CONTACT:
Karen Santos Freeman
+1.703.647.4917
kfreeman@sla.org
SLA MEMBERS APPROVE BYLAWS AMENDMENT
Association’s First eVote Clears Way for Dues Restructuring
Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 17 October 2005 — Members of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the SLA Bylaws in the Association’s first electronic vote, which concluded 7 October. The action removes a 12% cap on membership dues increases, allowing a new, more flexible dues structure to be implemented as of 1 January 2006.
Here is an overview of the results:
- 2,794 members voted
- 2,159 members voted ‘yes’ (77%)
- 635 members voted ‘no’ (23%)
- 91% of members voted online (2,549)
- 9% voted with paper ballots (245)
The margin of approval was greater than three-to-one—far exceeding the required two-thirds margin for approval of a change to the Bylaws.
Members’ approval of the amendment to remove the 12% ceiling on membership dues increases from the SLA Bylaws clears the way for the new dues structure—which was previously approved by the SLA Board of Directors—to be implemented 1 January 2006. The more flexible structure, originating with a request from the SLA Kentucky Chapter in 2003, creates dues tiers based on income level.
- Members earning $35,000 USD or more in salary per year will pay $160 in annual dues. That is $35 more per year than the current $125.
- Members earning less than $35,000 in salary per year will pay $99 in annual dues. That’s $26 less per year than the current $125.
- Student and retired members will continue to pay $35 in annual dues (no change).
- Virtual members will continue to pay $65 a year in dues (no change).
- Organizational memberships will pay $650 in annual dues. That’s $150 more than the current $500.
In a message sent by e-mail, SLA President Pam Rollo congratulated and thanked members for their involvement in the voting process and suggested the vote was “a referendum on the SLA membership’s trust in its volunteer leadership and its ability to do the right thing for the profession.” Rollo emphasized that “getting 77% of the vote in support of the amendment means far more than the elimination of a dues cap; it also means that most in our community believe that the Board—all of whom are SLA members—takes its responsibility very seriously, and that it will always take member views to heart.”
About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,000 members in 83 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit us www.sla.org.
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