SR-SIS Newsletter, vol. 10, no. 1 (November 1999)

In This Issue:

SIS Leadership Weekend
From the Chair
Summary of SR-SIS Programs for the 2000 Meeting
SR-SIS Business Meeting Minutes, July 18, 1999
Revised Statement for Fiscal Year 1997-8
Year to Date Statement for Fiscal Year 1998-9

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SIS Leadership Weekend
by Ellen Platt

On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15 & 16, I attended a retreat for SIS leaders (and representatives from the AALL Headquarters, Roger Parent and Martha Brown, and the Executive Board, Margie Axtmann and Heather Simmons) to represent our SIS since John had a conflict that weekend.

Although I initially thought the session would focus more on assessing the individual SISs and addressing their issues, the focus was really more on defining the role of the SISs in AALL and looking at leadership generally. Despite this misperception on my part, I thought the session was well done, useful for leaders and future leaders, and an excellent opportunity to spend quality networking time with the other SIS leaders and AALL leaders. Since the AALL Executive Board is about to begin the next strategic planning cycle, what we said and did will have an impact on that process.

The facilitator, Grace McGartland of Thunderbolt Leadership, has done this kind of session for lots of businesses nationwide and was good at what she does (she also had lots of fun toys to keep things interesting). The goals of the session were:

1. To develop a common focus and articulated vision for the role of the SISs in AALL leadership activities (since this had never been done, see the two statements below);
2. To develop a leadership profile for successful SIS chairs, based on our common perceptions;
3. To examine our individual leadership styles;
4. To come up with ideas for tracking our (the SIS leaders) effectiveness and accountability in SIS activities; and
5. To individually develop a "next step" plan for leading our respective SISs.

The draft statement of the Vision for SISs was two fold, a purpose statement and and impact statement This is pretty much the final language, as near as I can tell from my garbled notes):

SIS Purpose Statement (what we do in AALL):

A self-selecting group of members with a common interest that serves as a forum, contributes educational value, serves as a resource of expertise, advocates and provides leadership growth opportunities.

SIS Impact Statement (what happens in the SIS and AALL if we're successful):

Energized and committed members benefit from creating and participating in a strong, multifaceted and vibrant community that is the core of their professional lives.

Things that I learned at the session that weren't "on the agenda"

Most other SIS leaders worry about the same things we (at least John and I) do:

How to bring new people into the SIS

Are our constituencies so incompatible that we should split up (this is more of a concern in the "type" of library SISs than the "topical" job focus ones.)

How to motivate people to do SIS projects

How to get that forward momentum and keep it going all year long (rather than just focusing on the annual meeting and not doing anything the rest of the year)

Getting the program planning process more organized so we don't scramble around the two weeks after the annual meeting.

At least one other small SIS had seriously considered disbanding due to general member ennui and lack of participation.

The things I resolved to try to do for my year as chair:

1. Examine our past history for clues about our general malaise;
2. Synthesize this and get a discussion going with everybody on how to change this, if we want to;
3. Explore changes to the timing and internal SIS program selection process, so we don't scramble around so much at the last minute;
4. Start discussing some way for the leadership and planning to be active (rather than reactive) and more connected from one year to the next.

Well, I'm going to stop now and get busy, since my plate is full!

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From the Chair

It is my pleasure to start off this season as your new Chair. After a wonderful year with Karen Westwood as your Chair, it will be a delight to continue the things she has accomplished and to begin new agendas for this year.

First of all, a big thanks go to Karen for doing such a wonderful job with the SIS in 1998-99. The "Access to the Pubic Schools" program was a wonderful new idea that has proved to be a huge success. We look forward to a rewarding year in Philadelphia working with the school system and the help of liaison, Merle Syloff. Hopefully, this project will also bring more members into the SIS that share this same interest. Overall, Karen lead the SIS successfully we a positive outlook for the future.

At the convention, the SIS had one program entitled "The Equal Justice Library" presented by Bruce Kleinschmidt. The program was one that I knew little about since I had never heard of or dealt with this library before. I left with an excitement about the preservation of these previously unknown archives of welfare/pro bono type cases. Congratulations to Bruce on his hard work and for bringing this library to the attention of AALL.

The Standing Committee on Lesbian and Gay Issues sponsored the most exciting reception in recent years at the Women's Democratic League hosted by Scott Burgh. The local committee consisting of Tina Ramoy and Laura Whitbeck did an excellent job of making this event work. Westlaw and CCH generously sponsored the event. Barney Frank wee the guest speaker for the reception and was welcomed warmly by the Standing Committee members. It was truly a grand evening.

At the outset of this year, we already have good news to report. For the Convention in Philadelphia, we have two programs selected by the Program Selection Committee. The first program is about Law Librarian Salaries, and the second one is about Hate Crimes. We have also developed a listserv for the members of the SIS to voice their opinions and ideas as well as to inform each other of events or future projects or dates during the year. I will be sending you e-mails from time to time in the next several months on projects during the 1999-2000 year.

