Dear all,
Below and attached as a PDF are my draft minutes for our 1 April 2026 meeting. Please let me know of any changes needed. Thanks so much!
Elaine
SRRT Action Council DRAFT minutes -- 1 April 2026 meeting
PRESENT - Olivia Blake, Rachel Rosekind, Tara Brady, Hillary Pearson, Mark Hudson, Kristina Shiroma, Mark Rosenzweig, Derek W, Robert Holley, Julie Winkelstein, Yelena Gordiyenko, Jessica Gilbert Redman, Mara Sedlins, Don Michael, Elaine Harger
Meeting called to order at 11:06 EST, 8:06 PST
MOTION to approve April 1, 2026 agenda - MARK R MOVED, RACHEL R seconded APPROVED
A moment of silence to remember Charles E. Kratz, Jr.
MOTION to approve minutes from January 28, 2026 regular meeting MARK R. MOVES, RACHEL R. SECONDS APPROVED
MOTION to approve minutes from February 4, 2026 special meeting TARA MOVES, DEREK SECONDS APPROVED
ALA Presidential candidates - CANDIDATES UNAVAILABLE TO VISIT with AC TODAY
Tamika Barnes
Becky Calzada
Business (2 min. per speaker; if you've spoken once, wait to speak again)
TREASURER'S REPORT: Derek reviewed report (see Attachment 1). Olivia asked for clarification that budget request guidelines have been in place, but we haven't been using them? Derek, correct. Olivia suggests that AC now can begin implementing them.
WRITTEN REPORTS: Olivia asked for questions, comments regarding reports submitted by task forces, committees, liaisons, project/work groups about submitted written regular reports?
EJTF: Kristina asked for advice re updating task force guidelines regarding the election of task force chairs; the Elder Justice Task Force is in the process of revising its guidelines, has wanted its secretary to handle the election, but has no one in that position and so is seeking assistance. Tara complimented the EJTF on engaging in this work, but believes that no other TF has any suggestions. Kristina next asked about submitting a budget request, asked if guidance will be provided, and inquired about releasing the EJTF mini-grant proposal. Derek and Hillary both replied that guidance for both is available.
IRTF: Mark H. asked about International Responsibilities TF budget, saying he was under impression that $2000 was available, but treasurer reports only $1000; asking for clarification. Derek replied that IRTF has $1000, that unused funds at end of fiscal year don't carry over into next fiscal year, and encouraged task forces to set goals for budgeting.
PROGRAM COMM: Rachel reported that programs have amped up over the last couple years, holding a big annual summit; she noted that given structural barriers to ALA involvement that the programs get great attendance, and the committee wants to continue holding them. She noted that fewer and fewer attendees and speakers are ALA members, and that the committee would like to offer honorariums to speakers. But they also don't want to charge attendees. She hears that a budget will need to be submitted, but that is difficult to determine. Derek replied that the programs are great, need support, and that unused travel funds are available this year to cover some expenses; he also said it is important to provide funding fairly between task forces and programs, and asked for ballpark figures from everyone for AC to work with. Olivia echoed that budget information is needed.
HUNGER, HOMELESS, POVERTY TF: Julie asked for HHPTF budget. Derek, $1000 and added that there are funds for technology needs. Julie asked if HHPTF has $1000 that will disappear August 31, if they can give those funds to the Program Committee. Derek said that would probably happen anyway, and reiterated that the desire is to have equitable funds among all SRRT activities. Julie, does the task force have control over its $1000? Derek, replied yes, but none of the funds really exist because AC never voted on a budget. Julie then asked what happens if the TF raises money from outside sources? Would ALA just jump in and take those funds? Olivia suggested that this question should be referred to the next AC meeting agenda in order to have a full discussion.
Lastly, Rachel asked if funds are available for health equity summit honorariums, and Derek replied that expense is covered.
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT: Olivia moved discussion to questions regarding retaining, redesigning/merging, or recommending to sunset SRRT activities identified as needing review. These include:
- Social Media & Web Committee - we did not discuss at last AC meeting
- SRRT Statements Archive - moving to ALAIR? (Tova H. not present to report)
- Travel Grant Committee/Travel Grant award - at last meeting, we discussed that all ALA awards are possibly being centralized
- Membership Committee - at last meeting, we discussed combining with social media/web committee. Olivia added that membership reports have been restarted and are currently being sent to Al Kagan, and thanked Hillary for supplying these reports to Al.
