Get ready to vote! The YALSA election runs from March 19 through April 25, and to help you be an informed voter, we’re sharing interviews with each of the 2014 YALSA Governance candidates.
Today we’ll hear from the candidates for YALSA Secretary. The Secretary is a member of YALSA’s Executive Committee, along with the President, President-Elect, Past President, Fiscal Officer, and Councilor. The Secretary normally serves a three-year term, but the Secretary who is elected this year will serve only a two-year term, in order to put the elections of Secretary, Fiscal Officer, and Councilor on a staggered election rotation.
The Secretary is responsible for ensuring that accurate and sufficient documentation exists to enable authorized persons to determine when, how, and by whom the board’s business was conducted. The Secretary records minutes of Board meetings, ensures their accuracy and availability, and performs other duties as requested by the President.The Secretary also has all the normal duties of a Board member.’ A full description of the Secretary’s duties and responsibilities can be found here.
Candidates, who will be presented in alphabetical order, were asked to craft “Twitter-length” responses (i.e. around 140 characters). Full biographical information on all of the candidates can be found on the sample ballot.
Today we have an interview with Carrie Kausch.
Name and current position:’ Carrie Kausch, School Librarian, Falls Church (VA) High School
Why did you decide to run for a YALSA office? What excites you about serving on YALSA Board?
I’m passionate about the organization and our profession. I’ve enjoyed my previous board work and want to continue supporting YALSA and the members with our development.
What areas of YALSA’s Strategic Plan do you think you can best contribute to? Why?
Capacity Building and Organizational Development – I like looking at ways YALSA can advance our profession while still investing in current valuable tools and best practices.
What is the most pressing issue facing YALSA today?
Advocating for the growth and evolution of services to teens, both in libraries and out in our communities.
What priority activities should YALSA take on to address the “paradigm shift” as described in The Future of Library Services for and with Teens report?
I think we need to establish partnerships with non-library groups who believe in connected learning. Getting support outside of the library world on a bigger scale will help us members connect and advocate within our local communities.
What attributes have helped you succeed professionally?
Sense of humor, positive attitude, work ethic, good listener.
What do you see as the primary role of the Board?
‘ To champion YALSA’s full mission and vision in an effort to support the advancement and development of teen services, our members, and the organization.
If elected, how will you help YALSA members (in their daily work, in their careers, other)?
I want to be someone members feel they can go to with questions, someone who sees and values the different types of members we have and their variety of needs.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
Before I was a librarian, I was a stage manager in NYC. I’m dog-crazy, enjoy pop culture, and you can follow me on Twitter @DogearedCarrie.
