Special Libraries Association – Illinois Chapter
Executive Board Meeting
12 March 2007
4:00 – 6:00
Duff & Phelps
311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4200, Chicago

Attendees: Jane Candela, Susan Chenoweth, Laura Ikens, Karen Krupka, Ramona Howerton, Bonnie Tilton Sebby
Absent: Nancy Smith

1. President Ramona H. called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM.

2. Motion to approve the agenda was brought forward by Jane C. and seconded by Karen K.

3. Motion to approve the minutes as amended was brought forward by Karen K. and seconded by Susan C. There was an incorrect entry relative to expense sharing by MLS and our Chapter.

4. President Ramona H. welcomed all, related a problem with the teleconference number and the possibility that Board Member Nancy Smith would not be able to access the meeting.

5. Committee Reports

a. Programs – Laura Ikens: --Programs, Meeting Arrangements, Book Club, SLA Cares, Professional Development

i. March 28 is the next Chapter meeting. This is a Student Outreach Night. Topic is “Leading the Way: Trends and Best Practices In The Information Profession Role.” Venue: Chicago, Union League Club. Patricia Currie, Training and Applications Consultant at Thomson Scientific is slated to speak. Unfortunately, Dominican University also has a meeting that evening and has invited various associations, including SLA, to represent.

ii. Book Club attendance is down. This is attributed to many people being ill at this time.

iii. Dinearounds are getting great response. Thirty-eight people signed to participate.

iv. Plans are being made for SLA to partner with Metropolitan Library System to host a one-day conference on the general topic of the direction of special libraries. There is a possibility of screening the movie, “Hollywood Librarian” the night prior to the conference. Janice LaChance may be available as keynote speaker. An expo hall of library services is planned.

v. The Informant is establishing its CoP for easier communication and collaboration. Editor James Obst is in process of setting up the CoP on the SLA site.

vi. No action taken yet on migration of listserv. Listserv moderator Maria Arcos is waiting for an updated members list fro HQ.

b. Membership & Vendor Relations – Jane Candela:

i. Beth Arthur is replacing Joyce Fedeczko as Vendor Relations Committee Chair. Joyce requested a replacement as she is now an officer in the SLA Petroleum Division. Jane C. wanted to extend special thanks to Cynthia Lesky for her assistance in finding a suitable replacement.

Related discussion: Laura I. asked if Nalini enrolled in the Membership SLA CoP. Some membership information should be posted there. However, the February 2007 new member list was not sent from HQ. Action item: Bobbie Goering, Nalini, Jane, Listserv Moderator Maria Arcos and Bonnie S. need to discuss the situation concerning new members. We need to address the process and present problems. Action item: Laura I. will check the membership list for the members’ dates of affiliation.

c. Strategic Planning: Laura I. asked that this be tabled for now. The final report will be ready soon.

6. There was NO Old Business

7. New Business

a. There is a great need for us to pinpoint where our Chapter members reside. In light of the low turnout for the recent suburban meeting, it seems appropriate to hear from the members as to what they expect or would prefer for meeting venues. Our goal is to be relevant and serve the Chapter in all areas. To this end, the Board will solicit feedback in the form of an online survey to discover members’ work location, relation to home, preferences and suggestions for meeting venues, and who is willing to assist Board members in researching and planning of Chapter meetings at suggested suburban venues.

i. No Chapter meeting scheduled for April; the Chapter is hoping to participate downstate during the National Library Week and Library Advocacy Day activities.

Action item: Laura I. will purchase name labels for the next Chapter meeting and Ramona H. will print the labels.

b. Chapter Infrastructure – Susan Chenoweth: Archives, Awards, Government Relations, Nominating:

i. Chapter Archivist Lori Volp has received some materials recently. She is also in process of weeding duplicates.

ii. Nominating Committee Chair Jan Chindlund has assembled the 2008 Nominating Committee. Lenore Glanz and Judith Kolata are serving with Jan.

c. Finance – Karen Krupka – Treasurers Report:

i. The Annual Report has been received by Headquarters.

ii. The Chapter is awaiting the allotment check from HQ; should arrive by end of March. It is usually on schedule. The amount of the allotment to the Chapters had increased.

iii. The signatory card is ready for submission. Laura I. and Bonnie S. are authorized as signatories in addition to Treasurer Karen.

iv. Regarding meeting expenses, the January meeting (joint meeting with CALL) made a $430 profit. In light of this, perhaps we should consider eliminating the cash bar from our regular meetings? To have a cash bar, we must pay the bartender’s and cashier’s fee (plus gratuities). Without these expenses, our meetings should break even.*

v. Regarding ethical considerations of having vendors sponsor conference stipends and such. there appears no conflict here. The Legal Division, for example, elects a vendor their Board, and a vendor sponsors a conference stipend. Vendor representatives note that they would never expect promotion on behalf of their company as stipulation on any stipend. The president of CALL also notes that their Chapter would not allow any gift or stipend to be awarded with “strings” or entailments.

vi. There were three no-shows for the Burr Ridge meeting.

Related discussion: Laura I. notes that Divisions and Chapters are posting lists of Denver stipend winners of the SLA website.

d. Internal Communications – Bonnie Tilton Sebby – Discussion List, Informant, Internet/Homepage, KM
There may be members who can offer their workplace as a possible meeting venue and/or can suggest local caterers. Smaller meeting spaces, however, do reduce the amount of attendees possible, and limit networking.
There was discussion as to whether the Board should field a separate survey or pose a question
Action item: Karen K, Laura I, and Bonnie S will form an ad hoc committee to create the online survey. Action item: Susan C. will ask Scott Marriot about ideas for meeting venues at local schools.

8. The next Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for 23, 2007, at 4:00 PM, at Duff & Phelps.

9. Meeting pulse: 4.5

10. Motion to Adjourn. The President called for a motion to adjourn. Karen K. moved that the meeting be adjourned; Bonnie S. seconded. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 5:49 PM.