SLA Maryland Chapter Blog

Congratulations to our survey raffle winners!

Congratulations to Barbara Snead and Margaret Hoogland - the winners of the raffle for completing our survey in June!

You just never know how you might influence someone...

The annual conference is one of the best opportunities for us to meet the candidates for SLA Board positions.  On one such occasion, Chris Zammarelli (candidate for Director) introduced himself to me and several of my colleagues.  He told me that he was in the graduating class of the iSchool at the University of Maryland in 2008, when I gave the commencement speech.  One of the major points in my speech was to get involved in a professional association.  I told them about my experience with SLA and all it offers (professional development, networking, leadership opportunities, etc.).  Chris said that he had followed my advice and was very committed to taking on an important leadership position.  I was really taken back by what he said and was reminded that all of us have opportunities to share our SLA experience.  Hopefully others will want to get involved and contribute their talents to SLA.

Robyn Frank

2012 SLA Maryland Chapter Board Opportunities!

Hello Fellow SLA Maryland Chapter Members!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer: It’s hard to believe the year is half-way over! Before we know it, fall will be upon us, then the finally our Holiday event on December 8, when we officially announce our upcoming President-Elect, Treasurer, and two Directors for 2012 and beyond.

Of course we want to fill these board positions with dynamic and qualified people to guide our Chapter’s future. Do you have anybody in mind? I invite you to send us your suggestions about Chapter members you’d like to see in office next year – along with a few sentences describing why you think they are right for the job. Self-nominations are also welcome: Step up to the plate and assert your value! Let us know how well you shine.

Please send your suggestions by Monday October 3rd to me at shenry@frostburg.edu. Ask me about board position details and how serving on the Executive Board enhanced my professional and networking skills, contributing to a promotion and raise!

Thanks,

Seán Henry
2011 SLA Maryland Past-President
Nomination Committee Chair

President's Message: July 2011

Hello!

The annual conference was a blast, and congratulations are in order for the 2011 conference planning committee for a great conference, and the Philadelphia Chapter for their hospitality.  And the Maryland Chapter sure knows how to take over a city!  ;)  Our members were really busy at the conference accepting a slew of awards, presenting and moderating at sessions, and co-hosting the Mid-Atlantic Chapters Reception.  Wow.  We certainly are the ‘small but mighty’ Chapter!

In case you haven’t heard, it was announced at the conference that we’ll be teaming up with the DC Chapter for the Chapter Loyalty Study (and several other Chapters will also be participating).  Our proximity to DC gives our members a chance to benefit from the best of both Chapters, and we hope to learn a lot about what this means for our membership’s needs.  We don’t know many details yet, but we’ll keep you posted.

We also just wrapped up a quick membership and communications survey.  I hope that you took the time to respond.  In the coming months, we’ll be analyzing the information you provided and working towards making changes to better meet the needs of our members.  Thank you so much for your input!

Our Board has been so busy planning for the Annual Conference (among many other things), that we now need to take a breather.  Please join us for chit-chat and drinks at our summer happy hours!

• Thursday July 21st 5-7pm - Brewer's Art, Baltimore
• Thursday August 18th 5-7pm - Clyde's, Columbia

We’ll be ramping back up in the fall with some great programs planned in October, November, AND December, so stay tuned for details on those, too. :)

With all of the things we’re working on, we can always welcome more volunteers!  If you’d like to be part of a Chapter committee, we have several volunteer opportunities available.  Take a look at the committees and sign-up here or contact our Volunteers Coordinator, Sean Henry.  Volunteering is a great way to explore and gain new skills.  If you don’t know what committee would be a good fit for you, Sean can help you figure it out.

How would you like to develop your skills and stretch your abilities in rewarding ways that may translate to your job and build your career while making a difference to our profession? Consider a leadership role on the Maryland Chapter Executive Board!  We are seeking nominations for open Executive Board positions in 2012: President-Elect, Board Director (2 openings), and Treasurer. Self-nominations are welcome: Step up to the plate and assert your value! Let us know how well you shine in a few sentences. If you want to nominate a Chapter colleague for a position, that is okay, too – just tell us why.  Please send your nominations by October 3rd to Sean Henry, 2011 Past-President and Nomination Committee Chair at shenry@frostburg.edu. Ask Sean about board position details and how serving on the Executive Board enhanced his professional and networking skills, contributing to a promotion and raise!

Keep an eye out for more news and events, via our blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, and/or listerv.  I’m looking forward to seeing you at an upcoming Chapter program!

Best regards,
Ashley Conaway
Chapter President 2011