*Thanks* to the nine (9) persons who responded to my question regarding
memberships in multiple chapters of the AALL.
Here is a summary of the opinions that were sent to me.
No one indicated a known place other than Virginia where it is possible
to be an active/regular/full member (eligible to hold office) of three or
more AALL chapters at the same time. One law librarian in Virginia stated
that there are probably less than 15 folks total who are members of SEAALL,
VALL, and the Law Librarians Society of Wash., D.C.--mostly those who work
in the Arlington or Alexandria area--hence, this situation is minimal.
Almost everyone pointed out that there is some overlap between chapters,
in their geographical boundaries. State chapters fall in the same territory
included in a regional chapter (e.g., NOCALL and WESTPAC; ORALL and MALL;
CoALL and SWALL). Chapters based around metropolitan areas (Chicago,
Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans, Puget Sound,
etc.) also overlap with the broader regional chapters. And in the case of
two regional chapters, SWALL and MALL, each of them includes both Oklahoma
and Arkansas in their realms, but neither of those states also has a state
chapter or a metro-based chapter.
Three people stated the feeling that multiple memberships probably help,
and at least don't hurt very much. Being involved in several organizations
is the best way to get to know the professional situation. The regional and
state/local chapters are very different and essential for diff. purposes.
Those who are willing & interested ought to be encouraged, not discouraged.
If someone wants to volunteer, even in more than one chapter simultaneously,
more power to them!
Three other people said that multiple memberships do result in the talent
being spread too thin. Members may choose to be active in only one,
depriving the other of some valuable folks. When others try to do too much
and become over-extended, both organizations in which they're involved may
suffer. Lots of chapters have been moving to uncontested elections, which
really doesn't give the membership a choice for their leadership--the
overlapping demands from dual-chapter membership might be a factor. (Aside:
chapter leaders need to call on "less proven" or newer members to be
involved, rather than always asking the reliable, tried-and-true troopers.)
Finally, at least two people pointed out that it is not always clear 1)
what a chapter's geographical boundaries are, or 2) who is eligible to hold
office. The geographical boundaries may be specified in the artcles of
incorporation, in the bylaws, or the constitution. In cases of doubt or
dispute, a decision may be made by the chapter's Board or its Membership
Committee. Or the boundaries may be simply implied by the chapter's name,
e.g. Minnesota Assn of Law Libraries. If that chapter has only two
categories of member, Life member and Active member, and one can be an
active member simply by being interested in law librarianship and paying your
dues, it is unlikely that the Minnesota nominating committee will
propose that a member who lives and works in Los Angeles, CA be nominated to
serve as an officer of that chapter.
In a way, this leads me to think that maybe "less is more." That is, if
SEAALL had not been so highly specific as to say that our region includes
11 specific states and Puerto Rico, and that if you are outside those 12
places you have to join as an "associate", and the right to hold office does
not extend to associates... well, then, if SEAALL subsequently had a couple
of members like those D.C. librarians who are talented and who have
been attending annual meetings, contributing to the newsletter, etc.--
hey! why not put their names on the ballot and let the members decide if it
is appropriate for them to lead us? But we don't have that flexibility.
Hmm ...
------------------------------------ * *
Alva T. Stone, Head of Cataloging * *
FSU Law Library, Tallahassee FL 32306-1043 * *
fax: 904-644-5216 *
tel: 904-644-2881 "I'd rather be birding."
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