Participate in CLA Conference Planning!

The CLA Conference Programming Committee is seeking two volunteer
representatives from the Interest Groups to participate on the
conference committee. The 2009 CLA conference is in Montreal May 29 -
June 1. Each CLA division also has a conference planner, and there are
two Co-Chairs for the committee. The planning team seeks people with
the following skills/background:
- Interested in conference planning.
- An understanding of a broad range of issues within the library
sector, and familiar with CLA's Interest Groups. A list of Interest
Groups is on CLA's website.
- Some knowledge of people who are library experts/leaders/emerging leaders.
- Strong organizational skills.
What is involved?
This is a two conference commitment with most work occurring in
October/November based on the following timelines:
August - November:
- Communicating with Interest Groups (e-mail primarily) to solicit
program proposals. An online form will be available with instructions
for proposers and the planning team will be able to view submissions
online to get a sense of how the program is developing. CLA office
will also be sending communiques to the membership about submitting
proposals.
- One or two teleconference calls.
- Some program development with proposers as needed (for example,
answering questions, assisting with session descriptions if required,
etc.)
- Review of proposals in advance of the November meeting.
- Attendance at an onsite (Ottawa) conference planning meeting
November 15-16 (date to be confirmed and expenses covered). This
meeting will confirm the conference program via selection/rejection of
proposals based on criteria. The program committee is responsible for
the overall look and feel and balance of the program, but each
representative will ensure that the issues from their respective CLA
units are also reflected in the programming.
- Follow up with proposers with the status of the session (accepted or not).
The planning team is featured in the conference program and at
conference. Conference planning is an excellent way to develop
planning skills, meet peers outside of your current professional
sphere, and to be a part of enhancing your profession (plus is great
to add to your resume file!).
Please send an e-mail to wwalton@cla.ca by August 15 with your
expression of interest, plus a paragraph or two about why you are
interested in joining the team, and any relevant background.