Commissioners and Councils of Clark, Skamania and Klickitat Counties. Two positions shall be recommended by the City of Vancouver.

2.2 Terms of Office: A trustee will be appointed to serve for seven years. Trustees will hold office until expiration of their term and until their successor is duly appointed. Trustees must reside within the District boundaries. No person will be appointed for more than two consecutive terms. A Trustee who fills the unexpired term of another Trustee may serve an additional two full terms.

2.3 Resignations: If any Trustee resigns, written notice must be sent to the Board Chair and the appointing body. The resignation takes effect at receipt of notice or at a later specified date.

2.4 Vacancies: Any vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible.

2.5 Compensation: A library trustee will not receive a salary or other compensation but necessary expenses incurred shall be paid from library funds.

2.6 Removal: A trustee may be removed by joint action of the Boards of County Commissioners according to RCW 27.12.

Article III: Officers

3.1 Election: The Board’s officers shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Secretary elected from among the trustees no later than January of the year of appointment.

3.2 Terms: Officers shall serve a term of one year, from January through December.

3.3 Duties: The Chair shall preside at meetings, authorize special meetings, appoint committees, execute documents, and perform related duties. The Vice-Chair shall act in the Chair’s absence. The Secretary shall ensure accurate records and preside if both the Chair and Vice-Chair are absent.

3.4 Vacancies: A vacancy occurring in any elected office shall be filled at the next regular meeting.

Article IV: Meetings

4.1 Regular Meetings: Meetings shall be held monthly and notice given per 42.30 RCW. The date, hour, and location shall be set by the Board with a schedule established no later than the December meeting.

4.2 Special, Emergency and Study Session Meetings: May be scheduled with notice given per bylaws.

4.3 Open Public Meetings: All meetings of the Board shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act, except Executive Sessions.

4.4 Agenda: The Chair and Executive Director will determine the agenda, distributed with supporting materials at least 72 hours before a regular meeting or 24 hours before a special meeting.

4.5 Notice: Meeting agendas will be posted on the District’s website and sent to media outlets at least 24 hours in advance.

4.6 Quorum: A quorum consists of a majority of trustees in office.

4.7 Absences: Trustees should notify the Chair if unable to attend a meeting.

4.8 Teleconference or Videoconference Participation: Trustees may participate remotely subject to technical availability. This counts toward quorum and voting.

4.9 Form of Action: Actions are determined by motion or resolution, passed by simple majority.

4.10 Board Acting as a Body: The Board shall act collectively in decisions. No Trustee may speak or act for the Board without authorization.

4.11 Records: Proceedings will be recorded in minutes, retained per state schedule, and posted online. Minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting.

Article V: Responsibilities of the Director

5.1 Appointment: The Board will select and appoint a qualified Executive Director, with compensation set by mutual agreement.

5.2 Responsibilities: The Executive Director will manage library operations, plan and administer programs, manage staff and budgets, maintain collections, and represent the District publicly.

5.3 Performance Evaluation: The Board will evaluate the Director’s performance at least once a year.

5.4 Acting Director: The Director may appoint an acting director during short-term absences. For vacancies or long-term absences (30+ days), the Board will appoint an Acting Director.

Article VI: Committees

6.1 Purpose: The Chair may form committees to address specific needs.

6.2 Appointment: Committees shall be appointed by the Chair. The Executive Director serves as liaison except for the Personnel Committee.

6.3 Recommendations: Committees make recommendations to the Board based on specialized knowledge.

Article VII: Board Policies

7.1 Definition: Board policies are statements adopted to direct activities and support the mission of the District.

7.2 Adoption or Amendment: Policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and updated as needed.

7.3 Severability: Each policy provision is separate; invalidity of one does not affect the rest.

7.4 Continuance: Policies remain in effect as continuations of prior provisions unless repealed.

7.5 Administration: The Executive Director is responsible for administering policies and making them publicly available.

7.6 Non-substantial changes: The Executive Director may make interim revisions for minor corrections.

Article VIII: Indemnification

8.1 Responsibility: The District shall be responsible for acts and omissions of Trustees made in good faith performance of their duties.

Article IX: Amendments to the Bylaws

9.1 Review and Revision: These bylaws may be revised or amended by majority vote at a regular or special meeting, with at least ten days’ prior written notice.