Strategic Plan 2010-2012 revised Sept. 2011
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2010 – 2012
Revised September 2011 at the ARSL Board retreat in Frisco Texas & Approved by the Board on November 3, 2011
ARSL MISSION
The Mission of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries is to provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers and trustees to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves.
ARSL OBJECTIVES
– To organize a network of members concerned about the growth and development of useful library services in rural and small libraries;
– To provide opportunities for the continuing education of members;
– To provide mechanisms for members to exchange ideas and to meet on a regular basis;
– To cultivate the practice of librarianship and to foster a spirit of cooperation among members of the profession, enabling them to act together for mutual goals;
– To serve as a source of current information about trends, issues, and strategies;
– To partner with other library and non-library groups and organizations serving rural and small library communities
– To collect and disseminate information and resources that are critical to this network;
– To advocate for rural and small libraries at the local, state, and national levels.
STRATEGIC GOALS – By 2012:
1 ARSL is incorporated as a 501(c) (3) organization.
2 ARSL is a key partner with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on rural issues.
3 ARSL is known by and has made meaningful connections with state and national compatible library and non-library organizations.
4 ARSL has identified key contacts in every state who can be called upon as needed to assist.
5 ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
6 We have established an ARSL endowment fund in order to sponsor 10 conference scholarships, and a scholarship for a library school student.
7 ARSL has paid staff to assist in carrying out its expanded role.
8 ARSL has 2000 members, and we have implemented a process that tracks them and their membership expiration dates so they are contacted in a timely manner to renew.
9 ARSL regularly markets its value and pushes out information to members, non-members and partners through a variety of online means and the library media.
ARSL COMMITTEE WORKPLANS FOR 2011/12
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Develops and maintains a consistent, systematic membership program for the association, and identifies and maintains a list of key contacts in each state who will broadcast ARSL information, and develops and implements a strategic membership recruitment plan. Has responsibility for these Strategic Goals:
Strategic Goal # 8: ARSL has 2000 members, and we have implemented a process that tracks them and their membership expiration dates so they are contacted in a timely manner to renew.
Strategic Goal #4: ARSL has identified key contacts in every state who can be called upon as needed to assist.
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Committee Chair: Tena Hanson
Tasks for 2011/12:
1. Finalize Key State Contacts list and ensure that their roles are clear.
2. Develop a cost-effective “travelling exhibit” including at least a sign and a flyer that can be downloaded and printed easily and taken by our state key contacts to meetings in their state and/or region to raise awareness of ARSL and its projects and membership opportunity.
3. Develop and implement a Membership Campaign.
4. Assume responsibility for ARSL volunteers, hopefully including a Volunteer Coordinator position to:
– Identify roles for volunteers to play within the organization: workgroups, committees, conference
– Create an excel spreadsheet in GoogleDocs for tracking volunteers
– Consider a listserv for ARSL Volunteers?
5. Move sponsorship of an ALA Emerging Leader to be a role of the Executive Committee.
6. Formalize ARSL Conference Scholarships Committee procedures, and determine where it is best for that committee to report within the organization.
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Ensures timely planning of a dynamic annual conference that attracts increased registration, and together with other board committees carries responsibility for this strategic goal:
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Committee Chair: Andrea Berstler
Tasks for 2011/12:
1. Prepare for annual conference in Raleigh, North Carolina in September 2012.
2. Create a Conference Planning Manual that outlines goals and procedures that can be shared with all future conference chairs.
3. Continually develop programs aimed at small and rural – review conference evaluations.
4. Create a calendar of 5 years of conference locations. Work with Executive Committee to solidify partnership agreements with conference partner organization(s)
5. Include in conference program a pre-conference opportunity for the Board to get together (i.e., a President’s reception), in addition to the usual after conference board meeting.
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Make ARSL “the place to start” for information and referral on rural and
small library issues. Assesses information needs of the membership and identifies existing content or programs that could be shared in response to member needs. When member needs cannot be met by what is available, the committee may develop content or program in response to member needs. Maintain ARSL’s online and public relations presence. This committee has some responsibility for these Strategic Goals:
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Strategic Goal #9: ARSL regularly markets its value and pushes out information to members, non-members and partners through a variety of online means and the library media.
Committee Chair: Jennifer Peterson
Tasks for 2011/12:
1. Offer online programming to ARSL members through partnerships.
2. Maintain ARSL’s online presence:
– Website
– Blog
– Quarterly Newsletter
– Social Media
– Wiki
– Listserv
3. When appropriate, partner with ALA’s RNTLOAK committee to present programming at ALA and PLA events.
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Provides a process for formalizing and maintaining key Board approved partnerships that provide opportunities for our ARSL members (not necessarily just financial partnerships) based on ARSL’s partnership policy. Once a partnership is approved, assures that liaisons are appointed for each partnership to ensure good follow through and regular updates for the board. This committee has some responsibility for these Strategic Goals:
Strategic Goal #3: ARSL is known by and has made meaningful connections with state and national compatible library and non-library organizations.
