2015 Concern- AASL Staff

2015 Concern- AASL Staff

Concern: As a region, the issue of difficulty of communication with the AASL offices is one that sometimes hampers the flow of the dissemination of information. For example, the time lag between a new region delegate joining the Affiliate group  to that person actually being placed in ALA Connect to be a part of the community can be a substantial length of time. Sometimes repeated email requests as well as an actual phone call must be done before action is taken by ALA/AASL.

Action Requested: Develop an operational framework to increase the accuracy and efficiency of interactions with Affiliate contacts. This framework should include:

• Creating and maintaining an accurate and up-to-date database of Affiliate delegates, their contact information, email addresses, and terms of office.

• Creating and sharing an organizational flowchart of AASL staff, board, regional directors, regional representatives, and delegates, including contact information, roles and responsibilities.

• Developing and distributing Welcome Packets for new Affiliate delegates, which includes directions for using ALA Connect, flowchart listed in #2, and important dates.

• Follow-up, calls or emails, with new delegates, from AASL staff.

• Timely communication about Affiliate Assembly meetings, before the ALA Annual and Midwinter early bird registration deadline. (Please send two copies of the Affiliate Assembly Handbook prior to the early bird registration deadline for Midwinter).

• Timely communication about requirements for state affiliates (such as the need to have L4L state coordinator).

Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.  Executive Committee referred to the AASL Executive Director for a report with draft for review of a new Affiliate process and communication plan.