Julie asked if there is a correlation between membership fluctuations for ALA as a whole and SRRT? Olivia replied that it appears that SRRT membership has dropped more precipitously than ALA. Derek referenced Al's report showing SRRT currently has 984 members, reflecting a 10% drop; most round tables have lost membership also, except for the Intellectual Freedom Round Table whose membership numbers increased. Olivia added that lots of people are feeling burned out from professional activities. Derek noted a member resolution just posted by Trevor Dawes that expressed great concern over declining membership in ALA. Elaine said SRRT should consider supporting Dawes resolution. Tara replied that the resolution assumes ALA membership problems are caused by ALA staff and seems like scapegoating. Olivia thanked everyone for the discussion and said we need to move on with agenda. Julie asked if there was a membership drop after ALA raised dues? Derek replied that there does appear to be a correspondence. Olivia recommended more research. Mark H. added that his reading is different from Tara's of Trevor's resolution, not blaming ALA staff, but ALA leadership. Olivia again said that this item would be under new business, and asked for any last comments, questions regarding program assessment. Tara asked if there was a nomination for the Biblo Award, to which Rachel replied, yes, and a press release is forthcoming. Elaine asked if there is a social media and web committee, Olivia replied, yes, but it has been defunct for a year. Hillary asked about how the travel grant award has been handled in the past, noting that the Biblo Award is an endowment funded award so is secure.
ELECTION REPORT: Tara reported that on the ballot SRRT has Derek as treasurer candidate, and write-in candidates have come forward for coordinator, Yelena Gordiyenko, and secretary, Elaine Harger. She then reported that there are discussions exploring having SRRT run its own elections.
Yelena G introduced herself saying that she's been a SRRT member for sometime and has wanted to be more involved. SRRT doing important work. She asked that people vote for her, and if anyone has questions to email her at yelena.gordiyenko@ucdenver.edu.
Julie asked if misspelled names for write-in candidates invalidate a vote. Hillary said there is a process in place for write-ins and that misspelled names should not be a problem.
RESOLUTIONS: Resolution Concerning United States of America In Crisis - Elaine presented the resolved clauses. Olivia asked what action she wanted taken. Elaine requested input from AC members, thanked Rachel for hers, and said she'd like to post draft to ALA connect networks for input from a broader number of ALA members; she noted that daily events make the crisis worse and she didn't know how or whether to keep changing the resolution. Tara noted that the focus of the resolution is referred to as an omnicrisis, that trying to continue updating would be an exercise in futility, then suggested that the topic might be good for a one day SRRT summit.
MOTION - Elaine moved, Don seconded that the resolution be posted widely to Connect to generate discussion and input. APPROVED.
RESOLUTIONS: Loss of democratic governance - CSKBART / EMIERT
Mark R. reported on recent concerns expressed by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table and the Ethnic Materials Information Exchange Round Table over the impact ALA's change in elections is having on their governance structures. These concerns are the same as those of SRRT from earlier in the year. Tara expressed confusion about the use of the word "bylaws" in the resolution. Mark R clarified that reference was to round table rules and/or guidelines, not to ALA's bylaws.
MOTION - Mark R. moved, ??? seconded that SRRT participate in a collaborative effort with CSKRT and EMIERT to coordinate next steps regarding the Executive Board's action requiring round tables to change their guidelines, and engage ALA leadership through a structured, democratic process. Olivia noted we have only 2 minutes before adjourning and called for a vote. 5 YES, 1 NO, 2 ABS APPROVED
12:30 EST MEETING ADJOURNED
DRAFT minutes submitted by Elaine Harger
6 April 2026
ATTACHMENT 1
SRRT Treasurer Report
3/25/2026
We have one past program, organized by the International Relations Task Force, with an honorarium of $600.00 extended to two panelists.
Upcoming expenses will include honorariums for SRRT spring and summer programs, award payments (Herb Biblo), and AV and catering for ALA Conference sessions.
I would also like to point out an oversight in the funding provided to task forces, committees, and working groups. In the SRRT Rules VIII. Finances
- Each Task Force will automatically receive a budget set by the SRRT Action Council each year for use that year. The funds do not carry over from year to year. Supplemental budget requests may also be submitted to the Coordinator at a later date if necessary. The Coordinator will then consult Action Council members concerning these supplemental requests.
Technically, the Action Council has not voted on the annual budget. This body should consider committing to this in the future and continuing this practice annually.
The task forces, committees, and working groups should provide the Treasurer with a proposed budget going forward, preferably in late spring or early summer, after the ALA election cycle is completed. This will help establish sound fiscal practices for the round table going forward. The fiscal cycle begins on September 1, 2026, and ends on August 31, 2027.
Reported by: Derek Wilmott Montoya, SRRT Treasurer
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Elaine Harger
Librarian (retired)
She/Her/Hers,we/all
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