It’s that time of year again! As YALSA President-Elect, I’ll make appointments in February for the following virtual YALSA groups that will begin work in early to mid 2018.
- AASL/ALSC/YALSA Interdivisional Committee on School/Public Library Cooperation (1 year term): This joint committee will design and conduct a project of mutual interest and benefit to the three participating ALA Divisions, working from a platform identified by the AASL/ALSC/YALSA Presidents-Elect.
- Division and Membership Promotion Committee (1 year term): To work with staff to develop and pursue an aggressive and continuous campaign to recruit and retain members for YALSA; to promote the association to colleagues and to key partners as defined in the YALSA Strategic Plan; to promote and maintain good relations with existing members through activities such as the member booth at conferences; recognition of member anniversaries and outreach to lapsed members.
- YALS/YALSAblog Editorial Advisory Board (1 year term): To serve as advisor to the co-chairs of the Advisory Board, the editor of YALS and the YALSAblog Member Manager, on the overall content of the print journal and the blog. To take an active role in determining content for both publications and an annual editorial calendar that identifies timely topics as well as authors for articles and blog posts. To create messages and content to promote the blog and the journal and to cross-populate each to highlight the content and focus of each publication. To work to ensure that key YALSA guidelines, resources, initiatives, etc. are integrated into the blog and the journal. To assist with the search process for a new editor or member manager, when appropriate.
- Financial Advancement Committee (1 year term): Provide oversight and continued enhancement of the Friends of YALSA program, including promotion, fundraising and donor recognition. Work with the Board year-round to create and implement virtual fundraising campaigns and fundraising efforts at conferences, aimed at both members and nonmembers, to support the $16,000 worth of scholarships and stipends YALSA gives out annually. Periodically review YALSA’s Fundraising Toolkit and make updates, as needed. Size – 1 chair, who sits ex-officio on the YALSA board, and a least one member from the previous year.
- JRLYA Advisory Board (1 year term): YALSA’s Research Journal Advisory Board oversees the peer reviewing process as outlined in the Refereeing Process Guidelines that were approved by the YALSA Board of Directors. The Board also serves in an advisory capacity to the Member Editor of the journal by assisting with the solicitation of contributors and articles as well as generating ideas for topical articles or themes, when requested from the Member Editor.
- Organization and Bylaws Committee (1 year term): To revise the Bylaws in order to clarify them and, when necessary, to recommend revision and amendment to improve them for the effective management of the division, for the achievement of its stated objectives, and to keep them in harmony with ALA Constitution and Bylaws; to study and review committee functions, recommending changes in committee structure; to advise on the organization handbook; and to make recommendations on other appropriate organizational matters.
- Research Committee (1 year term): To stimulate, encourage, guide, and direct the research needs of the field of young adult library services, and to regularly compile abstracts, disseminate research findings, update YALSA’s Research Agenda as needed and to liaise with ALA’s Committee on Research & Statistics.
- 2019 Summer Learning Taskforce (1 year term): To leverage state and local networks to promote the applications for summer learning grants. To vet the applicants for the grants and by February 12, 2018, choose the 20 applications that best meet the eligibility requirements as measured by their responses to questions on the application. To vet the applicants for the summer intern grants and choose the 20 best by February 26, 2017. To compile and/or create resources focused specifically on assisting library staff with implementing summer learning programs and activities and add them to YALSA’s wiki as they are developed. To seed discussions and share resources on the Summer Learning Ning.
- Teens’ Top Ten Committee (1 year term): To facilitate the exchange of information and galleys of books published within the current and previous publishing years among the voting teen group members as well as the non-voting members; to annually prepare the “Teens’ Top 10” list for Teen Read Week; and to coordinate the public electronic vote. To assist with the collection and vetting of applications from libraries who wish to host an official reading group.
- The Hub Advisory Board (1 year term): The Hub Advisory Board participates in the development and maintenance of the Hub and follows the guidelines for the site as set out by the YALSA Board of Directors. The Advisory Board also serves in an advisory capacity to the Member Manager of the site and assists with the collection of content for the site, generates ideas for content, works on getting teen and librarian input and feedback, facilitates marketing and PR as needed, and writes for the site as needed.
- YA Symposium Planning + Marketing Taskforces (6 month term): To assist YALSA’s Program Officer with the planning and marketing of the conference, including vetting papers and proposals, vetting scholarship applications, assisting the Program Officer with identifying authors and keynote speakers, and leveraging social media tools to promote the event and scholarship opportunities, and more. Members will regularly share content via social media and through their state and local networks to build excitement for and share information about the event. Members will work with YALSA’s Communications Specialist to assist with the implementation of a marketing plan.
Learn more about serving on advisory boards, committees, juries and taskforces via this FAQ. You can gain valuable YALSA and professional development experience by volunteering to be on YALSA group. You will also be helping YALSA achieve its mission to “support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives.”
Fill out the Committee Volunteer Form by Feb. 1, 2018.
Thanks for all the time and talent you volunteer to YALSA! If you’re looking for other ways to get involved, visit the YALSA web site for more opportunities or check out this brand new video from Jack Martin and Kate McNair! If you have questions feel free to get in touch with me (crystle.martin@gmail.com).
Crystle Martin, YALSA President-Elect