American Library Association

New Members Round Table

Executive Board Meeting

January 24, 1993

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

 

The New Members Round Table Executive Board Meeting was called to order by President Jenifer Abramson at 2:10 p.m.  The following members were present:

 

Betsy Fordon, Jenifer Abramson, Joni Gomez, Joan Kaplowitz, Elaine Yontz, Diane Tureski, Ann Branton, Suzanne Byron, Necia Parker, Christina Smith, Beatrice McKay, Steven Kerchoff, Laura Sill, Cindy S. Church, Kathy Kie, Karl Fattig

 

Introduction

 

Jenifer explained that while she welcomed discussion from everyone at the time of a vote only the officers could vote on a motion.  Each officer then identified themselves.

 

Old Business

 

There was no old business.

 

Director for Liaisons

 

Chris Smith, Director for Liaisons, stated that many of the liaisons had not received a Handbook and that she had given packets to the liaisons that she knew of.  There has been no definitive list of liaisons.  Jenifer suggested that Chris get in contact with Robert Dunkelberger for directors of liaisons in the past.  Chris wanted to know if most of the liaisons had had appointments for two years and Jenifer felt that this had been the practice in the past for the most part.  There was also discussion about how useful the Handbook is to liaisons.  While it is useful to chairs because of the description of duties, etc., this is not really needed for liaisons, especially there is no description of each liaison position.  Also, it was suggested that as a liaison appointment ends that the handbook go back to the director.  Would it be possible for Archives to have these handbooks and descriptions?  Chris should contact Robert as to the procedure and/or whether this is possible, since items registered in Archives are not usually removed again.

 

Chris also mentioned that Joyce Taylor, Liaison for ALA Minority Concerns Committee, had had a very difficult time trying to get "into the loop" of that committee.  Jenifer stated that this liaison position had been deleted from the list printed in the ALA Handbook and would enlist JoAn Segal in trying to help on this matter.

 

It was suggested that we have a liaison for the new Self-Study Steering Committee for ALA.  Jenifer said that she would bring that up to Bill Summers, Chair.  Cindy wondered if we need to have a motion for the creation of a new liaison position and Jenifer felt that this would be unnecessary since it is part of the President's list of appointments.

 

Chris stated that she had created a liaison-specific planning report and report forms which would be more helpful to liaisons than the committee report form now in use for liaisons as well as committee chairs.  These reports from liaisons are very important and necessary especially for incoming liaisons.

 

Jenifer felt that the President's letter to the divisions on behalf of liaisons is most important and as of now that is not in the description of the President's duties in the Handbook, but should be.

 

Steve Kerchoff suggested that liaison information be sent to FOOTNOTES.

 

The sustaining member-liaison question was tabled until the Monday meeting.

 

Affiliates Council

 

Diane Tureski stated that she had tried getting the files from the past president, but had not yet received anything.  Jenifer suggested that she contact Robert Dunkelberger for archival material.

 

Diane stated that NMRT has 15 paid affiliates at present.  She also told of publishing a combined September/December issue of NEWSNOTES.  She was also putting together an information packet to be sent to affiliates which included by-laws and constitution, newletters, flyers, etc.

 

Diane introduced Karl Fattig who has started a listserv called NMRT-L.  He explained what the listserv would be.  There was discussion on the issue, especially the fact that not all the members are on the Internet and, therefore, would not be in the information "loop."  This item was tabled until Monday's meeting.

 

New Business

 

There was no new business.

 

Adjournment

 

Joan Kaplowitz moved to adjourn and Kathy Kie seconded.  It was voted upon and carried.  The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.