The word is out: The Maryland Chapter of SLA is a big draw on the East Coast for professional development! Our Xtreme Reference Event on October 21 was a sold-out success with more than 300 attendees from as far away as Texas and Florida, along with 10 major sponsors, and 18 exhibitors. As a diverse group of information professionals, we absorbed a lot of expert information, beginning with Mary Ellen Bates’ lively keynote address followed by a day full of concurrent sessions all designed to help us hone our reference skills. I’m sure photos and Xtreme Reference session reports will appear in The Cutting Edge soon!
I want to thank Ashley Conaway, Susan Fingerman, and Chris Olson for co-chairing the Xtreme Reference Planning Committee, as well as hard-working committee members Stephanie Altbier, Robyn Frank, Kathleen Garrett, Annette Haldeman, Greg Horvitz, Theo Jones-Quartey, Wilda Newman, Edna Paulson, Pam Scheuerman, Lesley Soto, Pat Sproehnle, Lea Wade, and Nevenka Zradkovska. Congratulations, all of you on such a successful outcome after many months of diligent planning! I also want to extend my appreciation to Donna Goda, Denise Lupp, Diane White, and all the other volunteers who gave us a hand on the day of the event!
It’s been a few months since my last official message, so let me fill you in with other activities: In late August, the Chapter Executive Board met for a day-long retreat at my home in Frostburg; It was gratifying that so many made the 150-mile trip to visit me! I’m sure it was the first official Chapter Board meeting in the mountains of Western Maryland. Among the many things we discussed at the retreat were ways to better recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Chapter members and volunteers. One outcome of our discussion is the new “Chapter Champion” award to be presented each year to two outstanding SLA Maryland Chapter members at the Holiday event. Check out the details at our online Chapter Champions Award Nomination Form, which is also linked at the home page of our SLA Maryland Chapter Website . You are welcome to nominate one or two fellow Chapter members for this award by Friday, November 19. Self-nominations are welcome too: Assert your value!
The Xtreme Reference Event was a marvelous example of volunteering in action! Our Chapter relies almost completely on the talents and energies of volunteers, but I noticed that we didn’t have a Volunteer Committee (a lot of chapters don’t). However, I remedied that by recently forming a Volunteer Committee and designating myself Volunteer Committee Chair ( with the approval of the rest of the Chapter Board, of course). I will soon be in touch with you Xtreme Reference attendees who expressed interest in volunteering to help the Chapter. I also created an online volunteer sign-up list where you all can see our areas of need. I began as a volunteer in our Chapter back in 2005, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my personal life and professional development. If you volunteer, you’ll get the opportunity to practice your knowledge, skills, abilities and talents in creative ways outside of your workplace job description. Hey, you might even learn some new skills to spice up your résumé!
President-Elect and Program Chair Ashley Conaway has done a wonderful job this year in planning dynamic events and picking out intriguing venues of interest to all of us Chapter Members. She is planning a big Holiday Cheers Event for us on Dec. 9 at the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore, where we will toast our 2010 successes and celebrate our 80th anniversary as a Chapter. Please come!
My best,
Seán
Seán Henry
2010 SLA Maryland Chapter President
P.S. Expect to see the official roster of 2011 Maryland Chapter of SLA Board Members very soon!
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