This not-for-profit organization shall be known as the Geac ADVANCE Users' Group, also referred to as the Users' Group.

The purposes of the Users' Group shall be:

1. To influence the development, and aid the improvement of ADVANCE products available from Geac Computers, Inc., also referred to as Geac.
2. To encourage and promote cooperation and communication among Geac ADVANCE library users and to improve utilization of Geac products and services.
3. To provide a forum for discussion of issues relating to the use of Geac ADVANCE products by customers of Geac.
4. To carry out any activity which the Users' Group may deem proper to further the purposes above.

The membership of the Geac ADVANCE Users' Group shall be comprised of institutions which have purchased licensed Geac ADVANCE systems. Membership shall be voluntary and at the discretion of each Geac library customer. Membership will become active upon written notification to the Users' Group Secretary/Treasurer and payment of membership dues.

1. Each member site shall have one (1) voting delegate representing that contract and all consortium members, branch libraries, end users covered by that contract. Determinations on anomalies and special cases shall be made by the Executive Board.
2. A voting delegate shall be selected by each member site using whatever criteria the site deems appropriate. Each site shall notify the Users' Group Secretary/Treasurer of its official voting delegate.
3. Voting delegates shall be uniquely identified in all meetings.

Annual membership dues to cover the mailing, duplication, and other approved expenses of the Users' Group shall be approved by a 2/3 vote. Dues will be payable following the summer meeting. New members joining between the first and second membership meetings will pay fifty percent (50%) of regular membership dues for that year.

The general membership shall include any employee of any Geac site.

Observers shall be welcome at all open, general meetings. Observers may participate in open discussion and may address the meeting if requested by the President.

There shall be two membership meetings per year held at sites approved by the Executive Board. One meeting will generally be held in conjunction with the summer American Library Association Conference.

Special membership meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Executive Board, or shall be called by the President upon the written request of twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting members.

No official business of the Users' Group may be conducted at any regional group of users or Special Interest Group meetings unless called as a special membership meeting in accordance with Section 1 [B] of the Article.

A quorum of twenty percent (20%) of the voting members shall be required to call a meeting to order.

Notice of meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary/Treasurer to each voting delegate at least thirty (30) days in advance, with a statement of time, place, and preliminary agenda.

Each voting delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Voting may be by voice, show of hands, or ballot. Election of officers shall be by mail vote.

The elected officers of the Users' Group shall be a President Vice-President, and a Secretary/Treasurer. A Publications Editor may be appointed by the President. Elected officers may be general members or voting delegates of the Users' Group.

The President shall be the chief officer of the Users’ Group with the following duties:

1. To preside at all regular and special meetings of the Users’ Group and Executive Board.
2. To prepare the agenda for all meetings of the Users' Group and to make arrangements for the meeting place.
3. To represent the membership to Geac as authorized by the Users' Group.
4. To establish committees as needed to address issues or study areas of interest within the Geac ADVANCE system.
5. To appoint committee chairs and/or members as vacancies occur.
6. To be empowered to sign checks and expend funds on behalf of the Users' Group.
7. To appoint a Publications Editor.

The Vice-President shall be considered the President-Elect. If the office of President becomes vacant midterm, the Vice-President shall complete the President's term. The Vice-President shall have the following duties:

1. To perform the duties of the President in all cases of the absence of the President
2. To perform duties as directed by the President.
3. To be empowered to sign checks and expend funds on behalf of the Users' Group.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall have the following duties:

1. To record the proceedings of all meetings and forward a copy of this record to the membership within 30 days after the meeting.
2. To collect such dues as are authorized and maintain the appropriate records, bank accounts and make regular financial reports to the membership.
3. To send notification of meetings and elections to the voting delegates prior to these meetings and elections.
4. To preside at all meetings of the Users' Group and Executive Board in the absence of the President and the Vice-President.
5. To perform duties as directed by the President and Vice-President.
6. To be empowered to sign checks and expend funds on behalf of the Users' Group.

The Publications Editor shall be responsible for the regular publications of the Users' Group, with the following duties:

1. To issue a newsletter on a timely basis to all contact sites.
2. To distribute such special reports, surveys, and other relevant materials as deemed necessary by the Users' Group or the Executive Board.

The Vice-President shall be elected for a term of one year as Vice-President to be followed by a term of one year as President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years beginning in 1994.

Elected officers shall assume their duties at the Summer meeting.

Other officers, committee chairs, and committee members may be appointed by the President.

The Executive board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and Publications Editor. The Executive Board may also include representatives of Geac as ex-officio, non-office holding members.

1. To exercise the powers of the organization when it is not in session, reporting to the members at the next regular meeting.
2. To act as a nominating committee.
3. To call such special meetings and special elections as are required to conduct the business of the Users' Group.
4. To resolve questions of membership, Special Interest Group formation, and liaison with related groups.
5. To present recommendations concerning the setting of membership dues to the general membership.

1. The Nominating Committee shall normally make at least two (2) nominations for each office.
2. Nominations shall be solicited from the general membership prior to each election.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall mail a ballot to each voting delegate no more than thirty (30] days after the Winter membership meeting.

Candidates shall be elected by a simple majority vote. Ties shall be resolved by lot.

Special elections may be called by the Executive Board as vacancies occur. Such special elections may be carried out by mail ballot if the Executive Board determines that a delay until the next regularly scheduled Users' Group meeting would be detrimental to the Users' Group.