NMRT (New Members Round Table)

Committee Charge

To plan and execute an online discussion forum

History of the Committee

The Online Discussion Forum committee started in the 2005-2006 year and was formed from the consolidation of previous committees, including Online Book Discussion.

Committee Composition and Terms of Office

• Chair (one year term)


• Committee Members (one year term)

Committee Purpose

To offer online participation to all members, including those unable to attend Midwinter and Annual Meetings. Discussions will be held on the NMRT-L email list. The committee will also investigate other ways of communicating. Summaries of monthly discussion topics will be posted online. Summaries of monthly discussion topics will be posted online and on the listserv and an article on each topic will be posted to NMRT notes.

Major Responsibilities

1. Suggest and set topics for the monthly NMRT-L discussion


2. Solicit topic suggestions from the Online Discussion Forum Committee


3. Lead monthly discussion on the NMRT-L email list


4. Investigate new ways of supporting online discussion and networking through the year and at the Midwinter and Annual conferences

Procedures Used to Accomplish Major Responsibilities

1. Discuss topics within the committee, and appoint a committee member to begin that month’s selected topic on NMRT-L.


2. All committee members to post, lead and monitor discussion, and add comments where needed to continue the discussion. Designated committee member for each topic to keep track of the topic’s direction and post follow-up questions where required and a summary after the monthly discussion to NMRT-L.


3. As time and interest allows for individual committee members, designate committee members to moderate a live chat on ALA Connect, Twitter, or other chat resource. Designated committee member for each topic to keep track of the topic’s direction and post follow-up questions where required, and a summary after the live chat to NMRT-L.


4. All e-mail discussion and live chat discussion summaries will be archived on the NMRT ODF Website.


5. Each discussion leader both for e-mail and live chat discussions will be required to submit an article on their topic discussion one week after the end of the discussion, to be published on NMRT notes.

Contact People for Accomplishing Committee Objective

• NMRT Board Liaison, Leadership Director


• NMRT Secretary (publicity form)

Reminders and Helpful Hints

• The committee primarily works virtually via email.


• Be sure to discuss live chat venue and logistical details with live chat moderators the month before they are designated to moderate the chat to ensure ample time for promotion of events.

Timetable of Activities

July

• Review files from previous years.


• Establish contact with committee members.

August

• Update handbook entry if required.

September

• As needed, keep committee members informed of ideas, suggestions, problems, and plans.


• Submit planning report.


• Discuss and agree on all topics for the monthly NMRT-L discussions. Each month's discussion topic will have a designated moderator responsible for initating the topic on NMRT-L.


• Finalize an October - May calendar of topics, with assigned moderators.


• Committee chair will send out calendar of topics to NMRT-L, with an introductory email about the upcoming discussion series.

October-May

• Lead discussions each month on NMRT-L. A discussion thread should be initiated at the start of each month, October - May, by the designated moderator. The designated moderator should post summaries on NMRT-L.


• Submit committee progress report (February)


• Lead live chats and discussions via ALA Connect, Twitter, or other chat service as committee members have time and interest. Live chat announcements, promotion, and summaries should be posted on NMRT-L by the designated moderator.


• All e-mail discussion and live chat discussion summaries will be archived on the NMRT ODF Website.


• Each discussion leader both for e-mail and live chat discussions will be required to submit an article on their topic discussion one week after the end of the discussion, to be published on NMRT notes. The formatting requirements are: Max word count 1600 and info graphics and images can be used. Articles are to be sent to the ODF committee chair as a word document. After review, these articles will be sent to the NMRT Secretary to post on the NMRT blog.

June

• Organize files, consider problems in the past year so that suggestions for improvement may be made to the next committee chair, and transfer files to the new chair.


• Write article on topics and trends based on the year’s conversations to be published in NMRT Notes.


• Submit final report