---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:35:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Helen Chillman <[log in to unmask]>
To: Joan Benedetti <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] ARLIS/NA Chapter Affiliation
I agree with Joan--the chapters should have time to think this through in
relation to their own, often quite individual, situations. While I think one
can say all VOTING members of a chapter should be national members as well,
there needs to be a place for local affiliates and colleagues--and no, $45 dues
are not cheap to many. We should have in mind a much more inclusive local
group, only some of whom may move into the national ArlisNA category when their
careers or interests show membership is an advantage.
Am I understanding correctly that we would pay national dues, and then also
chapter dues, but the chapter dues would come back to each chapter?
This would logically mean all chapter dues are the same, x amount times number
of members equals what the chapter gets back.
Local chapters could of course raise their own extra money, if needed, in their
own way without reporting to the national organization.
I certainly don't want to see myrids of little Arlis-es sprouting like
mushrooms if chapters decide to leave the mother ship; we'll have no clout that
way when we need it.
Helen Chillman
Yale University
On Wed, 28 Jun 2006, Joan Benedetti wrote:
> Hi Kay:
>
> I've been trying to formulate an opinion about this matter to post on ARLIS-L
> and have little or no time to do the necessary reading of all the documents
> and thinking about it. You have expressed the issues so clearly--as did
> Genie Candau (so glad to hear from Genie after all these years--she is
> apparently still active in the chapter even though she has not been attending
> the national conference since she retired) and Judy Hoffberg. I personally
> think that all chapter members should pay for national membership. (The
> retired/unemployed membership category is only $45.) ARLIS/NA is a national
> organization and the dues for other national organizations are generally a
> lot higher. ARLIS/NA is the body, the heart, of the organization. But the
> chapters are the arms and legs, the everyday experience of the organization,
> and the vehicle through which one usually begins to be active as an officer
> or in project work. Both are essential. It is good to be having this
> discussion very intensively now, even though it is a topic that has been
> around for many years. But as the options have been laid out by
> headquarters, I don't believe that the chapters have enough information to
> make an informed decision and I don't believe that they should be forced to
> without knowing exactly what the consequences will be, both for signing now
> or not signing now. Back to the drawing board, Executive Board. This is a
> hard one and all chapters need to be heard from--and listened to.
>
> Joan Benedetti
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kay Teel" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 8:51 AM
> Subject: Re: ARLIS/NA Chapter Affiliation
>
>
>> I have had the chance to read the documents. My sketchy thoughts are:
>>
>> * It is premature and untenable to ask the chapters to sign an agreement
>> that will change the way chapter dues are collected when the details are not
>> "fleshed out" -- would you sign an agreement with a financial institution
>> that can't tell you how you'll receive your money?
>>
>> * The idea that all chapter dues would be collected by HQ and dispersed back
>> to the chapters seems in logical conflict with the agreement's assertion
>> that chapters are independent contractors. How can an entity financially
>> dependent upon the Society be "independent"?
>>
>> * Nothing in the agreement states what ARLIS/NA will do for its chapters,
>> and because of that, I found myself highly skeptical of Elizabeth Clarke's
>> statement that "The ARLIS/NA Executive Board and the ARLIS/NA Head Quarters
>> are committed to supporting the ongoing success of each chapter."
>>
>> * We do not know what the ramifications will be if a chapter does not sign
>> the agreement -- yet another reason why I feel it is premature for the
>> chapters to be asked to do this.
>>
>> * A big question in my mind is whether this or any other chapter would or
>> could continue on its own if ARLIS/NA dissolves the Society-chapter
>> relationship if a chapter doesn't sign the agreement. (Not that we even know
>> this would happen!)
>>
>> * I get the feeling that the Board, despite leaning on its chapters to host
>> conferences, thinks the chapters are unimportant and do not contribute to
>> the health of the Society as a whole. I couldn't disagree more. I would
>> never in a million years have become more active in NA had I not become
>> active in my first local chapter. But despite the enthusiasm, interest, and
>> welcoming nature of even the most vital chapter, I'm not sure if they can
>> survive without some affiliation "to hang our hat on" as it were.
>>
>> * I get a lot out of NA and am active on a NA committee. I don't dislike or
>> have problems with the Society itself. But I think this chapter agreement is
>> being pushed through quickly, without a lot of information to put it into
>> context, and I am cynical enough to wonder why the rush and why the
>> reluctance to explain.
>>
>> In my heart, I would vote for the chapter not to sign this agreement because
>> we simply have not been given either a voice or enough information to make
>> an informed decision. However, I fear the consequences of not signing, and
>> *if* the choice is between signing or dissolving the chapter, I would rather
>> sign than lose the chapter.
>>
>> Kay Teel
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>
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__________________________________________________________________
Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
For information about joining ARLIS/NA see:
http://www.arlisna.org/join.html
Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
to [log in to unmask]
ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html
Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask]
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