Divisional restructure

Recommendations on key issues 1 - 9

1. Structure based on self-nominating groups around areas of interest The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
1.1	Announces the issues and recommendations of the National Policy Congress as soon as possible (for example, next possible inCite and ALIAnews).
1.2	Considers the recommendations of the National Policy Congress at its next meeting and announce their decisions as soon as possible thereafter (for example, next possible inCite and ALIA news).
1.3	Allows new groups to form from 1 January 2001.
1.4	Ceases the current structure as of 30 June 2001.
1.5	Develops easy to follow guidelines and pro-formas to nominate groups for existence.
1.6	Automatically dissolves all groups at the end of each year unless groups re-apply for registration and demonstrate how their activities will meet the objectives of the Association.
1.7	Change the operational year to be in line with the financial year (that is, 1 July - 30 June) as soon as possible.
2. Provision of effective, well-defined local presence The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
2.1	Provides funding to establish local-presence to each state and/or region-based on successful models (for example, Tasmania).
2.2	Provides funding for: continuing support for local-presence training for local-presence infrastructure for local-presence.
2.3	Defines the functions of the local-presence to include: administrative support promotion/marketing co-ordination and liaison (for example, between executive director and local sections) local lobbying training/support to local office-bearers co-ordinate financial activities with local treasurers.
2.4	Selects the local presence by a process and criteria including: ALIA member with library experience selected by executive director (or delegate) and three local members local knowledge required IT expertise needed
3. Funding formula should take into account factors such as per capita, programs, and locations The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
3.1	Allocates funds in a transparent manner.
3.2	Introduces program budgeting principles for the whole of budget - that is, at national and local level.
3.3	Discontinues automatic per capita funding.
3.4	Develops a program-budgeting funding process that includes the following criteria: geographical disbursement value for money lack of opportunity ability, or lack of, to generate income compliance with acquittal process form of ranking to be developed develop pro-formas for application.
4. Renewed emphasis on member services The National Policy Congress recommends to the Board of Directors that:
4.1	Members continue to receive discounts for ALIA products and services.
4.2	The Board oversees the development of a marketing plan to attract new members (and review the reasons for membership loss).
4.3	A fee payment option be provided for fortnightly/weekly debit from members accounts with financial institutions.
4.4	The Board ensures a new members welcome package is developed which includes information on local contacts, relevant section/group contacts, local presence information, and support local groups developing new members welcome function/dinner (2 per year) and a buddy system.
4.5	The ALIA membership form be redesigned to eliminate the requirement for nomination by an existing ALIA member.
4.6	The ALIA membership fees include membership of more than one group.
4.7	The Board oversees the production of a user-friendly office-bearers guide published on the internet.
4.8	ALIA National Office sends a welcome to each new office-bearer by letter or telephone call with information on a contact person for enquiries (membership manager?).
4.9	The service of conference organisers and office-holders be regularly acknowledged by ALIA.
4.10	ALIAnet be further developed, particularly for topic discussion groups and its effectiveness monitored by the Board.
5. Groups be approved by Board against a set of transparent criteria with reciprocal responsibilities The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
5.1	Develops criteria for groups addressing: minimum number of office-bearers for ongoing groups/conferences/projects the statement of the purpose for each group/conference/project the proposed program for each group/conference/project
5.2	Ensures assistance is provided for the establishment of groups/conferences projects including: funding for establishment development of office-bearers kit, conference organising kit, project kit letters sent to all members of dormant groups on a regular basis to gauge interest in re-establishment of group administrative support.
5.3	Establish reciprocal reporting procedures to include: Regular review of groups/conferences/projects End-of-year reporting from all groups/conferences/projects Regular review of purpose of each group (relates to annual funding proposed for Issue 1) ALIA National Office to respond to specific issues raised by groups/conferences/projects.
6. Issues based fora for professional and political needs/purposes The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
6.1	Puts in place criteria for the establishment of issues based fora/groups. (Related to recommendations for Issue 5.)
6.2	Allow the criteria for communication of issues from local/national/board perspective and by individuals and groups.
6.3	Ensures issues drive the choice and configuration of issues fora/groups including communication and reporting back to members.
7. Flatter organisational structure The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
7.1	Requires all individual groups to report directly to the Board. (Supports funding recommendations for Issue 1 - annual direct funding based on program proposals from all groups.)
7.2	Allocates funds directly to groups. (Covered in recommendations for Issue 1 - annual direct funding based on program proposals from all groups.)
7.3	Provides a structure and support for office-bearers and members undertaking ALIA activities, for example, local-presence officers, membership development kits. (Related closely to recommendations for Issue 4.)
7.4	Oversees the development of a two-way information flow to groups and individual members. (? more web information, ALIAnet - related to local presence.)
8. Funding for specific projects and/or ongoing programs The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
8.1	Develops guidelines for funding of programs or projects covering applications, criteria for acceptance and an information kit. (Supports funding recommendations for Issue 3.)
8.2	Requires all Groups to produce business plans to be supplied to the Board covering one year and three years, but including flexibility. (Supports recommendations on Issue 1 for annual group review.)
8.3	Funds specific projects with reciprocal responsibility, transparent funding and a mechanism to review funding levels for these projects every three years and also review the guidelines each three years.
8.4	Develops criteria both for free and income-generating projects.
9. Partnerships and alliances with local and international organisations The National Policy Congress recommends that the Board of Directors:
9.1	Develops partnerships with Australian library associations (including CASL, CAUL, FLIN, ASLA) for issues-based advocacy and development of the associations objectives. The partnerships should offer benefits for members and bring together relevant organisations to address information policy issues such as information literacy and equity of access to electronic resources.
9.2	Develops relationships with international library associations (such as ALA, SLA, Library Association) with the aim of providing benefits to members such as reciprocal discounts to conferences and publications, access to members-only web resources and library partnerships.
9.3	Develops partnerships with related Australian associations (such as the Australian Information Industry Association, Australian Computer Society, Institute of Management, Records Management Association of Australia, Australian Society of Archivists) through networking to continue to develop general good communication and co-ordinate for lobbying (such as on copyright).

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