Welcome Letter – New & Re-elected Councilors

June, 2017

 

Dear New and Reelected Councilors,

On behalf of the members of the ALA Council Orientation Committee, welcome to the ALA and ALA/Allied Professional Association (APA) Council! We wish you a productive and professionally satisfying experience.  We hope the following information will be helpful to you as you begin your term as an ALA Councilor.  Please let us know if you have any questions: Joseph Eagan, Council Orientation Committee Chair, libraries.across.america@gmail.com, or Lois Ann Gregory-Wood, Council Secretariat, lgregory@ala.org.

ALA COUNCIL

The ALA Council is the governing body of ALA.  It delegates authority to the divisions of the Association to plan and carry out programs and activities in accordance with policy established by Council.  Council determines all policies of the Association and its decisions are binding unless set aside by the membership (ALA Bylaws Article VI, Section 4(c).  http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/council/index.cfm.)

There are 186 Council members: 100 Councilors-at-Large; 53 Chapter Councilors; 11 Division Councilors; 12 Executive Board members, and 10 Round Table Councilors.  Any personal member of the Association can be elected to the ALA Council.  The officers of Council are the ALA president, the ALA president-elect and the ALA executive director.

ALA COUNCIL DUTIES

  1. To annually elect a Council Committee on Committees (COC) upon nomination by the President-Elect and the Committee on Committees (floor nominations are also accepted).  The COC works with the president-elect to appoint members to Council and ALA committees and develop slates of Council nominees for Executive Board, COO, PBA, etc. (For detailed information on Committees, please see Bylaws, Article VIII.)
  2. To review the actions of the Executive Board; receive the minutes of all Executive Board meetings; receive reports from the President for the Executive Board, from the Executive Director for the Headquarters staff and from the Treasurer, the division presidents, and BARC on the projected budget for the ensuing year.  By directive also receive at each Midwinter and Annual meeting a report from the Freedom to Read Foundation, the Endowment Trustees, and the Policy Monitoring Committee.
  3. To receive the views of the Resolutions Committee about all resolutions presented to Council from Councilors, ALA units, and the Membership.
  4. To originate and act on all proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws before these are submitted to the membership for vote.
  5. To establish dues for chapter, organization and corporate ALA members upon recommendation of the Executive Board.
  6. To receive the report of the ALA Nominating Committee and Committee on Committees.
  7. To act on petitions from national organizations requesting affiliation with the Association.
  8. To act on resolutions referred by the Membership.
  9. To review at each meeting the information on implementation of actions from previous meetings.
  10. To establish state, provincial, regional and territorial library associations as ALA chapters as provided in the Bylaws.
  11. To establish a division or discontinue divisions or round tables.
  12. To establish or discontinue committees and to determine their composition, function and size as the Association’s needs require.
  13. To determine all Association policies; may delegate responsibility to speak for the Association within assigned fields of responsibility in accordance with general Council policies.
  14. To authorize changes, additions, and deletions in the ALA Policy Manual upon recommendation of the Policy Monitoring Committee following.

ALA/APA COUNCIL

Upon your election to the ALA Council, you will also serve as a member of the ALA-Allied Professional Association [ALA-APA] Council.  The ALA-APA Council is the governing body of the ALA-APA and determines all policies of the ALA-APA.  To learn more about the ALA/APA, please visit the ALA/APA Web site at http://ala-apa.org/. If you have more questions about the ALA-APA, please contact Lorelle Swader, ALA-APA director, at lswader@ala.org

ALA EXECUTIVE BOARD

The following duties/responsibilities are specifically delegated to the Executive Board by the ALA Constitution and Bylaws: (1) The Executive Board shall report on its activities no later than the next meeting of the Council; (2) The Executive Board shall act for the Council in the administration of established policies and programs; and (3) The Executive Board shall make recommendations to Council with respect to matters of policy, programs, and operations.

ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS

The ALA Council meets during BOTH the Midwinter Meeting and the Annual Conference.  The ALA-APA Council only meets during the Midwinter Meeting.  All councilors are expected to attend each of the scheduled ALA and ALA/APA COUNCIL meetings.  When making your travel plans for ALA meetings, please note that the last ALA Council meeting at the Midwinter Meeting adjourns on Tuesday at 11:30am and the last Council meeting at the Annual Conference adjourns at 9:45am.  (This allows Councilors at opportunity to attend the ALA Closing General Session, which begins at 10:00am.) All Councilors are expected to attend the full Council meeting on these Tuesdays.

