I. FY’07 Budget Update
Greg Calloway, Associate Executive Director, Finance, provided an update of FY’07 year-end figures. He reported that revenues exceeded budget projections by one percent, and that expenditures were four percent under budget. Although expenses grew at a greater rate than revenues, the final figures reflect $1 million more in revenues than expenses. Greg indicated that some analysis of expenses should be undertaken.
II. Follow-up on Oct. 19, 2007, Joint Meeting on Organizational Excellence with Divisions
Keith Fiels reported that Mary Ghikas is working with the committee and their recommendations will be reviewed at the Midwinter Meeting. He also reported that ALA’s Unit Managers have formed groups to work on recommendations that came out of retreats that discussed organizational excellence.
Keith reported that Immediate Past-President Leslie Burger is organizing a meeting with the Emerging Leaders at Midwinter to look at the member experience.
III. Update on Government Information Dialog
Keith shared information provided by ALA’s Washington Office regarding the meeting that is scheduled for December 12, 2007 in Washington, DC. Fifteen individuals have been invited, including four members of the Executive Board: Fran Buckley, Charles Kratz, Larry Romans, and Pat Smith. Keith will ask Emily Sheketoff, Associate Executive Director at the Washington Office, to provide the Board with updated information on the expected outcomes of the meeting, as well as the full invitation list.
IV. Review Follow-up on Campaign Guidelines
Keith Fiels reported that the Campaign Guidelines document that was approved by the Board at the 2007 Fall Meeting will be updated to reflect the provision of email addresses to candidates. He reiterated that ALA does not host candidate websites due to the complexity of maintaining the sites. ALA will provide the names of web providers a candidate can contact. ALA will also be entering into agreements with companies who can assist candidates with electronic message distribution.
V. 2008 Midwinter Meeting Registration
Keith Fiels reported on Midwinter registration to-date. A total of 3,935 individuals have registered, which is on-par eight weeks prior to a Philadelphia Midwinter Meeting. The new “bundled” registration, which combines Midwinter and Annual Conference registration, is doing well with 2,382 individuals taking advantage of this new option.
Member services will send out an email reminder prior to the November 30 advance registration closing. An additional notice will be sent prior to the opening of onsite registration.
VI. Update on Closing of Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, AK
President Loriene Roy reported that due to financial reasons, the school closed with one hour’s notice to the students. A valuable collection of Alaska historical materials housed in the now-closed library is threatened with mold and possible sale. The library is currently environmentally sound, but the cost is high. There are questions regarding ownership of the collections; it appears that the school does not own the library collections. ALA’s legal counsel Paula Goedert is working with the Sitka Public Library to determine the legal aspects of the situation.
VII. Preliminary discussion of Midwinter agenda
The Executive Committee will review and approve the agenda for the 2008 Midwinter Meeting during their December 17 conference call.
VIII. Update on President-elect and Presidential Initiatives
President-elect Jim Rettig reported on his advisory committee meeting that took place in Chicago November 8 and 9, 2007. His initiatives will focus on advocacy, member involvement, and diversity.
Loriene Roy provided updates on the activities of her three task forces: Workplace Wellness, LIS through Practice, and Circle of Literacy. Events and programs are being planned for the 2008 Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference. She also reported on the progress of her three projects: National Library Camp, Oral History Project, and Meeting Effectiveness (in collaboration with ACRL).
IX. Staffing Update
Keith Fiels provided an update on three open positions:
Director of the Office for Library Advocacy –job announcement has been posted and the search committee is in place. Interviews will take place after Midwinter.
Director of the Office of ALA Governance – Keith will be asking for input from the Executive Board regarding possible repositioning of the position. The job announcement will be posted in early December.
Director of the Development Office – Assistant Director is in place. Consultants Patricia Martin and Chris Watkins are assisting the responsibilities of the Development Office. It is hoped that the Director position will be filled prior to the 2008 Annual Conference.
