2005 Business Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Carole called the meeting to order at 7:15 and welcomed attendees. She noted that handouts of the agenda, Treasurer's report and other information were available at each table.
She also welcomed ALL-SIS VIP Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy of the Virginia Supreme Court.
Carole noted the handout that summarizes each committee's 2004-2005 activities and she summarized the accomplishments of selected committees. She then asked selected committee chairs to give brief reports.
Connie announced the new Directory of Collection Development Contacts in Academic Law Libraries, available via the ALL-SIS website at http://www.aallnet.org/sis/allsis/. In addition, she said the committee is working on a list of links to law library collection development policies, also to be posted on the ALL-SIS website when it is completed.
Jennifer reminded attendees of the Legal Research Roundtable, to be held at noon today, and talked about the new look and format for the Legal Research Sourcebook, available at the ALL-SIS website at http://www.aallnet.org/sis/allsis/.
Leah announced a new look for the ALL-SIS Newsletter, which debuted with the Spring 2005 issue. It is available at http://www.aallnet.org/sis/allsis/newsletter/NewsLetter.html.
Rich requested volunteers from larger urban areas to work with him to implement the new Visiting Librarian Program off the ground in urban areas, where there tend to be more academic and firm law libraries.
Diane talked about the newly reorganized ALL-SIS website at http://www.aallnet.org/sis/allsis/. She explained that she has attempted to make sure that it is accessible to as many users and browsers as possible.
Lee announced that seven ALL-SIS sponsored programs had been accepted by the AALL Annual Meeting Program Committee (AMPC) for the 2005 AALL Annual Meeting. In addition, he reminded attendees of the separate ALL-SIS-produced program "Is the Bluebook New?"
Finally, Lee invited attendees to come to a meeting to discuss strategies for 2006 programming, sponsored by the Program Committee. He explained that a special AALL Task Force will review how programs are selected by AMPC for future annual meetings. The Program Committee will submit member suggestions offered at the meeting to the Task Force.
Susan called for approval of the minutes of the 2004 annual business meeting, which she mentioned were available at each table and posted on the ALL-SIS website at http://www.aallnet.org/sis/allsis/annualmeeting/2004/2004minutes.html. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Susan noted that copies of the ALL-SIS financial statement from May 31, 2005 were available on each table. It shows a balance of $48,695.68 and does not include any San Antonio meeting expenses. Our 2005 online election did save us the expense of mailing paper ballots to every member, which cost $573.42 in 2004.
Susan reported on the use of an online ballot for the 2005 election. 309 members voted (28%), which was a turnout similar to the paper 2004 election. We received many positive comments from members about the online ballot.
She offered congratulations to the 2005 winners: Suzanne Thorpe of the University of Minnesota was elected Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Carol Bredemeyer of Northern Kentucky University was elected Executive Board Member. She also thanked all of the candidates who ran in the 2005 election and the Nominations Committee, chaired by James Duggan.
Continuing as 2005-2006 officers are Michael Slinger, Chair; Carole Hinchcliff, Immediate Past Chair; and Susan Lewis-Somers, Secretary-Treasurer.
Michael thanked all members who had agreed to serve on the new 2005-2006 committees.
He declared that as he begins his year as Chair, he wants to ensure that the Board will be responsive to the membership. He announced that the Board will conduct a membership survey and he invited members to contact him directly with their concerns and ideas. He also said that he will work to improve communication with the membership, by looking for new ways to keep members informed about the Board's activities and the work of committees.
Michael mentioned that many academic librarians do not belong to the ALL-SIS. He asked members to promote membership in the SIS to colleagues.
Carole thanked the Board for its work and support throughout the year and she urged members to contribute their efforts to the ALL-SIS.
She passed the gavel to new Chair Michael Slinger. Michael thanked Carole.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00, after which ALL-SIS VIP Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy spoke to the membership.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lewis-Somers, Secretary-Treasurer