Volunteer Development

Purpose: Develop the leadership skills of RUSA members to help them succeed in their ALA work and in their careers.

Charge: Support RUSA’s members for success in their ALA work by providing the annual orientation, giving guidance on good committee practices, and maintaining the RUSA Guide to Policies and Procedures. Additionally, support members for career success by providing opportunities to learn and use leadership, team, and creative skills.

Specific Duties and Regular Operational Responsibilities

• Work with RUSA Office staff and with members of the RUSA Board to provide the annual orientation of new RUSA leaders.
• Provide guidance to RUSA leaders on good practices concerning committee management, especially to help with meeting RUSA deadlines and with the transition to new leadership.
• Support the work of the editor of the RUSA Guide to Policies and Procedures in keeping the Guide up-to-date and helpful to members.
• Monitor the membership and work of RUSA to help determine the need for educational programs and for updates to current procedures.
• Encourage training programs to help keep member skills updated.

Chair Responsibilities

• Set the meeting schedule, create meeting agendas, and ensure that minutes are taken. All documents should be published in ALA Connect.
• Report regularly to the RUSA Board of Directors on committee activities and objectives.
• Actively participate in the RUSA Leadership Council.

Responsibilities of the Editor of the RUSA Guide to Policies and Procedures

• Maintain editorial oversight of the Guide.
• Annually remind committee chairs and other RUSA leaders to review Guide content and to submit updates, as needed.
• Work with the RUSA Executive Director to identify changes requiring approval of the RUSA Board. Also to identify which changes require updates to current policy and procedures.
• Notify the RUSA Board of non-typographical and non-policy changes to the Guide.
• Update the Guide text.

Membership Composition

• 8 Members
• Members will be selected by the RUSA Vice President representative of the sections and the general membership.
• The editor of the RUSA Guide to Policies and Procedures serves as a member of the committee.