The YALSA Board voted to change the number of members at large from seven to six and to create an Ex-Officio Advocacy position. This position will be held by someone who is not yet a YALSA member but has an advocacy role for teens. The Board directed the Executive Director to work with staff to put the by-laws change on the 2019 ballot for member consideration and it was passed by the membership. The Board now needs to decide on a process to fill this position.
At the 2019 Annual Conference, the board approved the recommendations outlined in Board Document #22, Filling the Advocate Position for the YALSA Board. As a result, the Board has decided to that the method to fill this seat will be done by an application process followed by Board appointment, similar to the ALA Liasion and Board Fellow processes.
The Board believes that an application will allow the individual applying for the position to be able to provide information on why their experience and skills make them they are the best fit for this advocate role. An application followed by the Board appointment will allow for the the applicant to be vetted by various qualified individuals.
By identifying desired skill set, knowledge base, or potential partnership area/organization, the Board can strategically leverage the Advocate Member position to implement projects or initiatives when skills, knowledge, or partnership would be favorable or useful.
