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Composition and size of Executive Board - for discussion on March 30

  • 1.  Composition and size of Executive Board - for discussion on March 30

    Posted Mar 24, 2022 03:54 PM

    Hi everyone! As I said when I spoke at our previous meetings, I believe we have an opportunity to shape a new executive board in a way that will ensure that voices from many different sectors of librarianship and many different viewpoints are heard. To start us all thinking about that before our discussion on the 30th I wanted to put forward one possible way to do this. I think that there are even more ways to think creatively about this, so I hope that this idea is just a start in our discussions about how to make sure we have an executive board that truly represents all voices in our organization.

    The current proposal from TAG suggests a 13 member executive board made up as follows:

    • President (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • President-elect (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • Past President
    • Treasurer (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • Executive Director
    • 1 Division member (elected by divisions)
    • 1 RT member (elected by RTs)
    • 1 NALCo Member (Elected by NALCos)
    • 1 Chapter Member (Elected by Chapters)
    • 1 school librarian, (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • 3 Elected directly from Membership (6-9 candidates identified by the nominating committee & acceptance of petition candidates. Councilors or assembly members could be petition candidates)

    I think that specifying that one seat on the Board be held by a school librarian is a step in the right direction, but I suggest that we should designate all of the seats on the Board so that we can ensure that there is always representation from the different sectors of our profession. If every seat on the Board has a specified constituency it will also ensure that those board members are always approaching the questions before the Board with their constituency in mind, and will hopefully ensure that those constituencies' views are accounted for in the leadership of the organization.

    With that in mind, I propose that the three remaining seats be designated this way:

    • 1 public librarian
    • 1 academic librarian
    • 1 non-MLIS library worker
    • All nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership.

    I would also suggest that we include a charge to the nominating committee along the following lines: "The nominating committee shall strive to ensure significant representation on the Executive Board by individuals who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized groups."

    While I think that 13 is a good number for an executive board to have good discussions and board engagement around the issues that are brought before it, I think that it's possible to add a few more seats without the Board becoming unwieldy. The Board probably shouldn't exceed 20 members, but if we feel that there are still segments of our organization that should have representation we could consider a few additional designated seats. Do we want to include a designated seat for librarians under 30? A seat for librarians from rural communities or from urban communities? Are there other ways we can ensure that there are voices on the board who are not just upper-level leadership from larger libraries?

    We have the opportunity to be creative with this structure in a way that will ensure that all voices are heard in the leadership of our organization while still being responsive to a very fast-changing world and profession in a way that Council currently is not. I am certain there are other ways of looking at this structure that I haven't even thought of, and I'm hoping to hear those ideas from you all at the meeting on the 30th.

    Thanks for listening!



    ------------------------------
    Nick Tepe
    Ohio Chapter Councilor

    Director
    Athens County Public Libraries
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Composition and size of Executive Board - for discussion on March 30

    Posted Mar 24, 2022 04:38 PM
    Nick's message below is very thought provoking.... I'd like reply I hope in a thoughtful way  

    My first comment is that the Executive Director has never been a "member" of the Executive Board.  The Executive Director is an ALA staff member, albeit a very  important one and for the ED to hold a voting position, I believe is a conflict of interest.  

    A quick look LOL on the web to the question - and remember that the ALA Executive Board hires the ED, evaluates the 
    ED, and even in my time on the board - let the ED go.  

    Since your number includes the ED - I believe we should continue with a board of 12 members.






    Next Item:   There is no organization named NALCO.  Please google it.  This is my  pet peeve and I have sent messages Amy about this.  "NALCO" as the term seems to be used included the Polish Library Association, a locally  based San Diego organization, etc.  Please do the research yourself of I can send out my research.
    If NALCO was a 501c3 I I would have a different take on this.  You might want to say one member from JCLC 

    I also believe that everyone on the ALA Executive Board should be a member of ALA

    Having been on the ALA Executive Board for a career total of 11+ years in three different positions, I can guarantee you that you  "leave your hat" at the door.  You are not there representing your constituency.  You are representing ALA.  Members may know more or less about some issues but when you vote you are not voting as a school librarian, or a public librarian or....... etc.

    So thanks for listening!  

    Ann 
    Ann K. Symons
    Councilor at Large at present, GLBTRT Councilor, Chapter Counilor
    Honorary Member
    ALA Past President
    ALA Past Treasurer

















    Hi everyone! As I said when I spoke at our previous meetings, I believe we have an opportunity to shape a new executive board in a way that will ensure that voices from many different sectors of librarianship and many different viewpoints are heard. To start us all thinking about that before our discussion on the 30th I wanted to put forward one possible way to do this. I think that there are even more ways to think creatively about this, so I hope that this idea is just a start in our discussions about how to make sure we have an executive board that truly represents all voices in our organization.

