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Thanks so much for your very thoughtful response here Joan. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think we should make it as clear as possible that we are an inclusive organization, one which would actually like to be much more diverse than we are. But the idea that we would wish to exclude anyone based on what they do outside of our organization would seem to go against our core value of inclusion and offering a service to all in the profession of art librarianship. Further, I am somewhat appalled by the idea that someone would be doing research on potential members' other memberships and affiliations. While I share the original poster's dislike of exclusionary/discriminatory organizations, I also think that part of diversity in an organization is allowing people with widely differing experiences and backgrounds to participate, so long as what they bring to our organization is in line with our mission and core values. Particularly these days where our privacy is being challenged on all sides by both online service providers and the NSA, I would like ARLIS to still be a place that honors our (ever more limited) privacy rights. All best, Eric Eric M. Wolf Head Librarian The Menil Collection 1511 Branard Street Houston, TX 77006 (713) 525-9426 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> From: ARLIS/NA List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joan Benedetti Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 1:52 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] anniversary This whole conversation makes me very uncomfortable. As anyone that knows my history with the organization knows, a major theme of my actvities with ARLIS has been INclusion, more inclusion, not less. I not only think that the suggestions put forward, though well-meaning, would be impossible to enforce, I think they would be counter to the basic principles of this professional organization. And, though it may seem a bit over-the-top to say so--I think this type of exclusion is un-American! We offer multiple platforms, both formal and informal, to air our opinions about just about everything related to art librarianship. We are a small enough organization that if a person's behavior or points of view are truly repugnant, we can make it clear in many ways that those behaviors or expressions are not welcome--and we can, by the same token, make it clear what behaviors or opinions are most welcome. But to exclude, a priori--on what basis?--people from membership just seems wrong. Joan Benedetti ----- Original Message ----- From: Heidi Rempel<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] anniversary While I, personally, dislike the idea of clubs that admit only men, I feel like that qualifier alone could be a problematic definition by which to gauge suitability for membership. After all, as a graduate of a Seven Sisters college that has chosen not to go co-ed, I would feel rather hypocritical about insisting that a private entity should not decide inclusion/exclusion based on gender alone. Yes, I know there are historical differences in the debate about privilege regarding men-only institutions and women-only institutions but still, it seems like it could be a problematic issue. Are gender-specific organizations necessarily hate-based? I would argue that no, they are not, even when I, personally, feel uncomfortable with the exclusion of women from prestigious men-only clubs. I certainly think ARLIS should consider, if it doesn't already do so, defining itself as a safe and inclusive organization and insisting on its meeting places (online and in-person) adhering to those standards. I do think, however, that we would need to think about where we would draw the line at banning people from joining but especially WHY we would draw the line. -- Heidi J. Rempel, MA MSLIS Special Projects Manager Seattle Chamber of Commerce ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.arlisna.org Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.arlisna.org Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.arlisna.org Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~