A03-26
B O A R D D O C U M E N T
FROM: AOOC (Association Office Operations Committee)
DATE: 19 December 2002
RE: Governance Model and Philosophy Statement
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors accepts the Governance model and Philosophy Statement as contained in Document A03-26 as the primary guide to how the Board conducts business.
Background Information: The Board asked the AOOC in June 2002, to develop the attached statement. A draft version was distributed for Board review in October. The current document is a slightly modified version of that document.
ROI: There will be a direct return on our adoption of this model toward fulfilling our mission and vision. Having a sustainable governance model that will be in place from one Board to another will allow each Board to focus more time and energy on issues and decisions relevant to our membership. The proposed model also recognizes the role of individual Association units in meeting member needs in support of our mission and vision.
The Special Libraries Association Board of Directors follows a Policy Board Model. The Board is concerned with making policy level decisions and helping to establish an overall direction for the Association. To accomplish this, the Board works in partnership with SLA membership, SLA Unit leadership, SLA staff, and SLA Appointed Committees, as needed. While SLA units have some flexibility in self-governance/management (e.g. utilize the structure that works best for the unit’s needs) and have flexibility to respond to member needs, the SLA Board of Directors establishes structural guidelines and has final decision-making authority.
The SLA Board of Directors’ primary role is one of oversight, leadership, direction and policy making. The Board:
Recognizes that each Board member brings valuable and unique experience, providing the Association with a broad base of skills, diversity of perspectives and background, to be represented at the decision making table;
Is committed to assist the Association in becoming a higher quality, more effective and efficient organization;
Supports members’ needs while keeping the best interests of the entire Association in mind;
Strives to be fiscally responsible; and
Is committed to ensure SLA is the association of choice for all information professionals and special
librarians.
Financial Impact Statement: This statement should have no direct financial impact on the Association.
Prepared by: AOOC
Produced by: Bill Fisher and Karen Kreizman-Reczek
Reviewed by: AOOC