On March 16 – exactly three months ago – I posted on the blog that I’d sent the YALSA Office names of members to appoint to process committees. Now, three months later, I am happy to report that the process of appointing members to process committees is complete. It was a longer road than I anticipated and I appreciate the patience of members (and the hard-work of YALSA’s Program Coordinator for Membership, Letitia Smith) as appointments were accepted (and declined).

Now that the appointment process is complete, I recently sent jury rosters to all incoming and outgoing chairs. While newly appointed members do not officially start their term until after Annual Conference, incoming chairs will work with outgoing chairs in order to make a smooth transition in leadership. Incoming Chairs will also get in touch with members as their terms begin. If you are new to a committee, and would like to see how the group works prior to the start of your term, you should feel free to sit-in on the group’s meeting during YALSA’s All Committee meeting during Annual Conference. All Committee will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 10:00 AM to noon, at McCormick Place Convention Center South Building, Rooms 103 B-D

If you did not get appointed to a committee or jury, remember that YALSA sponsors several discussion and interest groups in which you can participate without appointment. You can learn more about these groups on the YALSA web site.

Following Annual Conference, YALSA’s new President-Elect, Kim Patton, will begin working on appointments to selection committees. Volunteer forms are available on the YALSA web site.

If you have any questions about YALSA committees, juries, task forces, or interest and discussion groups feel free to contact me at lbraun@leonline.com.

Thanks to all of YALSA’s hard-working and dedicated members. I appreciate the work that you do.