SLA WCC Continuing Themes

Purpose of SLA WCC

1982/83 Objectives:

Communication with members: newsletter and regional representatives.
Quality programs for continuing education

From 1988/89 "handbook"

to promote networking opportunities for members having common educational needs
to address programming and professional development needs of members in Western Canada
to publicize networking opportunities
to co-sponsor meetings and events to promote ourselves and inter-association co-operation
to raise our profile to educate and inform potential employers through direct contact or handouts or brochures
to house and manage SLA WCC archives

Overcome Geographical Diversity by Communicating to Chapter Members

1990/91
Yvonne Mack (president, located in Regina) instituted the teleconference for holding Board meetings

1992/93
Total of six directors for 93/94 executive

Summer 1993 note from President

"I hope to make full "use of the Internet as a way of promoting networking within our Chapter. It will help to shrink our very large chapter area and will save us money in long distance telephone and postage costs. It will make reaching each other easier within our three time zones."

1993/94 Annual report

Chapter area is 2 million square miles
We need to publicize executive issues and activities better to our membership.
Reminding members that executive work is voluntary and must often be done outside working hours might garner more support for executive work (i.e. member support of travel to AGM for executive)

Summer 1994 note from 1993/94 President

The geographic scope that makes our chapter cumbersome to administer can also be a source of special strength. We represent a wide variety of skills & experiences and we have a lot to teach each other

Jan. 1998 note from President

"One old challenge is how best to communicate with our members. To this end, the Members Needs Committee has distribute a ‘member needs survey’ to all WCC members. The survey address two key issues: communications and programmes."

July 1998 note from President

"Despite our geographical diversity, the Chapter has worked as a unit, thanks to the listserv, web page, web journal, Board meetings by conference call, and joint programs."

Overcome geographical diversity by supporting attendance at AGM of all directors

1988
Directors for BC, AB, and Man/Sask. Attend AGM in Calgary

1993/94
Support costs to attend AGM, a benefit of volunteering

1996
Directors for Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver Island attend AGM in Vancouver.

Overcome geographical diversity by encouraging board representation from various cities

1983/84
Regional liaisons from Vancouver and Edmonton

1984/85
added Victoria and Winnipeg

1987/88
Randy Reichardt (Edmonton) became managing editor of newsletter, Chapter Eight.

1990/91
President from Regina

1993
Established four new director positions to assist programming responsible for such large areas

1994/95
letter in Chapter Eight focuses on spreading the work and benefits of the Committees more broadly across the regions

Co-sponsoring with other organizations

The chapter maintains close relationships with other library and information associations that have similar mandates. These include CASLIS Calgary, the Foothills Library Association, BC Libraries Association, Greater Edmonton Library Association, Canadian Library Association, the Library Association of Alberta, and the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA). Particularly in the early days of its chapterhood, the WCC often cosponsored events with these organizations.

Importance of providing continuing education through quality programs

1994/95
23 professional development programs in five cities (10 prog in Vancouver (18-65 attended); 7 prog in Calgary (20-87 attended); 3 prog in Regina (19-35); 2 prog in Winnipeg; 1 in Edmonton)

1999/2000
18 professional development programs in 6 cities with topics on knowledge management, the Internet, negotiating, advocacy, copyright, digital storage technologies.

Public Relations Committee role to Promote Value of Librarian

1985/86 Note from President re PR:

"To represent the Western Canada Chapter by communicating with industry and government to enhance the knowledge and awareness of the profession; and
to educate potential employers as the capabilities and performance of special librarians and potential of professional information management and service"

1991/92 Note from President

"Through …[the] PR committee’s efforts we …continue to explore how best to market special librarians’ strengths to the outside world."

Jan 6/94
WSJ runs brief article describing the enhanced role corporate libraries are playing at some organizations

1999/2000 theme for the Chapter:

"to promote the value of the information professional"