Greetings!
GLMA Winter Retreat 2007
On January 26-27, the GLMA Board of Directors gathered
at the New Perry Hotel in Perry , Georgia , for its Winter
Retreat 2007. Most would agree that a n organization’s
ability to be focused, strategic, and accountable depends
largely on the willingness of its members to share their
professional and personal expertise, their time, and their
steadfast commitment to deliver exceptional services and
programs to the membership in general. Exemplifying this
spirit, Board members arrived at the retreat ready to work
cooperatively and professionally to plan and to set organizational
priorities for 2007. Board members worked diligently even
at unscheduled times (including late Friday night and
early Saturday morning, prior to scheduled meeting time)
in order to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Once again, I want to personally and publicly thank the
Board of Directors and our Executive Office for their dedication
and willingness to work tirelessly for the benefit of our
organization .
The following highlights will provide a glimpse of the
topics and events addressed during the Winter Retreat:
- Friday night:
- Installation of Officers, Discussion of GLMA Priorities,
Officers’ Work Session (Bylaws)
- Saturday:
- Session I- Communication and Web Presence Review
- Session II- District and Committee Chairs Breakout
sessions
- Session III- State and National Initiatives, GPS
and Information Literacy Skills
- Session IV- Advocacy, Legislative Position, & Government
Relations;
- Business Meeting
The retreat was a success because we returned to our homes
with concrete plans and priorities for the year. All Board
positions are filled except two district chair positions.
We solicit your help in identifying leaders willing to
chair these positions in the Heart of GA District: Counties--Laurens,
Treutlen, Bleckley, Pulaski, Dodge, Wheeler, Montgomery,
Wilcox, Telfair; and the Chattahoochee District: Counties--Muscogee,
Talbot, Taylor, Marion, Chattahoochee, Schley, Macon, Stewart,
Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Quitman, Randolph, and Clay.
If you reside in one of the counties listed above, I encourage
you to consider stepping up to the plate to lead your district.
Several districts have co-chairs, and this is certainly
an acceptable model for the remaining open districts. To
influence your decision to volunteer to serve, we have
a “hot off the press” District Chair Survival
Notebook (compiled by Donna Milner, Rebecca Amerson, Michelle
Holcomb, and Hannah Bowles) waiting to be shipped to you.
Please contact me today and let me know that you are ready
and willing to serve.
Georgia Library Legislative Day
On Tuesday, February 13, library professionals and supporters
from all arenas—school, academic, and special libraries,
gathered at the capitol to participate in a significant
event, Georgia Library Legislative Day.Sponsored
by the Georgia Library Association (GLA), the Georgia Association
for Instructional Technology (GAIT), the Georgia Library
Media Association (GLMA), and the Georgia Public Library
System (GPLS), this year’s theme was “Libraries
Build Communities.”
GLMA members began the day with an early morning “Meet
and Greet Coffee and Pastry Session” for legislators.
Legislators in attendance eagerly shared personal stories
of how libraries had positively affected their lives and
the lives of their families. Legislators listened intently
as Library Media Specialists (LMSs) passionately solicited
their continued support. LMSs also provided legislators
with concrete examples of how they could assist school
libraries with their priorities.
Other highlights of the day included a general session
in which attendees heard remarks from a number of guests,
including Senator Jack Hill, chair of the Appropriations
Committee, and Representative Bill Hembree. Attendees also
heard about the latest issues facing the Georgia library
community from speakers representing the professional organizations.
Those presenting included: Lamar Veatch, GPLS,
Merryl Penson, GALILEO and RACL, Lea
Ann Lenderman, GAIT, Jo Ostendorf, GLA ,
Jenny McCurdy, Friends of the Library, Charlie
Roberts, TRS Pending Legislation, and yours truly,
Rosalind Dennis, GLMA. After the speakers’ remarks,
attendees participated in a scheduled visit to the Georgia
State Capitol and a box lunch with legislators. The event
was a great opportunity for GLMA members to speak directly
with legislators to thank them for their support and to
discuss the need for their continued support of school
libraries.
Although Library Legislative Day has come and gone, our
efforts to communicate with legislators must continue.
Betsy Razza, our Advocacy and Government Relations Coordinator,
assisted by the Executive Office, has kept members abreast
of various email campaigns and provided input on content
for communication through the GeorgiaMedia listserv. Your
continued assistance in these efforts will benefit all
school libraries. Thanks for all you do.
Sincerely,
Rosalind Dennis
GLMA President