Time has flown -now we are in the Dog Days of summer! Although I always try to stay in touch, my last ”official” quarterly president’s message to you was in March, so I am way overdue: A lot of exciting this have happened since then, so let me fill you in …
Online Volunteer Sign-Up
If you wanted to volunteer for the SLA Maryland Chapter, what would you like to sign up for? Check out the menu of opportunities at http://tinyurl.com/signupMD. You can even sign up online! This volunteer sign-up sheet will be linked soon to our Chapter website.
Recently, I helped a friend pack a huge moving van full of heavy furniture and boxes, maneuvering everything down several flights of narrow stairs. However, I was just one of about 15 volunteers, and we all had well-defined tasks and worked in tandem – even devising a relay system between floors! It turned out to be a fun social event that went by too quickly. I think this is an ideal system for our Chapter to emulate: Several volunteers take small, discrete tasks that don’t take up too much time, and turn Chapter projects and initiatives into rewarding experiences that hardly seem like work at all!
As a Chapter volunteer, you’ll get the opportunity to practice your knowledge, skills, abilities and talents in creative ways outside of your workplace job description. Along the way, you may also learn new skills to spice up your resume!
Happy Hours!
President-Elect and Programming Chair Ashley Conaway is hosting Chapter Happy Hours! The first, very successful one took place recently at the Seven West Bistro Grille in Towson. If you didn’t have a chance to make it, Ashley has a second one scheduled for August 25 (5-7 PM) at the Eggspectation Resto-Café-Bar in Ellicott City. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Chapter Strategic Plan Review
It is so important to have a roadmap to follow! Did you know that our Chapter drafted a new strategic plan last year? I helped out with a couple of committees on that project. Whew, we were glad when it was done! I have worked with strategic plans in multiple settings, and there is always the temptation to put the plan up on a shelf and forget about it once it’s complete. However, instead of letting that happen, I charged a committee in June, headed by Chapter Secretary Cindy Sheffield, to revisit and review the strategic plan, aligning it with Association initiatives and our current directions. Here are the four main strategic goals (which we are fleshing out with many focused objectives and action items):
- Enhance the value of being a member of the MD SLA chapter (adding value to your chapter member experience through avenues such as professional development and networking is our most important goal)
- Foster relations with external stakeholders (such as other professional associations, sponsors, and our employers!)
- Develop Leaders (through member volunteer participation, plus outreach and mentoring for students and young professionals)
- Ensure viability of MD SLA Chapter (such as preserving and archiving the long, vibrant history of our chapter, now in its 80th year!)
Cindy picked out a great team of both Board and non-Board members to serve on the Strategic Plan Review Committee. We hope to have the strategic plan updated and finalized by November, when we will post it on the Chapter website for all to see.
Hospitality and Awards Committee
Our existing Hospitality Committee has been revamped! This committee, currently chaired by Edna Paulson, will continue to support Chapter events and programs by assisting with on-site event registration and providing a welcome atmosphere. However it is now charged with the additional task of coordinating awards to recognize our outstanding chapter members and volunteers. We hope to make a recognition ceremony a regular part of our year-end Holiday Cheers events in the future.
Xtreme Reference Is Coming on October 21 …
Sixteen passionate chapter volunteers are working diligently as the Xtreme Reference Planning Committee to deliver a unique professional development opportunity showcasing best practices and emerging technologies in our profession. Ashley Conaway, Susan Fingerman, and Chris Olson co-chair the Committee, and I predict the outcome to be spectacular! The Co-Chairs and their team are arranging a great line up of speakers and exhibitors for the day-long program. Learn more at the Xtreme Reference Registration Site. Early bird pricing for this event continues until August 31!
Chapter Board Nominations to Be Unveiled in a Few Weeks…
Chris Olson, our Chapter Past President and Nomination Committee Chair, is putting together a dynamic slate of nominees to serve on the Chapter Board in 2011. Stay tuned for her official announcement in a few weeks. In the meantime, remember that an Association-wide election for new 2011 SLA Board of Directors opens on September 8. Check out the candidates!
The Good Times Rolled at SLA 2010!
It hardly seems like the Annual Conference in New Orleans was five weeks ago! I reported some of my impressions (with restaurant tips) as an entry for The Cutting Edge. SLA 2011 will be much closer to home in Philadelphia with the theme “Future Ready” and Thomas L. Friedman as keynote speaker. I’m excited already and hope to see a lot of you there!
I also hope we’ll see each other at a Chapter Happy Hour and especially the upcoming Xtreme Reference event in October.
My best,
Seán Henry
2010 SLA Maryland Chapter President
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