President's Letter

As you know from the last newsletter, the CODI Board has been asked by our accountant to change our dues year to conform with the calendar year. The most important reason for this is that it conforms to the federal tax year. Even though we do not pay taxes, we still must file a tax return. It would make the income and outflow of funds easier if those two financial years coincide. We hope to implement this during the 2001 calendar year if approved by the membership: the change in the membership year dues and officer elections according to our Bylaws.

Our membership year and dues are tied together in our Bylaws. CODI members in good standing are paid up until June 30, 2001. When the change in the membership year is approved by the membership, the dues for the rest of 2001 will be prorated. Renewing and new members will pay $37.50 to finish out the calendar year to December 31, 2001. In January of 2002 dues for renewing and new members will again be $75 for the entire year from January 2002 through December 2002.

The election of officers would also be affected. To make a smooth transition to the new membership year, the current Board has proposed to lengthen its term for the last six months of 2001. New elections would be held in the Fall of 2001 and be announced on the secure side of the CODI web page and in the newsletter. The new officers would begin their terms in January of 2002.

The appropriate Bylaws changes are being prepared by the Bylaws Committee. They will prepare those changes and have them ready for a vote by the membership from a mailing planned for mid-January 2001. A ballot for officer election for the January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002 term will be mailed in the Fall of 2001. If you have any questions about these changes you may contact me, eileenk@ouachita.lib.la.us, or any other CODI Board member.

Eileen R. Kontrovitz,
CODI President