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From the President posted 17 March 2008 There are several developments that I would like to bring to your attention. As you all are painfully aware, our migration over to MemberClicks--the online directory and membership renewal system--was delayed. Believe it or not, we are actually nearing the finish line and I can safely say that our new online up-to-date directory will be launched within the next two weeks. All of the membership renewals to date have been updated in MemberClicks. The Board, the MemberClicks Advisory Group, and the Publications and Membership committees are previewing the site. A MemberClicks support team (Jill Luedke, Jonathan Franklin, and Martha Ruddy) has been formed so that contacts will be available to answer questions and to gather feedback as we make the transition. Once MemberClicks is live, you will quickly see how easy it will be to keep membership information up-to-date. The MemberClicks Directory will take the place of a printed directory, though we will have a PDF version of the Member's Handbook available on the ARLIS/NA Web site. The handbook format and contents will be the same as previous years and will be archived on the Web site from year to year. This has been a difficult year for our management firm, McPhersonClarke. Over the course of the year, they lost employees whose positions play a significant role in handling our accounts and administrative tasks, and planning our conferences. This has presented extreme challenges for the Board and some obvious repercussions for you. We are piecing things back together in order to keep things intact. I am pleased to make you all aware that our former conference manager from McPhersonClarke, Susan Rawlyk, is temporarily back to help us out with the upcoming conference in Denver. Debbie Block, who was with us in Atlanta, recently left. Craig Fleming, our former administrative assistant, is back and filling in until HQ replaces Natasha Bodei. Craig has been processing our renewals and updating them in MemberClicks. He is assisting us with getting MemberClicks going and handling various other administrative duties for the time being. The results of the bylaws change ballots indicate that the ARLIS/NA membership is interested in seeing the Society become structurally more flexible and fluid. The changes we are adopting will move us from an administrative-focused structure to one that will assure members have the opportunity to coordinate and be involved in Special Interest Groups that will keep us attuned to current and critically relevant topics. The Board is currently revising the Policy Manual to reflect the change. The ARLIS/NA Web site will also have a page specifically about Special Interest Groups that will include instructions on how to form and dissolve them. The new configuration of the Executive Board of having functional officers instead of regional representatives will better serve to keep the Society's interests and activities at the forefront. The Executive Board will now hold the following offices: Past President, President, Vice President/President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Canadian Member-At-Large, Communications Liaison, Development Liaison, Education Liaison, and one Member-At-Large. While we are making progress through our transitional year, it hasn't been painless and we've hit some obstacles. But as I observe my 17-month old, I'm finding out that its really not so terrible to just let things get messy before they find their place. Isn't change like that? Thank you, all, for your patience. Look for the launching of MemberClicks very soon--for real--and look for a few more updates before we meet in Denver. I am looking forward to seeing you in the Rockies! All my best, Deborah K. Ultan Boudewyns ARLIS/NA President Top of Page