Key Information About SLA
- Tax Status: SLA is a not-for-profit corporation, incorporated in the State of New York, which is exempt from federal tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Association Year: The Association Year as called for in Article IV, Section 6 of the Bylaws is 1 January to 31 December.
- Fiscal Year: The Fiscal Year is January 1 - December 31.
- Budget: The budget process begins in late January. Chapters, Divisions, Caucuses, Committees, and Representatives are sent information and the appropriate forms for submitting a budget request. The deadline to return these forms is early August to enable staff to begin work on standard and non-standard budget items. At its September/October Meeting, AOOC (Association Office Operations Committee) acts upon budgetary items which are included in its charge of overseeing the Association's office operations. A draft budget is prepared by early November. After a meeting of the CEO and Treasurer, changes may be made by the Treasurer and another draft is submitted to the Finance Committee at its December Meeting. The Finance Committee recommends approval of the budget and of each individual request for funds from Chapters, Divisions, Caucuses, Committees and Representatives. Any changes from the Finance Committee are incorporated into the budget. It is then submitted to the Board of Directors at the Januaryl Meeting for final approval.
In the event of a surplus in a fiscal year, the Finance Committee makes a recommendation of action to be taken by the Board. This is only a recommendation; no action is taken at this time. At the Leadership Summit, after reviewing the December 31st financial statement, the Board determines how the surplus should be distributed, based on the Finance Committee's recommendations. - Membership: Membership eligibility and categories are set forth by the Board of Directors as specified in Article IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws. Membership in the Association shall consist of Full Members, Student Members, Retired Members, Organizational Members, Honorary Members, and Virtual Members. SLA is a member, not an institutional, organization.
- Meetings and Conferences: The Association holds two meetings per year. In January, the Leadership Summit is held to conduct business and other Association affairs. The Annual Conference is held in June. Additional meetings may be held on an as needed basis.
- Nominating Committee: The Board of Directors shall elect a nominating committee prior to July 1 each year.
- Election: Elections are held annually for Board Members in the Fall.
- Contracts: SLA Practice 09(89) No official of any SLA unit may enter into a contract in excess of $5,000 unless it has been reviewed and signed by the CEO or COO. Additionally, no unit of the Association can become engaged in contractual agreements which exceed the unit's fiscal resources unless approval has been provided by the Association's Board of Directors.
- Official and Public Statements: SLA Policy 03(89) Extra-Association Relations Policy states that "When the Association's official position is well-known, especially in writing, it should be quoted to ensure consistency of response." New statements, when time permits, are referred to the Board of Directors for approval. When time does not permit, approval must be given by the President and the CEO.
- Liability Insurance: SLA Policy 53(84) The Association maintains insurance to indemnify itself and its Directors and Officers. Each Director and Officer is covered annually at the rate of $1 million per incident.
- Conflict of Interest: SLA Policy 06(94) All members in a leadership capacity must carry out their responsibilities in a manner which benefits the profession and not themselves. If an Association leader may feel that the possibilty of a conflict exists, he/she should exclude him/herself from discussion and voting. The minutes should so reflect.
- Committee Assignments: Board members serve on the following Standing Committees: AOOC (Association Office Operations Committee), Awards, Committee on Association Governance and Finance.
- Committees: SLA Practice 02(90) All standing committees and special committees shall be established by the Board. The President shall appoint the members and designate the Chair for all except the Nominating Committee (Article VI).
- Review of Expenditures: SLA Policy 01(92) Section 7 Normal expenses will be administered by the CEO, except for those of the President, President-Elect, Secretary and CEO who seek approval by the Treasurer; and the Treasurer's expenses will be approved by the President.
- Travel Policy: As set forth in the Association's Travel Policy 01(92) Section 2, SLA will reimburse member expenses as follows: "That the Board Members, except the President and President-Elect whose employers do not provide travel expenses for attendance at Board meetings be reimbursed by the Association for an amount up to $1,500.00 for the costs incurred in attending each of those meetings."
- Fellows Award: The designation of Fellow of the Special Libraries Association is given to individuals in recognition for their leadership in the field of special librarianship and for their outstanding contribution to the Association. Fellows are called upon to advise the Association's Board of Directors, to prepare discussion materials, and to alert the membership to issues and trends warranting action.
- Operational and Management Responsibilities of Staff: The CEO, in consultation with the President, is authorized to adjust staff organization, position descriptions, job grades, salary ranges, salary increase plans and other aspects of the salary program within the current number of authorized positions and current budget for salaries and benefits. The staff organization is reviewed annually by the AOOC. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and is evaluated by AOOC. All other staff members report to the CEO.
- Relationship with Staff: Board members are requested to contact the CEO if work on an issue is needed relevant to Association governance so that the CEO can balance the workload of staff and ensure a speedy and accurate response. If a request is made for available information, each Board member as well as members of the Association should directly contact the responsible staff member.
- Board Document Numbering: Board document numbering is on a yearly cycle, beginning with the first meeting of the Board in January. The "A" documents are action documents -- documents presented to the Board of Directors for their approval or other action. The "B" documents are informational items presented for the Board's attention.
- Financial Responsibility: The membership of the Association has given the Board of Directors its confidence and trust to manage the Association's property, and to regulate and govern its affairs. In order to accomplish this, the Board determines policies necessary to carry out the objectives of the Association.
- Policy and Leadership of Board Members: Each Board Member is an elected leader of the Association and is responsible collectively for establishing the future of the organization. The Board of Directors sets policies which direct the Association, its Members, Committees, Chapters, Divisions and Staff. Board policies guide decisions, thus enabling the Association to move ahead. Programs and services are developed around the guidance provided by the Board's policies.
- Board Responsibility: Each Board member is responsible for being knowledgeable about all issues coming to the attention of the Board of Directors, and those issues that should come to its attention, and to address all issues in a proactive manner.
- Chapter and Division Bulletins: Bulletins are sent to all Board members. By reading them you will be informed about of the Association's major units.
- Legal Responsibilities of Board Members: SLA has developed a Tax and Legal Primer, to provide information on topics such as tax status, political action, liability, antitrust, inspection of records, and contracts. It contains answers to commonly asked questions about the Association and its operations. It is not intended as a legal source book for legal opinions. Any specific legal questions should be directed to the CEO.
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