ALA-APA External Relationships Task Force

Status Report
April 1, 2002

Here is a summary of activities of the ALA-APA Transition Team External Relations Task Force as of Friday, March 29, 2002. Included is a preliminary list of ten issues and concerns and link to other Transition Team Task Forces, next steps and a suggested work plan item for ALA-APA Transition Team:

• An External Relations Task Force has been established. Members and stakeholder groups represented are as follows:

  • Margaret (Margie) Axtmann (Law Librarian)

  • Michael Golrick (Connecticut Library Association Councilor)

  • Diane Fay (Library Support Staff Interest Round Table)

  • Raymond (Ray) Markey (New York Public Library Union President, ALA President's Task Force on the Status of Librarians)

  • Vivian Pisano (Councilor at Large, Diversity Council Chair)

  • Ann Sparanese (Councilor at Large, Social Responsibilities Round Table Action Council) and

  • Gloria Leonard, Chair (Councilor at Large).

• Each Task Force member has been briefed about the overall Transition Team work plan, including task force breakout out sessions, methods of communication, deadline for reporting back to the Council and the tentative meeting timeline.

• Based on conversations with individual members, a preliminary list of ten overarching questions has been identified. In common, is the interlocking focus of other task force issues.

1. What actions, if any, will be taken by ALA-APA when a unit, committee, chapter, round table or subdivision of ALA-APA, territorial library association, affiliated national or international organization makes an endorsement that is in opposition to an ALA-APA policy or position? (Also GOVERNANCE related)

2. a) Currently, by vote of Council, an affiliated organization or chapter may become a member of ALA. b) Will ALA-APA chapters, units, committees, subdivisions or affiliated organizations be required to enhance their organization's dues structure, operating infrastructure revise leadership accountability or make changes in any way? If so, what changes are anticipated? (Also GOVERNANCE related)

3. a) How will ALA lobbying activities be expanded in an ALA-APA environment? b) Will a subdivision of ALA-APA be able to conduct lobbying activities separate from ALA-APA or, will it be a coordinated effort? c) Will an ALA-APA affiliated organization be required to handle its lobbying efforts different from what they are doing today? (Also GOVERNANCE and LEGISLATIVE and ADVOCACY related)

4. What impacts will the lobbying activities of an affiliated organization or chapter have on its relationship with ALA-APA? (Also LEGISLATION and ADVOCACY related)

5. What steps are required to transition ALA into a more inclusive ALA-APA organization; where there is a broad spectrum of employee organizations that share a similar purpose to our own; where people perceive ALA-APA to be an organization that promotes all types of employee relationships—library workers as well as librarians; labor and management? (Also MEMBERSHIP related)

6. What new or improved outreach efforts will be implemented that help ensure that non-librarians and organizations that represent their interests, are invited and feel welcomed to join ALA-APA as a personal member or affiliated group? (Also MEMBERSHIP related)

7. How will ALA-APA ensure that certification of librarians and library employees program not get derailed by ALA-APA subdivisions, chapters, round tables or affiliated organizations; Or, used as a tool to discriminate against workers. (Also CERTIFICATION related)

8. What do ALA personal members, subdivisions, chapters, units, committees, round tables and affiliated organizations want ALA-APA to be able to do in the short- and long-term (survey)? (Also MEMBERSHIP related)

9. a) Who will be the spokesperson for ALA-APA? b) Who is the spokesperson for ALA-APA when there is a difference of opinion between a chapter, unit, committee or subdivision of ALA-APA? c) Who determines the use of ALA-APA's name in affiliated organization advertisements, publications or promotion materials? (Also GOVERNANCE related)

10. How will we ensure that staff performing ALA-APA external relations functions have the tools they need; that work efficiency systems are in place; and close relationships with existing ALA affiliated organizations are maintained? (Also BUDGET and GOVERNANCE related)

Next Steps

• The first meeting of this work group will be a conference call scheduled for Tues., April 2nd, 11:00 a.m. (PST)

ALA-APA Transition Team—Suggested Work Plan Item

• Develop a Communication Plan—Include an event to brief ALA members, subdivisions, chapter, units, round tables, committees of ALA and affiliate organization during the Atlanta Conference about ALA-APA; Describe preliminary planning ideas, goals, ways to get involved and next steps in the ALA-APA implementation process.

—Gloria Leonard, External Relations Chair