NMRT (New Members Round Table)

Committee Charge

The purpose of the committee is to facilitate the recruitment of a diverse membership in the American Library Association and the New Members Round Table and actively involve them in the inner workings and leadership of NMRT. This includes librarians, library school students, and library supporters from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

History of the Committee

Created in 1981 as the “Minority Recruitment Committee”, it became a standing committee January 17, 1987. Its charge was focused on the recruitment and retention of minority librarians. In 1996, a motion was made and passed to change the committee name. This committee was renamed the Diversity Committee, and its charge expanded to reach broader groups of underrepresented people.

Major Responsibilities

Plan and implement projects that will attract minority librarians and library school students for membership in ALA and NMRT.

Procedures Used to Accomplish Major Responsibilities

• Promote diverse membership and participation in NMRT, its committee work, and programs.


• Collaborate with other NMRT committees to recruit new librarians for round table membership.


• Increase awareness of diversity issues and resources among NMRT committees and members.

Committee Composition and Term(s) of Office

• Chair (one year term) annual to annual


• Committee members (one year terms) annual to annual

Reports to

• NMRT President


• NMRT Vice-President/President-Elect


• NMRT Outreach Director


• NMRT Diversity Committee Members

Contact People for Accomplishing Committee Objectives

• NMRT President


• NMRT Vice-President/President-Elect


• NMRT Director


• NMRT Outreach Director


• NMRT Diversity Committee Members


• NMRT Membership Promotion and Relations Chair


• NMRT Liaison Coordination and Support Ad Hoc Committee


• NMRT Orientation Committee

Publicity Needs

• Footnotes article


• Flyers or brochures

Records Generation and Archiving Schedule

• Send records (committee emails, flyers, etc.) to Archives each year after Annual and when requested.

Forms Used by the Committee

None.

Documents to Create/Update (e.g. Flyers, Brochures, etc.)

Flyers or brochures to distribute at Midwinter and Annual

Reminders and Helpful Hints

• Use Footnotes to reach the general membership.


• Use the NMRT Listserv to reach the general membership.

General Timetable

July

• Review notes from Annual Conference.


• Send out any information that was promised at Annual Conference (i.e., names, addresses, documents).


• Contact NMRT Vice President/President-Elect about prospective members and create a diverse committee.

August

• Review files from previous years.


• Start planning based on any charge from the President, and create a timetable for upcoming year.

September

• Schedule Midwinter Conference.


• Submit planning report to President.


• Write committee members, sketching plans for the year, soliciting ideas/information for Midwinter, setting up appropriate subcommittees, assigning specific tasks, etc.

October

• Review information on Diversity Committee in NMRT Handbook.


• Consider any changes and/or goals that aren't being met. Proceed accordingly.

November

• Contact Diversity subcommittees (if any) about specific tasks. Offer ideas and timetables for tasks to be completed.


• Schedule Annual Conference.


• Write committee members, stating plans for Midwinter (dates/times of meetings, subjects to consider) and requesting their attendance.

December

Make final plans for Midwinter. Contact any key individuals for input/information.

January/Midwinter

Have committee meeting. Attend NMRT Board meetings and orientation.

February

• Review notes from Midwinter.


• Send out any information that was promised at Midwinter (i.e., names, addresses, documents).

March/April/May

• Continue conversations from Midwinter.


• Examine plans made at the beginning of the year and move forward on what can be accomplished during the remainder of the committee year.


• Put together files to pass along for the next committee.

June

Annual conference - Annual report due

Last Revised: January 2004