Purpose, Goals & Objectives

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Academic Library Association of Ohio Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG) is to identify issues and areas of mutual concern among support staff and to develop communication for the purpose of resource sharing and continuing education.

GOALS

1. To encourage the participation of all colleagues within the profession to achieve the common goal of quality service.
2. To foster positive working relationships among support staff at all levels in academic libraries.
3. To develop a professional identity for support positions and to enhance the professional atmosphere within academic libraries.
4. To promote cohesiveness among support staff statewide.
5. To promote the exchange of ideas among individuals with similar responsibilities in academic libraries.

OBJECTIVES

1. The SSIG shall sponsor or co-sponsor in conjunction with ALAO, programs of particular interest to support staff but not limited to support staff.

2. The SSIG will hold a fall business meeting at the annual ALAO conference or at the preconference if one is sponsored by SSIG. In addition to the fall preconference held every few years, SSIG may sponsor an annual spring or summer workshop which includes a business meeting as well as the program.
3. The SSIG Chair or other SSIG representative will regularly contribute information to the ALAO newsletter.

MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in ALAO is required for membership in the SSIG.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

1. The Chairperson will report SSIG activities, concerns, etc. to the ALAO Executive Board. The Chair will attend ALAO Board meetings (four per year) and the annual retreat. The Chairperson will serve as Chair of the SSIG Program Planning Committee.
2. The Secretary/Chair-Elect of SSIG will be elected at the annual workshop, will take minutes at all the meetings and will preside in the absence of the elected Chairperson. Further the Chair-Elect serves as the Chair of the SSIG Issues & Concerns Committee.
3. The year-round standing committees for the SSIG will consist of, but are not limited to, the SSIG Program Planning Committee and the SSIG Issues & Concerns Committee. Committee membership is open to any current member of ALAO, and the term is for one year but is renewable. Service time will be from one annual ALAO conference until the next.
   1. The SSIG Program Planning Committee (PPC) will convene to plan workshops, preconferences (when sponsored by the SSIG), and other events of the SSIG.
   2. The SSIG Issues & Concerns Committee (ICC) will take up current issues or concerns to academic library support staff who are members of ALAO. The SSIG ICC will be a voice for support staff issues in Ohio and present these issues to the SSIG membership at the annual business meeting held during the annual ALAO Conference. This committee will provide input to the SSIG PPC.
4. Subcommittees may be appointed as they are needed.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

1. The Past-Chair will provide a slate of at least two candidates (if possible) for Secretary/Co-Chair during the business meeting of the annual workshop.
2. Before placing the name of any person in nomination, the Past-Chair will determine the willingness of the person to be a candidate and will verify that the person is a member of ALAO.
3. If only one person agrees to run for Secretary/Co-Chair, the floor will be open for nominations at the spring business meeting. If no nominations come from the floor, the single candidate will be affirmed with the showing of hands.
4. The largest number of votes collected will determine the election. The Past-Chair will verify and announce the results in the ALAO newsletter. Only ALAO members are eligible to vote in the SSIG elections.
5. Voting on special issues will be held as needed during the fall or spring/summer business meetings.
6. If the office of the Chairperson is vacated prior to the expiration of a term, the Secretary/Co-Chair will assume all duties of the Chairperson. An interim Secretary will be appointed to fill the term until the regular spring elections are held.
7. If the office of Secretary/Co-Chair is vacated prior to the expiration of a term, the Chairperson will appoint someone to fill the office until the regular spring elections are held.

SPRING/SUMMER WORKSHOP AND PRECONFERENCE PROGRAMS

1. These programs are planned by the SSIG Program Planning Committee through their periodic meetings and e-mail communication.
2. The SSIG's annual workshop and the preconference, if held, will include a business meeting in addition to the program.
3. The concept of regional workshops in cooperation with regional consortia and all types of libraries should continue so that more SSIG members or potential members can easily participate.

OBJECTIVES, 2003-2004

1. The SSIG Chair will address the ALAO membership asking for support from all the members, particularly library directors, for support staff personnel to attend meetings, and to increase awareness among support staff of ALAO SSIG.
2. Identify at least one SSIG member to be appointed to the ALAO Program Committee to aid in providing programs of interest to all segments of the ALAO membership and to secure a vital role for the SSIG in ALAO.
3. If a suitable candidate is found, at the annual workshop one SSIG member may be selected for nomination for the ALAO Distinguished Service Award which is presented at the annual fall conference. Written recognition of nomination for the award will be presented to the nominee at the SSIG business meeting at the annual fall conference.
4. Continue the Support Staff Issues & Concerns Committee to study issues and report on them to the SSIG membership. It now exists as an email committee due to the priority placed on other activities.
5. Continue our ongoing use of the online network of communication among ALAO SSIG members. This would be to publicize our activities and share resources. We will maintain our web presence.
6. Promote the Ohio Library Outstanding Support Staff Award and Supporter of Support Staff Award to be given at the annual conference.
7. Plan to hold either a preconference or a workshop each year.
8. Provide support for the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute.