Next Steps

[Jami Schwarzwalder]

I"ve help get the YALSA Student Interest Group started, but now I'm no longer a student, so its time to pass the torch. Starting June 23rd at 4:00 EST, I invite you to participate in a discussion about the future of this group, as well as selecting a new leader.

If you are interested in becoming involved within YALSA this is a perfect opportunity to learn how the organizations works, and also work with fellow students to have a voice in ALA.

To continue this discussion please join us at 4 EST

[Jami Schwarzwalder]

Agenda:

1. Introductions
2. What is YALSA Student Interest Group?
3. Coconvener
4. Current Initiatives
* Emerging Leaders
*Committee Volunteer Form
* Publications
* Local Organizations
5. Future Initiatives

[Jami Schwarzwalder]

Welcome to the first Virtual Meeting for ALA, I hope that everyone in Washington is able to access a computer to participate in the meeting, and everyone who didn't make it to ALA is able to join us

As I talk about our group I invited you to post on the YALSA Ning Forum under the thread Next Steps

Since so many of you may have missed this meeting due to technology issues as well as not being aware I hope that the discussion on the forum will continue until Monday, or longer if needed

The YALSA student interest group was established to help students get involved in YALSA, ALA, and the profession

Because of this we need student leaders to be the ones who are in charge of this group
I am no longer a student, and it is time for me to pass the reigns so to speak to others.
If you are interested in being a leader in the YALSA SIG I encourage you to email me, or post a message on the forum on Ning. I hope if you are at ALA you had a chance to stop by the YALSA All committee meeting this morning, it is a great way to get involved

After this conference the first group of Emerging Leaders will be almost done with their service. It will soon be time for a new group of Emerging Leaders to apply
I encourage you to all apply for this program. Another way to get involved within the profession is by signing up for a committee, or even running in the ALA election to serve on the ALA or a division board. If you want a smaller time commitment, consider submitting one of your school papers into a publication, if you have done any work on teen services you could submit your work for consideration in YAttitudes or YALS.

On the local level you can also sign up for committees with your state organization, present at conferences, and create groups within your school. There are many ways to be involved, and joining a listserv can be one step for finding those opportunities.

Lastly I wanted to talk about what the Student Interest Group has already began doing for its student members. YALSA is interested in what the students want and need from the organization. We asked in various places, and created a survey to determine the groups focus. Students were interested in a student scholarship to attend conferences, so we are exploring that possibility. Many students were also interested in the opportunity to socialize with other Librarians, Students, and YALSA members so we created the Ning Group.

As this interest group grows it will be you the student members of YALSA who will lead the way with your ideas, input, and commitment to the future of librarianship.