There was a man standing on the corner of a busy intersection, flailing his arms, jumping up and down, and shouting at the top of his lungs, “Shoo, shoo!! Get out of here!!” Most people just walked around him, turning their heads to look the other way. Eventually, a crowd began to gather. Finally, a brave bystander went up to the man and asked, “What do you think you’re doing?” The man replied, “I’m scaring away the elephants,” as he continued his frantic gestures. “But I don’t see any elephants,” said the bystander. “Exactly,” replied the man, “it’s working!!”

My biography has been presented in several locations and formats, and I trust that you’ve all taken an appropriate amount of time to review it by now. But does that biography tell everything that you, that SLA, is going to get from Brent Mai in this role as chair-elect and then chair of the Division Cabinet if he’s elected? Is he the man frantically waiving his arms and jumping up and down while the world races by around him? Is he one of those hurried people who avoid addressing the surrounding turmoil, pretending that it doesn’t exist and plowing ahead? Is he in the crowd of bystanders just watching? Is he the brave soul who confronted the man? Is he one of the invisible elephants?

You will find in me an advocate for outcome-based decision making. I expect there to be tangible, generally quantifiable, results from decisions made and actions taken. Altruism is not altogether meaningless, but must be carefully weighed in terms of costs and benefits, regardless of whether one anticipates those results to be real or perceived. Objectively understanding the current reality and anticipating the outcomes of actions are keys to continued success.

You’ll find in me an innovative problem solver, willing to look at things from another angle. I’m someone who often plays the role of devil’s advocate in an effort to make sure that all the solutions have been considered and the consequences of each option weighted before decisions are made. I also believe that not changing things is an acceptable option. As a member of the SLA Finance Committee, I often question whether our current fiscal position is the result of things that haven’t been done, or whether it is perhaps the result of things we have done.

I believe with all my strength, with all my heart, and with all my soul, that librarians (or whatever you choose to call yourself) are among the leaders of today’s information age, and that it is our knowledge and our leadership that will continue to inform the decisions of the organizations for which we work. Do you believe that? Do you have enough confidence in your skills and abilities to firmly and unapologetically espouse your expertise to your family and friends – and, yes, even to your employer? SLA is here – now, today – to support you in building and strengthening those skill sets and helping you learn to effectively communicate your strategic importance to your employer. Take advantage of your Association, and make yourself an even more critical component of your organization’s future success! Don’t be an invisible elephant!

Thank you for this opportunity, and thank you for your support!