National Policy Congress 2003

Evaluation of the ALIA 2003 National Policy Congress

What was the most valuable aspect of the NPC?

• Identifying priorities for future directions
• Engaging in planning directions; success stories; sharing
• Networking. Good ideas - success stories useful opportunity to input into future planning. - Good to meet ALIA staff
• Providing future direction for the Association
• Learning where ALIA is going
• Opportunity to hear from groups - their views, suggestions, activities, issues and successes
• Getting a sense of the future, bringing everyone forward
• Meeting with National Office Staff/other convenors/Board members. Networking, the sharing. Clarification of policies, plans as they affect groups
• Discussion of plan - 2010 and issues. Also enjoyed success stories.
• Reviewing the critical issues and setting priorities. Continuous 'celebrating success' sessions also gave a positive aspect to the day
• Bringing me up to speed with what ALIA is doing - strategic directions, meeting other colleagues and national office staff. Meeting with Georgina and other LLO's
• Free and open discussion of issues important to ALIA and the profession
• 1. Understanding in more depth the progress made since last NPC, with interaction with the Board 2. Networking and understanding issues in other states etc
• Valuable outcomes for the process of review and Susan's session on planning the 'membership engagement' review - organised strategies addressing critical issues.
• To get overview of what is happening in ALIA and the opportunity to understand the perspective of others
• The opportunity for each group to be upfront about issues, to find common cause, consider other views etc and understand about ALIA's position in September 2003 relative to last year and hear about successes round the country.
• 1. Informed discussion 2. Knowledge of ALIA and ALIA issues 3. Opportunity to contribute to ALIA's future
• Opportunity to share and celebrate ALIA's success stories - contributed to a very positive focus for this year's NPC
• Networking. Input into strategy and planning. Well chaired - kept to agenda and times.
• Getting an overview [of] what ALIA, Board of Directors, ALIA National Office and groups are achieving
• Meeting everyone
• This was a great opportunity fir me personally to find out what happens at the National level. It would be fantastic if all members could have such an opportunity! I'd really encourage more visits by Presidents/Directors etc to the regions.
• Enjoyed the opportunity to meet other members in my profession and in particular the Directors

What was the least valuable aspect of the NPC?

• A little too much information sharing
• No comment
• Regional groups be told of their presentations prior to regional meeting so they can have input into highlights
• No comment
• Having to take annual leave to attend
• Some attendees are not as well prepared as they should be and haven't followed the instructions
• I think all the agenda was valuable
• It was my first time attending and I found it all valuable and rewarding
• Regions reporting on policy issues - most missed the point and gave a list of activities
• No comment
• Roundup of reports from regions. All these had been available to read on website.
• No comment
• Need for clarification in the success stories as opposed to report on activities
• Too many 'success stories' - one per group
• No comment
• Business plan - more details
• None
• No comment
• Not applicable
• All good
• I think the success stories and overview could have been combined
• I found it all valuable
• Felt under prepared because I didn't know I was to present twice. Documents received on arrival would have been better utilised if they were forwarded to me earlier (Comment - from this comment I believe that this delegate did not receive the e-mails sent prior to the NPC. As they wrote their name on the evaluation I have tried a number of times to contact them to ascertain if this was the case without success)

What other comments or suggestions do you have about the future of the ALIA National Policy Congress?

• It doesn't seem to deal with policy - more like a strategies focus - which is fine but doesn't seen to relate to NPC.
• No comment
• Very energising to come. Should continue in the current format. Thank you! I will endeavour to mentor a younger librarian to come next time.
• No comment
• No comment
• NPC has a future and should be annual and stay with the new format, manageable numbers if participants. Possible need more time for discussion. Timetable is always tight.
• Keep them as interactive as possible. Celebrate success. Have fun!
• It's important to keep it going on an annual basis. May-be one full day rather than split for better continuity. Preserve the relatively small number - great for communication, ease of participation. The dinner provided a great opportunity for networking.
• Perhaps allow a bit more time for discussion - unpack the agenda to allow for this.
• If NPCs could be scheduled to allow recommendations to be included in the following year's business plan - this would highlight how members are contributing to the agenda. This was a successful NPC.
• A little more time hearing about work in progress at National Office
• I think ALIA has a valuable role to play and should continue to investigate and discuss issues as was done so well this year.
• The opportunity to discuss some of the areas in more depth - eg the key aspects of the critical issues where reduced to Top 3/3 points. To consolidate understanding. Love the maracas.
• More time on critical issues
• It would have been good to have had all ALIA staff at National Office introduced - so we can put a face to the voice.
• Links between the September 2003 NPC outcomes and ALIA's position next year should be very clear (as in highlights and achievements) - show how the business plan is working but to support the strategic documents
• Ask participants to prepare - more pre reading could allow for greater discussion exploration of common links. I know I was asked to speak about my groups performance against objectives, but I still failed to understand this as it was 'buried' in the background/NPC preparations. Can success stories be posted/emailed beforehand with a request for participants to link/consider how their 'little interest group can interface with other groups?
• NPC is a very valuable forum but is not always well understood by general membership. We need to market NPC role to general membership so they understand its value and therefore are more willing to contribute to regional NPC process.
• Consider the process of having regional meetings beforehand to discuss agenda very useful. The format for 2003 to be followed in 2004 in relation to length and time (Friday/Saturday). Good atmosphere/constructive and flexible. Terrific food.
• I think the NPC is important. I was not involved with the NPC last year (I was at both the 1999 and 2000 NPCs) this format is a lot more productive. I think NPCs should continue annually, but in addition to more long term policy and planning maybe should also spend time evaluating how ALIA has met/is meeting the long-term goals and short-term business plans. Ta!
• Being a newcomer to the NPC I could have benefited from someone calling me and explaining what it was all about. I have to admit that it wasn't until I attended the regional meeting that I worked out what it was all about. Actually to be honest - does the general membership have an understanding of the role of the NPC??? I probably could have benefited from some guidance about what role I was expected to play. But I suppose in some ways it was up to me to seek this information. I thought perhaps the meeting could have had less overview and reviewing stuff. I'm running out of time so I'll send an email explaining what I mean by this. (NB email not received gd 26/9/03)
• Members feel 'burnt out' by NPC process in SA - always a lot of paperwork, they don't feel its relevant to them. Having attended this year's, I'll be endeavouring to share what I've learnt with as many people as possible - but still need ways to make this something that people want to do, rather than have to do. Background and briefing papers could have been a bit more timely. Lots of feedback sought from delegates, but isn't this a major part of NPC. Would have appreciated knowing when I was speaking in the 'celebrating success' line up. Would've like more 'housekeeping' intro (as I first time NPC delegate, there were quite a few minor things I didn't realise)
• For people who are new to NPC meetings some type of briefing (via email or telephone) before the meeting is essential. However I value the opportunity to be part of this selective group.

Evaluation Information