HANDBOOK COMMITTEE
(Standing)

Committee Charge:
The purpose of the committee is to update the official online handbook to provide pertinent information on the goals, history, and major functions of NMRT for those associated with the Round Table.

History of the Committee
Since its inception in 1975/76, the Handbook committee has gathered information on the various NMRT officers, committees, and liaisons. From 1980 to 1982, the committee was inactive, its function taken over by the Committee on Governance. In 1982,it was reactivated as a separate committee.

Committee Composition and Terms of Office:

• Chair (one year term, Midwinter to Midwinter)
• Committee members (one year term, Midwinter to Midwinter)
      

Major Responsibilities

1. Compile information to keep the NMRT Handbook up to date.

Procedures Used to Accomplish Major Responsibilities

1. Review existing material.
2. Devise a method for the revision of the Handbook, paying particular attention to gaps in descriptions and timetables, and to sections that have not been updated in some time.
3. Contact officers, directors, and committee chairs to request that they review their position descriptions and timetables and submit any changes that they feel are needed. Follow up quickly on areas needing special attention.
4. If sweeping changes are planned for any area of the Handbook, circulate a draft copy of the changes to the officers and other necessary contact people concerned directly with the Handbook for their ideas and input.
5. Have Chair attend Web Server Training so that changes can be made to the Handbook by the Handbook Chair without involving the Web Committee. 

Contact People for Accomplishing Committee Objectives

• NMRT President
• NMRT Secretary
• NMRT Vice-President/President-Elect
• NMRT Member Services Director
• Members of the NMRT Executive Board

Type of Record keeping
The Handbook Committee maintains files on all materials gathered by the Committee and all correspondence.

Reports and Dates for Submitting Reports 
The Handbook Committee submits written reports to the NMRT President and other members of the Executive Board at the Annual Conference, at Midwinter, and at other times upon request.  When appropriate, articles may be submitted to Footnotes and to the NMRT Publicity Committee chair.

FEBRUARY

By now the files from your predecessor should have arrived.  If not, contact him or her.  Read through the Handbook, note areas that obviously need attention, and map out a strategy to deal with them.  Prepare a "Plan of Action" for Handbook Committee work and assign tasks to Committee members. Submit a copy of the Plan of Action to the President and the Executive Board.

MARCH

Solicit revisions from officers and chairs. Stress the need to have any changes which will need Executive Board attention submitted well before Annual Conference.

APRIL

Stay in touch with committee members as they begin to carry out their assignments.

JUNE

Prepare progress report.  Prepare a presentation on any section of the Handbook requiring Executive Board action (i.e. any major structural changes or any committee charges that need major revisions).

ANNUAL

Send progress report to Executive Board (NMRT-BD)outlining what has been accomplished and what the committee's goals are for the rest of the term.

JULY/AUGUST

Send message to former officers, directors, and chairs, requesting revisions, additions, or editing of their description or timetable as needed. 

SEPTEMBER

When necessary, remind Executive Board members of material or actions that are particularly needed.  Do not follow up the standard request for revisions.  Assume that no response means no revisions are required. 

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

Complete revisions and publish them to the NMRT Handbook web page. Note:  This is easiest if performed as an ongoing task throughout the term, updating pages as you receive the corrections from committee members.

NOVEMBER

Write thank-you notes to committee members.

DECEMBER

Prepare Handbook Committee materials for next Chair. Send old materials to the archives.

JANUARY

Prepare final report outlining what the committee accomplished during the term.

MIDWINTER

Send final report to Executive Board (NMRT-BD). Brief incoming Chair at Handbook meeting.