Greetings all! What a year it’s been! We’re a few days into the new year as I wrap up last month. Even in unsettling times, I hope you were able to experience some moments of ease and will continue to do so as we welcome in 2022. Here are some highlights from December:
Membership numbers (reported from August 2021):
Personal members of YALSA: 3,239
Renewals: 201 (this is an 11.6% increase from 2020)
New members: 90 (this is also an increase from 2020)
- Directed the Board to continue responding to the History of Four EDI Taskforce Report recommendations
- Submitted a President’s column for upcoming YALS issue. Co-written with social worker. (YALS is a great member-perk! Chock-full of useful information-free to members)
- Worked on promoting the need for and appointing interested members to YALSA’s Division and Membership Promotion Committee. (We still have openings to this important committee. Fill out the Committee Volunteer Form if you are interested!)
- Continuing to seek a Member Manager for the Hub by reaching out to folks and updating call for applicants. Thank you Board Member, Director-At-Large Traci Glass for stepping in as interim!
- Posted about YALSA’s partnership with Michigan State and Indiana University regarding Artificial Intelligence
- Met with YALSA President’s Taskforce to develop ideas to continue moving forward on re-building social capital for and with teens
- Working with AASL/ALSC to determine joint Executive Committee meeting
- Working with Chairs and Board Members to submit board documents for January meeting (*more information will be shared on this within the next week or so)
- Called for vote from Board Members for several Board Documents (will be linked here soon) regarding Virtual Option for Award Committees as well as Extension of Evaluating Volunteer Resources Taskforce. Others currently under discussion.
As always, grateful for the passion and work from dedicated volunteers to YALSA! Take a moment to look back on 2021 for all that you’ve accomplished and we’ll continue moving forward-one day at a time! Here’s to 2022!
Any questions or comments, feel free to post below or email: kellyczarnecki1@gmail.com.
Kelly Czarnecki (she/her)
YALSA President
2021-2022
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