If you are unable to attend Council or must leave early, please notify Lois Ann Gregory-Wood, lgregory@ala.org, in writing of your absence/departure. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence in your official voting record, which is posted on the ALA website.

A schedule of upcoming ALA conferences is available at: http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/ala-upcoming-annual-conferences-midwinter-meetings.

BASIC ALA DOCUMENTS

Prior to the Midwinter Meeting, familiarize yourself with ALA’s Mission, Strategic Plan, Core Values, the ALA Policy Manual, Constitution and Bylaws and past Council documents and actions, all of which are available on the ALA Council web page at http://www.ala.org/aboutala/basic-guide-ALA-council

COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TOOLS

Once your term of office as a Councilor commences, you will be subscribed to the ALA and ALA and APA Council electronic discussion lists and you will be receiving messages from the lists.  If you change your e-mail address, please alert Lois Ann Gregory-Wood so she can re-subscribe you to the lists under your new e-address. The addresses for the ALA and APA e-list are: alacoun@ala.org and apacoun@ala-apa.org.

Please note that the ALA and ALA/APA Council electronic discussion lists are informal communication tools that may be used for the exchange of information as well as for posting of ALA and ALA/APA Council documents.  The lists also have been made available to ALA members and members of the press on a read-only basis.   Communications on the lists are not confidential.  ALA does not review communications prior to posting and is not responsible for the content of communications, other than those that are specifically authorized and posted by ALA and ALA/APA staff.

Chapter Councilors will be subscribed to the ALA Chapter Councilors e-list, chapcoun@ala.org and the Chapter Leaders e-list, alacro-l@ala.org. If you change your e-mail address, please alert Don Wood, ALA Chapter Relations Office, at dwood@ala.org so he can re-subscribe you to the lists under your new e-address.  For responsibilities specific to Chapter Councilors, please visit http://www.ala.org/groups/affiliates/chapters/chaptercouncilor/chaptercouncilor. For a selection of Chapter-related events at the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, please visit http://www.ala.org/offices/select-ala-midwinter-meeting-and-annual-conference-schedule-chapters.

Once your term as a Councilor commences, you also will automatically be a member of the ALA Council group on ALA Connect, which is a centralized space where official ALA groups can work together online.  Every active ALA working group has a space in Connect automatically.  Both ALA groups and ALA communities may use the same types of tools, including discussions, online documents, and a file repository.

PHOTOGRAPH

At your earlier convenience, please email recent photograph of yourself to Lois Ann so she can add place it next to your name and current email address on the official Council roster on the ALA website.  The photos are intended to increase the visibility and recognition among the Council members and the ALA membership.  The Council roster is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/council/council_roster/allcouncilors.cfm.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Because attendance at both Midwinter and Annual Conferences is REQUIRED for all Councilors, you may want to use the bundled conference registration option.  If you have any questions about conference housing or registration, please contact Alicia Babcock at 1-800-545-2433, Ext. 3229 or ababcock@ala.org.  Please tell her that you are an ALA Councilor in order to take advantage of the priority hotel room blocks set aside for Councilors.

COUNCIL ORIENTATION

Council orientation programs are normally scheduled for Saturday mornings at the Midwinter and Annual Conferences.  Further information about the upcoming program at the Annual Conference will be emailed to you by Joseph Eagan, Chair of the Council Orientation Committee.

COUNCIL DOCUMENTS

Based on Council’s action at the 2014 Annual Conference, all Council documents will be posted to the Council page on the ALA Connect site throughout each Midwinter and Annual Conference.  Council Secretariat Lois Ann Gregory-Wood will send an email to the Council’s e-list (alacoun@lists.ala.org) alerting Councilors when documents have been posted.  Be sure to check your emails prior to coming to each Council meeting.

Rather than relying solely on accessing Council documents through ALA Connect during the Council meetings, it is recommended you download Council documents to your device or tablet prior to coming to each Council meeting.  For the convenience of non-Councilors, a small number of printed Council documents will be available at the Council Document pick-up table in the Council Chambers.

A paper document portfolio will be available for each Councilor to store items/documents collected during each Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference.  Unless you are instructed otherwise, you may leave your portfolio at your place at the end of each meeting.  Please do not leave any valuables at your place or inside your portfolio after any Council meeting. At the end of each Midwinter and Annual Conference, please return your paper portfolios to their storage bins located at the Council Document pick-up table. These bins will be collected and returned to ALA Headquarters until the next conference.

