WISCONSIN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Minutes

Friday, September 11, 2020

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 Virtual: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/394139997

 

 Mission Statement: WLA engages, inspires and advocates for library workers and supporters to improve and promote library services for the people of Wisconsin. 

Present:  Sue Abrahamson, Katharine Clark, Michael Doylen, Sherry Machones, Gina Rae, Nyama Reed, Kris Turner, Tracy Vreeke, Plumer Lovelace, Tom Klement.

Guests:  None.

Excused:  Desiree Bongers, Jennifer Cook, Kathy Michaelis.

Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established at 10:03 a.m. by President Machones. 

Consent Agenda 

The consent agenda, which contained the minutes of the 8/7/2020 meeting and the current agenda, was accepted on a motion by Reed, seconded by Vreeke.  Passed on a unanimous board vote. 

Finance Report – Tom Klement

  • August 2020 Financial Report
    • Abrahamson suggested that units reach out to membership for renewals.  WLA staff will provide unit leadership with lists.  Clark suggested reaching out to students about membership.

Tracy Vreeke left and Kevin Pomarnke joined the meeting at 10:15 a.m.

President’s Report – Sherry Machones 

  • Results on the Board’s election proposal were overwhelmingly positive.  Units choosing to hold elections will receive information shortly.

Kevin Pomarnke left and Desiree Bongers joined the meeting at 10:40 a.m.

  • WLA’s offerings for professional development:
    • No one volunteered to help with it this year.
    • Putting together an ad-hoc committee to offer a mini virtual conference.
      • The date for a one-day mini conference was set as Wednesday, November 11.
      • Cost will be kept low, approximately $25.
      • The vision is to include a keynote and “luncheon” speaker, a few sessions, an awards ceremony and possibly a fundraiser.

Dena Wortzel joined the meeting at 12:00 p.m.

Wisconsin Humanities Council – Dena Wortzel

  • Wortzel discussed the Resilient Communities Initiative, which will pair community engagement trainees with a library to work with community leaders and use the library as a hub for activities and resources.  Abrahamson moved, Rae seconded, that WLA support the Resilient Communities Initiative.  Motion carried.

Dena Wortzel and Desiree Bongers left the meeting at 12:40 p.m.

Executive Director Report – Plumer Lovelace

ALA Councilor’s Report – Sherry Machones

Michael Doylen left the meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Unit Work-in-Progress

  • AWSL
  • OSRT
  • Student SIG – Reed spoke at the SOIS student orientation
  • WISL
  • YSS

Next meeting – October 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., virtual meeting

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 1:21 p.m. with full consensus among those in attendance.

 
Respectfully submitted,

Desiree Bongers, with assistance from Gina Rae

WLA Secretary