NASIG Newsletter

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Char Simser, NASIG President

Vote, Volunteer, and Vision!

ONLINE VOTING
It’s here! Some might say “big deal” or “it’s about time,” but that does not diminish this historic moment one iota. We talked about online voting for several years. Paper balloting was time-consuming and expensive. The move to online balloting hasn’t come with blood, sweat and tears, but it has been a lot of work behind the scenes. Donnice Cochenour’s technology updates do not describe the hours that she and Lisa Blackwell, Database & Directory (D&D) Committee chair, have put into verifying that the new membership database is working the way we expect. It does not count the hours that Gail Julian and her Nominations & Elections (N&E) Committee members tested the balloting. Online voting is open! We have an excellent group of NASIGers on the ballot this year. Please cast your vote. Participate in the process that elects your leaders, the individuals who will guide NASIG in the coming years!

VOLUNTEER FOR A NASIG COMMITTEE
The call has gone out! NASIG needs you! This organization thrives on the spirit of volunteerism. I sincerely hope you will consider putting your name forward. I jumped in with both feet a few months after first joining NASIG when my (now former) boss and I applied to be Proceedings editors in 1997. That experience allowed me to meet so many NASIGers. Volunteering opens some great networking opportunities and wonderful friendships! Do it! You won’t regret the decision to get involved.

VISION: STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS UPDATE
The weather, the primaries and caucuses, and the stock market have been wild these last few months. But nothing exemplifies “wild” like NASIG’s new strategic directions. Okay. Maybe they aren’t that wild but they will chart some new directions for our organization. I kicked off the discussion about our plans in the December Newsletter. I promised we would have documents from our October strategic planning retreat available on NASIGWeb by January. Because of the transition to the new website, I am making the documents available via this column until we can move them to their permanent home. Do take a look at the summary from consultant Betty Kjellberg of Association Solutions, LLC, which includes our action plans outlined for one year, October 2007-October 2008. I will highlight the progress we have made, which is reflected on the revised action plan:

• Appointed and charged the Administrative Support Task Force, chaired by Katy Ginanni
• Appointments underway for the Financial Advisory Committee
• New membership database and online voting in place; new website set to debut soon
• Publicized our volunteer program and the petition process for elections via the Newsletter
• Institutional membership report presented to the board; MDC will prepare a formal proposal to go to the Bylaws Committee with a ballot to go to the membership later this year

IN OTHER NEWS…
Site selection for our 2009 conference has been finalized. Asheville, North Carolina, here we come! Those dates are June 4-7, 2009.  We will begin the review process for the 2010 location this spring.

In the meantime, I do hope to see you in Phoenix for NASIG’s 23rd Annual Conference. Check out the Conference Planning (CPC) and Program Planning Committees reports in this issue of the Newsletter and watch your inbox for updates from CPC in the next 3 months. This conference has the potential to be the best NASIG annual meeting yet!

NASIG Strategic Plan Summary

Revised Action Plan

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Char Simser, NASIG President

It’s November as I’m writing this column. Fall. Changing seasons. The leaves are turning shades of red, orange, gold, and brown and are starting to fall. My neighbors are outside raking. Temperatures are dropping and I’m thinking back just a few weeks when the board met in Phoenix, Arizona. 99 degrees. (It was a dry heat.) The board enjoyed two very productive days in our meetings and during breaks stepped outside to enjoy the sun and gorgeous scenery at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs resort where we will hold our annual conference next June.

Mountain view at Tapatio Cliffs

It may be difficult to think about a meeting that is still months away, but Conference Planning and Program Planning committee members are hard at work to make NASIG’s 23rd annual conference a memorable one for you. Other NASIG committees are working equally as hard as the board read in their fall updates and reviewed on day one. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, some which is visible - the call for nominations, for membership renewals, and awards announcements - and some that takes place on committee lists and web space such as revisions to the membership brochure, setting up library school ambassadors, updating the Speakers and Consultants Directory, and so much more. Our committees don’t toot their own horns publicly often enough! Kudos to them all for the accomplishments that keep NASIG running. Continue reading 22:4 (2007:12) President’s Corner…

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Char Simser, NASIG President

Give them something to think about.

That’s from advice about great speeches. Ignore the fact that this isn’t a speech (let alone a great one), just my first president’s column.  But still, by the end of this page I hope to leave you with something to think about.

Wow. My first president’s column. Let me extend greetings to returning members and tell our newest members that you’ve made a great decision to join NASIG.  We have a strong tradition of excellent conferences and just celebrated our 22nd in Louisville, Kentucky, at the end of May/early June. In the coming months you will hear from the Conference Planning and Program Planning Committees with their plans to amaze us in Phoenix, Arizona, where we gather next June. NASIG has been – far and away – the most valuable conference for me, and I’m not saying that because I just took on the president’s reins this year!  I learn something new at every conference and though no one has figured out how to nail the serial or e-jello to the wall, the innovative and creative ideas presented at NASIG always energize me.

This year’s conference also gave us some time to reflect. Board members listened thoughtfully to the information conference attendees and NASIG members brought to light during the brainstorming discussions, http://nasignews.wordpress.com/2007/09/05/223-200709-22nd-conference-2007-brainstorming-session/. As I mentioned in my initial e-mail to the list after the conference, we wanted you to guide the discussion that asked, “Why is it difficult to get people to run for executive office of NASIG?”  I hope you will find time to read the notes from the board’s post-conference wrap up meeting, http://nasignews.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/223-200709-22nd-conference-2007-post-conference-board-wrap-up-meeting/, and the July conference call, http://nasignews.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/223-200709-executive-board-minutes-2/,   in this issue of the Newsletter. The board IS paying attention! I think you will see evidence that we are responsive to your questions and have identified a number of items that we can address in the short term.

The entire board supports seeking ways to simplify and create transparency in the organization’s processes.  One of our goals this year is to implement enhanced technology options, including a robust membership database that will ease our conference website set-up and registration processes and facilitate online voting.  This has the potential to open up the elections process in the future in ways we cannot do in our current paper-centric environment. I will add a plug here: do consider running for the board! It is a great education to see how the organization works, to get an in-depth understanding of budgeting, decision-making, and committee interaction, and to help formulate a vision for NASIG.   So nominate yourself or someone you know! A form is available at http://www.nasig.org/members/forms/nomform.html.  If you don’t make the ballot, use our petition process!

The brainstorming discussions and wrapping up the site selection survey kept me busy in June and July and I only mention this because members have asked about the time commitment required of officers.  I’m not sure we can predict what issues may surface in any given year that demand our time and attention.  I have been on the board (as guest, ex-officio, and as vice president) for five years and rarely recall the level of communication being quite so high immediately after our annual meeting.  I have logged an average of about an hour a day on NASIG business since early June, though some days it’s been 2 hours and other days 10 minutes.  I have had many weekends completely free! (Now I’d like to hear some committee chairs chime in here!  I imagine many chairs put in similar hours.  I know I worked at least that much as Newsletter editor, though the hours were much more concentrated at certain times of the year.  I often put in 10-15 hours in the week prior to publication of the html and pdf versions.  I loved what I was doing so I never saw it as a burden.)

The months ahead look busy, too. Beyond the day-to-day activities as president (consulting with the board and committee chairs on the “regular” business of NASIG), I fully expect to contribute some time and energy to implementing the technology RFP, revisiting the strategic plan, http://www.nasig.org/public/strategicplan03.pdf, and moving forward with financial planning. That last item allows us to look at opportunities for paid staff (mentioned during the brainstorming) while providing contingency funds. As noted by former president Steve Savage:

“The key to financial health is stability and predictability of income and expenses, not luck. We’ve been extremely lucky, so far, that our conferences have not been affected by a major health concern (such as SARS), suspension of airline service over a wide area (as happened on Sept. 11 and 12, 2001), a major natural or manmade disaster at a conference site, or any other unforeseen crisis.” [link:  http://www.nasig.org/newsletters/newsletters.2004/04dec/04dec_presidents_corner.html.]

While some have called for us to tone down the organization’s activities, to keep costs down, to reduce reliance on volunteers in order to avoid burn-out, please take a second look at our objective for a NASIG on a more firm financial footing. I am a firm believer that this is critical for NASIG’s future. We would love to hear your solutions!

We are listening! Contact us through comments on the blog, to email via the NASIG list or to the board at board@nasig.org, or directly to me at csimser@ksu.edu. 

Now the question remains…. did I leave you something to think about?
 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Denise Novak, NASIG President

In just a few short weeks, we’ll be convening in Louisville, Kentucky, for the 23rd Annual NASIG Conference.  Whew!  This year has flown and now I’m composing my final column for the Newsletter.  There have been a couple of bumps in the road, but for the most part, I’ve had a blast serving as your president. 

One of the highlights of my presidency was the opportunity to attend the United Kingdom Serials Group Conference as your representative.  The conference sessions were excellent and the differences between UKSG and NASIG are superficial, although they do have exhibits.  Both groups focus on the content of the conference. NASIG was ably represented by Clint Chamberlain, Jill Emery, and Dana Walker, who made an excellent presentation.

