A03-28B

B O A R D D O C U M E N T

TO: Board of Directors

FROM: Nancy Stewart

International Relations Committee, Incoming Chair

Mary Dickerson

International Relations Committee, Chair

RE: Issues for Board

DATE: May 24, 2002

This committee would like to present several tasks for exploration by the IRC, and for approval by the Board. In working with Mary Dickerson, outgoing chair of the committee, and with Bill Fisher, incoming president, we have developed the following ideas for discussion, development, and further planning. We would like support from the Board to begin discussions with SLA staff and members, and other representatives as appropriate.

We realize, at this time, the Board has significant domestic issues at hand. These should, and must, take priority. By the same token, we know that the terms “international” or “global” are used:

· as description of the organization (SLA is the international association representing the interests of thousands of information professionals in sixty countries).

· as part of the Board’s development plan for the Executive Director (Begin

to change SLA’s orientation from a US-based association to one

that is non-national by pursuing initiatives that are global in

nature).

· as part of the Task Force recommendations (specifically the

Conference Planning report, and especially the Partnership

Task Force report).

With that in mind, we would like the Board to consider that the International Relations Committee begin discussion and do the following:

Work with SLA staff and the Board to have all unit international activity

reported to the IRC (to be communicated to the Board and

other SLA members)

Work with DC/SLA and KIEE representatives to share information

on activities; and solicit input at all levels

Work with the SLA staff to establish a central point of information

for global members (perhaps a listserv); and work with the

the Board to eventually make this the central point for SLA

international activity (perhaps folding in links to DC/SLA etc.)

Work with the SLA staff and Board to cultivate sponsors for

international members--expanding the recommendations of the Partnership Task Force. Present recommendations

to the Board.

It is in this last category that we think we could make some significant, albeit slow and steady progress. After reviewing Appendix B of the Partnership Task Force report to the Board (A01-31), I think we may have some additional ideas. The Appendix mainly lists information associations or library institutions. Of course these are wonderful ideas for partnership and should be pursued. However, we know that the Gates Foundation is specifically interested in doing more on an international level with libraries. I would like my committee to have some preliminary discussions with their staff about possibly sponsoring members. I think there may be some international associations (World of Association of Newspapers, and others) that would be interested in partnerships for news division. It is our hope, that through committee work, we might uncover other groups worthy of pursuit--not only of sponsoring members, but perhaps offering scholarships for attendance in the future; or for sponsoring regional world-wide conferences.

Respectfully submitted

Nancy Stewart, Incoming chair

Mary Dickerson, Chair