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Committee Chair: Sonja Plummer-Morgan
Tasks for 2011/12:
1. Manage relationships with current partners:
– Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
– Pushing the Limits Project
2. Work with new potential partners and bring recommendations regarding them to the board:
– University of North Texas
3. Review the current partnerships policy – types of partners and list of “phases.”
4. Assess potential for other possible partnerships, and propose to the board a plan for cultivating those that provide the best opportunities for our membership. Some initial ideas from the board include: ICMA, Kellogg “Rural Assembly” and the Priddy Foundation (in Texas).
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
Executive COMMITTEE
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Has the ability and responsibility to act between Board meetings as needed, and carries responsibility for these Strategic Goals:
Strategic Goal #1: ARSL is incorporated as a 501(c) (3) organization.
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Strategic Goal #7: ARSL has paid staff to assist in carrying out its expanded role.
Committee Chair: Becky Heil, President
Members: Sonja Plummer-Morgan, Immediate Past; Becky Heil, President; Andrea Berstler, Vice President-President-Elect; Louise Greene, Secretary; and Lesley Boughton, Treasurer
Tasks for 2011:
1. Manage the relationship with AMR.
2. Work with AMR to get Liability insurance.
3. Finalize in writing the 2012 conference partnership agreement with NC State Library.
4. Find a replacement for Google Docs (Drop Box Working group appointed.)
5. Assist the Conference Committee in securing a 5 year conference calendar including locations and partners.
6. Create a process for writing position statements (like the one for the FCC).
7. Select an online meeting platform for ARSL to purchase.
8. Review policy proposals from the new Policies Committee.
9. Review proposals from the Partnerships Committee.
10. Determine proper organizational placement of the ARSL Conference Scholarship Committee.
11. Take responsibility for ALA Emerging Leader sponsorship.
12. Prepare ARSL’s first Annual Report.
13. Create a process for new board member orientation, and for a pre-conference ARSL “President’s Reception” in addition to the annual Board meeting at the conference.
14. Create a PR/Communications policy and plan.
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
FINANCE COMMITTEE
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Creates an annual organization budget for the board’s review and approval by forecasting revenues and expenditures based on strategic goals and has responsibility for these Strategic Goals:
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Strategic Goal 6: We have established an ARSL endowment fund in order to sponsor 10 conference scholarships, and a scholarship for a library school student.
Committee Chair: Lesley Boughton, Treasurer
Members: All Committee Chairs & Board Secretary
Tasks for 2011/12:
1. Create a pro-active budget in conjunction with committee goals.
2. Develop a payment process which ensures oversight for writing checks.
3. Review Conference Budget Policy.
4. Assist with budget for Gates Grant.
5. Consider the development and implementation of a “Dashboard” of key information that can be shared with the board to provide a quick look at progress/needs.
ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES (ARSL)
Nominating Committee
2011/12 WORK PLAN
Committee Charge: Prepare a slate of candidates each year for Vice President/President-Elect and three members whose skills, interests and geographic location serve the best interest of ARSL, and ensure an election prior to the Annual Meeting. We are comfortable that the election is not competitive – we don’t want ARSL to ever be a “club.” Together with other board committees carries responsibility for this strategic goal:
Strategic Goal #5: ARSL stays true to its mission – we are focused on what we do and don’t do – and have not extended ourselves too broadly.
Committee Chair: __________________
Members: Immediate Past President, President and Vice President/President-Elect
Tasks for 2011/12:
1. Consider the competitive slate issue, as well as representation issues – geography, library type, vendor, trustee, etc.
2. Do not presume automatic second terms for board members. Have a discussion with them to decide.
3. Nominating Committee Timeline to ensure a timely election:
- By March 15, discuss with members whose terms expire in 2012 their interest in being nominated for another term, if eligible.
- By March 15, determine skills, expertise, and geographic needs of the board based on those provided by continuing members and needs of the strategic plan.
- By March 15, revise the board application to include professional references and a template which ensures candidates will emphasize their rural library experience in their candidate statement for the ballot.
- By April 1, send a message to the ARSL listserv seeking candidates.
- By May 1, identify a slate of candidates for Vice President/President-Elect and three members for approval by the Board at its May board meeting.
- By May 16, determine if the board wishes to propose any by-laws changes to the membership in the election.
- By May 30, notify individuals on slate that they are included, and ask them to prepare to attend conference and board meeting at conference assuming they are elected.
- By June 15, execute an on-line election which provides a minimum of two weeks for voting, and which includes the slate and one write in opportunity for Vice President/ President-Elect and one write-in opportunity for board member, in addition to the slate presented, AND any by-laws changes as identified above.
- By early July, notify those elected, so they can make final plans for conference and board meeting.
- By October 1, invite those nominees not selected to serve on an ARSL Board committee.
2. Ensure introduction of new board at annual meeting at conference and include new board roster in conference packets.
