As part of YALSA’s new organizational plan we are re-envisioning the role of the YALSA Executive Committee. One of the changes that is most exciting to me involves developing a more robust set of ALA relationship building responsibilities for the Executive Committee.
Current activities include:
- Providing a contact point for ALA via individual committee member roles. For example, the Fiscal Officer liaises with YALSA’s BARC representative.
- Representing YALSA at ALA meetings such as the BARC/Division Leaders’ Meeting, and the Fall Executive Committee Meeting.
- Co-planning and taking turns leading the bi-annual AASL/ALSC/YALSA Joint Executive Committee Meeting.
- Holding general discussions about YALSA’s relationship with ALA.
At Midwinter the Executive Committee will be adopting a new set of goals for ALA relationships. Potential goals include:
- Building personal relationships with ALA leadership, as well as division member leadership, in order to foster communication, promote trust and facilitate collaboration.
- Increasing our knowledge of ALA current projects and processes to inform YALSA’s work.
- Increasing ALA knowledge of YALSA’s current projects, especially those that align with ALA’s strategic plan, in order to leverage ALA resources and provide an opportunity for YALSA members/leadership to take a leadership role in ALA.
- Better positioning YALSA to take advantage of opportunities to work together with ALA and with other divisions.
Reaching these goals will require the Executive Committee to expand the work we are currently doing and formalize the process. Stronger relationships with ALA and with other divisions will allow YALSA to better serve our members.
If you have any ideas or questions about the above, please leave them in the comments! Or send them directly to me.
If you are wondering what else the Executive Board is up to at Midwinter, be sure to check out the schedule of Board meetings and the agenda. Throughout Midwinter, YALSA Board members will be blogging about our activities too.
And as always, if you are attending ALA Midwinter please stop by the YALSA booth #709 to say hello.
Safe travels to Atlanta!
Sandra Hughes-Hassell
YALSA President-Elect