RECORD OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY COUNCIL

At each Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, Council is asked to take action on a variety of issues. Council documents being considered for action and information will be distributed via the Council e-list as soon as they become available.  Council documents will also be available on ALA Connect before/during/after the conference. Lois Ann Gregory-Wood will be updating documents on the Council e-list and on ALA Connect in real time throughout the Conferences. Limited number of print documents will also be on the pick-up table in the Council room prior to the beginning of each Council meeting.

Action and documents from the Midwinter and the Annual Conference are always posted on the ALA and ALA-APA Council Web pages following each Midwinter and Annual Conference.

YOUR VOTING RECORD

In addition to voice and hand votes, you are required to record your votes on an official paper voting card.  This voting card will be distributed to each Councilor at the beginning of each Council meeting.  There will be a different color card for each Council meeting.  These voting cards will be collected just before the adjournment of each of meeting.  Please make sure you have signed your voting card before it is collected.  Voting cards without names will be voided.  If you must leave before adjournment, please take your voting card to Lois Ann, who will be stationed at the projectionist table in the Council room. After each Midwinter and Annual Conference, all votes will be tallied and the results will be posted at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/council/attendance_voting/vote_tally2004_2011/index.cfm.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

The Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 11th Edition is ALA’s official parliamentary authority.

COUNCIL SUITE

The parlor of a hospitality suite will be reserved for use by Councilors in one of the headquarters hotels during the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference. The Council Suite is available solely for the use of the members of the ALA Council for any purpose directly related to your duties as an ALA Councilor.  Councilors may use the Suite’s parlor to meet with other ALA Councilors, ALA members, ALA staff or with representatives from ALA chapters, committees or units. To reserve the suite for a meeting, please contact Joseph Eagan, Council Orientation Committee Chair, at libraries.across.america@gmail.com . An email reminder will go out on the Council list before each conference providing the location of the Council Suite and the hours during which it is available for your use.

COUNCIL FORUMS

Informal Council meetings called Council Forums are regularly scheduled at each Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference.  Council Forums provide opportunities to discuss issues under consideration by Council, to hear various points of view and to share your own views, and to have your questions answered in a more informal setting than that of Council meetings.  The forums are also an excellent way to get to know your colleagues better and to network with them. As the ALA Council forums (8:30-10pm) are usually held at the headquarters hotel, you may want to consider that when making your hotel arrangements.

WHAT TO BRING TO COUNCIL MEETINGS

  • A pen to mark and sign your official paper voting card.
  • Business cards to share with your Council colleagues
  • Snacks and/or beverages
  • Tablet, laptop or handheld device and cord(s)

BADGES AND RIBBONS

You must officially register for each Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference and wear your conference registration badge and Council ribbon at all Council meetings. You may pick up your Council ribbon at the ALA badge pick-up area or get one from Lois Ann at one of the Council meetings.  Special badges denoting Chapter Councilors are also available at the badge pick-up area.

RULES FOR ALA COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Rules outlined below govern the conduct of all Council meetings.  Rules for Council meetings are adopted at the beginning of the first meeting of Council at the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference and amendments to the Rules may be proposed and voted upon at that time.  Any Rule may be suspended by general consent if there is no objection, or by a two-thirds vote of the Council. A copy of the Rules will be provided at Council meetings.

Speaking On the Council Floor

Councilors wishing to address the presiding officer  must go to a numbered microphone, wait to be recognized, and then give proper identification , e.g., name and type of Councilor (division councilor, chapter councilor, or councilor-at-large). An explanation of the lights system used for timing speakers when addressing the floor will be explained more fully at Council Orientation Sessions.

Non-Councilors may be recognized to speak at the discretion of the presiding officer or by general consent at any Council meeting.

Any ALA member may speak at the Council/Executive Board/Membership Information Meeting without having to seek Council’s approval.

Motions

All main motions and amendments must be printed legibly, signed by the mover and seconder, and given to the Executive Director and the projectionist.  Motion forms will be available at all meetings.

Any ALA Committee Chair reporting recommendations to the Council may move any action item in the report.

Resolutions

All resolutions must be submitted 24 hours prior to presentation at Council meetings to allow time for reproduction and distribution.  (If there are fewer than 24 hours between the adjournment of Council II and Council III’s convening hour, resolutions may be submitted within 90 minutes following adjournment of Council II.  No resolutions, except those from ALA and Council committees, may be accepted for inclusion on the agenda until reviewed by the Council Resolutions Committee.

