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Special Libraries Association Boston Chapter
Executive Board Meeting
March 5, 2002
O'Neill Library, Boston College
Minutes
Present: Jessica Baumgart, Tom Clark, Teresa Frydryk, Margaret Howe-Soper, Julie Jersyk, Helen Keil, Leslie Knapp, Ken Liss, Kathy McCabe, Barbara Mento, Amy Piotrowski, Barbra Rosenberg, Alan Thibeault, Sue Wolfman.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
Treasurer's Report - Leslie Knapp
The current balance is $18,587.08. There is $5637.33 in the project account, and $274.89 in the affirmative action account. We are still deficit spending. The membership allocation has been delayed until April 15 because of an audit. Simmons' bill for the reception at the annual conference has been paid.
Director of Finance Report - Barbra Rosenberg
Deficit spending is down. The midwinter party cost $55.
President's Remarks - Margaret Howe-Soper
- The MLS renewal at Simmons has been cancelled due to lack of interest.
- Donna Scheeder will be the speaker at the Annual Business Meeting in May. It may take the form of a question and answer session. There was discussion of submitting questions ahead of time. There was also discussion of inviting Roberta Shaffer to speak to us in spite of her resignation as Executive Director. It was decided to stick with Donna Scheeder.
- The proposed name change to SLA, Inc. will not happen.
- Wontauk and Copyright Clearance Center will sponsor the annual business meeting in the amounts of $250 and $550 respectively. We may also get $250 from EBSCO.
Consultation Committee - Ken Liss
In collaboration with Margaret Shue, Ken proposes that business association meetings be addressed and that consulting be offered. Consultations might address such questions as whether a company needs an information center or whether an existing one should be redesigned. No fee would be involved. Up to half a day would be spent doing a needs assessment and then a report would be prepared. Alternatively a strategic overview could be provided without a written report. There was general agreement that this is a good idea. Ken will prepare a formal proposal with help from Amy.
Day on the Job - Alan Thibeault
There are twenty students this year and sixteen hosts; however, Alan will match all students with hosts. There was a very low turnout at the reception following Day on the Job last year. Alan suggested that it might not be worthwhile to do the reception. There was discussion of offering them something else instead. Barbra suggested offering a free ticket to the Annual Business Meeting. It was pointed out that that is an expensive meeting. No decision was made.
Awards - Tom Clark
The call for nominations has been sent out. It is in the Bulletin and will be announced at the March 12 Sci-tech program. Tom pointed out that the strongest nominations for Chapter awards come from the Board. Three to five awards will be given. Not every award is given every year; for instance the Distinguished Service Award.
Margaret asked Sue to send the names of program sponsors to Kathy and Tom so they can send thank-you notes and make plaques for those who exhibit at the Annual Conference.
Sci-Tech Meeting - Helen Keil
The planning is going ahead. There are thirteen registrants as of one week ago.
Program Chair - Kathy McCabe
April meetings are:
- April 27: Taxonomy. There will be three speakers. The program will be held at Assumption College, Worcester from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- April 29: E-books. Manchester, NH. The meeting will include breakfast.
- May meeting: Logistics Committee assignees are Barbara Mann, Laura Rider and Jessica Baumgart.
- Summer party: Barbra suggested that it not be in Boston in order to try to attract a different crowd. Discussion of ideas included tying it to an event such as a cruise, a concert, museum, etc.
Affirmative Action
Margaret is working on a brochure.
Recruitment of New Members - Brainstorming
- Tie activities to membership renewal.
- More programs
- Emphasize benefits in addition to programs - networking, jobs, etc.
- More publicity of benefits
- Increase the differential in cost of programs between members and non-members.
- Some people may feel SLA doesn't meet their needs
- There is competition from other organizations
- Try to find out what recent graduates are joining
- Retention of current members is important
- Don't preach only to the choir
- Try to get everyone to attend at least one meeting a year
- Use town meeting format
- The consulting plan is a marketing opportunity
- Market to employers
- Identify high-profile people in the profession who are not members and survey them.
- We don't have a PR chair
- There is an overall trend for organizations to lose membership
- The 2003 Annual Conference in New York could be a marketing tool
- Perhaps SLA would consider dues payment on the installment plan
- It would be useful to find out what percentage of employers pay membership dues for employees.
Margaret asked for us all to email her one question to ask non-members, by Monday, at mhowesoper@hbs.edu. We will make it an agenda item for next time.
The agenda for the next meeting will include Ken's report and the question of whether the listserv should be restricted to members. Margaret will also ask Sandy Moltz to attend the next meeting.
Next meeting: Thursday, April 11, O'Neill Library, Boston College, 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Jersyk
Secretary
Past minutes:
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Executive Board Meeting Minutes
SLA
SLA-Boston