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Report on Executive Board Meetings at ALA Midwinter Conference
Dear Colleagues:
I wanted to update you on the Executive Board meetings held at Midwinter:
SPECTRUM: The Spectrum Presidential Initiative was a topic of much discussion, as the Board met with Falona Joy, who is serving as a fundraising consultant to the project, and discussed strategies for achieving the one million dollar goal for new Spectrum scholarships. Plans call for half to be raised from within ALA, and half to be raised from new, external sources such as corporations and foundations. The immediate goal is to increase the number of scholarships; the long term goal is to also build relationships and infrastructure that will lead to future contributions and growth in the program.
EVENT PLANNER: As you are aware, the Board spent some time discussing the event planner and ways in which the planner could be improved. An action plan has been developed by ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels that will address many of the issues that have made it difficult to find specific meetings, so that the planner which will be released in April reflects improvements based on member feedback. We'll be reporting back to you on this work, as well as on the development of the new ALA Connect- based Conference Planner, which will replace the current Event Planner. The new Planner will be Beta tested at Annual, and will replace the current one next Midwinter.
E-PARTICIPATION: We also spent a good deal of time discussing how we can support more e participation, improving the conference experience and how to increase participation in the virtual conference planned for Annual. This last is particularly important as travel funds become tighter.
LIBRARY ADVOCACY DAY: This was also an agenda item. Board members discussed strategies to encourage participation, as well as how best to coordinate the many aspects and implications of what promises to be a unique ALA conference event.
STRATEGIC DISCUSSION: Increasing member satisfaction was the topic of a "strategic discussion" held Friday. Board members discussed ways of better understanding and meeting the needs of members, the potential of electronic communication to improve member communication, and specific strategies for increasing member engagement and satisfaction. The Board plans to devote time at each meeting for a discussion of a strategic issue. Future discussions will focus on each of the new goals of the 2015 strategic plan.
EMERGING LEADERS: Time was also spent discussing the Emerging Leaders program, with a particular emphasis on the improvements that have been made to the program based on feedback from participants. In particular, each year's projects have been increasingly valuable as units have gained experience in planning activities that are meaningful and have a real impact on the association and its services to libraries. A three-year cumulative report on the project was also discussed. We also discussed a status report from the young professionals group formed by me to look at new ways of involving younger members.
CHAPTER RELATIONS REPORT: The Board discussed a report from the Chapter Relations Committee presented by Chair Susan DiMattia. Chapters have been the focus of increased attention under the strategic plan, and Susan reported on successes such as the Capwiz legislative action software now provided to Chapters by ALA. In Florida alone, Capwiz has been credited with helping save a $22 million annual state appropriation from being zeroed out. Other Chapter issues and plans were also discussed, particularly in light of the current fiscal climate.
BOARD LIAISON REPORTS: A good deal of time was spent discussing Board liaison reports. Under this program, Board members meet with divisions, round tables, committees and affiliates in order to share information about strategic issues and initiatives and to learn about member issues and needs. Discussions focused on responding to a wide variety of issues and suggestions from various groups.
BUDGET: Budget matters included discussion of reports from the Finance and Audit Committee, from BARC, from the Auditor and from the Endowment Trustees.
EXECUTIVE CLOSED SESSION: In closed session, the Board discussed appointment of a new Endowment Trustee, representatives to the Depository Library Council and standing committees. They also heard an update on various legal issues from ALA Counsel Paula Goedert.
More detailed information on the meeting agenda and Board documents may be found at here
Also, please let me know if you would like any further information about any of the items I have discussed here. Thanks!
Dr. Camila A. Alire
ALA President
www.camilaalire.com
ALAlire Blog: http://camilaalire.wordpress.com
Posted on February 10, 2010 11:44 AM | Permalink