At the UKSG conference each year there is a quiz held after dinner.  People sign up for a table and those people make up teams.  This year Jill and I started a table which rapidly filled up.  Our table had international representation which helped us answer questions.  There were 5 rounds of 10 questions which covered all of the continents.  I am thrilled to report that our table came in 5th with 42.5 points!  If you ever get the chance to attend the UKSG conference, I urge you to go.

Your Executive Board has worked very hard this year.  Membership renewal has moved online.  We currently have an RFP for technology out to various vendors.  That task force will have a recommendation for the board at the May conference.  This year all of the NASIG committees have been working hard at improving what NASIG does for you.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank some very special people.  Without their advice and help, I would have had a much more stressful year:

Char Simser and Joyce Tenney, my friends and fellow Site Selection Committee members. 

Anne McKee, past president of NASIG, was an invaluable source of information.  Whenever I had questions she was my go to gal.  Thanks, Anne.

Alison Roth, CPC liaison, had a lot of OJT this year.  She’s done a great job of working with the CPC.

And last but certainly not least, my husband, Paul.  He has been my intrepid companion during my tenure on the Executive Board.   Paul has helped balanced the NASIG checkbook, listened to me fret, been my sounding board, taken me to the airport at 3 o’clock in the morning, lugged my suitcase numerous times, and done too many other chores to mention here.  He accompanied me to the UKSG conference. 

Give a very BIG thank you to our out-going board members, Kay Ginanni, Adam Chesler, and Mary Page.  You will be missed BUT we know where to find you.

When you get to Louisville, you will see what an absolutely AMAZING job the CPC and PPC have achieved this year.  I coerced Angel Clemons and Tyler Goldberg, the CPC co-chairs, to take on the responsibilities of conference planning.  Boy, they fulfilled my expectations and I’m so darn proud of them!  Rachel Frick and Sarah George, the PPC co-chairs, have totally outdone themselves.  I think you’ll be mighty impressed with the conference program.  Kudos to all of the committee members for an outstanding job!

Welcome to all the new board members, Jill Emery, vice president/president-elect; Peter Whiting, treasurer; Anna Creech, member-at-large; Kim Maxwell, member-at-large; and Jeff Slagell, member-at-large.  Congratulations and I look forward to working with you!

And finally, I would like to thank all of you, the NASIG membership, for allowing me the privilege of serving as the president of NASIG.  You are some of the finest people I’ve ever known.  Your commitment and enthusiasm for this organization leave me speechless.  I just can’t come up with the words to express how I feel.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Denise Novak, NASIG President

VOTE!!   March is NASIG election time!   This year a Vice President/President Elect, Treasurer and three Members-At-Large will be elected by you. Please take the time to vote and encourage other members to vote.   The Nominations & Elections Committee has worked very hard to present us with a slate of candidates for NASIG offices. As soon as you receive your ballot, mark it and pop it into the mail before it gets lost in the shuffle of all the other paper we deal with every day. There will be Bylaws measures to be voted on this year too, so it will be doubly important for you to send in your vote.

It has become increasingly difficult to find candidates to run for the office of Vice President/President Elect. It’s been stated many times that NASIG is a volunteer organization that depends on its members for leadership.  The Executive Board realizes that the commitment of time and energy is enormous. The board has become increasingly concerned with this issue.  A number of ideas have been discussed to try and mitigate the reluctance many of you have about agreeing to stand for this office.  The Executive Board would like to hear from you, the membership, why likely candidates for the office of Vice President/President Elect will not accept a nomination for this position.  We also need suggestions to remedy the situation. That’s why the brainstorming session at the 2007 NASIG Conference in Louisville, Kentucky will concentrate on this issue.  Please plan to attend this discussion on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 4:00 pm.  Your comments and ideas are essential for the continued success of NASIG as the premier serials organization in North America.

Now for some quick news about the upcoming annual conference which is just around the corner.  The Executive Board is pleased to be able to hold the cost of the conference to the same rate as 2006.  Louisville, Kentucky, is a wonderful city and both the Program Planning Committee and Conference Planning Committee have been working tirelessly to get an outstanding program and conference ready for you. As soon as the website is ready there will be an announcement on NASIG-L.  This is just one more reason to keep reading those messages on YOUR listserv, NASIG-L. Register early and don’t forget to make your room reservation at the SAME time!

Membership renewal experienced some changes this year.  There will be NO paper renewal reminders.  This year, the Database & Directory Committee was able to implement the process for online renewals.  It is working beautifully!  Special kudos should go to the Database & Directory Committee, the Treasurer and all of those who worked on this project.   If you have not renewed yet, please do so at http://www.nasig.org/forms/membership/renew.html. You will be amazed at how easy it is.  You can still print out a copy and mail it with your dues if necessary.

