Leadership Code of Responsibility

The role of leaders in the Special Libraries Association is to advance opportunities for members to share in and accomplish the Vision and Mission of the Association.  To ensure that outcome, leaders shall respect and adhere to this code that identifies SLA Leadership’s responsibility and accountability to the Association and its members.  Leadership is defined as the leaders and members of the Board of Directors, Association Committees and Task Forces, as well as the voting members of Chapter and Division Executive and Advisory Boards, and Caucus Conveners.

SLA Volunteer Leaders will want to lead by integrity, dignity, respect for others, competence, and excellence, thus inspiring these qualities in all members and furthering the mission of the Association.

In accepting a leadership position in Special Libraries Association, I am making the following commitments:

I understand and support SLA’s mission and policies and I am able to interpret them to others.

I understand that the units operate under the direction of the Association, and that the units may not function as a separate entity.

I have read and have a full understanding of the requirements of my leadership position.

I will treat fellow officers and members with honesty, respect and fairness, consistently recognizing and giving equal time to dissenting opinions.

I will ensure communication between my unit and the Association are clear distributed appropriately to other leaders and members of SLA.

I will promote a free exchange of information about the unit’s/Association's plans through regularly distributed communications media (e.g., bulletins, discussion lists, or updating a Web site).

I will do my best to attend and be prepared for all board, business and leadership meetings appropriate to my position.

I understand that I will not pursue private interests at the expense of my unit or the Association, and I will recuse myself from any discussion and votes where I have, or reasonably appear to have, a conflict of interest.

I will comply with all policies and reporting requirements of the Association, as required in the Association’s bylaws.

I will promote mentoring and the recruitment of new members.

I will make every effort to ensure leader succession planning and recognition by assisting the relevant committees in identifying and evaluating members for leadership positions and awards.

I agree to accept the fiduciary responsibilities inherent in the office to which I have been elected or appointed.

I agree to actively serve in the position to which I have been appointed or elected and will devote the time necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of my position.

I will notify my unit/Association board if I am unable to fulfill my duties for more than 45 days and will step aside from my responsibility if I cannot fulfill my duties for a period of greater than 60 days.  I understand that the unit board may contact the appropriate Association official for additional guidance in this matter.