Ken, I apologize. As I recall, the explanation at the ACTT meeting before the larger assembly meeting was a little more coherent. but I am to blame for the confusion I created during the report at the Affiliate Assembly at Midwinter. I wasn't feeling well at that time and my report was jumbled and in my worn out condition I probably didn't seem receptive to questions when my immediate response was a lot of coughing.
AASL President Terri Grief will respond here about the decisions for specific concerns and commendations. At the moment I suspect she is caught up in the realities of a building level school librarian (as a former high school librarian I recall a Friday in the springtime demanded all of my attention and energy) so in the meantime let me clarify what may be a mis-perception about the process itself.
Affiliate Assembly has a proud history as the grassroots group to bring forward issues - and the joys - from school librarians at the state level. Affiliate Assembly considers this state level information in the form of concerns and commendations and presents it to the AASL governance body at the end of conference. The procedure varied in my years as a member who represented my state or later as a director-elect, but the purpose for it hasn't changed. In my brief time as Executive Director, concerns and commendations have been presented by the AA Chair at the Board III meeting of the AASL Board of Directors just as Carrie did at Annual in Las Vegas.
To clarify, at that time the Board accepted the overall report which is not the same as approving the individual concerns or commendations. Given the timing, the AASL Executive Committee, with responsibility per the By-Laws to act on issues between the meetings of the Board, reviews and determines the concerns and commendations to move forward for action. Commendation letters were sent and actions from concerns are put in place or were moved to more Board discussion and action request for approval. I have not checked to see what communications went back to AA leadership about the concerns and commendations before the discussion at the AACT meeting at Midwinter, but we can review the communications process again as I recognize Annual to Midwinter is a lengthy gap if you are waiting. (Personal note: In my early member history, AA concerns were often not even reviewed until the Executive Committee met again in October, but efforts in more recent years have commendation letters out in a more timely manner and other ways that reflect the strategic plan goals for more efficient.)
My apologies again for adding to the frustration. As always, anyone can call me 312-280-4388 if you want to talk.
Sylvia