16 October 2008
The conference call was called to order by Stephen Abram at 12:01 pm US Eastern Time
On Call:
- Board Present- Abram, Arnold, Fifer Canby, Hunt, James, Lachance, McCollough, Rink , Romaine, Sarmiento, Trudell, Webb,
- Board Excused - Frank, Vargha, Zamora
- Staff Present- Broussard, Kenner, Sansalone
- Board Elect - Caputo, Lee, Seaberry, Sweeney
- Board Elect Excused - Wolfish
1. Welcome
2. Roll call - See above for attendees.
3. Minutes from September 2008 Board call
Approved.
4. First Five Years Task Force OM1008CC-A04 (Sansalone)
Sansalone confirmed that there was to be a conference call between HQ staff and the task force co-chairs next week to discuss the staff's response to the recommendations from the First Five Years Task Force as laid out in OM1008CC-A04. Sansalone would provide an update to the Board at the next monthly teleconference call.
5. Central PA and Philadelphia Chapters' merger OM1008CC-A03 (Trudell)
Trudell proposed the following motion: 'I move that the Board approve the merger of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter and Philadelphia Chapter, effective 1 November 2008.'
She provided some background to this proposed merger. Central Pennsylvania chapter has had a separate existence for many years, but has now reduced to about 50 members and can see the value of being part of a larger chapter. The chapter has had discussions with members and voted, with strong approval, for the merger with the Philadelphia chapter. There will be no change required in the governing documents and the aim is to approve this merger by early November so that allotments and calendar year transitions can take place for the new chapter.
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
6. Elimination of Virtual Membership Class OM1008CC-A01 (James)
7. Recommendation for Third Tier Dues OM1008CC-A02 (James)
James proposed a motion: 'I move to consider two proposals for eliminating virtual membership and introducing a new tier of membership.'
James explained that the virtual membership came out of the Global 2000 conference and was designed for members from developing countries; however, research shows it's largely been taken up by Europeans. She suggested this tier of membership had completed its natural course, which is why there was a recommendation to eliminate it. A recommendation to introduce a new, third tier of membership, which Sansalone and staff have worked hard to create to cater to virtual, unwaged and retired members.Discussion about the appropriateness of this new tier of membership ensued: current economic circumstances and SLA's desire to increase international membership. Several queries about next steps if the Board approves this new tier; it will become effective immediately and staff will ensure that the application forms and website information is changed to reflect this new tier and the elimination of the virtual membership category.
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
Lachance thanked James, Sansalone, Linda Broussard and the Finance Committee for all their hard work on developing these two motions.
8. Update on Centennial Planning Committee (McCollough)
Several people said it was very helpful to have an update email from Abram and Dav Robertson about the preparations for the Centennial celebrations, and asked if this could become a regular monthly event. In response to a question about budget for the Centennial activities, Sansalone confirmed that the Finance Committee had told the committee to stay within budget for 2008. Additional requests for funding from the 2009 budget would be discussed at 10/11 November Finance Committee meeting.
9. CEO Update (Lachance)
Lachance is currently in Kentucky and has visited with a group at the University of Kentucky in Louisville. In late September Lachance was in Berlin to attend the EBIC conference and had a meeting in Frankfurt with several information professionals. The meeting was organised by Michael Fanning, who is in receipt of the SLA research grant to review how SLA could get more members in Germany.
Next month Lachance will be in Charleston on 5 November when she will be speaking on a conference panel on negotiating with vendors from a lawyer's perspective. Then she is off to India for the Asian Chapter conference.
10. New Business
Hunt asked about altering the online membership form item 5 which asks prospective members to provide details of the library school they're enrolled in. She said it would help if this was opened to include non-library school courses. It was agreed that staff would review this request.
Sarmiento asked if there was an update on the alignment project. Lachance confirmed that the analysis from Outsell had just been received, and that dial testing was taking place. She also confirmed the executive session at Leadership Summit in January 2009 would include a session from Fleishman Hillard.
Rink reminded everyone that he'd sent an email out about the town meeting on the proposed new academic division which was taking place on 12 November from 2-3pm EST.
11. Adjourn
Call adjourned at 12:51 pm US Eastern Time
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