TS: As most of you know, my main task for this year as Vice-Chair/ Chair-Elect (other than learning from Leonette and Joe how to successfully chair an SIS) is to conduct the annual survey. I hope that by the time you are reading this issue that you have received or will soon receive this year's survey instrument, to use the applicable jargon. We are not mandated to conduct a survey, and obviously we don't do it because it's fun. The survey is your main opportunity to voice your opinions about the Section's programs, activities, and direction. We use the survey responses to get a feel for the composition of the Section's membership (demographics); recruit volunteers for offices, committees, and programs; and solicit ideas for programs at the AALL annual meeting. As I write this it is one week from election day, so I'm reminded of the adage, "If you don't vote you have no right to complain." Take a few minutes to complete the survey as completely as you can and return it to me, even if you're a few days past the deadline.

Another task I've been assigned this year is to chair the Education Committee. That means that in late Spring or early Summer of 1999 the committee will be gearing up for program proposals for the AALL annual meeting in Philadelphia in 2000 (Y2K?). Rather than wait until then, however, I urge you to begin thinking about programs you would like to attend. If you have an idea, let me or Joe Thomas know, or write it on your survey. Just because you have an idea doesn't mean you have to write the proposal, coordinate the program, or be a speaker. We can't do any of those without the initial idea. The earlier we start the process, the better the proposal we can submit, hopefully leading to an annual meeting that you can't afford to miss!

Janet

Janet McKinney
University of Missouri - Kansas City
McKinneyJ@umkc.edu

OBS members--Caution! Prevent petrification. Your OBS survey may be in one of your "get to" piles in your office and it may be close to becoming petrified under the heat and pressure of other more pressing matters. I know how petrification happens. So, dear OBS members A Gentle Reminder: Pleeeeeeeease exhume the survey and fill it out, telling us in what ways we can serve your needs or improve on something we are already doing; what program ideas you have; what committees you want to be on; or how you want to become involved. At this writing, my fervent hope is to have the OBS surveys mailed out prior to you receiving this issue of TSLL. You should have received your survey, if you haven't call or email me. Last year we didn't get many responses. If you don't want to hassle with pen, pencil, and mailing back the paper version, you should be able to go to our OBS Web site and fill it out from there. Email it to me as instructed on the survey Web form — it's easy and fast! The deadline for returns is January 18th.

Brian