ALA Council

Hot off the press!  So to speak. 

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers, 
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/26/2022 11:16:00 PM
From: Jessamyn West
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

I concur, and I would actually like to see a possible abbreviated cost.  I have no qualms about paying SOMETHING, but $250 was steep in my mind (even for the conference itself, but especially for those of us who will likely just attend meetings).  I do think it is problematic to have a fee for ALA members who want to attend just the meetings, but, based on Jessamyn's experiment (I think that's in this thread somewhere), maybe members ARE able to view the meetings.  Though I'm not sure most would be able to figure out having to register through the scheduler without a lot of time and effort.  Just my thoughts.

------------------------------
Sonnet Ireland
Library Director
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 27, 2022 07:51 AM
From: Jayne Blodgett
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Thank you for summarizing my own feelings about this, Jessamyn. My chapter does not provide funding for the Chapter Councilor, and I'm lucky that my institution has foundation funds that allow me to pay the costs associated with being a Councilor. I do think making Councilors who want to attend meetings at conferences virtually, and not attend any other part of the virtual experience, could create undue burden for some -- both current Councilors and those who might be interested but can't afford the costs.

As we move forward defining the roles and responsibilities of Council, I ask us to be mindful of the costs associated with being a Councilor and try to make involvement financially possible for all.

Thanks,

Jayne Blodgett

Colorado Chapter Councilor

Original Message:
Sent: 6/26/2022 11:16:00 PM
From: Jessamyn West
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

As a side note, I had to pay $175 for virtual with a discount since I was only attending council meetings. I found that very steep.

Kari R. Mitchell, MLIS



Sent from my iPhone
Please excuse any typos


Original Message:
Sent: 6/27/2022 9:53:00 AM
From: Sonnet Ireland
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

I concur, and I would actually like to see a possible abbreviated cost.  I have no qualms about paying SOMETHING, but $250 was steep in my mind (even for the conference itself, but especially for those of us who will likely just attend meetings).  I do think it is problematic to have a fee for ALA members who want to attend just the meetings, but, based on Jessamyn's experiment (I think that's in this thread somewhere), maybe members ARE able to view the meetings.  Though I'm not sure most would be able to figure out having to register through the scheduler without a lot of time and effort.  Just my thoughts.

------------------------------
Sonnet Ireland
Library Director
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 27, 2022 07:51 AM
From: Jayne Blodgett
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Thank you for summarizing my own feelings about this, Jessamyn. My chapter does not provide funding for the Chapter Councilor, and I'm lucky that my institution has foundation funds that allow me to pay the costs associated with being a Councilor. I do think making Councilors who want to attend meetings at conferences virtually, and not attend any other part of the virtual experience, could create undue burden for some -- both current Councilors and those who might be interested but can't afford the costs.

As we move forward defining the roles and responsibilities of Council, I ask us to be mindful of the costs associated with being a Councilor and try to make involvement financially possible for all.

Thanks,

Jayne Blodgett

Colorado Chapter Councilor

Original Message:
Sent: 6/26/2022 11:16:00 PM
From: Jessamyn West
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/27/2022 10:04:00 AM
From: Kari Mitchell
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

As a side note, I had to pay $175 for virtual with a discount since I was only attending council meetings. I found that very steep.

Kari R. Mitchell, MLIS



Sent from my iPhone
Please excuse any typos


Original Message:
Sent: 6/27/2022 9:53:00 AM
From: Sonnet Ireland
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

I concur, and I would actually like to see a possible abbreviated cost.  I have no qualms about paying SOMETHING, but $250 was steep in my mind (even for the conference itself, but especially for those of us who will likely just attend meetings).  I do think it is problematic to have a fee for ALA members who want to attend just the meetings, but, based on Jessamyn's experiment (I think that's in this thread somewhere), maybe members ARE able to view the meetings.  Though I'm not sure most would be able to figure out having to register through the scheduler without a lot of time and effort.  Just my thoughts.

------------------------------
Sonnet Ireland
Library Director
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 27, 2022 07:51 AM
From: Jayne Blodgett
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Thank you for summarizing my own feelings about this, Jessamyn. My chapter does not provide funding for the Chapter Councilor, and I'm lucky that my institution has foundation funds that allow me to pay the costs associated with being a Councilor. I do think making Councilors who want to attend meetings at conferences virtually, and not attend any other part of the virtual experience, could create undue burden for some -- both current Councilors and those who might be interested but can't afford the costs.

As we move forward defining the roles and responsibilities of Council, I ask us to be mindful of the costs associated with being a Councilor and try to make involvement financially possible for all.

Thanks,

Jayne Blodgett

Colorado Chapter Councilor

Original Message:
Sent: 6/26/2022 11:16:00 PM
From: Jessamyn West
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Usually there is a discount for lifetime members, but I was told that wasn't the case this time.  Even then, it's still steep, I agree.

------------------------------
Sonnet Ireland
Library Director
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 27, 2022 09:04 AM
From: Kari Mitchell
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

As a side note, I had to pay $175 for virtual with a discount since I was only attending council meetings. I found that very steep.

