SLANZA National Executive met online in the
evening on 14th September to analyse and discuss the AGM as well as other
matters. This is a brief summary for members.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting was held online over 24 hours
from 9:00am on Wednesday 7 September. We had 130 members participate.
Thank you to all those who responded, we easily met our quorum.
Minutes from the 2015 AGM - read and accepted
AGM Reports tabled - read and accepted
Proposed constitutional change for ratification - accepted,
constitution update to be lodged
“If in a non-conference year there is not an event that will
guarantee a quorum for the National Executive AGM then the AGM can be run via
an online forum”
Appointment of auditor Chris Saxton - accepted
Matters arising from 2015 AGM minutes, reports, and general
business:
·
4 members - concern over SLANZA and LIANZA conferences being
held in the same year
o Response - SLANZA has maintained
our conference every two years, for example, 2009 Christchurch, 2011 Auckland,
2013 Wellington, 2015 Christchurch. Members at the 2015 AGM voiced emphatically
to continue conferences every two years and NE response was to ask Auckland if
they would be prepared to run with the 2017 conference. As the change to
same-year was not initiated by SLANZA, we believe concerns are misdirected.
·
1 member - saddened by declining membership across country, did
membership drive two years ago make a difference, what can be done?
o Response - the membership drives
were undertaken at different times in different ways by most regions with no
significant impact. Some regions have utilised their Community Post pre-paid
envelopes this year to promote events and distribute the SLANZA brochure
detailing the role and benefit of joining SLANZA. We do know that membership
numbers fluctuate, rising a little in conference years. With NE planning to
provide further benefits for our members in future we hope to see member
numbers rise again.
·
1 member - are you still considering a survey of school library
staff and conditions?
o Response - a trial phone survey
for non-SLANZA schools has been initiated, this will be followed with another
survey which is still in development - together these surveys will help build a
comprehensive picture of the situations facing school libraries around the country.
·
1 member - concern under government’s global budget proposal
school libraries may become luxuries schools can’t afford, or communities of
learning where ten schools share one library
o
Response - NE too, have concerns about the possible effects of changes
to school budgets on provision of school libraries and adequate school library
staffing. We urge all members to advocate for better funding for schools in
general and school libraries in particular. Take every opportunity to promote
your role and the services you provide, share evidence of your practices and
how you benefit your school community - become indispensable.
·
1 member - how are funds from 2015 Christchurch conference being
used?
o
Response - the bulk of the income from the previous conference, $20,000,
has been redirected to the 2017 conference in Auckland as seeding money. Specific
decisions about the use of any of SLANZA's income are made by NE after
consideration of the best use of funds to meet SLANZA's goals and objectives,
and the needs of our members.
Study Grants
SLANZA offers study grants each year, to those working in school library
teams. We believe that continuing professional development is vital - it helps
you increase the knowledge and skills you need to deliver a valued service to
your school community, and it can open you up to new and exciting possibilities
in the field of librarianship. If you are thinking about undertaking Library
and Information Studies next year, you may be eligible to apply for assistance.
The closing date for submitting study grant applications is this Thursday, 22
September.
Google+ Community Professional Development
The discussion topic currently running is Transforming
Your Library based on the ideas of Rachel van Riel. Do join the
conversations, the more contributions the greater we all benefit from the
shared experiences and knowledge. This discussion topic started last week and
will finish at the end of Week 2 of next term, however you may watch the videos
and post comments anytime, including catching up over the holidays.
Conference 2017
The conference website is the place to go to
keep up to date. Rachel van Riel has been confirmed as a key note speaker and
the call for abstracts has gone out to all members. Consider presenting a
session, 15, 30 or 60 minutes long, a great way to step up and contribute.
Remember that your audience are librarians, just like you, and we admire and
respect those who are willing to share their knowledge. Make sure you add this
valuable professional development opportunity into your budget planning for
next year.
SLANZA National Executive will continue to work
on your behalf and ensure that the voice of school libraries from all over the
country are heard.
Julia Smith
Communications
