In this issue:

Important Leadership Dates
A Message from the Executive Director
Attend and Vote
Leadership Activites at Annual Conference
What Does a "Diverse Membership" Mean to an International Organization?
Blog with Us in Toronto
Membership Recruiting is a Year-Round Opportunity
Placing Standing Orders for Labels or Reports
Leadership Code of Responsiblity
Staff Change

Important Leadership Dates

A Message from the Executive Director

The Listening Skills of a Leader
Language is the means by which we communicate with each other. According to Webster's dictionary, a leader is "one who leads or guides." The language of a leader is the communication of one who shows the way. As a leader you will be called upon regularly to share your vision and inspire others. In order to develop that vision, I think you first need to listen to what your members, your work colleagues and others are really saying.

Have you tested and exercised your listening skills lately? Try this. For one full day, listen openly. Don't leave a conversation until you're sure the speaker feels heard. Be patient and focus on their thoughts, feelings, tone, and behaviors. Wait until the person has finished speaking before you begin to consider your response. Don't let your mind wander or your emotions sweep you off purpose. Leaders who truly listen see people, situations, and solutions that non-listeners never see, which allows for increased levels of teamwork, workability, and solutions.

I spend a great deal of my work day listening to you and many members through visits to chapters and other information industry meetings. At almost every meeting, I?ve listened to members express that they want the association to institute electronic voting so that they can be included in major association decisions regardless of where they live and their ability to attend in person the annual business meeting. I?ve also heard the plea for simplification in the governance processes. The Board has listened, too, and the two changes to the bylaws we will entertain at the Annual Business Meeting in Toronto are a result of listening to you. I hope you will be present and vote at the Annual Business Meeting just prior to the Cabinet meetings at Annual Conference.

Immediately preceding the Chapter and Division Cabinet Meetings will be the first half of the Annual Business Meeting. The SLA Board of Directors is offering two proposals to amend SLA?s Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation. These proposed amendments would (1) give members the ability to vote in elections and for future bylaws amendments through the convenience of an online voting system and (2) simplify the association?s financial, operational, and leadership transition processes by aligning the association?s governance year with the beginning of its fiscal year.

A part of your responsibility as a member, and certainly as a leader, is to cast your vote on these proposed amendments. The Annual Business Meeting is Tuesday, June 8, 2005, 5:15-6:15 p.m., in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (Constitution Hall). For more information on these proposed amendments, go the Bylaws Information Center.

Chapter and Division Leaders, are you ready for an exciting, educational and informative Leadership Development Institute? Join the rest of SLA's Leadership in Toronto, ON, Canada, for SLA's Annual Conference. The Leadership Development Institute will be Sunday, June 5, 2005, 9 a.m. - Noon in Room 104A-B of the Toronto Convention Center. Take a sneak peak at the agenda for the Institute. To assist you in preparing for your role in the Cabinet Meetings, the chapter and division cabinet agendas plus the Board agenda and documents have been placed on the website. Agendas will be available at the meetings although the documents are being posted to the web. Please remember to print and bring with you any documents that you would like to have as reference; printed copies will be limited onsite. The Chapter and Division Cabinet Meetings will be Tuesday, at 6:30 pm in Room 104A-B and Room 104C-D respectively. You will be honored with a Leadership Reception immediately following the Cabinet meetings.