Chapter Relations Office
Mission
The Chapter Relations Office (CRO) promotes a sense of identification between the national Association and the 57 ALA Chapters; facilitates communication between the Chapters and all ALA units; coordinates leadership development for Chapter officers, Chapter Councilors, chief paid staff members, and other Chapter leaders; strengthens membership promotion activities for ALA and the Chapters; coordinates the ALA Student Chapters and the ALA Student-to-Staff program; and helps raise awareness of and sensitivity to Chapter needs throughout the ALA.
Responsibilities
The interests of Chapters are represented within ALA by the Chapter Relations Committee (CRC) and the Chapter Relations Office.
The Chapter Relations Committee develops and recognizes Chapters as integral components of ALA; encourages discussion, activities and programs that support the mutual interests of ALA and the Chapters; advises when requested on proposals and actions of other ALA units that may affect Chapters; provides a forum wherein Chapters can share ideas and concerns of common interest and identify common needs and goals; communicates these Chapter needs and goals to ALA and ALA goals, programs and priorities to the Chapters; encourages and maintains a cooperative and supportive relationship among ALA, its units, and the Chapters; formulates and reviews periodically requirements for Chapter status; and serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Relations Office.
Among its responsibilities, the Chapter Relations Office conducts the Orientation for Chapter Leaders Workshop at each ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, which provides a great opportunity for Chapter Leaders (especially incoming leaders) to learn and discuss ways to lead their associations effectively; assists the Chapters in advocating effectively to support libraries; and coordinates a number of projects see "Initiatives & projects" immediately below).
Initiatives & projects
Library advocacy
ALA's Efforts
The following are links to several of ALA's library advocacy efforts: Advocacy for Libraries, Advocacy University, Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit, Issues and Advocacy, and Tools for Advocacy. See also ALA's Office for Library Advocacy.
Connecting with local governments
Beginning this fall ALA has been taking the library value message directly to local government officials, and soon to school administrators, the decision makers on majority of funding received by public and school libraries. See also Showing Library Value to Local Government, from the Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit.
ALA provides online grassroots advocacy program to Chapters
Advocacy initiatives include helping raise awareness through the ILoveLibraries Take Action page, powered by Capwiz advocacy software, where library advocates can take action on federal and state issues.
As a result of the efforts of the Chapter Relations Office, and in collaboration with the ALA Washington Office, 43 ALA Chapters maintain their own Capwiz websites (ALA provides online grassroots advocacy program to Chapters). This allows visitors to Chapter websites to contact both state and federal members of Congress.
I Love Libraries
Chapter Relations Office staff are actively involved in ILoveLibraries.org, a Web site designed for the people who use and love libraries. Part of their responsibilities is developing the ILoveLibraries Take Action page.
ALA student-to-staff program and the Libraries Build Communities project
The ALA Student-to-Staff program and the Libraries Build Communities project both occur at each Annual Conference. The ALA Student-to-Staff program allows library students to attend Annual Conference not only to register for events and attend programs but also to learn more about ALA by working for an ALA unit during conference. The Libraries Build Communities project began in New Orleans during the 2006 ALA Annual Conference, when ALA volunteers helped with projects related to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina. ALA members continue to volunteer to assist in cities where they meet for Annual Conferences.
Joint student membership program
The American Library Association has joint student membership arrangements with 16 State Chapters. CRO helps develop and oversee this program.
Oversight groups & meeting schedules
The ALA Chapter Relations Committee serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Relations Office. The ALA Midwinter and Annual Conference schedules for both units are posted regularly.
Popular resources
Accreditation
A current list of ALA-Accredited programs is available from the ALA Office for Accreditation.
Advocacy
The ILoveLibraries Take Action page, where library advocates can take action on federal and state issues, helps raise awareness about library advocacy.
Calendar of ALA and Chapter Conference Dates and More
ALA’s Conference Planning Calendar includes chapter conferences. To have your ALA Chapter, ALA Affiliates, and Division Conferences, Institutes, or Workshops included in this calendar, please contact the Chapter Relations Office at cro@ala.org with the dates and location.
Chapters
ALA Chapters are essential ALA partners.
Orientation for Chapter Leaders Workshop
Each State Chapter is represented by an elected Chapter Councilor with full voting rights in ALA’s governing assembly. See ALA Chapter Councilors for links to related resources, including the Promotion display and table skirt order form (aka ALA promotional materials at state conferences).
Volunteer Opportunities
The ALA Student-to-Staff program.
The Libraries Build Communities project, in which ALA members volunteer to assist schools, libraries, and the community in cities where they meet for Annual Conference.
Social networking
Wikis and More
The ALA Chapters Wiki promote communication and assistance among ALA and the ALA Chapters.
The ALA Student Chapters group on Facebook facilitates communication and assistance among the student chapters and ALA.
The American Library Association Student to Staff Participants group on Facebook promotes communication and assistance among ALA and the student-to-staff participants.
See also ALA Read Write Connect and ALA Weblog Service.
E-lists
To subscribe to the Chapter Relations business e-list, ALACRO-L, please contact a staff member listed below. To subscribe to other ALA e-lists, or visit the e-list archives, visit the ALA Mailing Lists Service (SYMPA).
Staff Use Only
Staff
Michael Dowling, Director
Chapter Relations Office
mdowling@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 3200
Don Wood, Program Officer
Chapter Relations Office
dwood@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2429
Change of address, comments, and questions
Please use the ALA Chapter Relations Online Change of Address Form to submit addresses and address updates. If you prefer to mail or fax a paper copy, you may download, complete, and return the PDF version of the change of address form.
If you have comments and questions regarding the Chapter Relations Office website, please contact Don Wood, Chapter Relations Office.
ALA Chapters
ALA's 57 state and regional chapters are partners in addressing concerns to libraries. Each state is represented on ALA Council.
Take Action
Chapters Social Networking
ALA Chapter Relations Committee
Develops and recognizes Chapters as integral components of ALA and serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Relations Office.
ALA Student Chapters
Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
I Love Libraries
@ your library® - The Campaign for America's Libraries