And lastly, I’m thrilled to report on some exciting news from the Site Selection Committee.  After several years of requests to hold the annual conference at a resort, we have found a location that meets the requirements for affordability, location and functionality.  We are going to the Tapatio Cliffs Resort (a Hilton property), Phoenix, Arizona, in June 2008.  The rates are an unbelievable $125 plus tax for a single or double room.  The whole place is beautiful, the rooms are huge and the meeting space will allow for the feel of a college campus with the amenities of a hotel.  Mark your calendars now! The dates of the conference are June 5-8, 2008, with possible preconferences on June 4 and 5.

As you can see, we have been keeping busy this fall and winter.  Please don’t forget to vote.  I look forward to seeing all of you in Louisville, Kentucky!

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Denise Novak, NASIG President 

Sitting here in my home office looking at the wind blow leaves from the trees, I’m reminded of the changing seasons and how much I dislike autumn because it means winter is fast approaching. Winter is not my favorite season. I know everything is constantly changing, not just the seasons.  Change keeps life interesting but that doesn’t mean I have to like all of it.    But change can be exciting, which brings me to the heart of my column.

The Executive Board meeting is scheduled for the first weekend in November in Louisville, Kentucky.  I can tell you we have a jam-packed agenda and will be discussing a plethora of possible changes in the way we:  

–Renew our memberships
–Increase the number of NASIG members
–Decide what gets posted on NASIG-L
–Select venues for conferences 

Membership renewal will be online this year but a printed form will be available if you have to send your membership renewal with a check.  The board understands that many institutions require a check and will not pay online.  

The new Membership Development Committee has been hard at work brainstorming ideas to get new people to join NASIG.  They have some fabulous ideas that the board is being asked to consider. 

NASIG-L has been very quiet for the past few months. There is a proposal being made to expand the scope of NASIG-L and allow the posting of more topics.  

The site selection committee has been busy looking over proposals for conference sites.  This is always an exciting though difficult responsibility.  The committee takes members’ suggestions very seriously and works hard to make contact with those cities members think would be good venues.  There will be more on site election in later issues of the Newsletter. 

The Board has also approved an RFP for the publishing of the NASIG Conference Proceedings.  We’ll see where that takes us and who might be interested in publishing the Proceedings.  It’s always good to review current practice and see what other possibilities might exist. 

In the next couple of weeks I’ll be posting a report on NASIG-L outlining the highlights of the meeting.  Until then, start unpacking those warmer clothes.  Any bets on when the first snow falls? 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Denise Novak, NASIG President 

“My Heart is in the Work.” Andrew Carnegie, the founder of Carnegie Mellon University, spoke those words, and working here at Carnegie Mellon University I find those words very appropriate in relation to NASIG.  While spending four years on the board as treasurer, two stints as chair/co-chair of the CPC, and another three years as a member of the Continuing Education Committee, NASIG has grown to be a large part of my life.  I am thrilled to be your president for the next twelve months and I thank all of you for the opportunity.  

Following Steve Savage, Anne McKee, Maggie Rioux and others as president, it’s obvious I have large shoes to fill.  I have learned so much from these people and I am confident that I can call on them for advice.  

NASIG as an organization has been in a transition for the past five years and both the organization and the membership have retained the ability to be flexible. I’m pleased to be able to continue some of the work which was initiated during my tenure as treasurer, such as the financial plan. It is my expectation to work with the Financial Development Committee this year to begin an endowment for the purpose of creating more student grant awards and more continuing education opportunities.  We also need to implement a more fully developed fundraising plan. All of you will have the opportunity to participate in these endeavors. 

Although the annual conference has changed in some aspects, exciting new venues and fabulous programming have become hallmarks of the conference.  The work of the Louisville CPC has been underway for several months.  The theme for the 2007 annual conference is “Place Your Bet in Kentucky: the Serials Gamble.”  More information will follow in the coming months, including a report in this newsletter by CPC co-chairs Angel Clemons and Tyler Goldberg. Rachel Frick and her co-chair Sarah George have sent out the call for proposals which will generate tremendous participation from the membership.  Right? 

One more plug and then I’ll step down off my soapbox.  I cannot overstress how important the nomination process is to NASIG.  We need enthusiastic, competent people to run for office.  You all know how much this organization depends on the membership and it’s because of you that NASIG is such a successful organization.  NASIG is the premier serials organization in the United States. Let’s keep it that way by nominating the very best people in our organization.  This will make the Nominations & Elections Committee members’ work easier in putting together the slate of candidates. 

I am pleased to have a terrific board to work with me this year. We are looking forward to an action-packed year and having a lot of fun.  Please keep in touch by contacting me at any time through my email address: dn22@andrew.emu.edu.