The weekend of October 16th-17th, the council of SIS Chairs will have a conference to voice opinions and develop ideas to unify the SlS's and strengthen our purpose with AALL. Ellen Platt will be attending to represent the SR-SIS. Ellen is the chair elect for next year. Hopefully, we will be able to iron out a lot of problems between AALL and the SIS in this weekend. She and I will be going over details of many things to discuss prior to this event. If you have any concerns of the future of this group, please do not hesitate to put it on the listserv or contact her or myself personally.

Many things come to mind as I think about the future of this SIS. I would like each of you to think about these things as we try to broaden the perspective of this group and its future. They are:

1. How do we plan to bring members into this SIS? Do we want this SIS to grow or to remain the same?
2. What committees or special interests do we want to promote within this group? At present, we are mainly comprised of two standing committees: Lesbian and Gay Issues, and Prison Issues. Is this as broad as we want to go or should we be including other groups?
3. Do we want this SIS? Or should we split and join other groups (i.e. merge with the Diversity Committee)? Should the Standing Committee become its own SIS? Is it the right time for this kind of change?
4. Should we consider renaming the group to better describe what we do?
5. Should we reexamine our mission statement?

Both Ellen and myself have talked at length about these things and are concerned for the future and existence of this SIS. We both feel that it is imperative to make the right decisions in the next few years in order to keep this SIS alive. Growth and change are more than likely the only way. I feel firmly that we must increase the membership and have more to offer to the membership of AALL. The possibilities are limitless, we just have to do it. Let's not wait until another convention to talk all of this over. Let's do it during the year. Let's make this an SIS everyone will want to work for and get ideas rolling. I look forward with enthusiasm to the possibilities and the opportunity to guiding us in the right paths.

Sincerely,

John Davey
Chair 1999-2000

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Summary of SR-SIS Programs Accepted for the 2000 Annual Meeting
by Ellen Platt
Vice Chair and programming wrangler

Well, we may be small, but dang we're good; of the four programs proposed by SR-SlS members, three were selected for the upcoming annual meeting. To whet your appetites, here are the program descriptions and coordinators' names ...

Hate Crimes: Examining the Issues
Coordinator: Todd Bennett, Moderator: John Davey

Hate crimes are criminal acts against a person or group motivated by bias and prejudice against the victim or the group. Although the United States has had civil rights statutes designating hate crimes on the books for over 30 years, the law remains narrow in its scope. The current federal law does not include bias against someone because of gender, actual orientation, or disability as a basis for a hate crime. The panel of speakers will educate participants about the status of current and pending hate crime legislation in the U.S., issues in today's society affecting the spread of hate crimes in the U.S. (i.e. Has the Internet influenced the spread of hate crimes?) and major hate crime cases in the U.S.

Law Librarians: Do Our Salaries Reflect Our Leadership?
Coordinator: John Davey

This program will examine the current rates of Professional Law Librarian salaries. As part of the program, we intend to look at the issues surrounding the rates of compensation and how they compare with over professions. A section of this program will be devoted to looking at the roots of how librarianship, the previous concepts of librarianship as a woman's profession, and the statistics of how salaries have changed since the earlier days of gender discrimination in the U.S. The speakers will provide historical background, current statistics, and information regarding how we may address and affect future progress for salary levels in the New Millennium.

Taking the Lead in Pro Bono Work
Coordinators: Camille Broussard and Karen Westwood (co-sponsored with LISP-SIS)

The tremendous need for free or low cost legal services in the U.S. challenges law librarians to fully participate in pro bono work. It is not just legal research on the "big" cases that count, but the myriad efforts from sharing pocket parts and pathfinders to opening a firm library's collection to a nonprofit partner. Librarians will share with each other, and with representatives from local nonprofit organizations, the many practical ways librarians have been providing pro bono services for years and will gain an understanding of both the need for such services and the many opportunities to help fill the need.

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Social Responsibilities SIS Business Meeting Minutes, July 18, 1999

1. The meeting was called to order by Karen Westwood.

2. Reading of the minutes of last years' meeting was dispensed with; minutes approved.

3. Treasurer's Report. Leslie Campbell, Treasurer, reported that for the Fiscal Year 10/1/97-9/30/97 the ending balance was $15,028.88*. Income and expenses were nearly equal ($1056 in dues income and $1584.60 in expenses). Thus far in 1998-9 the total income has been $1000 and expenses 1136.30. Treasurer's report accepted. *(Note: the figure should actually have been $15,614.88; the attached report reflects the correction.)

4. Committee Reports:
A. Standing Committee on Lesbian and Gay Issues: Scott Burgh reported that the Standing Committee obtained contributions from vendors to support its reception:
$1000 from Lexis
$300 from Westlaw
$300 from CCH Incorporated.
The reception to be at the Women's National Democratic Club; Barry Frank and others invited. Laura Whiteck continuing as editor of Co'Tunittee Better.

