SSPiN Executive Committee Minutes

January 11, 2009

 

Meeting started at 6:50 p.m.

 

Held in meeting room of the Saint Anthony Library (Hennepin County Library branch)

 

Members Present:  JoAnn Toussaint, Brian Dahlvig, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Lisa Hull

 

  1. Welcome / Orientation

 

      JoAnn introduced herself and invited the other members to provide a brief         introduction.  There was some discussion about SSPiN membership and the           challenges in keeping / attracting new members.  Tracy said at last count there             were 45 members in the SSPiN committee.

 

  1. SSPIN goals for 2010

 

Membership

 

Need to increase SSPiN membership by a minimum of 5% (based on previous year’s section membership).  SSPiN has seen a decrease in membership within the last year (same for MLA overall)

 

·        Ideas to increase membership– promote SSPiN at St. Kates, MCTC, professional conferences at University of MN, Branch Out (every 2 years)

 

Newsletter

 

Continue to produce LinkUp! Newsletter 2 times per year – need new editor.

 

·        LinkUp! was last published in 2008, no publication in 2009 (see link on SSPiN website).  Rita Schultz was the most recent editor.  Lisa expressed an interest in editing the newsletter, she will follow up with Rita by email to get her thoughts and ideas.

 

·        Discussion on distribution of newsletter – is there an email distribution list?  Tracy has one from last year.  Ginny Heinrich had a listserv for SSPiN members at one time.

 

Bylaws

 

If not resolved at meeting in 2009, determine which set of bylaws is correct, or work to determine which set we should use.  There are 2 versions of the bylaws from 2002, need to decide which version to adopt.  Tracy noted that online voting needs to be added to bylaws – MLA as a whole is moving to online voting.  Copies of bylaws are available on the website.

 

Communication

 

            Improve communication among members through visibility at EQS, the MLA     conference, the SSPiN website, LinkUp! and other methods.

 

·        Tracy will continue to update SSPiN website – only one or two people have worked on Communication Committee in the past few years.

 

·        MLA has a Facebook page, SSPiN does not – Brian volunteered to create one.

 

Conference Sessions

 

Need to present proposals for a minimum of 3 programs at the MLA annual conference.  Proposals are due by mid-March, discuss at next meeting?

 

            Promotional Materials

 

Consider selecting a promotional item if the budget allows.

 

JoAnn showed the committee past promotional materials (screen sweep, brochures).  Committee members agreed that the brochure needs to be updated.  JoAnn will check past committee members to get ideas for promotional items.

 

            MLA 2010 Goals

 

            JoAnn will check with the MLA office to get a copy of the 2010 goals (approved          at November 2009 meeting?).  We will need to discuss how SSPiN can contribute to those goals.

 

Future SSPiN Membership Meetings 

 

Need to choose a location, date, and time for spring meeting.  Late March, April, May – check calendars.  Possibly coordinate with Legislature Day?  Add to LinkUp! news letter.

 

Other Ideas

 

Need to generate more energy and interest in SSPiN.  Discussed ideas on how to promote SSPiN.  Brian suggested surveying members using Survey Monkey (free online survey software).  Tracy has a password set up for Survey Monkey.  Brian will work on putting together a survey.

 

 

 

 

  1. Budget for 2010

 

New policy approved by MLA board in November 2009, need to get a copy of policy.   Committee budgets will be reviewed by the MLA board at their meeting on February 19th.

 

As discussed earlier, the SSPiN brochure needs to be updated.  This would be something to consider putting in the budget (cost of printing).  JoAnn will check on this.

 

  1. Plan SSPiN Membership Meeting

 

Already discussed earlier, possibly arrange on or around Legislative Day in the afternoon – usually this in March, need to find out when it is for 2010.

 

Tracy suggested inviting the current MLA president to the meeting (Kathleen James).

 

  1. Other Business:

 

Tracy will be on leave starting March 3rd, for 12 weeks.

 

Next SSPiN Executive Committee should be “in person” prior to spring meeting.  JoAnn will contact members to schedule.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.