ALA REP
JOB DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES

DATE: 6-22-04

NAME: Suzanne Reymer

TITLE: ALA Representative

VISION: Montana's libraries and librarians will be vital and respected components of national and regional library representation.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Montana Library Association is a chapter of the American Library Association and is represented by the ALA Chapter Councilor. Montana's place in the major national library organization depends on its ability to have a vote on the ALA Council, the governing body of the ALA.

GOALS:

  1. The ALA Councilor will represent Montana's libraries and librarians by means of votes on ALA Council, participation in ALA's Chapter Relations efforts, and sharing of ALA endeavors in Montana.
  2. Montana's librarians will be acquainted with ALA activities and endeavors and will be encouraged to participate at the national level.
  3. Montana librarians will be alerted to and involved in library issues of national importance.

OBJECTIVES: 

  1. Montana's ALA Chapter Councilor will attend all sessions of ALA Council at every ALA annual and midwinter conference (3 sessions at each conference, each year) and will be available to vote on issues raised.
  2. Montana's ALA Chapter Councilor will attend as many Chapter Relations Committee meetings and events as possible, and will use this forum to acquaint ALA with library activities in Montana.
  3. The Chapter Councilor will attend MLA Board meetings and membership meetings at conference and will report on issues important to Montana libraries.
  4. The Chapter Councilor will act as liaison, when necessary, between the chapter/state association and the national organization and their respective staff members.

TIMELINE:  

  1. The ALA Councilor assumes office on September 1 following election in the spring, and shall be seated at the first ALA Council midwinter meeting following this date.
  2. The Chapter Councilor will attend ALA Council meetings - 3 sessions each at ALA Midwinter (Jan or Feb each year) and ALA Annual Conference (June or July each year) and as many Chapter Relations events as possible.
  3. Budget requests will be submitted by the date specified by the MLA Board for this - usually June or July.
  4. Written and/or oral reports will be submitted to each MLA Board meeting and an annual written report will be submitted to the President of MLA by the date specified on the MLA calendar.

NB. Upcoming ALA conference dates are: 

JOB DESCRIPTION:  

  1. A member in good standing of Montana Library Association, who is also a member of the American Library Association, shall be elected as Chapter Councilor, in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Library Association, for a term of three years with the beginning of such term to coincide with that of the officers of ALA. (Bylaws. Article VIII, Sec)
  2. If the office becomes vacant, the MLA President shall appoint a personal member of ALA to complete the term until the next ALA Councilor election. (Needs Bylaws entry)
  3. The Chapter Councilor is responsible for formally reporting to the Board proceedings at ALA Conference that affect the MLA and keeping the Board informed of national issues, events and legislation.
  4. The Chapter Councilor is responsible for reading and complying with the guidelines of ALA's Chapter Councilor Sample Job Description as found on the ALA Chapter Relations website: http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/chapters/chapterdocuments/samplejobdesc/samplejobdescription.htm
  5. The Chapter Councilor submits a written annual report to the President to be included with the Association's annual reports and also reports orally to the Association membership at the annual conference.
  6. The Chapter Councilor communicates regularly with the membership through Wired-MT, Montana Library Focus or other means.

COMMITTEE ROSTER: N/A

BUDGET: ALA Councilor budget requests include the Chapter dues, ALA Washington Office and Freedom to Read contributions, as well as travel expenses for ALA conference and Midwinter. MLA pays 50% of ALA conference registration, plus reasonable expenses such as air fare, hotel, etc.

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