Gloria Zamora, the 2009 SLA President, reviews her presidential year in an SLA Blog post.
I encourage you to read her entire post (http://slaconnections.typepad.com/executive_connections/2009/12/guest-blog-sla-president-gloria-zamora.html).
Here are some of the points that stuck out for me:
- ... [T]he services our members provide are essential to the success of the
organizations they serve, and these services are so much broader than
what can be conveyed by the word library. I also came to realize that
there is a misunderstanding among many people outside our profession
about what we do and the value that we provide.
- SLA needs to position its members for a future state where jobs are not connected to places so much as to the intellect of individuals–to what they bring to the table through education and experience, how they are able to turn information into knowledge.
- And about the most controversial issue of the year, the name change initiative voted down by members:
I believe you saw the Board, the ambassadors and the staff prominently represented during the entire discussion and voting period. There was no doubt where we stood. That stand was questioned by some of our members who felt we should listen and be non-partisan. To that I say that you elected us to be informed and to lead, and every member of this association has a right to know where your leaders stand on the issues of this association.
...
Every member of the staff and the Board undertook this effort with the best of intentions and following what we believed were the results of the research. We acted with commitment to communicate the reasons for our support. The members voted against the name, but you cannot question the sincerity and commitment of the leadership. I am extremely proud to have taken part in this discussion and to be in the same tribe with these people.
Happy Holidays!
Eric