    The current proposal from TAG suggests a 13 member executive board made up as follows:

    • President (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • President-elect (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • Past President
    • Treasurer (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • Executive Director
    • 1 Division member (elected by divisions)
    • 1 RT member (elected by RTs)
    • 1 NALCo Member (Elected by NALCos)
    • 1 Chapter Member (Elected by Chapters)
    • 1 school librarian, (nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership)
    • 3 Elected directly from Membership (6-9 candidates identified by the nominating committee & acceptance of petition candidates. Councilors or assembly members could be petition candidates)

    I think that specifying that one seat on the Board be held by a school librarian is a step in the right direction, but I suggest that we should designate all of the seats on the Board so that we can ensure that there is always representation from the different sectors of our profession. If every seat on the Board has a specified constituency it will also ensure that those board members are always approaching the questions before the Board with their constituency in mind, and will hopefully ensure that those constituencies' views are accounted for in the leadership of the organization.

    With that in mind, I propose that the three remaining seats be designated this way:

    • 1 public librarian
    • 1 academic librarian
    • 1 non-MLIS library worker
    • All nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition and elected by Membership.

    I would also suggest that we include a charge to the nominating committee along the following lines: "The nominating committee shall strive to ensure significant representation on the Executive Board by individuals who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized groups." 

    While I think that 13 is a good number for an executive board to have good discussions and board engagement around the issues that are brought before it, I think that it's possible to add a few more seats without the Board becoming unwieldy. The Board probably shouldn't exceed 20 members, but if we feel that there are still segments of our organization that should have representation we could consider a few additional designated seats. Do we want to include a designated seat for librarians under 30? A seat for librarians from rural communities or from urban communities? Are there other ways we can ensure that there are voices on the board who are not just upper-level leadership from larger libraries?

    We have the opportunity to be creative with this structure in a way that will ensure that all voices are heard in the leadership of our organization while still being responsive to a very fast-changing world and profession in a way that Council currently is not. I am certain there are other ways of looking at this structure that I haven't even thought of, and I'm hoping to hear those ideas from you all at the meeting on the 30th.

    Thanks for listening!



    ------------------------------
    Nick Tepe
    Ohio Chapter Councilor

    Director
    Athens County Public Libraries
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------






  • 3.  RE: Composition and size of Executive Board - for discussion on March 30

    Posted Mar 24, 2022 04:52 PM
    I agree that the ED should not be on the board.  I also think an odd number is needed so there isn't a tie vote.  I like Nick's suggestions.  Perhaps the board goes to 15 to include an under 30 and a rural librarian.
    Andrea Lapsley
    UFL division councilor

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 4.  RE: Composition and size of Executive Board - for discussion on March 30

    Posted Mar 24, 2022 05:56 PM
    Please note that the President presides over the Board and does not vote unless there is a tie. There seems to be many misunderstandings about the Board and the role of members of the Board and I suggest all members of Council do a thorough reading of the constitution and bylaws to have a better understanding of the Board and focus on what this body wants to fix or improve. Note that this Board is very diverse in representation including members from ethnic affiliates and library types. Also this body voted for eight of the twelve Board members .

    Julius 

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 5.  RE: Composition and size of Executive Board - for discussion on March 30

    Posted Mar 24, 2022 06:01 PM
    Good evening, 

    I thought the primary objective of this exercise (i.e., to ensure financial stability for ALA) would be realized by downsizing Council and increasing the size of the Executive Board (EB). Unfortunately, I have doubts about how ALA will achieve this objective. 

     

    For example, will ALA members continue to cover travel expenses for an EB of 15 - 30 members? What cost and/or savings have been projected for these activities? How will ALA finances benefit from an increase in EB memberships and a decline in ALA memberships?  Both groups directly impact the fiscal well-being of ALA.

     

    Finally, as we contemplate numerous consequences of the vote to make Council an advisement body, could a request from Council for a financial analysis of these numerous proposals, recommendations, and new policies by TAG simply be taken under advisement by the EB, our new policy making body, or tabled?


    Brenda

    Brenda Pruitt-Annisette, MLS, Ed.D. 
    Chair, Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table - (2020-2023)

    ALA Forward Together Financial Analysis Committee (2020-2023)
    ALA Policy Monitoring Committee (2020-2023)
    Councilor-at-Large, American Library Association Governance (2019-2022)
    AASL/CAEP Coordinating Committee (2019-2022)
    Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)- (2000-Present)

    404.202.8269 (cell)

    (Sent from Brenda's Apple I-Pad Pro)