Home Tipsheet 24 Vice-chair Duties

Tip Sheet #24

Outline of ACRL Section Vice-chair Duties

Overview

The term of a section vice-chair begins after the Annual Conference following their election to office until the end of the next Annual Conference. For example, after a vice-chair is elected in 2008, they assume the responsibilities as vice-chair after the 2008 Annual Conference, and serve as vice-chair until the end of the 2009 Annual Conference when they become section chair for 2009-2010.  In general, section vice-chairs make appointments prior to their year as chair so that they can develop their own leadership team for their term of office as chair.

Duties of the Vice-chair

1. Serves as an officer of the section and assists in advancing the goals and objectives of the section in accordance with the ACRL strategic plan.
2. Performs the duties of the section chair in his/her absence and fills the vacancy in that office created by resignation or other reasons.
3. As a member of the section executive committee, attends meetings of the committee at the ALA Annual Conference immediately preceding the taking of office.
4. Appoints a Nominating Committee and chair to draft a slate of candidates for section office. The section vice-chair may not be a member of the Nominating Committee (See ACRL Guide to Policies and Procedures 7.2).
5. Appoints a Conference Program Planning Committee and chair if a program will be offered at Annual Conference during term as chair. May serve as a member of the committee according to section by-laws.
6. Recruits volunteers for service on section committees and discussion groups.
7. Makes appointments to all other section committees for terms beginning when vice-chair takes office as chair. Compiles a list to send to ACRL to verify that acceptance forms are on file.
8. Appoints chairs of newly formed discussion groups.
9. Co-represents (with section chair) the section on the ACRL Sections Council (usually held Friday afternoons at the Midwinter Meeting and ALA Annual Conference).
10. Responds to inquiries from members and non-members regarding section interests and activities.
11. Submits an Action Plan Proposal Form by July 15 to ACRL.

Expectations Of Section Officers

Members who accept nominations for a section office in ACRL should do so with the understanding that they are incurring certain responsibilities. If there is any doubt about meeting these obligations, the nomination should not be accepted.

1. Service as an officer of a section involves a time commitment. The individual section candidate and employer must decide whether the time is taken from the job, or is personal time.
2. Section work may require that certain expenses be absorbed by the member or by the employing institution. Photocopying, telephone costs, and postage for correspondence are examples of costs that may result from service as an officer.
3. Travel and personal expenses for ALA Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences are the responsibility of each section officer.
4. Represent ACRL policy when carrying out the work with other groups articulating ACRL’s position, and provide a written statement on the position taken and submit to the ACRL executive director for distribution to the Board of Directors.
5. Attend and participate in the new leadership orientation and leadership planning sessions at ALA Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences.
6. Section programs will be planned that are aligned with the goals and strategic directions of ACRL.