SLA Boston Chapter
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2001
O'Neill Library, Boston College

The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. by President Margaret Howe-Soper.

In attendance: Teresa Frydryk, Margaret Howe-Soper, Julie Jersyk, Leslie Knapp, Kathy McCabe, Barbara Mento, Pauline Leeds, Barbra Rosenberg.

The minutes of the meeting of June 26 were approved.

Programs

Kathy McCabe distributed the Program Committee Report. Highlights of the coming season include:

• Fall kickoff, scheduled for September 11 at Boston University.
• A professional development meeting in November on copyright. Date to be determined.
• A Sci-Tech program on the topic of GIS planned for March at the Whitehead Institute.
• A Western Outreach meeting on the topic of taxonomy for a medical-legal intranet in April.
• A Northern Outreach program on a topic to be announced in late April
• A visit from SLA Executive Director Roberta Schaffer at the Annual Business Meeting on May 13.

Other possible programs include a winter offering on the Invisible Web and a vendor fair, also during the winter.

It was noted that because of the early date of next year's Annual Business Meeting, it will be necessary to have a nominating committee in place early enough to have the slate of officers ready.

There was discussion of the vendor fair idea. We would need a venue where vendors can plug in equipment. Possibilities mentioned include the Gutman Library and the Holiday Inn (Newton). Since vendors would support the event, we would need to let them know as soon as possible, because they plan and budget ahead. Ten minute vendor presentations of "what's new" would be included in the program.

Bulletin

The question of whether the Bulletin should be considered a revenue source was considered. The board debated whether we should accept sponsorship or advertising. Under the advertising scenario, a vendor would submit an electronic copy of an ad which would be of a designated size, perhaps a quarter page or a half page. Under a sponsorship, a company would sponsor an entire issue. Concerns related to sponsorship include the question of editorial control (or the perception of editorial control) and the possibility of alienating vendors who could not afford to sponsor a whole issue.

Teresa will create a list of updated rates for advertising and will write up a policy to be voted upon at a future meeting.

Teresa said that photocopying of issues will be done for three issues, until spring, '02. There was discussion of ways to lower the number of print copies. Only one person so far has asked for a copy to be mailed.

Other Committees

Margaret reported that the Logistics Committee could use more members. The Logistics Committee would also like to have a list of Board members.

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday, October 18 at Boston College at 5:45 p.m.

Budget Discussion for FY 1002

Barbra Rosenberg distributed a proposed budget for 2001/02, outlining notable changes from the previous year. It projected a deficit of $6.570, which is owing to a number of factors listed on the sheet.

The budget is presented this year in a new format which reflects the format in which the treasurer is now required to report. Discussion of the factors leading to the projected deficit was as follows:

• The Bulletin was projected to bring in no advertising revenue. This item was revised to reflect a goal of $500 in projected revenues.
• The Affirmative Action Scholarship was revised to $2000. This award has not been given in recent years. Discussion of criteria followed. They will be developed. Margaret requested the record on this award from Archives.
• Alan has requested that the student stipend for attendance at the annual conference be increased to $1500.
• The projected Public Relations item was revised from $3000 to $1000. Margaret will recruit a chair for this effort.
• Discussion of the stationary expense budgeted led to a discussion of the logo and the need for an electronic copy of same.

Barbra will send out an electronic revision of the budget which will reflect changes agreed upon by the Board.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Julie Jersyk
Secretary

Past minutes:

• June 26, 2001