Executive/Budget Review Committee Meeting, Spring 2006

April 21–22, 2006, Kansas City, Kansas

Minutes

Present: Patrick Mullin, President, Bonnie Postlethwaite, Vice-President, Colby Riggs, Past President, Mark Beatty, Director-at-Large, Mary Taylor, Executive Director

Pat Mullin called the meeting to order at 9:00. The Committee reviewed the agenda and moved the Budget review to the second day to give Colby Riggs, Budget Review Committee chair, an opportunity to meet with Mary Taylor.

Riggs moved and Beatty seconded motion to approve the Midwinter Executive Committee Minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

Reviewed the Committees’, IGs’ and Board liaison reports from Midwinter. Noted that since then, the Top Technology Trends Committee has found a moderator for their Annual Conference program; Walt Crawford has agreed to take on this essential role. Noted that ALA is getting blog software and BIGWIG needs to be informed. Noted that the ALA Online Communities will soon have documentation available and Committee and IGs will need to be alerted and encouraged to use this application. Noted the need to follow up with the TER Board regarding the requested analysis of their charge. Noted that at the IG chairs meeting the IG approval/renewal loop does not get closed; the Bylaws Committee is to get back to the chairs or the office regarding closing the loop. Noted the need to ask Scott and Matt to send a message to all chairs reminding people to get the word out if their meetings are cancelled (use blog, LITA-L, notify the office, etc.).

Requested changing the Annual Conference schedule on the LITA Web site from alphabetical to chronological.

Heard 2006 National Forum 2006 update by Pat Mullin. Since Midwinter, Thom Gillespie has agreed to speak on gaming. The programs are listed on the Web site. Sponsorships are developing. The opening general session speaker is from the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame. Reviewed the registration rates and approved the following early-bird rates:

LITA members at $325, ALA members at $395 (welcome to join LITA), and nonmembers at $480.

Discussed Executive Director’s report on membership recruitment and retention, programs during this 2005/2006 year, publications, and two potential sites for the 2008 National Forum.

Received from Bonnie Postlethwaite a list summarizing the Midwinter Town Meeting suggestions and proposed actions. Bonnie proposes starting with several Task Forces to address various issues. First, a formalized working group to explore the many good ideas for education. The group would include the chairs of the Regional Institutes Committee, the Education Committee, and the Program Planning committee. This group would be charged to develop strategies on how to proceed and to develop a proposal.

Reviewed a proposal from Bonnie to establish a Research Task Force charged with “recommending an ongoing implementation and evaluation/assessment plan for LITA’s strategic initiatives and membership activities to inform decisions for future planning and resource allocation and to determine the success of current programs and initiatives.”

Discussed plans for the Annual Conference Saturday Board meeting strategic session. The focus is on membership development. Consider what LITA could do to attract 100 new members and/or what LITA could do to retain 50 new members, etc. Plan to invite Membership Development Committee representative to this Board session at Annual Conference. Summarize what we have learned from the Town Meetings. Pat and Bonnie will discuss the Research Group charge and identify what kind of information we need about our members and potential members.

Colby Riggs reviewed the fiscal year 07 budget plans and discussed changes to be made prior to Annual Conference. Discussed fiscal year 06 actual and confirmed registration fees for the 2006 National Forum. Noted that an endowment was not considered this year as it had been considered in detail in the prior two years.

Due to the conflict in dates with the LITA National Forum, the Executive Committee will not attend the joint Executive Committees’ meeting in October. The President-elect will attend the joint Executive Committees’ orientation in Chicago on Thursday, October 26th. The full LITA Executive Committee will meet on November 10 and 11, 2006.

Outcome: schedule Fall Meeting

Pat reported that Barbra Higginbotham has agreed to complete the Councilor term beginning immediately and continuing through Annual Conference 2007. Candidates for LITA Councilor will be included in next spring’s election.

Pat reported on Sunday afternoon with LITA. We will repeat the successful line up from last year with Top Technology Trends followed by the Awards reception followed by the President’s Program. Pat is seeking sponsorships this year as we hope to celebrate our 40 th anniversary with a cake and a champagne toast at the reception.

Leader: Pat Mullin

Discussed need to check on status of ITAL on the Web. Bonnie agreed to do the President’s column for the September issue which is due May 15th.

Discussed the need for better technology through ALA and what impact the dues increase might or might not have on it. Noted need to work better with ALA ITTS group.

Discussed possible topics to include in the ALA Division Presidents Report to the ALA Council.

Reviewed the 2007 skeleton schedules for Midwinter in Seattle and Annual Conference in Washington, DC.