President’s Letter
Submitted by Elizabeth A. Bibby, ebibby@hbs.edu

Perhaps like other chapter presidents before me, I find myself wondering how the year can be racing by so fast, considering that there is so much left to do! A few weeks ago, I attended the SLA Leadership Institute in Albuquerque. It was a good meeting with plenty of interactive sessions designed to help unit leaders explore new possibilities. Some key actions taken by the board show real promise in helping SLA to evolve into a more efficient, less bureaucratic organization. New unit governing documents, delayed since last summer, are now in effect.  A follow-up to the Simplification Task Force recommendations, these will enable us to make changes in our chapter operations in a more timely fashion. The Division and Chapter Cabinet leaders who worked on these documents over the last eighteen months are to be commended for their long and concerted efforts to see this endeavor to a successful conclusion. The Governing Document now replaces our old Chapter Bylaws and the Executive Board will need to review both, as well as the forthcoming “Chapter Recommended Practices,” to see how the chapter might change the way it conducts business.

Since Leslie was unable to attend, Tom Clark stood in as our second representative at the Chapter Cabinet meeting. The meeting had two controversial topics. First, was a proposal from the Kentucky Chapter to recommend that the association staff study alternative dues structures that might include local memberships. In general, the smaller Chapters supported this while the larger ones were opposed. Since there are more of the former, the motion passed. The second big topic was a request for feedback to the idea of adopting a “Doing Business As” model and operating under the acronym SLA.  I favor this strongly as it would allow members who cherish the word librarian to continue to use it, while allowing others to use alternate terminology such as “information professional” to explain what SLA means. This seems to hold real promise for healing the potentially harmful “division” left in place after the name change vote last summer.

A highlight of the meeting was the opportunity to hear the Board candidates’ speeches, as well as seeing many of them in action, participating in sessions. As usual, I was proud to see the caliber of people attracted to run for the Board. The candidates do offer some real differences, so do study their positions and backgrounds, ask your friends what they know about the candidates, and vote for the ones who will take our association where you want to see it going! If you don’t vote, don’t complain later. These candidates aren’t “in your face” like the ones in the U.S. presidential primaries, so you’ll need to do more work to get to know them. Hopefully, we’re voting for someone who has integrity, a vision, the skills to do the job, and the commitment to see it through. That requires learning as much as we can about the individuals behind the vitae, before we vote, as well as understanding as much as we can what the job actually entails. In that effort, call people you know and trust to get their input, before you vote - don’t just stick a needle in the haystack! And do use all the resources President Cindy Hill listed in a recent Information Outlook column. As promised, that’s the end of this sermon!

Also seen in Albuquerque were: Betty Edwards, who was closeted in Nominating Committee meetings for two days; Buzzy Basch, attending Finance Committee meetings; Dee Magnoni, who was very busy as a Board Candidate, as well as with the Finance Committee; Tom Clark, attending Chapter Cabinet and the ITE Division’s Board Meeting; Stephanie Fitch, attending Division Cabinet and program planning meetings; and of course, Ethel Salonen, our Association’s President-Elect, attending Board Meetings.

Some of you may know that the “small, but mighty” Rio Grande Chapter has some very dynamic members and they certainly pulled out all the stops to show us a good time in New Mexico.  The welcome reception at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was a fun evening, starting with margaritas and a Mexican dinner, including free access to the museum and discounts at the extensive gift shop, and ending with an outdoor bonfire. After the meeting in Albuquerque ended, I adjourned for a brief respite in Santa Fe, where I spotted numerous attendees prowling the old plaza, galleries, museums and restaurants. It snowed each night that I was there and we woke up to a light dusting that soon disappeared in the sunshine!  It was enough snow to justify lighting the kiva fireplace each night in our casita.

Back in Boston, our Chapter has made progress in several areas since the December social event. Alan Thibeault successfully completed our Annual Financial Report, got it audited, and expressed it off to association headquarters before the January 31 deadline. For the uninitiated among you, this is a really key item, since our dues allotment depends on getting this filed on time – and without that money coming back from the Association, we wouldn’t be able to pay for the things we want to do. Unfortunately it’s always a rush, since the report can’t be completed until December bank statements are received.

As you will have seen, the Student Relations Committee, chaired by Stephanie White, has already called for applications for the student stipend to attend the conference in Nashville in June. The same committee is also in the process of soliciting hosts for “Day on the Job” and will be matching hosts with students. This is a great opportunity to help a student gain some real insights into working in various settings. These experiences may open up new horizons, shatter a stereotype and cause someone to make a wiser career decision, or perhaps reassure someone that they are already heading down precisely the best career track for them.

I’m very pleased to announce that the Chapter’s Nominating Committee for 2004 is Claudette Newhall, Chair, Barbra Rosenberg, and Linda Schuller Wolf. Observant Board watchers may notice that the membership of this committee deviates from the traditional formula, dictated in the old Bylaws, in that it includes neither a Past President nor a member of last year’s committee.  The new governing document stipulates only a past Executive Board member, and that requirement is met by Barbra’s having been a Director.  This is just one example of how the new documents should simplify the lives of those us who are charged with running the Chapter.  At any rate, you’ll be seeing the committee’s calls for input very soon, if you haven’t already. Please don’t be shy about suggesting someone you know – including yourself!

I’m sorry to report that Leslie Knapp has decided to resign her position as President-Elect and Program Chair, effective April 2, since increased job responsibilities have made it difficult for her to devote the necessary time to this work. The April date allows Leslie to wrap up two programs she’s been planning and also gives the Executive Board some time to make adjustments and appoint a replacement. I look forward to seeing many of you at the March and April meetings, which both sound really interesting.

I want to thank Leslie sincerely, on behalf of all of us, for what she has done for the SLA Boston Chapter and for recognizing that she must, at least for the short term, set other priorities. It’s always tempting to struggle on when under pressure, but sometimes the “right” thing to do is to say “enough.”  I made a very similar decision this fall, when I withdrew my name from nomination as a candidate for Chapter Cabinet Chair Elect. Incidentally, I had the chance to meet Patricia Cia, who now runs unopposed for that position, and believe she will do a very fine job.

Well, that’s enough from me for this issue. Stay warm until the spring bulbs peek through!

Liz

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