A task force is an action-oriented membership group whose charge is to address specific goals, complete a specific task, or to consider a particular issue. There may be a designated time frame defined by the nature of the task or set forth in the function statement. Functions of a task force may include the following:
A task force is used to address critical, urgent, or ongoing situations which require a strong, visible organizational effort and/or activist response. Any parent body may establish a task force, determine its duration, monitor its progress, and terminate its function. (ALA Policy Manual, Article 6.9)
Advocacy Task Force
Charge: To help plan and carry out YALSA's upcoming "@ your library campaign," which will be launched in 2007, and in conjunction with the national campaign to educate and inform the general public about the vital role libraries and librarians play in youth development and teen literacy, and to provide YALSA members and library staff with tools and resources to do the same in their communities. Committee size: TBD.
Continuing Education/MLS Certification Task Force
Charge: To pursue the idea of creating a post MLS certification program to be implemented by YALSA in cooperation with ALA-APA. Task force responsibilities include: familiarize itself with the process of developing an ALA certification program by reading the manual on ALA-APA web site; evaluate YALSA’s Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth to determine currency and relevancy to a certification program and whether or not they could be implemented as curriculum; if the competencies were deemed appropriate, the taskforce would also determine what outcome is desired for each competency. If the competencies were not appropriate for this effort, then the taskforce would need to suggest another appropriate curriculum; providing a progress report for the 07 Executive Committee and 08 Midwinter Board meeting; providing final recommendations to the Board in May 2008 for deliberation at Annual 2008.
Diversity Task Force
Charge: To help plan and carry out the first phase of YALSA's diversity campaign which will be launched in 2008, including: promoting the Spectrum Scholarship, judging applicants for a conference scholarship for a member with a diverse background to attend ALA's 2008 Annual conference and establishing connections with appropriate ALA Affiliate organizations, and to provide a final report to the Board of their activities and recommendations for the Midwinter 2009 Board meeting. Taskforce size: 5-7 members.
Magazine Selection Task Force
Charge: To develop the policies and procedures for a new selection list, to be released every three years, titled "Magnificent Magazines and Zines for YAs." The taskforce will provide updates to the Executive Committee for the Spring Conference call in April and the Fall Executive Meeting in October as well as provide updates to the Board for the 2008 Annual Conference. The final proposal will be submitted to the Board no later than Midwinter 2009. Task Force Size: 5-7.
Mentoring Task Force
Charge: Develop guidelines for implementing a pilot round of a mentoring program that includes a reverse mentoring component and best practices from other mentoring projects, including those from past YALSA mentoring programs as well as from the 2007 Emerging Leaders project recommendations. Progress reports will be submitted beginning with the 2008 Fall Executive Meeting, with a final report due for the 2009 Annual Conference. Taskforce size: 5-7 members, including the chair.
Midwinter Institute Task Force
Charge: Plan and implement a full day Institute on a topic relating to serving diverse teen populations for Friday, January 23rd at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting in Denver. Tasks include:
Midwinter Social Event Task Force
Plan and implement a social event that includes gaming (video, electronic, board, role playing, etc.) for the Friday evening at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting in Denver. Tasks include: developing the content for the event working with YALSA staff on a budget, PR, providing updates to the Executive Committee for the Spring Conference in April and the Fall Executive Meeting in October as well as provide updates to the Board in the 2008 Annual Conference.
Preconference Planning (Half-day) Task Force
To plan, organize and implement the half day pre-conference to take place at the Annual Conference. Committee size: 6. Term: 7 months, commencing immediately and conclude with the end of Conference (July 15).
Presidential Advisory Task Force
To provide support, guidance and advice to the incoming YALSA President during his/her first two years (President-Elect and Presidential) of service, when requested. Activities may include working with the President-Elect to review YALSA's goals, initiatives, and strategic plan to develop an appropriate Presidential theme, goal(s) and/or initiative(s). As requested, provide support and oversight of the implementation of any Presidential initiatives. Committee composition: 2 year term starting in July. Committee size: Up to 6 members. Virtual membership is encouraged, as is representation from different areas of young adult librarianship.
Teen Space Guidelines Task Force
To work jointly with LAMA to create guidelines that will be helpful for all libraries, but with a particular focus on public libraries, to use when enhancing, designing or building teen areas. All recommendations will be in compliance with current ADA requirements and will rely on current studies and professional literature on teens, libraries, interior design and architecture as a guide. The taskforce will provide updates to the Executive Committee for the Spring Conference call with the final proposal, along with a bibliography and/or list of resources, to be submitted to the Board no later than Annual 2008. Task Force Size: 5-7, with at least 2 members and the chair from YALSA and 2 members from LAMA.
Trainer Program Task Force
Charge: Develop a proposal that envisions a YALSA trainer program, which would enable YALSA to provide training and resources to library workers on the topic of teen services in an effort to work towards YALSA’s goal to “be the driving force behind providing excellent library services to all teens.” The proposal should include goals, objectives and outcomes. Progress reports will be submitted beginning with the 2008 Fall Executive Meeting, with a final report due for the 2009 Annual Conference. Taskforce size: 5-7 members, including the chair.
YA Literature Symposium Task Force
Charge: To plan and implement YALSA’s first Young Adult Literature Symposium, consider the idea of the symposium as a venue for presenting scholarly papers on topics relating to young adult literature (papers could then be gathered and published by YALSA), explore the option of including vendors as a means of generating revenue, and work with the YALSA office as necessary. This event should feature, butnot be limited to, authors who have recently won YALSA awards, be at least one full day long, be funded in part by monies from the Morris endowment, be a biennial event held separately from the ALA Annual Conference or Midwinter Meeting, and be held in 2007 or no later than 2008. Size: 5 to 7 members.
YA Literature Symposium Preconference Task Force
To plan and implement a full day pre-conference on graphic formats, including graphic novels, graphic notification, manga and anime.
YALSA-TV Task Force
Charge: Develop a proposal that outlines the necessary technology, ongoing maintenance, management, and suggested funding sources for a web-based YALSA-TV, including how it can be used as a vehicle to promote YALSA’s literary awards and selected lists, and to submit progress reports beginning with the 2008 Fall Executive Meeting, with a final report due for the 2009 Annual Conference. Taskforce size: 5-7 members, including the chair.