By Bonnie Sebby, SLA Illinois Chapter Secretary and Knowledge Manager at Exelon Corporation
Photos by Krista Pospisil, Research Assistant at MacArthur Foundation

Illinois Chapter gathered in Chicago to map its future and celebrate its heritage at the Annual Business Meeting, September 6 at the Union League Club of Chicago.

SLA Fellow and Illinois Chapter Past President Jan Chindlund presided, assisted at the podium by Chapter Secretary Bonnie Tilton Sebby. Regrettably President Ramona Howerton, President-Elect Laura Ikens, and Past President Susan Chenoweth were unable to attend.

Both Jan and Bonnie welcomed everyone and extended special greetings to the Past Presidents in attendance. Buzzy Basch of Basch Subscriptions was also acknowledged in absentia as the meeting sponsor and thanked for his long-term support of the Illinois Chapter.

Future is Almost Here

Past President Cynthia Lesky represented the Nominating Committee and directed the election of officers by presenting the candidates. Elected unanimously were President-Elect Katrina Perez of DrinkerBiddle GardnerCarton, Treasurer Maureen Malinowski of Hollister Corporation, and Director Lorene Kennard of Morningstar.

Many thanks to our current Treasurer Karen Krupka and Director Jane Candela for outstanding and dedicated service. Congratulations to our new officers ready to shoulder their esponsibilities in January 2008.

Leadership Summit Takeaways

Last fall the Chapter Executive Committee acted to create a professional growth opportunity for a Chapter member in mid-career. A stipend was created to fund a candidate’s attendance at the Annual Leadership Summit in January 2007.

The 2008 President-Elect Katrina Perez, who was awarded the stipend, shared her conference experiences and key takeaways with the Chapter. Her comments built upon her report to the Chapter in the Informant, SLA Leadership Summit: Dragons and Hooks.

Celebrating Our Heritage

Secretary Bonnie Sebby offered the Board’s rationale for the meeting’s second focus: to honor our heritage. The Board continually explores opportunities to increase our membership and engage current members in more active roles. But are we truly capitalizing on the expertise and knowledge of those who have helped guide us in the past?

It is time to reach out and invite them “home” to celebrate their leadership and ask that they reengage in Chapter mentorship roles. They are a powerhouse of knowledge and talent, and we publicly express our need for their continued guidance.

Nine Past Presidents were honored at the Annual Business Meeting: Ellen Kuner (President in 1980-1981), Judy Genesen (1981-1982), Carla Owens (1988-89), Linda Hanrath (1994-1995), Ann Lee (1998-1999), Laura Claggett (2000-2001), Cynthia Lesky (2001-2002), Jan Sykes (2002-2003) , and Jan Chindlund, (2003-2004).

Chapter Leaders Always

The Chapter presented each a gold star lapel pin inscribed with the word “Leadership” to wear at all SLA functions as a note of honor and distinction. This token will immediately identify them at meetings as the Chapter’s special mentors. In addition each Past President at the meeting received a Starbucks gift card to encourage them to initiate conversations with members over the “Think Drink.”

In the weeks to come the Chapter website will also begin featuring “knowledge “nuggets” shared by the Past Presidents in the recent Past Presidents Survey.

Jan Chindlund closed the meeting with thanks to all, and a reminder to register for the October meeting with featured speaker Gary Price of Ask.com speaking on new and cool web tools.

Contact Bonnie Sebby at Bonnie.Sebby@exeloncorp.com.

 

Margaret Quinlan (left) Lenore Glanz, and Katrina Perez chat before the meeting.

 

Past Presidents Linda Hanrath (left) and Judith Genesen share some "Presidential Memories."

 

Bonnie Sebby (left), Michael Tebbe, and Michelle Mayes discuss Chapter happenings.

 

New Chapter President-Elect, Katrina Perez, shares her experiences from the SLA Leadership Summit.

 

Representing the Nominating Committee, Past President Cynthia Lesky presides over the election of new officers.

Chapter Secretary Bonnie Sebby presents Leadership Stars to the Past Presidents (left to right) Anne Lee, Jan Chindlund, Linda Hanrath, Judith Genesen, Ellen Kuner, Bonnie Sebby, Carla Owens, Jan Sykes, Cynthia Lesky, and Laura Claggett.