Cheryl Walters opened the meeting by describing the purpose of the workshop - to define the problem of participation in round tables and to brainstorm solutions. Approximately 40 current, past, and future round table officers attended the workshop.
Next, Susan Hamada, current president of ULA, described the function of round tables in ULA. Michael Whitchurch described the problems he has had recruiting active members and officers for COMART. Amy Birks described the activities of HEART, a very active round table. Shannon Hoffman described the current ULA membership.

Next, the group divided into four breakout sessions, each led by a ULA PR Committee member. Each group discussed two of three topics. After the breakout sessions, the group came back together to report on their ideas from the breakout groups. Following are the questions and comments (more detailed notes will be added):

1. What do they want?
   1. What are the characteristics of an effective round table?
      • social
      • networking
      • mentors
      • communication
      • professional growth opportunities
      • good program
   2. Are the round tables providing their members what they want and need?
      • don't know what they want
      • how do we find out?
      • fun
      • purpose of roundtables unknown to members
      • description of business meetings - all welcome
      • new member program at conference
      • conference packets - put description of round tables in bags
      • volunteer forms
      • links to roundtable descriptions on web site
      • exhibits at conference (booths?)
   3. Why do librarians join (or not join) ULA? Round Tables? Is attending the annual conference the only reason librarians join ULA?
      Why we join
      • director encouragement
      • meet colleagues
      Why not
      • existence unknown
      • perception of nonrelevance
      • cost
      Other ideas
      • satellite groups to combat geography, special interests
      • newsletter from roundtables
      • new member communication
2. