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President's Blog
November 20, 2008
Your Leadership Shares
Inaugural Speech
Thank you everyone.
It is such a professional honor to be able to serve as CLA president. In this past year as vice president/president-elect I've had the good fortune to work with two pros, Monique le Conge and Margaret Todd. Their work has enabled us to build a new nimble governance infrastructure. My goal is to continue this work toward the revitalization of CLA by building on their good internal work while at the same time expanding our outside relationships and strengthening our image as an organization.
CLA remains the pre-eminent "umbrella" organization for CA libraries and those who work in and for them. So we must use this transition time as a wonderful opportunity to re-energize our image as we develop a stronger and more inclusive organization - one that appeals to a broad spectrum of members and potential members.
Clearly, the election this year demonstrates our membership's desire to transition CLA into the 21st century with the passage of the bylaws changes that will take effect in June 2009. These new bylaws flatten the structure of our organization in ways that can help us: connect better with each other, provide for virtual participation in CLA, provide a mechanism for growing leaders within the organization, and help members form groups of like minded colleagues to explore all sorts of interests, and issues and collaborations. Thus it is incumbent upon me in my year as president to focus on planning for the debut of this more nimble structure and ensure that it allows CLA to concentrate on: providing enhanced member benefits, ensuring transparent communication, and building a robust business operation.
To start this very large ball rolling, I will concentrate this year on doing the following:
- Work with the Executive Committee, Assembly and our interim executive director, to complete a thorough assessment of CLA operations and develop an appropriate business and management plan.
- Convene a summit of representatives from different library types and other library organizations in CA with the express purpose of exploring our commonalities, and discussing our collaboration and partnership potential.
- Within the next two months, make certain there is a transition tool kit for all sections, committees and round tables to help members explore their future options for participation within the new CLA structure.
- Continue the dissemination of "Your Leadership Shares" emails and blog posts that I initiated after this year's Leadership Retreat, to help make CLA's work more transparent.
- Develop and recommend a career development benefit for members.
- Identify how CLA can best use technology to improve communication to members, between members and to enhance and simplify the work of our organization. Hopefully we can also help reduce CLA's carbon footprint in the process!
Continue reading "Your Leadership Shares"
Posted by Barbara Roberts at 8:44 AM
September 5, 2008
From the President: Voted, Yet?
Yes, the time for voting in this year's CLA election is winding down. Have you voted yet? If you have already done this, thank you very very much.
If not, why not? No doubt, you've received a postcard, numerous e-mails, and perhaps given it some thought.
Today, I invite you to do something for your fellow members and for your own membership - cast your vote!
Continue reading "From the President: Voted, Yet?"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 4:24 PM
June 23, 2008
From the President: What Are You Doing Friday Night?
Because play before work is never a bad idea, I wanted to be sure that all you know you are invited to attend a small reception in Anaheim on Friday, June 27, 5-7 pm, at the Anaheim Marriott, 700 West Convention Way. State Librarian Susan Hildreth and I hope that you will stop in the bar to meet, greet, and mingle...and gear up for a great conference!
No RSVP needed - we'll see you there. And because this is not an "official" event, if you are in the Anaheim area, please drop in...even if it's after work!
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 5:22 PM
June 13, 2008
From the President: What's Going On!
It's been a while since I've blogged, since it's a busy time of year. It's also been a busy time for CLA, and I don't think it will get any easier until after ALA. I'm looking forward to visiting Anaheim and hope that you will be able to take advantage of the national conference, even if it's just to visit the exhibits for a day.
As we prepare for ALA's visit to the West, CLA made sure that you can find out about programs of particular interest to California libraries. Visit the "ALA in California" message boards to post programs that you feel no one should miss, find a roommate if you need one, and arrange to meet up for coffee. Be sure to keep checking back - new items are added all the time.
The ALA message board is just one of a few message boards that serve as a way to connect with others around specific interests. I hope that you will look at them and take advantage of this useful resource.
Continue reading "From the President: What's Going On!"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 3:29 PM
May 9, 2008
From the President
Last week, I attended the Eureka! Leadership Institute as a mentor, to work with 36 library leaders in CA. It was an inspiring week, allowing me to work on strategic thinking, as well as to think about the library and how we meet our goals and how best to express my thoughts on my library's vision, and my vision for libraries throughout California. (I was able to do this even though I wasn't an attendee!)
What a great opportunity to think about libraries nearly 100% of the very very full days (most went from 8 am - 9:30 pm), while mentoring and learning from those who were attending. It made me realize how important and rejuvenating networking, learning, and stretching yourself professionally can be. If at all possible, plan to attend the CLA Conference in November, but also ALA in Anaheim this June. The days that I spent were exhausting, but I came home exhilarated and ready to express my vision to my staff, supervisors, supporters, and elected officials.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 5:09 PM
April 18, 2008
From the President: My Legislative Day(s)
This week, I was involved with CLA meetings and Legislative Day. On Tuesday, April 15, the CLA Assembly and the CLA Executive Committees met. Then, on Wednesday, April 16, I participated in the annual Legislative Day activities. It was a lovely, cool day in Sacramento, and while the legislative news is not great, I feel that the visits were successful.
Continue reading "From the President: My Legislative Day(s)"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 12:19 PM
April 4, 2008
From the President: Legislative Day
As you no doubt have heard, Legislative Day is coming up and you still have time to sign up to participate. I hope that many of you who have never attended will make the time to come to Sacramento and join us as we talk with legislators and their staff members about libraries and how the legislators themselves affect us on a local level.
Continue reading "From the President: Legislative Day"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 4:22 PM
March 14, 2008
From the President
I now understand what a challenge it is to write a blog. Weekly is a huge challenge for me, so I'm appreciative of the folks who write more often. My kids tell me that I should be a little easier on myself, since I do so much: in addition to representing all of you for CLA, I have a day job as Director of Library & Community Services for the City of Richmond (I'm in charge of the following departments: Library, Recreation, Arts & Culture), teach a class online for the School of Library & Information Science at San Jose State University, am on the board of a library foundation (OK, that might not count, since it's part of my employment) and yes, have 3 teenagers. In the past three years, I've learned (& love) to play golf. I work on my house, and try to exercise daily. What's that saying about asking busy people to do something, so that you'll get it done?
This coming Monday, March 17, 2008, though, is one of my happiest moments.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 2:10 PM
February 15, 2008
From the President
This week I attended the two-day Symposium for Chief Staff Executives and Chief Elected Officers (CEO Symposium) presented by ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) & The Center for Association Leadership. Each year, Sue Negreen, CLA Executive Director, the President, and the Vice-President/President-Elect attend this symposium to help build relationships, discuss priorities for the coming year, and learn how to better communicate with each other, the Assembly and Executive Committee, and the members. It is an intense time, with lots of information about associations and how they operate, trends, and management styles. By the end of the second day, my brain felt stuffed with information, just as it did last year.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 1:43 PM
February 1, 2008
From the President
The Executive Committee met on January 23 at the San Leandro Public Library. As many of you know, one item on the agenda was the proposal for reorganization of CLA. A few of you have e-mailed me, wanting to know what happened? what are we doing next?
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Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 5:15 PM
January 25, 2008
From the President
Today I was able to meet with staff in Don Perata's office as part of Day in the District, along with a group of representatives from libraries in Oakland, Albany, Alameda City, Alameda County, and Contra Costa County. (If I've forgotten anyone, please forgive me!) Even with the rainy weather, it was a nice meeting. Did you make a visit today? Are you making one next Friday? There's still time to sign up!
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 7:09 PM
January 18, 2008
From the President: CLA Enters the Virtual World: a New Communication Mechanism
Just back from the ALA Midwinter meeting in Philadelphia, where I explored all kinds of new technologies and ideas. Even the networking was so beneficial that I'll have to go through the business cards I've collected like baseball cards! However, I do want to follow up on something that I briefly mentioned a week or two ago:
The CLA Executive Board has approved an exciting new pilot project to use the technology of Second Life, a 3 D virtual world, to support the work of the CLA Mentoring Committee, its mentors and protégés. Connie Costantino, current chair, CLA Mentoring Committee, and Sandra Vella are the co-coordinators and originators of the pilot project which will train interested CLA mentors and protégés in navigation and communication within Second Life in order to hold regularly scheduled meetings there.
Continue reading "From the President: CLA Enters the Virtual World: a New Communication Mechanism"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 3:30 PM
January 7, 2008
From the President
Happy New Year!
I hope that each one of you has had an enjoyable and safe holiday season. This time of year leads me to think about a New Year's Resolution or two, not only for myself, but also for my library. In fact, in one library where I've worked, at the first staff meeting of the year, the staff would write their resolutions on a sheet of paper, put them in a sealed envelope, and the director would store them until the following year. It was interesting to see how many of my resolutions would have to be carried over into the next year, and whether I'd forgotten any. Those big resolutions that carried over took some time and serious effort. It was a great way for me to set my goals, prioritize what was really important to me, and make an effort to get those things done.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 1:08 PM
December 21, 2007
From the President
As you may guess, this time of year only seems slow. You may be experiencing the same thing. I like the idea of "down time" but can't seem to really feel it. There is still too much of the day-to-day work to catch up. When I found myself cleaning my desk this week, I knew that I must be procrastinating, putting off all the work that I need to get done, but don't usually have the time to complete.
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Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 4:26 PM
December 14, 2007
From the President
Even though it is the holidays, and we have wrapped up a great conference, many committees are busy, working on ideas and coming up with some great new projects. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to serve on a committee. I am done with the appointments, and anyone interested in volunteering can plan on submitting the volunteer form so that Vice-President/President-Elect Barbara Roberts can place you on a committee.
The 2008 Conference Planning Committee met last week for the first time to begin planning the next conference. As you can no doubt guess, it is a lengthy process, requiring concentrated effort from this group of people. If you have a program idea, get ready! We will be asking for the proposals this spring. If you will recall, the theme will be "Leading the Way." Leadership is an idea that can be hard for some folks to understand, and for others, comes naturally. I believe that leadership comes at all levels in an organization, so I'm looking forward to a great conference with ideas for everyone in your library.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 4:10 PM
December 10, 2007
From the President
If you are reading this, you might have noticed that you can now post comments on the blog. Woo Hoo! I urge you to take a moment to submit posts, especially about the proposed governance structure changes. It will be a great help to the Executive Committee and the Assembly as we discuss this idea. Hearing from you will help us decide on our strategies, and whether to even go forward with this proposal. The dialog among members is just one of the things that I think will be make the blog more relevant, timely, and useful.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President at 3:41 PM
December 3, 2007
From the President
I've had the luxury this week of being able to think about the future. I'm tremendously jealous of folks who can justifiably call themselves futurists. My work does not usually allow me to think about the future; I'm too pressed upon by the day-to-day necessities of running the library, recreation, and arts & culture. However, it's a good practice for all of us, imaging what could be, given the trends that emerge in demographics, society, technology, politics...you name it.
Continue reading "From the President"
Posted by claadmin at 8:23 AM
November 26, 2007
From the President
It's the day after Thanksgiving, and I'm still recovering from the food. Or, should I say, the leftovers. Which makes this a great weekend to get caught up on some reading. As a library director, I have to make time to read. Sad, but true. I should specify that this is "leisure" reading, since the volume of reading that I'm willing to bet all of us must do for work would keep most people busy well into their retirement years. I was jealous of anyone who had time to read for "fun." My book club even tired of hearing how I hadn't finished that month's book! Then I made time and read So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson, which made me think even more about how I wasn't reading.
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Posted by claadmin at 9:15 AM
November 16, 2007
From the President
As many of you know, CLA has been talking about its governance structure. CLA conducted a survey to get an idea of how you all felt about CLA membership: how you participate, why you are a member, and how you think we can improve. Following that, a task force, appointed last year by Margaret Todd, worked on different possibilities and perspectives, having long conversations about CLA's relevancy and future. It was not an easy discussion, but an interesting, lively, and important one.
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Posted by claadmin at 9:41 AM
November 9, 2007
From The President
How long have you been a member of CLA? How did you decide to become a member? Was it when you were a library school student? A rookie librarian? Or did your library sign you up? CLA is as good as the members it has. It has always been so. The CLA staff does a great job of keeping us moving on a day-to-day basis, but the membership helps steer the ship, as well as getting the work of the organization done. Thank you, by the way, for helping!
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Posted by claadmin at 5:57 PM
November 2, 2007
From the President
Welcome to 2008! Well, that may be a little premature, but taking the gavel (which I promptly left in the convention hall) at the end of October already has me thinking about next year. So I think I'll slow down. The week following a conference is always a busy time. Never mind that I need to catch up on my day job, but there are also details to wrap up following the conference (have you completed your evaluation yet?), and planning to begin for the upcoming year. And, there are all the great ideas that pop into my head when attending such an interesting and thought-provoking conference. This creates more work, because I want to try out new projects or services, talk about the ideas with stakeholders, and share what I've managed to remember with my staff. Whew! Inspiration can be exhausting, but I never can get enough.
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Posted by claadmin at 4:01 PM