A voting member of Council must submit all resolutions, except memorial resolutions, tributes and testimonials.

Nothing shall be read to Council that Councilors have already received in writing.  Only the “resolved” clauses of a resolution shall be read.

The same rule applies when information reports are received by Council (i.e., the reports are not read aloud by the presenter). Exceptions to this rule occur upon the objection of two or more Councilors.

A copy of the Guidelines for the Preparation of Council Resolutions is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/council/resolution_guidelines/index.cfm. Also, in accordance with ALA Policy A.4.2.3, Council resolutions may be electronically submitted to the Resolutions Committee chair.

COUNCIL CHAMBER AND AMENTIES

The Council Chamber is arranged in a classroom fashion.  Councilors are required to sit in the front portion of the room at tables and chairs reserved for the exclusive use of Councilors.  There is no pre-assigned seating. The room is very large and is sometimes too hot or too cold--so be prepared by wearing layers and bringing a jacket, sweater, shawl, etc.  Electrical outlets are generally available on the tables reserved for use by Councilors.

The Council Chamber is equipped with two overhead screens; eight floor microphones; a captionist for the hearing impaired; two projectionists; and recycling bins.  The ALA president, president-elect, parliamentarian, executive director, and one staff person will be seated on a raised platform at the front of the room.

ALA members who are not members of Council may attend Council meetings by showing either a valid ALA membership card or a conference registration badge. ALA members who are not Councilors are seated in an observers’ section in the Council chamber

There are regular rest breaks for all Council meetings that are scheduled for two hours or more.  Councilors may stand up to stretch or walk around during an ongoing debate.

2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL AND OTHER MEETINGS

As a Councilor you are required to attend all ALA and ALA-APA Council meetings. You will find a meeting schedule for the 2017 Annual Conference at the end of this document.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

If there is anything else you need or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Joseph Eagan, Council Orientation Committee chair, (libraries.across.america@gmail.com) or Lois Ann Gregory-Wood (lgregory@ala.org) or 1/800-545-2433, Ext. 3204.

 

See you in Chicago, Illinois!!

 

ALA Council Orientation Committee

Joseph M. Eagan, chair

Tamika Barnes

Roberto Carols Delgadillo

Renee DiPalto

Patricia M. Hogan

Sara Kelly Johns

Amy Spence Lappin

Gina Persichini, ALA Executive Board Liaison

Lois Ann Gregory-Wood, ALA Staff Liaison


 

COUNCIL AND OTHER MEETINGS

2017 ALA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL

Thursday, June 22-Tuesday, June 27, 2017

 

Be sure your schedule includes the following events. (A = imperative; B=very good to attend; C=nice if you can)

 

Friday, 6/23

  • Opening General Session, 4-5:15pm (C)
  • Exhibits “Virtual Ribbon Cutting, 5:15pm (C)

Saturday, 6/24

  • Council Orientation Session for New and Reelected Councilors, 8-10:30am (A)
  • Council/Executive Board/Membership Information Session, 3-4:30pm (A)
  • ALA President’s Program/Book Club Central Kick-off, 3:30-4:30pm (The President’s Program has been moved from Sunday, 6/25, 4-5:30pm, for this conference only) (C)
  • ALA Membership Meeting, 4:30-5:30pm (A)
  • ALA Council Forum I, 8:30-10pm (B)

Sunday, 6/25

  • CSK Awards Breakfast, 7-9:30am (C)
  • ALA Council I, 8:30-11:00am (A)
  • Chapter Councilors Forum, 12:30-2:00pm (B—for chapters)
  • ALA Awards Presentation, 3:30-4:00pm (followed by a speaker and a reception) (C)
  • Newbery/Caldecott VIP Reception 5:30-7:00pm, Banquet, 7:00-11:00pm; Receiving Line, 11:00pm (C)
  • ALA Council Forum II, 8:30-10:00pm (B)

Monday, 6/26

  • ALA Council II, 8:30-11:00am (A)
  • ALA Council Forum III, 8:30-10:00pm (B)

Tuesday, 6/27

  • ALA Council III, 7:45-9:45am (limited quantity of pastry/coffee/tea will be available) (A)
  • Closing General Session, 10:00-11:30am (C)
  • Inaugural Celebration, 11:45am-1:30pm (C)

 
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