Ahem…. Have You Voted Yet?

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vote image by Creative Commons Flickr user Alan CleaverSo, you might be saying to yourself, “Those YALSA people, they haven’t stopped talking about the ALA/YALSA election for months.” While it’s true, we’ve used a lot of blog space, email space, and so on, getting the word out about the election, it’s also true that not a lot of YALSA members vote in the annual election. In a post earlier in the election season, 2012 Nominating Committee member Judy Nelson asked people why that is.

If you read the comments to Judy’s post you’ll notice that people said they didn’t have time to do the research required in order to make good decisions about the election. Or, they felt removed from YALSA at the governance level so that voting didn’t seem to be a worthwhile thing to do.

I totally understand that it takes time to read through the materials to make the decisions that make sense for you about who is the best YALSA candidate. But, then again, as a librarian working with teens isn’t it worth that time to make sure that the national association that supports your work is providing the best support possible? If everyone leaves it up to someone else to take the time and make the decisions, then it’s very possible that only a small group is determining the future of the association, and related to that the future of support for those serving teens in libraries.
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Don’t Forget to Vote!

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One of the great things about participating in YALSA is knowing that you can make a difference.’  No matter what your level of experience, if you are passionate about serving teens in libraries, we can find a way for you to contribute.’  And while not everyone has time to serve on the Board or take part in a book committee, one thing each and every one of us can do is vote in the YALSA and ALA elections.

Don’t forget you can learn about the candidates by checking out YALSA’s posts on this Blog, reading through the handy 2012 YALSA Election Guide, and going through the sample ballot.

YALSA is fortunate to have what is considered by many to be the most innovative, resourceful, and vibrant membership group in all of ALA.’  Today I challenge you to make YALSA stand out in a new way:’  let’s see if we can’t get the highest election participation of any association in the entire ALA.’  Take the time to vote this week, and remind your friends to take part, too!

YALSA President’s Report — March 2012

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Monthly President’s Report – March 2012

Below is a summary of activities that I have completed or am working on.

Completed Tasks

  • Committee Chairs:’ I had phone conversations with several YALSA committee chairs about the work of their committees.
  • Committee/Jury/Taskforce Appointments: ‘ I ‘ appointed members to fill vacancies on several committees and continued appointing members to fill new task forces created by Board action at Midwinter.

Sit Down and Vote!

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Yesterday afternoon I received my ALA/YALSA ballot information and first thing this morning I cast my votes in the YALSA and ALA elections. Before voting I made sure I was prepared. I read through all of the information on this blog about each of the YALSA candidates, I listened to the podcasts of the candidates for YALSA governance positions, and I read through the sample ballot. That might seem like a lot of work, but I think it’s well worth it because I was then easily able to sit down at my computer and make my election selections.

All YALSA members want to do the same. While the preparation can take time, it’s up to you (and me) to make sure that YALSA is the organization that we want and need. Without the prep of reading and listening then it’s not as easy to make good decisions for the association.

If you haven’t received your ballot information via email, (and were a member in good standing on January 31, 2012) you should receive it sometime this week. Polls are open through April. However, why not vote early and get this important professional task done? It’s worth it to you and to YALSA to sit down and vote!

YALSA Podcast #105- Elections Candidates for the Board of Directors

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This episode continues coverage of YALSA’s 2012 elections. The following podcasts are interviews with the four candidates for the Board of Directors.

Candice Mack

Matthew Moffett

http://traffic.libsyn.com/yalsa/2012_board_candidatesmackmoffet.mp3

Sarah Sogigan

Priscille Dando

http://traffic.libsyn.com/yalsa/2012_board_candidatessogigandando.mp3

If you prefer, you may download the podcast at the’ YALSA Podcast site‘ and transfer the file to the mp3 player of your choice.

