“It has been 30 years since the Affiliate Assembly was created as a conduit to link the national organization with the local level. It provides the structure for everyone to share and learn from each other,” said Carl A. Harvey II, Affiliate Assembly Chair. “I'm certain that as we move into the future, the Affiliate Assembly will continue to be a viable part of the structure that helps AASL reach its mission.”
The AASL Affiliate Assembly is a group of state delegates from school library media organizations nationwide. It provides a channel of communication between AASL members and leadership, brings concerns to the AASL Board of Directors, and facilitates discussion on important issues facing school library media specialists nationwide. The Assembly has been a strong voice within AASL and a prolific incubator for AASL leadership since 1977, with Rollie Billings as the first Affiliate Assembly Chair.
State association officials who join the AASL Affiliate Assembly as representatives from their states have the opportunity to become elected leaders within the Assembly, such as Regional Directors-Elect. After two years, they move to the AASL Board of Directors as Regional Directors representing each of the nine regions within AASL. Many of AASL's past presidents started their leadership careers as delegates representing their states in the Affiliate Assembly. Recent Affiliate Assembly leaders include Cyndi Phillip, current AASL president, who served as Affiliate Assembly chair in 2002, and Terri G. Kirk, currently serving on the ALA Executive Board, who chaired the Assembly in 1999.
“The AASL Affiliate Assembly is an important governance body within AASL, as it brings together members from around the country to discuss common issues,” said Cyndi Phillip, AASL president. “We are very excited that this year, after 30 years of grassroots activism, this important group celebrates its 30th anniversary. I am proud to have been an active part of the AASL Affiliate Assembly and its leadership.”
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.
| AASL Affiliate Assembly celebrates 30 years |