1. Office Name: Amanda Roberts
2. Office Term (Date: Ex. 2006-2007): President
3. How do you plan to help committees address the four NMRT goals? (If it does not apply, put N/A.)
Goal 1: to structure formal opportunities for involvement and/or training for professional association committee experiences on the national, state, and local levels
This is primarily accomplished through assigning NMRT members to NMRT committees and liaison positions. The appointment process for 2006-2007 is complete.
Goal 2: to provide a wide variety of programs to assist, encourage, and educate people who are new to the profession;
I am planning two programs (NMRT President’s Program and Annual Program) for the Annual conference in 2007 (Washington, DC). One will focus on intergenerational workplace issues and the other, skills from previous jobs that can apply to librarianship. NMRT will also co-sponsor two other events at Annual. One will be about the ALA internship program and the other about library reading programs.
Goal 3: to offer a variety of leadership training and opportunities to help those approaching the end of their NMRT eligibility to make the transition to future positions in the Association and the profession; and
What I am hoping to do in the short term (before Midwinter) is distribute information to the newer Board members about Sturgis procedures in preparation for our Board meeting. Many universities and public officer positions use parliamentary procedure, and NMRT Board meetings are a good way to be introduced to the process. Broader efforts will follow.
Goal 4: to develop and implement ongoing programs for library school students that encourage professional involvement and networking.
The work of the SASCO, SCOTYA, and the Student Reception committees provides this type of support.
4. How do you plan to create a positive committee experience? What type of support do you plan to provide to chairs and committee members, and how often do you plan to provide such support?
I plan to let the Officers and Chairs take charge of their projects and carry them out. The best way for me to provide support is to solicit the suggestions and opinions of NMRTers. Right now I am focusing on encouraging committee chairs to fill out and submit Board Proposals if they want the Board to discuss or vote on any committee issues at the Midwinter Board Meeting. I plan to do the same for the Annual Board meeting, and if needed, will conduct any E-Board meetings in between. My focus is on content, not procedure, however, so I am available anytime to answer questions.
5. What future directions do you see your office or NMRT needing to take this year or the following year? What kind of strategies do you envision for addressing projects that affect committees outside of your supervision?
The incoming 2007-2008 President, Nanette Donohue, has a lot of good ideas that are very beneficial to NMRT. I plan to support her in the implementation of these ideas since she is getting started now, ahead of schedule, on their implementation. I see my role right now as the person who consolidates and monitors the progress of all these committee projects and ideas, as well as provides feedback when appropriate or solicited.
A few areas that need some work are the Handbook, the liaison program, and a possible internship program. Potential upcoming changes to committees involve Footnotes and the Scholarship, Research, and Writing Committee. I will be working with the Fundraising Coordinator through the end of my 3-year term to set up that position and hopefully get some funding for the Student Reception.
6. Date of report: October 10, 2006
7. Submitted by: Amanda Roberts, aroberts_nmrt at yahoo dot com