Good afternoon!

As I prepared for this opportunity to talk with you, I kept thinking about why this process to elect Association leaders is important and I decided it’s because of the kind of organization we are–a membership association. Electing leaders gives the membership one more way to participate in their association–by choosing, from among their own, individuals whose judgment they trust.

So the big question for you is: Why should you trust my judgment and what will you get if you elect me to the position of Director? Let me start first with what you’ll get. You’ll get experience and you’ll get energy and enthusiasm.

You’ve seen my resume in Information Outlook, so I won’t go into the details of my SLA experience–except to say that I’ve been active in leadership positions at every level of SLA. I particularly enjoyed working with many of your predecessors three years ago as we prepared for the 2000 Annual Conference in my hometown of Philadelphia. What you probably don’t know about is my leadership experience outside of SLA. I’ve served as a supervisor or manager for almost 30 of my 32 years as an information professional. For the past 5 years I have served as chief of my division in the Congressional Research Service, which makes me a member of the CRS senior management team–somewhat like a 12-member board of directors serving in an advisory capacity to the Director of CRS. Outside of the work environment, I have experience, which I believe will be transferable and serve you well. As my boys were growing up, I thought it was very important to be involved in their education–both locally by volunteering in the schools, and more strategically in an advocacy position. I was active in the Virginia PTA for 16 years and served 8 years on the State Board of Managers–including 4 years as chair of the Bylaws Committee. During that time, we completely revised the state PTA bylaws, and I shepherded 48 bylaws amendments through floor discussion at one annual convention. Some of the amendments were contingent on other amendments passing–so I color-coded everything, like any good librarian, to stay organized! One of my favorite jobs in PTA was coordinating the Reflections Project–an arts enrichment project that recognized students K-12 for their talents in photography, music composition, literature, and visual arts. Keeping track of over 900 pieces of art (which were very precious to the young authors) was a challenge, but it was very rewarding to see the students so excited about their work, and to know that this project was helping to keep the arts very much alive in Virginia’s schools. So in me you’ll get experience in working through detailed and complex issues, and you’ll get experience in looking at the big picture and the organization’s strategic goals in order to affect positive change.

You’ll also get energy and enthusiasm. My favorite color is yellow, and I look for the sunny side of life. When my boys were little, I tried to instill in them the same work ethic my parents and the good nuns instilled in me. I used to tell them “Some day you and I together are going to make some employer very happy”–and they have! I believe in having a positive outlook and in plunging in to any task with full commitment. I think that kind of energy and enthusiasm will be of particular benefit at this time in SLA. It is going to be essential for new board members and old board members to work together seamlessly as we go through a transition period with a new executive director and as we evolve as an organization. Since I want SLA to prosper, I hope any bumps we feel will be “growing pains” as we adapt and grow to meet the changing needs of members and potential members. When we do hit some bumps–as we surely will (I’m an optimist but I recognize reality), we need our association leadership to pull together.

In my judgment, with the passage of the bylaws amendments, SLA’s membership took the first steps on a critical path. I believe that issues discussed at this Leadership Summit about responding to member needs, streamlining governance at the chapter and division levels, and branding will move us forward on that path. So I come back to my first question: Why should you trust my judgment? In response, I ask you to use your good judgment. I want to serve SLA and its members--to help us respond positively to change and to keep us moving ahead as an association. I offer you my experience, my energy, and my enthusiasm. In exchange I ask for your trust and I ask for your support. If you judge that I could serve SLA and its members well, please spread the word among your constituencies and please vote for me as Director.

Thank you.