The best way to combat climate anxiety is to take meaningful action. One way you can help realize the vision of a sustainable future with libraries leading the way is to stand for a position on SustainRT’s Steering Committee. SustainRT seeks nominees to stand for the spring 2026 election for the roles of Coordinator-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. As one of the most dynamic round tables in ALA, SustainRT is working on multiple initiatives as part of a strategic plan that challenges and supports ALA, our profession, our libraries, and ourselves to live and work in more sustainable ways to promote resilient communities.
Can you picture yourself helping to shepherd this work along? If so, submit a nomination form by December 15. Contact Coordinator and nominating committee chair Sarah Tribelhorn for the nomination form link and any questions: stribelhorn@sdsu.edu
Coordinator-Elect:
The Coordinator-elect will be elected for a three-year term and serves one year of that term as Coordinator-elect, one year as Coordinator, and one year as Immediate Past Coordinator. The Coordinator-elect shall appoint the chair of each standing committee and members to fill vacancies in such committees for terms beginning their year as Coordinator, except the Nominating Committee. The Coordinator-elect is expected to attend the ALA Annual Conference if a membership meeting is planned for the roundtable. The following year, as Coordinator, duties will include leading and convening monthly Steering Committee meetings and working towards completing goals identified in the SustainRT strategic plan. As Past-coordinator, they will be expected to convene the nominating committee to find candidates for upcoming leadership positions, and maintain and update procedure documentation relevant to SustainRT’s work.
Treasurer
The Treasurer will be elected for a two-year term, attend monthly SustainRT Steering Committee Meetings, and shall review and approve all expenses, coordinating with the ALA staff liaison, and prepare reports and a proposed budget for each fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be eligible for election to a second consecutive term. The Treasurer is expected to attend Annual Conferences in order to attend ALA fiscal and budget assembly meetings as needed. The Treasurer will serve as Liaison between the Steering Committee and the Membership Committee, and handle all reimbursements for SustainRT incurred expenses.
Secretary
The Secretary will be elected for a two-year term, attend monthly SustainRT Steering Committee Meetings, and shall be responsible for the general correspondence of the SustainRT and the minutes of Steering Committee and general membership meetings. The Secretary, coordinating with the ALA staff liaison, shall arrange for preservation of the SustainRT archives via ALA Connect or its successor technology. The Secretary shall be eligible for election to a second consecutive term. The Secretary is expected to attend ALA conferences (if membership meetings are planned) in order to record the minutes of the general membership meeting.
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Aja Bettencourt-McCarthy
Librarian
University of Cincinnati Main Campus - Cincinnati, OH
She/Her/Hers
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