Support for JOINT ACTION in line with this proposal was just passed by Action Council. here's the resolution and an outline of the kind of action it suggests>
RESOLVED that SRRTAC affirm support for a Round Table vote on any Executive Board–requested bylaws changes and approve SRRT participation in a joint collaborative effort with CSKBART and EMIERT to coordinate next steps and engage ALA leadership through a structured and democratic process.
MCR
Proposal for SRRT, CSK, and EMIERT
Democracy in Action: A Collaborative Plan to Protect Member Governance in ALA
Colleagues,
The Executive Board has requested bylaws changes affecting Round Tables under ALA Forward. CSK RT and EMIERT have already declined to accede to this demand and have insisted that any bylaws changes must be decided through a vote of the Round Table membership. SRRTAC has not yet taken a position, which makes this meeting a decisive moment.
The question before us is whether SRRT will affirm the principle of member governance and join CSK and EMIERT in insisting that structural changes affecting Round Tables be submitted to a democratic vote.
ALA's history has been grounded in member leadership and participatory governance. The present situation brings that tradition into clear focus. Decisions about Round Table structure, bylaws, and authority carry institutional consequences, and their legitimacy depends on member participation and consent. Supporting a Round Table vote affirms that governance within ALA continues to rest on democratic processes, transparency, and accountability, while reinforcing trust among members and leadership.
This proposal outlines a constructive and coordinated path forward that reflects the current circumstances and the need for collaboration among SRRT, CSK, and EMIERT. The purpose is to affirm democratic governance, coordinate a unified Round Table response, and create a framework for structured dialogue with ALA leadership that protects member voice while maintaining a collaborative and responsible institutional tone.
The immediate objective for this SRRTAC meeting is to determine whether SRRT will align with CSK and EMIERT in supporting a Round Table vote on bylaws changes and approve participation in a joint collaborative effort to coordinate next steps. A clear decision at this stage will provide direction and coherence for SRRT's role in the broader governance discussion and signal that Round Table member participation remains central to ALA's institutional structure.
If SRRTAC agrees,
1) SRRT, CSK, and EMIERT would move forward together by forming a small joint working group composed of representatives from each Round Table within the next two weeks.
2)The working group would develop shared language on democratic governance, clarify common concerns regarding the Executive Board's request, and coordinate communication so that the Round Tables speak in a coherent and consistent voice. The goal would be a concise public statement affirming commitment to transparency, accountability, equity, and member decision-making in matters affecting Round Table governance.
3)Following this step, the three Round Tables could collaboratively draft an open letter to ALA Council and the broader membership explaining their position. The letter would explain the governance concerns raised by the current bylaws request, and affirm that structural changes affecting Round Tables should be decided through democratic member voting. The tone would remain firm, respectful, and solution-oriented, emphasizing institutional responsibility and dialogue while clearly defending member governance.
4)To strengthen this effort, SRRT, CSK, and EMIERT could gather member input through a short survey or listening process focused on representation, transparency, governance, and member engagement. Grounding the Round Tables' position in member experience would reinforce legitimacy and demonstrate that the call for a Round Table vote reflects the concerns and expectations of the broader ALA membership rather than the preferences of individual leaders or groups.
5) The collaborative effort could then lead to a structured request for dialogue with Executive Board leadership and Council, ensuring that Round Table governance concerns are addressed openly and constructively. The objective would be to create a clear channel of communication in which member-driven governance remains central and institutional stability is strengthened through transparency and participation.
The guiding principle throughout this process is straightforward: structural decisions affecting Round Tables should be made democratically by Round Table members, and coordination among SRRT, CSK, and EMIERT strengthens both governance and institutional trust. Collaboration allows concerns to be expressed responsibly, reduces fragmentation, and supports a constructive relationship with ALA leadership while preserving the democratic character of the Association.
This moment carries importance because ALA's vitality has always depended on active member participation and shared governance. When members participate in structural decisions, engagement grows and institutional legitimacy deepens. Supporting a Round Table vote on bylaws changes affirms ALA's democratic tradition and contributes to a stable and trusted governance structure for the future.
The immediate ask for SRRTAC is therefore clear: affirm that SRRT supports a Round Table vote on bylaws changes, align with CSK and EMIERT in defending member governance, and approve participation in a joint collaborative effort to coordinate next steps and engage ALA leadership through a structured and democratic process.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Rosenzweig
SRRTAC, liaison from SRRT/IRTF