Chapter 11: Interest Groups

Back to Guide to Policies & Procedures

Introduction

Interest Groups (IG) provide the opportunity for RUSA members sharing a common interest to meet together, across Section memberships. Interest Groups provide members with informal networks to exchange ideas and solve problems. The RUSA Past President is the liaison between the Board and Interest Groups.

RUSA Bylaws, see Article X, Interest Groups

Formation and renewal

As set out in the RUSA Bylaws, any group of ten or more members of RUSA may petition the RUSA Board of Directors to form an Interest Group. Upon formation, an Interest Group is approved for three years and may be renewed for additional three-year periods by petitioning the RUSA Board.

Interest Groups are organized and managed by a steering committee consisting of a convener, convener-elect and past convener. These leaders must be RUSA members and the Interest Group must have ten RUSA members at all times, although RUSA Interest Groups are open to any ALA member without cost.

Membership

Members of the Interest Group's Steering committee and at least ten members of the group must be RUSA members. Other members of ALA may join the Interest Group without cost. The number of members of an Interest Group shall be determined by the list of members shown in the group's ALA Connect Community. The Interest Group will work with the RUSA Office annually to review its membership, ensuring that at least ten members are members of RUSA. The Interest Group will report its numbers in its annual report.

Evaluation and Dissolution of Interest Groups

From the RUSA Bylaws:

  1. An Interest Group must have ten RUSA members to stay active.
  2. The Interest Group may disband at the request of the group leader(s) or if evidence indicates the group is no longer actively advancing the purpose of the Association.
  3. The Board of Directors or their designee may dissolve an Interest Group when evidence indicates the usefulness of the Interest Group has ceased.

Leadership

Interest Groups are organized and managed by a steering committee consisting of a convener, convener-elect and past convener. These leaders must be RUSA members. Each Interest Group is responsible for determining the method by which the convener-elect is chosen. The convener-elect’s term begins following the Annual Conference and the convener-elect should be selected so as to be ready to assume the position on July 1.

Leaders are not elected using the more formal ALA and RUSA ballot and election process. Instead, each Interest Group is responsible for determining the method by which the convener-elect is chosen. Length of terms and term limits are set by each Interest Group to reflect their needs; similarly, officer titles and duties are determined by each Interest Group. The section below outlines general expectations for officers.

Duties

Convener

  • Plan activities of the Interest Group. See meeting policies for deadlines regarding the scheduling of meeting space at conferences and other important dates.
  • Represent the Interest Group on RUSA Leadership Council
  • Compile annual reports, and additional reports by request, on the activities of the Interest Group for the RUSA Board and RUSA office
  • Work with the RUSA office to schedule meetings and events

Past-Convener

  • Advise the convener
  • Assist the convener as needed

Convener-Elect

  • Take notes at meetings
  • Assist the convener as needed

Interest Group Task Forces

Each Interest Group may establish a task force as necessary to conduct any work of the Interest Group.

Virtual and Conference Programming

Interest Groups may sponsor programs at ALA conferences and events subject to the ALA proposal submission process (information on planning and promoting meetings and programs). Groups that plan special presentations, e.g. speakers or panel presentations, as a part of their discussion time slot may wish to use ALA Connect communities as appropriate to announce them.

(RUSA Past President is in charge of updating this page) Rev. 05/2022 and 05/2025.