Comments on: The First Rule of ALA Executive Board is You Don’t Talk About ALA Executive Board

By: Bobbi Newman

Bobbi Newman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:15:25 +0000

Hi Peggy,
Thank you for adding more insight to the role of Executive Board. I hope people take the time to read through your comment and reflect on the points you’ve made. I have no doubt that serving on Board is similar to many committees and those you serve with make a huge difference.
I too was quite surprised that questions from the floor seemed to have little to do with what EB actually does and what it would take to make one a successful member. I was prepared to talk about team work and problem solving and compromise and difficult conversations, but I wasn’t asked about any of those things.

By: Bobbi Newman

Bobbi Newman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:08:30 +0000

Thank you again for the encouragement Michael. I have found I do enjoy Council. I do hope I will have the opportunity to run again in the future.

By: Peggy Sullivan

Peggy Sullivan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:16:52 +0000

Thank you for such a thoughtful commentary on the Executive Board. I also appreciated the comments received to date. I served on the Executive Board for five years — one year each as incoming ALA president, president, and past president (1979-1982), then two as executive director (1992-1994). Soon after that, when I was asked to speak to a group about the work of the Executive Board, I reviewed my notes, papers, etc., and realized how uninteresting much of it was. While Council, perhaps especially in those years, was dealing with issues e.g., intellectual freedom, international library relations, personnel issues in libraries, etc., the Executive Board was deciding which chapters might be admitted to membership, where Conferences and Midwinter Meetings might be held, etc. Certainly, the work of the Board is essential, and ideally, one should have a broad range of ALA and other organizational experience to work effectively on the Board, but the best of boards can have their value diminished by two or three people who are unaware of the meaning of policy, the nature of member-staff relationships, where ALA stands in regard to other associations, to government, to its members, etc.
I have attended numerous forums for candidates to the ALA Executive Board, and I am intrigued that all too often, candidates are asked what they believe about certain issues, whether they attended certain events, what their library experience has been, etc., when what the electorate really needs to know is whether they are capable and willing to read piles of materials and to assist in making decisions based on what they have read and what they know; whether they are willing to work collegially with people who may have very different views on issue and to maintain their equilibria when their own ideas are rejected or diminished.
Almost every Executive Board member whom I have known has encountered disappointments and too many have then backed off from taking stands that need to be taken. They have also been amazed to discover how much there is about ALA and its workings that they need to know, and yet, they are, as board members, especially reluctant to reveal their lack of information by asking the questions that would enlighten them. I continue to be impressed with their willingness to seek the honor and the burden of service and to carry them out as best they can.
Thank you for giving people the occasion to think more about the work of the Executive Board of ALA and for being willing to run, lose, and run again! All the best!

By: A Weekly Wrap-Up: January 30 – February 5 » UT ALA/TLA Student Chapter

A Weekly Wrap-Up: January 30 – February 5 » UT ALA/TLA Student Chapter — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:08:29 +0000

[...] Balance, and the Library School Starter Kit. A great resource for new and continuing students! The First Rule of ALA Executive Board is You Don’t Talk About ALA Executive Board: Curious about the inner workings of ALA? Bobbi Newman of Librarian by Day explains how the Executi [...]

By: Michael Golrick

Michael Golrick — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:36:26 +0000

It is easier the second time around, and a lot of folks who try the second time get elected. (There are a very few, Pat Smith comes to mind, who run twice and win twice.)

I know that I watched quite a bit before I ran. At that point I was in my seventh year (one four year term, and a second term of three years). I had seen a bit by then.

One of the wonderful things that happened when I ran was that the six of us nominated by the Committee on Committees all went out to dinner at that Midwinter. It was a very congenial group. Two of those six were elected (the other person elected was nominated from the floor and could not join us for dinner). Of those not elected two were elected in later years.

You also get to meet some amazing people on the EB. There were some folks whom I knew a little, and some who were unknown to me. I made some great friendships based on my 3 year term.

It is. however, not for everyone. You need to have patience, a tolerance for lots of discussion, and a willingness to work a sometimes intricate process. If you don’t enjoy Council, you won’t enjoy EB. If however, you do enjoy Council, EB can be great. (My wife served one term on Council and swore never again would she get involved in ALA governance. She has no patience for it. I, on the other hand, thrive on it!)

Thanks for the thoughtful post, and I strongly encourage you to run again.!

By: Bobbi Newman

Bobbi Newman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:11:02 +0000

Michael,
You’re right there are some things that shouldn’t be talked about and I would be more surprised if someone had. I think what amazed me was how few people I talked to understood the process and what EB does. I don’t think it was a reflection on those people, they are smart and many of them are very involved.

I would definitely consider running again! Now that I’ve done it once it will be easy right?

By: Michael Golrick

Michael Golrick — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:56:49 +0000

Bobbi-

You make a very interesting point. I served on the ALA EB from 2003 – 2006, and started my blog (Thoughts from a Library Administrator) most of the way through my term. I did talk some about being on the Board, and certainly on the blog have talked about service on Council. At one point I did a little series which I called ALA 101 which had some traction for a bit.

One of the things which I learned about on the Board is how little I really know/knew about ALA. There are whole parts of the organization with which I have no contact (and no need to contact). In addition, there is the whole infrastructure which supports a membership organization of 65,000+. There are things you can’t really post about (some of the dynamics among Board members, relationships with staff, stuff from the lawyer), and much that is not terribly interesting.

However, it is a great topic, and I hope that you consider running for the EB again.

By: Bobbi Newman

Bobbi Newman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:53:39 +0000

Hi Laura
Hurray! Glad to hear it!

By: laura k

laura k — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:20 +0000

Thanks for this glimpse into the inner workings of ALA. And thanks for your exhortation to get involved: I’ve been debating running for a Council seat, and your words about criticism vs. action motivated me to put my name in.