If your school is anything like mine, one of the values we strive to instill in our students is community service, or volunteerism. Not just to pad a college or university resume, but a genuine investment of time in an activity that benefits others. My term as AISL president is drawing to a close, and it occurs to me that as independent school librarians, AISL offers us a unique opportunity to serve our North American library community. This service can take many forms—being active on the listserv, sharing resources, acting as a mentor, etc.—but it can also be through serving on the AISL Board …

… and as luck would have it, there are three vacancies for Member-at-Large positions on the AISL Board this spring!

The current AISL Board will be changing in March as people complete their terms of office and either transition off the Board, or move into new positions, freeing up these three Member-at-Large positions.

Here’s the scoop as of March 2017 – put faces to names: https://aisl.wildapricot.org/board

Katie Archambault will become President for a two-year term (2017-2019)

Renee Chevallier is assuming the Treasurer position for a three-year term (2017-2020), following in the footsteps of Jean Bruce, who has done an excellent job of keeping AISL legally compliant, vibrant, and in the black

Phoebe Warmack is moving into the Secretary role vacated by Katie

Christina Pommer remains Technology Director for a three-year term (2016-2019)

Sandy Gray will become Past-President for one year, assisting Katie until spring 2018, when a President-Elect will be determined by the Board to assist Katie in her second year as president

Allison Peters Jensen is completing her three-year term as a Member-at-Large.  Allison was the mastermind behind the “welcome Bingo” initiative at recent annual conferences, and took the lead to implement the Board’s new Mentorship Program.

And many of you know Jean Bruce, last year’s Marky Award winner and outgoing Board Treasurer, who has worked tirelessly to ensure the long-term success of this association. Not only is Jean an inspiring colleague, she’s done a great deal on the Board well beyond her scope as Treasurer, and we are all the beneficiaries of her vision. A “yuge” thanks, Jean – what will you do with all your free time?!?

So, what exactly does a Member-at-Large do on the AISL Board? This person assumes responsibility for an initiative (liaison with the planners of the Summer Institute or the Annual Conference, coordinator of the Board’s new Mentorship Program, or manager of the annual Affordability Scholarship for first-time conference attendees) and maintains contact with the constituents and the Board via email. S/he also contributes to the success of all Board initiatives as needed.

Most of our work is conducted via email, occasionally by phone, although we hope to leverage technology common to our schools (and not blocked on campus!) to meet virtually as needed in future. The entire AISL Board meets only once a year, at the annual conference, where attendance is mandatory: to serve on the Board, you are expected to attend the annual conference and Board meeting each year during your term of office.

A Member-at-Large serves a three-year term, with the option of assuming the role of President, Treasurer, Secretary or Technology Director. (No pressure!)

Those of us who have served on the AISL Board over the years recognize that our work is largely invisible to the membership, but it is critical nevertheless. Without dedicated Board members and volunteers, our association would have no website, no wiki, no blog, no social media, no membership renewals, no platform for conference and Summer Institute registration, no Affordability Scholarships, no Mentorship program – you get the picture.

So please consider applying for one of the three vacant Member-at-Large positions on the AISL Board. It’s a great way to give back to our larger library community, contribute to the ongoing success of our association, make new friends, and have some fun. Really. FUN!

If you are interested in joining the AISL Board, please send an email to gray@smcsmail.com and provide the following details:

1. Name
2. Title & School / Location
3. AISL experience / conference attendance
4. Activities you lead/participate in at your school
5. Highlights of accomplishments
6. Why you would like to join the AISL Board.

If you are attending the annual conference in New Orleans next month, please seek out any one of us if you have questions about serving on the Board. We’re happy to share our experiences.

Deadline to apply is Friday, April 15th. The Board will reach a decision by the end of April so we can welcome new members before the summer break.

And hold onto this thought … we stand on the shoulders of giants.

The success of AISL today is a direct result of the vision and hard work of founding members, a series of dedicated Board members over the years, and our general membership.

The AISL Board is looking to add three new members – we hope you will consider joining us! Grow professionally, have some fun, and model the volunteering commitment for your students – it takes a village to build a thriving library community!