CHAPTER STRUCTURE
The Association is organized geographically into chapters and provisional chapters in the principal cities and regions of the United States, Canada, and Europe. Chapters and provisional chapters elect their own officers, publish bulletins or newsletters, and hold meetings during the year. They also carry out special projects, such as:
(1) producing local union lists of serials and directories,
(2) organizing professional institutes or seminars, and
(3) cooperating with other library and professional groups in their geographical areas.
Most chapters maintain a committee structure which follows the Association's committee structure and functions. Members usually affiliate with the chapter or provisional chapter nearest their homes or places of employment. Below is a list of current chapters. There are currently no provisional chapters. The date of establishment is in parentheses.
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Alabama (1953) |
North Carolina (1966) Oklahoma (1956) Omaha Area (1980) Oregon (1973) Pacific Northwest (1945) Philadelphia (1919) Pittsburgh (1922) Princeton-Trenton (1967) Rhode Island (1977) Rio Grande (1956) Rocky Mountain (1951) San Diego (1960) San Francisco Bay (1924) St. Louis Metro (1941) San Andreas (1980) Sierra Nevada (1975) So. Appalachian (1953) So. California (1927) South Carolina (1985) Texas (1949) Toronto (1940) Upstate New York (1945) Virginia (1966) Washington, D.C. (1940) Western Canada (1980) Western Michigan (1985) Wisconsin (1931) |
In a number of the larger chapters and in chapters having a more concentrated membership in a particular field, groups have been established. These groups bring together common interests and carry out projects much as the Association Divisions do, but within the chapter's geographic confines. Groups are constituent parts of the chapters. They may or may not bear direct relationship to the Association's Divisions. In a few instances, chapter groups have been formed having no prototype in an Association Division.
The formation of subject groups in local chapters is a chapter function and depends primarily on the size and interests of the proposed group. The local groups may be formed by authorization of the chapter's executive committee when an appreciable number of members express active interest. If a chapter prefers to operate as one unit rather than with subunits, it is improper for a Division to encourage the organization of a group within a chapter.
Some groups meet at definite times in addition to chapter meetings and are often responsible for one or more programs at the regular chapter meeting. Occasionally, a portion of the regular program is allotted to the groups. Care should be taken that the group cooperates and does not compete with the chapter. Groups should clear program dates with the chapter program officer to avoid meeting date conflicts.
If the chapter has sufficient funds, it is their responsibility to finance its groups. However, to assist in paying for group expenses (such as postage for meeting notices, etc.) it may be advisable to have some continued form of group membership assessment. Requests for special funds should be channeled through the chapter to the Association.
Three categories of chapter group relationships may be established within chapters:
Unaffiliated
Non-affiliated
A formally affiliated group is one composed only of SLA members and fully supported by the chapter. Each formally affiliated group chair shall submit an annual report to the chapter, including an annual financial statement.
An unaffiliated group is a group that works closely with the chapter, but is supported by the chapter only to the extent mutually agreed on by the two groups. SLA membership is not a requirement to participate as a part of the group. Unaffiliated groups should do the same depending on the established agreements and chapter financial commitment.
A non-affiliated group has no direct relationship to the chapter structure, but cooperation between the chapter and the group is encouraged for mutual benefit of all parties.
If a group plans a project that the chapter approves but cannot finance, the chapter may ask for a loan from the Association through the Chapter Cabinet Chair-Elect. Group activity may also be supported by Association Divisions through grants to the chapters if the activity will benefit the whole Division. However, the Division officers have neither the authority nor direct responsibility for group enterprises.
Chapter members considering formation of a group within a chapter should give consideration to some of the potentially undesirable effects on the chapter. For example, when the chapter membership is largely concentrated in one group with only a scattering of group meetings attracting a larger number, the chapter may thus give unequal service to its members. The size of the parent chapter is an important factor in the formation and success of groups. A chapter should take care to avoid creating a group that would segregate out some of the members. In the event of internal conflicts or disagreements within chapters or divisions, the problem should be submitted for discussion and vote by the general membership of the chapter or division. If this action does not resolve the problem, the problem should be brought to the Chair and/or Chair-Elect of the appropriate Cabinet for resolution.
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