Kari R. Mitchell, MLIS



Sent from my iPhone
Please excuse any typos


Original Message:
Sent: 6/27/2022 9:53:00 AM
From: Sonnet Ireland
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

I concur, and I would actually like to see a possible abbreviated cost.  I have no qualms about paying SOMETHING, but $250 was steep in my mind (even for the conference itself, but especially for those of us who will likely just attend meetings).  I do think it is problematic to have a fee for ALA members who want to attend just the meetings, but, based on Jessamyn's experiment (I think that's in this thread somewhere), maybe members ARE able to view the meetings.  Though I'm not sure most would be able to figure out having to register through the scheduler without a lot of time and effort.  Just my thoughts.

------------------------------
Sonnet Ireland
Library Director
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 27, 2022 07:51 AM
From: Jayne Blodgett
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Thank you for summarizing my own feelings about this, Jessamyn. My chapter does not provide funding for the Chapter Councilor, and I'm lucky that my institution has foundation funds that allow me to pay the costs associated with being a Councilor. I do think making Councilors who want to attend meetings at conferences virtually, and not attend any other part of the virtual experience, could create undue burden for some -- both current Councilors and those who might be interested but can't afford the costs.

As we move forward defining the roles and responsibilities of Council, I ask us to be mindful of the costs associated with being a Councilor and try to make involvement financially possible for all.

Thanks,

Jayne Blodgett

Colorado Chapter Councilor

Original Message:
Sent: 6/26/2022 11:16:00 PM
From: Jessamyn West
Subject: RE: Saturday evening forum notes

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Hey All,

One of the many things I appreciate about the Public Library Association is its dedication to operationalizing and embedding equity in its work. To that end, it created a subsidized seat for small and rural libraries on the Board.

The council could consider a sliding scale model, provide scholarships, or allocate subsidized seats, to encourage broad participation from members who might not otherwise be able to participate. 

I believe the council benefits from a range of voices, and there are specific, actionable ways we can make that happen.

All the best,
Erica Freudenberger
Councilor-at-Large (rotating off Council)

------------------------------
[Erica] [Freudenberger]
[Outreach & Engagement Consultant]
[Southern Adirondack Library System]
[She, Her, Hers]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 26, 2022 10:15 PM
From: Jessamyn West
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Thanks for these notes Rhonda, and thanks for the policy citation Tara.

I can only share what I was told by ALA Governance which is "if you are not registered for the ALA Annual Conference (either in person or digital experience), you cannot participate in the AC Council sessions." and this is despite what President Wong said in April which is "we will honor ALA Policy (A.7.4.5) regarding registration and ALA Conference meetings and Councilor expectations." I think CD#5.2 is an attempt to clarify this position but also adds a (paid) registration requirement for Membership and Council meetings which wasn't there previously.

As a person who planned to attend from home, I'm not sure if there is a difference between participation and attendance, but after attempting to get clarification on these points beginning in April, again in late April, and again in June, I decided to see what would happen if I did not register. Like many Councilors who were planning on attending only the Council meetings at Annual, the Digital Experience price tag seemed steep. I was able to receive Zoom links for the Council meetings but I was not given voting credentials despite asking for them. I know I am not the only Councilor who sat this one out because of what they felt were unpalatable options.

I respect that ALA has economic considerations, and that "We are ALA." I think we also have to appreciate that sometimes equity considerations and organizational income considerations are going to conflict. It's messy. I do not object to paying for my ALA membership and conference attendance, but I would like to see some equitable pricing for meetings and, as long as we are having hybrid meetings, I would like to see Membership and Council meetings fully accessible for in-person and online attendees.

------------------------------
Jessamyn West
Chapter Councilor - Vermont
she/her

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 06:52 PM
From: Tara Brady
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hello! I was ill-prepared for a fully virtual forum and missed a question about a comment I made in council today while I scrambled to get set up.  I was referring to the policy currently described in our policy manual which says that all ALA members are explicitly permitted access to the membership meeting and all council sessions with a badge for that day's conference OR their membership card:

A.7.4.5 Registration at Conferences and Midwinter Meetings (Old Number 7.4.5)

ALA members may attend general membership and council meetings, whenever and wherever held, by showing either a conference badge for the day of the meeting or a current membership card. Registration badges shall be shown for admission to all other meetings.

Registration at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings is required of all those attending all other meetings of the Association, its units, committees, etc., except as specifically waived by action of the Executive Board.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section1/7conferences#A.7.4.10

------------------------------
Tara Brady
Teen Librarian
Queens Public Library
She/Her/Hers

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

------------------------------
Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
------------------------------

Thank you so much for these notes, Rhonda!

I really appreciate Aaron's comments as Rhonda related them: "I'm hoping C&B will come out with actionable looks at options for both directions - listing out how pieces might look a little different or a lot different.  There'll need to be COO & C&B collaborations, too - hopefully each group will incorporate ideas from each other in the late summer / early fall." You've all heard me say in meetings that I am an optimist, and that we have an opportunity to be really creative in how we restructure our governance. Even with council retaining  policy-making authority, there will still be ways we can improve and streamline our work. I'm looking forward to seeing what C&B comes up with, and helping with that work. I'm hoping that once we see some more concrete concepts of how this could be structured it will reassure folks on both sides that we are all working towards what's best for our organization and our profession.

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Nicholas Tepe
Ohio Chapter Councilor

Director
Athens County Public Libraries
He/Him/His
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Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2022 05:38 PM
From: Rhonda Gould
Subject: Saturday evening forum notes

Hot off the press!  So to speak.

Again, any inaccuracies are my own.

Cheers,
Rhonda

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Rhonda Gould
Director
North Shore Library
Glendale, Wisconsin
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