B. Standing Committee on Service to Institutional Residents: Rebecca Trammel reported on ongoing issues with AALL Headquarters regarding the Standing Committee publications. She has agreed with Headquarters to keep the Directory of Law Libraries Providing Services to Institutional Residents on file and send out pages as requested. But Headquarters is holding letters and not sending them to Rebecca Trammel. The Directory needs revision and should go on the web; Carl Romalis volunteered to get AALL cooperation to put it on the web. For $75 the Standing Committee can have a presence at the meeting of American Correctional Association without having to send someone.

C. Education Committee: John Davey reported that the National Equal Justice Legal Defense for the Poor program (the only SIS program) was excellent but attended by 15 people. For programs next year: The SIS has 3 guaranteed program slots. 2 programs have already submitted including one on hate crimes (Todd Bennett and John Davey). Other programs discussed: Immigration - proposal from incoming vice chair, Privacy; Diversity (Greta & other members of diversity committee). Pro posals should be sent to Ellen Platt or John Davey.

5. Business:
A. A Capital Contribution: Law Librarians Serving the District. Karen Westwood reported that this idea started with John Davey acting on a suggestion from Jim Heller, premised on Peace Corp model. Motion: Karen Westwood moved to make a cash donation of $1,000 to the Media Services department of the DC School District. The motion was passed unanimously.
General discussion about direction to take in future: Concerns were raised that we weren't using our legal training by going to an elementary school. (John Davey). Carol Billings suggesting phoning something different each year, relevant to location of annual meeting. Camille Broussard suggested juvenile justice or pro bono or other topic not being addressed by association (but not prisons each year). Jerry Dupont suggested legal aid for persons in institutions and make it a pattern in each city where the annual meeting is held to turn it into a tradition reflecting on the SIS. Scott Bennett suggested school volunteers and placing high school students in law firms (based on a program in San Francisco.) Discussion of need to get recognition for this, including Spectrum articles and statement at business meeting. Also discussed asking for donation from membership; possibly doing a check-off on the membership renewal (Carol Billings). Carol Billings also mentioned that this project has generated goodwill and the Executive Board did want the SR SIS to take the risk on it this year rather than go to vendors and ask for more support. Generally agreed (on suggestions by Karen W. Camille B. Carol Alpert) that the SIS should continue doing this rather than await Executive Board action. John Davey & Karen Westwood to look into planning for next year and possibly form a task force.
Motion: (Camille Broussard) The SIS will proceed to look into doing this each year & thank Jim Heller at the Business meeting. Also announce that it will contribute $1,000 this year and encourage other members to contribute time or effort in Philadelphia and beyond. Motion Passed.

B. Newsletter/Discussion List/Web: Prano Amjadi suggested that the discussion list should be used more for dialog which would help us to discuss the issues. Instructions on subscribing to the list are available on SIS's homepage (http:/www.aallnet.org/sis/srsis/subscribe.htm). Prano will stay on next year as editor; she thanked Bruce Kleinschmidt, Mark Mackler, and others who contributed. The Fall issue is due in October/November. Rebecca Alexander at Washburn has updated the web page. We do want the Newsletter on the web; Camille B. to get Rebecca Alexander older issues (subjective articles only) to put on the page.

C. Election: Ellen Platt was elected Vice Chair/Chair Elect.

D. Strategic Planning/Programming Planning: Issue of concern to be discussed: apathy and lack of volunteers/candidates. Additional planning meeting to brainstorm educational programs to be held Monday 7/19.

E. New Business:
Scholarship issues: (Camille Broussard/Carol Alpert) to raise issue surrounding West's alleged retraction of scholarship monies at business meeting and with the Scholarship Committee; concern is that the membership is not aware of the issue. Cuba Legal Resources Program: (Carol Alpert) recommended program.

Meeting adjourned by J. Davey.

Respectfully submitted,

Leslie Campbell

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Revised Statement for Fiscal Year 1997-8
(October 1 1997 - September 30, 1998)

Beginning Balance		16,143.48
Income
	Dues - SIS Sept 98	1,056.00
	[Interest Income Holock Fund	[471.00]
	[Interest Income Holock Fund (prior years)	[917.00]
Total Income		1056.00
Balance		17,199.48
Expenses
	Honoraria	250.00
	Meetings / Receptions	293.52
		232.35
	Postage
	Office Supplies
	Printing
	Publication - Newsletter	393.50
		110.42
		304.81
Total Expenses		1584.60
Ending Balance		15,614.88

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Year to DateStatement for Fiscal Year 1998-9
(October 1 1998 - September 30, 1999)

Beginning Balance 10/1/97		15,028.88
Income
	Dues - SIS
	[Interest Income Holock Fund	[471.00]
	[Interest Income Holock Fund (prior years)	[917.00]
	Contribution (to underwrite SR SIS Standing Committee reception)	1600.00
Total Income		1600.00
Balance		16,628.88
Expenses
	Honoraria
	Meetings / Receptions	300.00
		836.30
		776.60
		776.60
	Postage
	Office Supplies
	Printing
	Publication - Newsletter
Total Expenses		2689.50