VLA Annual Business Meeting

October 29, 1999

The Homestead

1) President Heinemann convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Minutes from last year's meeting were not read.

2) Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Sumey reviewed VLA's income and expense sheets to date. He reported approximately $8,000 more in operating income than budgeted, due in part to the membership dues increase and proceeds from VLA Jobline. Donations toward VLA's legislative liaison stand at approximately $24,000 with some pledges still outstanding. In terms of conference contributions, the Paraprofessional Conference contributed approximately $10,000; general programs approximately $2,000; and the Annual Conference is projected to add $10,000 to Association income. Expenses are on target. This year VLA should end the year in strong financial shape with a projected $95,000 in reserve as of December 31, 1999. Within the next year the association should achieve the goal of one year's operating expenses in reserve. Terry also encouraged attendees to please contribute to match or increase pledges toward forward funding for VLA's legislative liaison position.

3) Conference Report: Executive Director Hahne reported that VLA closed the year with 1,180 members. Four hundred twenty five registrants are attending the conference, and 174 registrants attended the ticketed author lunch. Of the 425 attendees, 354 are attending the full conference.

4) Nominating Committee: Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee Tom Hehman reported the 1999 election results: Cy Dillon will be Vice President/President-Elect; Ruth Arnold was elected to the position of 2^nd Vice President; Jeanette Friedman will serve as Treasurer; and Mary Mayer-Hennelly will serve as the new ALA Councilor. Tom thanked the Nominating Committee and all those who stood for election. He encouraged everyone to serve on a VLA committee and get actively involved with the association.

5) Legislative Committee: Committee Chair Sam Clay recognized members of the committee and thanked them for their assistance. He read a report prepared by past chair Janis Augustine detailing the past year's activities. The committee had two meetings and five conference calls. They sponsored Legislative Day in Richmond on January 21, 1999 with over 60 library supporters participating. Committee members attended JCOTS meetings, LVA Board meetings and ALA Federal Legislative Days in Washington, D.C. The committee supported and advocated for the Jackson Bill (HB 1043) and achieved Step 2 of full funding of State Aid to Public Libraries and began the Public Library Technology Initiative called "Infopowering." In conjunction with Phil Abraham, VLA's legislative liaison, the committee developed a legislative strategy to include extra funding for State Aid and Infopowering in the Governor's biennial budget. Republican legislators, influential Republicans and one technology council have written letters to Governor Gilmore. Meetings have been held with a variety of members of the Gilmore administration.

President Heinemann presented Sam Clay with a resolution of thanks, approved by Council, commending him for his work for VLA over the years and especially for his effort this past year in contacting 93 library directors to ask for pledges to support VLA's legislative liaison.

6) Awards and Recognition: Committee Chair Susan Keller presented the following awards: 1) Life Memberships to Becky Laine and Ruth Turner; 2) the Friends of the Library Award to the Friends of the Virginia Beach Library; 3) the George Mason Award to the Williamsburg Regional Library; and 4) the Trustee Library Award to Linda Conti-White from Loudoun County Public Library.

Incoming President Carolyn Barkley thanked the outgoing members of the executive committee (Stella Pool; Terry Sumey and Sandy Heinemann) and recognized their hard work and many contributions over the past year.

Nancy Schiff, Chair of the Volunteer Management Forum, presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Marlene Wright of the Blue Ridge School.

Tom Hehman and Stella Pool recognized VLA's Paraprofessional Board with "Distinguished Service Awards" for achievement in providing high quality continuing education and leadership opportunities over the past 20 years.

7) Passing the Gavel: Sandy Heinemann formally passed the gavel to Carolyn Barkley as the new President of VLA. Carolyn briefly addressed the importance of information throughout history, noting that libraries are at the heart of this process.

8) Announcements: Sandy noted that at the VLA Paraprofessional Conference, Patricia White from the Northern Virginia Community College was named Paraprofessional of the Year. She also acknowledged the deaths of the following VLA members: Gladys Caywood (VLA treasurer in the mid-1980's and 27 years as librarian in the Newport News Public Schools); Caroline Arden (librarian for many years at the Arlington County Public Library system and VLA's ALA Chapter Councilor from 1976-1984; Gordon Bechanan (President of VLA in 1981-1982 and Director of Virginia Tech Libraries for a decade, retiring in 1985).

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.