The 2020 ALA/AASL election season is coming up quickly! AASL is continuing the practice of using the KQ website as a venue for you to learn more about each candidate. Those standing for election were asked to provide a short video introducing themselves. In addition they were asked to respond to this prompt: Select one of the four objectives under the Leadership Activation goal (http://www.ala.org/aasl/govern/strategic-plan) in AASL’s strategic plan, and speak to your role in meeting that objective.
As you read the candidates’ responses, remember that these positions reflect those approved in the recent by-laws election. Consider the future of your professional school library organization as you vote. Mark your calendar to cast your vote beginning March 9. Remember to invite your colleagues to vote as well. AASL Past President Steven Yates said it best last year, “School librarians are a critical part of the American library ecosystem and voting in our association election is a clear way to demonstrate our voice, our power, and our fervent desire for the strongest future for school libraries!”
The candidates for Educators of School Librarians Section Chair-Elect are:
- Pamela Richardson Moore
- Joyce Kasman Valenza
Statements and/or videos were a voluntary option offered to all candidates.
Pamela Richardson Moore
In support of the overarching goal of building organizational capacity for leadership at all levels, candidates were asked to select one particular objective from the AASL Strategic Plan Leadership Activation Goal. All stated objectives are necessary for the continued growth and relevancy of the organization. However, one objective that I deem the most pressing is offering alternative participation models. I feel that as AASL seeks to retain its place of leadership for those who support school libraries, that the organization must provide a variety of models for participation. White (1996) classified participation into four distinct categories. Participation is either nominal, instrumental, representative, or transformational. Nominal participation in our organization gives strength in numbers and provides members with a consistent source of information concerning a cause that they feel strongly about. Instrumental participation, through utilizing specific strengths in certain skill areas to achieve stated goals, becomes useful to members to have a sense of collectivism about an area for advocacy or study beneficial to them and the organization. The representative participation model, at times, can seem to be the most effective and most visible. Although members are not able to always have a direct voice in matters concerning the organization, they know that they have someone on the state level and in national interest groups like independent schools or supervisors or educators moving their concerns forward. The last type of participation model, transformational participation, provides AASL with strategic planning and visionary leadership that is needed to move forward. Without these two components, organizations cease to be relevant and no longer support membership needs and interests. AASL needs all types of participation models to be successful. As a future leader in the organization, my goal would be to create opportunities for members on the level that they choose to participate.
Author: Kathryn Roots Lewis
Categories: Community
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