I. FY’08 Budget Update and FY’09 Budget Preparation
Gregory Calloway, Associate Executive Director, Finance, reported that cash reserves are currently $4.4 million over last year. This is most likely due to two national conferences that were held this year and several grants that have been received over the past several months. He advised that Midwinter pre-registration is doing well. Mary Ghikas noted that there is typically a large on-site registration in Philadelphia. The exhibit revenue for the 2008 Midwinter meeting is close to 100%. Calloway reported that the ALA General Fund revenues are over budget while expenses are under budget.
Treasurer Rod Hersberger advised that he will prepare a report on dues revenue to be presented at the Midwinter meeting. He will share his report with the Board prior to the Midwinter meeting.
As a result of position vacancies, the salaries category is under budget; however, professional services is over budget.
Keith Fiels reported that the FY’09 budget will be flat, with a 3% compensation package being the only notable change. Staff has been instructed to bring in a zero-growth budget.
II. ALTA/FOLUSA Update
Mary Ghikas reported that the ALTA board and the FOLUSA board will be meeting jointly during the 2008 Midwinter meeting. There will also be an open house at the FOLUSA headquarters. Keith Fiels will advise the Board as to the date and time of the open house. Sally Reed will continue to work out of the Philadelphia FOLUSA office. John Chrastka, ALA Membership Marketing Manager, has been working very closely with Sally Reed regarding a dues structure for the new division.
III. Equity of Access Meeting with OLOS and OITP at Midwinter
Keith Fiels reported that a meeting has been set up with Alan Inouye, Director of OITP, and Satia Orange, Director of OLOS, along with two representatives from each office. The meeting is scheduled to take place on the Saturday, January 12, 2008. The purpose of the meeting is to develop an umbrella statement on Equity of Access that reflects the activities of both offices and would be a draft statement for all ALA units to work with.
IV. Deliberative Dialog on Government Information
Charles Kratz, Patricia Smith, and Larry Romans provided feedback from the Deliberative Dialog that took place on December 12, 2008, at ALA’s Washington Office. They reported that the group present at the dialog raised some concern regarding the Draft Protocol for Responding to Formal Requests for an Official ALA Position. Their particular focus was on section 5 of that document, “What if there is not sufficient time to consult all parties or if there is a difference of opinion among units?” There will be further discussion at the Midwinter meeting regarding this issue. The Washington Office will be asked to send notes from the Dialog to Keith Fiels who will disseminate them to the Board.
V. 2010 Initiatives
Keith Fiels shared a draft document regarding the 2010 initiatives projects. He indicated that of the $250,000 that has been allocated for 2010 initiatives, $165,000 is being earmarked for the projects and $85,000 is being held back for organizational excellence projects. Fiels reviewed the eight projects that will be undertaken:
• ALA Web Site Awards Database
• School Libraries/Youth Services Advocacy Statistics Project
• Enhancing Grassroots Advocacy
• Federal Legislative Advocacy Brochure
• Conference “Big Game”: The Great ALA Anaheim Mystery
• Electronic Manuscript Management System
• YA Diversity Campaign
• Website Redesign
VI. Election Committee Recommendations and Report
Keith Fiels has spoken with Nann Blaine Hilyard, 2008 Election Committee Chair, and there will be no committee report at the 2008 Midwinter meeting. They agreed that ALA will continue to print and mail four versions of the paper ballot.
He also advised that the cost for ALA to produce videos would be approximately $15,000. Rather than incur this expense, we will provide the candidates with referrals to Internet providers who can assist in developing their web sites and any on-line videos.
VII. School Library Advocacy and Washington State
Keith Fiels advised the Board that there is a grassroots citizens group, “Fund Our Future Washington,” which was formed to advocate for school libraries and funding. Marci Merola, Interim Director of the Office for Library Advocacy, and Macey Morales, Media Relations Manager in the Public Information Office, will be working toward getting national media to look at this group and the issues surrounding school library closures and funding. This will provide an opportunity for ALA to take this model to other states. A news release is planned for the near future.
VIII. Update on Staffing Issues
Keith Fiels provided an update on vacancies in key positions in the Office for ALA Governance, Office for Library Advocacy, and the Development Office.
