A Message from SLA President Pam Rollo
We have now completed SLA’s very first electronic voting experience, and I am very grateful to the 2,794 members who participated. Getting 25% participation from the membership in our first eVote shows that you are willing to try new things to make your SLA experience more open and participatory. It also gives us the ability to achieve change quickly and easily, since the process can be implemented on short notice, as our wonderful staff proved in making this vote a reality.

The matter being considered was complicated, but many members asked great questions and expressed thoughtful opinions, which enhanced the dialogue greatly. I am especially thankful for members of the Toronto Chapter and the SLA Fellows, who engaged in very candid and meaningful conversations on the proposed amendment. Their concerns and suggestions did not make the experience difficult for me and other members of the Board of Directors; quite the opposite, as we now have a body of evidence that SLA members care about their association and are willing to generate new thinking to propel us forward. Also, I must thank SLA Board members Gloria Zamora, Dan Trefethen, and Anne Caputo as well as Juanita Richardson and Dav Robertson of the Finance Committee for their hard work in responding to questions and comments during the voting process. They and many other SLA leaders were proactive messengers who made things easier for all of us to understand the nature of this vote.

I must also thank the members of the SLA Bylaws Committee who have served over the last several years, particularly past chair Lyle Minter and current chair Margie Hlava. They have worked so hard to ensure that we have approached any amendments to our bylaws carefully and conscientiously.

Finally, the members of the SLA Finance Committee over the past few years have diligently served us well in determining the best course of action for the future of the Association. And the members of the SLA Chapter and Division Cabinets provided excellent thoughts and feedback to help shape our final plans, so that the result would succeed.

This vote was, in literal terms, about the elimination of the 12% cap on dues. It was also, secondarily, a referendum on the SLA Board’s proposed dues restructuring. But I believe this vote was also a referendum on the SLA membership’s trust in its volunteer leadership and its ability to do the right thing for the profession. 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. I am humbled by the overwhelming support for our efforts and hope that we can continue to make you proud of SLA.

Whether you supported the amendment or not, I want you to know that we on the Board will greatly appreciate your continued involvement in charting the future course of SLA. Together, we are going to make great things happen!

Sincerely,

Pam Rollo
SLA President 

A Note from SLA Treasurer Gloria Zamora
I would like to thank all of you who voted in the just-concluded Bylaws vote. I especially want to thank those members who asked questions about the amendment and the dues restructuring and participated in the three member forums on the topic. It’s so important for an association that seeks to remain relevant, vital, and influential to have members who are engaged in the issues and who participate in the process. We appreciate your thoughtful comments, questions, and suggestions. They help those of us in leadership positions to drive the direction of the Association.

As we hopefully made clear in our communications about the vote, the Association must have additional revenue to ensure that we can continue to provide the current member services and grow and expand services members have said they most need and value. SLA policy prohibits presenting a deficit budget or operating at a deficit. Since it has been seven years since our last membership dues increase, additional dues are sorely needed to keep pace with inflation (now and at least three years into the future). Your approval of the Bylaws amendment means that we will get the needed revenues and can continue developing services that provide value for members.

The Board of Directors meets next week (20-21 October) and will approve the Association’s 2006 budget. That budget is matched to the Strategic Goals & Objectives for 2006, funding the strategic initiatives that will provide value to you in the areas of Learning, Advocacy, and Networking. Your approval of the Bylaws amendment – and the additional revenue that should be generated from our dues restructuring plan – will make that possible.

Again, thank you for participating in your professional association. Please continue to share your views and wishes with members of the SLA Board of Directors or Finance Committee about this and any other topic. We are your representatives and we value hearing from you.