Hi everyone. This is Dee sorry for missing the first conference call. As I told Sally, I was in the woods cooking for 50 freshman for 3 days. (I'm much recovered now!)
As for the letters, Joniclare, I like what you have done. I agree that the beginning of the letters have too much about volunteering, committee work, and ACRL. As I new member I'd want to know what the section does and what it can do for me then I'd want to hear about volunteering etc. I think you followed that format nicely with your new version.
If we stick to something like Joniclare's version, I don't think there is a need for 3 welcome letters, however, as I was saying to Sally, it might be nice to do something similar to what New Members Round Table does with their listserv by each month offering a new discussion for members to contribute to or perhaps a new issue to think about or a new part of CLS to highlight in more depth. It doesn't even have to be on the listserv....though it might give the listserv a jump. Perhaps it could be an ALA connect thing or just an update email.
Though this might be straying a little from the letters, I think having something to focus on each month would be great whether it be an issue/question to pose for discussion or highlights of the section and what it can do.
I'm not sure as to format. On the one hand, I get so many emails, things in print tend to catch my attention. But if we don't have the money, perhaps email is the way to go.
dee