Progress made since the 2001 ALIA National Policy Congress
The second ALIA National Policy Congress [NPC] was held in Canberra 7-8 December 2001. Representatives of sixty-seven ALIA groups, the ALIA Board of Directors and key staff from ALIA National Office attended the Congress. The 2001 NPC focussed on the following:
- How ALIA is progressing in relation to the transformation of the Association into a vibrant, flexible, outward looking, issues driven and sustainable industry body for library and information services and the profession
- What challenges remain to be addressed for ALIA to meet the objectives set by the inaugural National Policy Congress in 2000
- What policy focus and priorities should ALIA have in 2002 and beyond to ensure its continued relevance to personal and institutional members, continued relevance and impact on library and information services and the people working within them
- How we achieve connection and cohesion, within the membership and within the profession, to ensure ALIA is a strong, unified voice for the library and information services profession.
The following tables list:
- Table 1: The outcomes of the 2001 NPC and progress that has been made on those outcomes up to 20 September 2002.
- Table 2: The recommendations made by the 2001 NPC to the ALIA Board of Directors and the progress made on these recommendations.
| ALIA 2001 NPC outcomes |
Progress |
| Confirmed ALIA's policy direction and priorities for 2002 as set by the Board of Directors. |
The ALIA 2002 plan is available on ALIAnet. A summary may be found in the draft plan ALIA: Making the difference appendix, item 14: Key initiatives, p11. [214Kb download] |
Identified education and career-long learning for the profession as the foremost priority in both policy and member service developments
Confirmed the issues relating to career-long education for the knowledge age identified by the ideas forum held in November 2001 and noted that further consultation is to take place. |
Formal education and continuing professional development [CPD] are incorporated in the ongoing LISEKA project.
LISEKA phase 1 identified three possible education model frameworks that were subsequently documented and circulated to members for feedback. That feedback from the consultation process was analysed and identified two main outcomes:- concern at the possibility of moving away from a recognised entry level qualification or standard; and need for an effective CPD program.
- From these findings a proposed framework was presented to the ALIA Board of Directors at the August 2002 meeting. This concluded phase 1 of the project.
LISEKA phase 2 commenced in August 2002 when the Board of Directors established a sub-committee to further develop the education framework, which addresses both formal education and CPD.
Professional partnerships and affiliations are being established in order to develop a comprehensive CPD program for members for 2003. A summary of the LISEKA project may be found in the draft plan ALIA: Making the difference appendix, item 3, p6. [214Kb download] |
| Suggested that the Board of Directors develop a business plan and use this plan for communication with members. |
Business plans are being developed and implemented in relevant areas such as sponsorship. |
| Noted the draft ALIA core values statement and the process for consultation. |
The core values statement has been endorsed and was published in inCite, April 2002, p32. |
| Noted the Board's reasons for introducing a new conference model replacing former national section conferences with a three day conference incorporating a general program with more specialised sectoral programs. |
- The November 2001 edition of inCite provides details of the conference model.
- Background information regarding this decision was provided in the 2001 NPC background and briefing papers, p14.
|
| Recommended that the Board of Directors improve communication and endeavour to provide rationale to members for decisions that have been made. |
Regular feedback on the outcomes of meetings of the Board of Directors is provided through inCite and the aliaOBBL [ALIA office bearers list]. |
| Recommended that simpler procedures and more detailed guidance for office bearers, in particular those in treasurer roles, be developed. |
- The ALIA office-bearers' guide was posted on ALIAnet in May 2002.
- Specific group treasurer's guidelines were posted on ALIAnet in May 2002.
|
| Noted the president's observations about the need to review, in part for cost reasons, the current structure of the National Policy Congress. |
There is a new structure in place for NPC 2002, which incorporates a two-stage process leading from regional NPC meetings to the National Policy Congress in Canberra. |
| Noted the new awards framework and the request for information regarding any group awards not presently listed. |
The new awards framework is in place. |
The National Policy Congress made the following three recommendations to the ALIA Board of Directors:
Table 2: Recommendations
| Recommendation |
Progress |
| Publish and promulgate its guidelines, services and assistance available from ALIA National Office for groups wishing to organise professional development activities [including conferences, workshops and seminars] |
- Guidelines are available on request from ALIA National Office.
- A member of ALIA National Office staff has been available to assist groups organise conferences, workshops and seminars since December 2001.
|
| Publish and promulgate its rationale for the new conference model(s), including choices available to groups in proposing conferences, workshops and seminars |
- Background information regarding this decision was provided in:
- the 2001 NPC Background and Briefing Papers, p.14.
- a report from the ALIA Board of Directors meeting, 12 October 2001, inCite, November 2001, p16
A summary of the above inCite article can be found in ALIA: Making the difference appendix, item 12: ALIA conferences review - summary, p10 [214Kb download]
|
| The 2003 Special, Health and Law Libraries conference continues as originally endorsed |
The conference is continuing as originally endorsed. You can find details on the conference website. |
In addition to these recommendations, delegates suggested:
That the Board of Directors outline their reasons for introducing the new conference model in the ALIA news magazine inCite. |
Background information regarding this decision was provided in:- the 2001 NPC background and briefing papers, p14.
- a report from the ALIA Board of Directors meeting, 12 October 2001, inCite, November 2001, p16.
A summary of the above inCite article can be found in ALIA: Making the difference appendix, item 12:ALIA conferences review - summary, p10. [214Kb download] |
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