YALSA Election 2012: An Election Guide

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It’s just about time for you to cast your vote in the 2012 YALSA election. The association’s 2012 Nominating Committee wants to make it as seamless as possible for you to make your selections and cast your ballot. Over the past few week’s we’ve worked to do that by providing information on candidates, the process, and the positions up for a vote. Now, we’ve put together a handy 2012 election guide for you to use as you continue to prepare. In the guide you will find all of the posts from the past few months on the election. You’ll also find a sample ballot which includes an example of the actual ballot along with the biographical and professional information for each of the candidates running for a YALSA position. You can read through before going online to cast your ballot. That way you’ll be all ready for voting day.

In just under two weeks you’ll receive an email from ALA with your voting information, it should arrive in your email as part of a 48 hour email blast between March 19 and March 21. The polls are open from March 19 through April 27.

Remember, by voting in the election you have the opportunity to help guarantee that YALSA is the association you want it to be. By the way, there is more information on candidates still to come. Over the next few days audio interviews with each of the candidates running for governance positions will be posted on the YALSABlog, stay tuned.

YALSA Election 2012: An Interview with Michael L. Printz Award Candidate Emily Williams

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In February we are posting interviews with each of the 2012 Candidates for YALSA Award Committees. This week we are focusing on Michael L. Printz Award Committee. ‘ Each day this week we’ll post an interview with one of the candidates for that committee. We are posting alphabetically by candidate’s last names.

The YALSA Nominating Committee for 2012 has been working hard to select candidates for this year’s election.’  The Printz Committee is charged with selecting from the previous year’s publications the best young adult book (“best” being defined solely in terms of literary merit) and, if the Committee so decides, as many as four Honor Books. The Committee will also have the opportunity for input into the oversight and planning of the Printz Awards Program. Committee size: 9, four to be elected, plus a consultant from the staff of Booklist, and an administrative assistant if requested.

This is your chance to get to know this year’s candidates that have been nominated to serve on the Printz Award Committee.’  Polls are open from March 19 to April 27.

Today we have an interview with Emily Williams. Read More →

YALSA Election 2012: An Interview with Michael L. Printz Award Candidate Sarah Wethern

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In February we are posting interviews with each of the 2012 Candidates for YALSA Award Committees. This week we are focusing on Michael L. Printz Award Committee. ‘ Each day this week we’ll post an interview with one of the candidates for that committee. We are posting alphabetically by candidate’s last names.

The YALSA Nominating Committee for 2012 has been working hard to select candidates for this year’s election.’  The Printz Committee is charged with selecting from the previous year’s publications the best young adult book (“best” being defined solely in terms of literary merit) and, if the Committee so decides, as many as four Honor Books. The Committee will also have the opportunity for input into the oversight and planning of the Printz Awards Program. Committee size: 9, four to be elected, plus a consultant from the staff of Booklist, and an administrative assistant if requested.

This is your chance to get to know this year’s candidates that have been nominated to serve on the Printz Award Committee. Polls are open from March 19 to April 27.

Today we have an interview with Sarah Wethern. Read More →

YALSA Election 2012: An Interview with Michael L. Printz Award Candidate Patti Tjomsland

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In February we are posting interviews with each of the 2012 Candidates for YALSA Award Committees. This week we are focusing on Michael L. Printz Award Committee. ‘ Each day this week we’ll post an interview with one of the candidates for that committee. We are posting alphabetically by candidate’s last names.

The YALSA Nominating Committee for 2012 has been working hard to select candidates for this year’s election.’  The Printz Committee is charged with selecting from the previous year’s publications the best young adult book (“best” being defined solely in terms of literary merit) and, if the Committee so decides, as many as four Honor Books. The Committee will also have the opportunity for input into the oversight and planning of the Printz Awards Program. Committee size: 9, four to be elected, plus a consultant from the staff of Booklist, and an administrative assistant if requested.

This is your chance to get to know this year’s candidates that have been nominated to serve on the Printz Committee.’  Polls are open from March 19 to April 27.

Today we have an interview with Patti Tjomsland. Read More →