Association Options Fair provides opportunities to engage

CHICAGO — The Association Options Fair, held from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday June 24 in the Anaheim (Calif.) Marriott Salons E and F, will provide opportunities for attendees to engage with leaders from throughout the association and profession.   All 2012 ALA Annual Conference attendees are invited to attend.

Part of ALA President Molly Raphael’s “Empowering Diverse Voices” diversity leadership initiative, the Association Options Fair seeks to provide a diverse membership with new opportunities to engage in all levels throughout the association.  

“Our association and profession will be greatly enhanced by the increasing inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds,” said Molly Raphael.  “The Association Options Fair, and the other elements of my presidential initiative, seek to expand and enhance leadership development opportunities for our more diverse workforce, ensuring that the library leaders of tomorrow, at all levels and in all types of libraries, are as diverse as communities we serve."

The Association Options Fair was developed to address one of the most essential steps towards leadership development — exposure to the leadership and involvement opportunities that are available to you.  Attendees will have an opportunity to network with Association, Division, Round Table and Affiliate representatives to discuss volunteer and leadership engagement opportunities.  By shedding light on the many volunteer opportunities available throughout the Association, it is hoped that more members can become engaged and benefit from the experiences available through involvement in the association. 

The Association Options Fair is coordinated by Trevor Dawes and Holly Cole Okuhara and 2011-2012 Emerging Leaders Group M, Jo Alcock, Anita Dryden, Crystal Johnson, Liz Kirchhoff, Kelly Quaye and Janel Kinlaw (Project Mentor).

 “Empowering Diverse Voices” is an initiative of 2011-2012 ALA President Molly Raphael and features several elements designed to enhance the leadership development opportunities available to ALA members and specifically seeks to provide opportunities to diverse members of the Association.   To learn more about “Empowering Diverse Voices,” please visit http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/diversity/empowering.cfm.

For general information about the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif., June 21-26, 2012, visit www.alaannual.org.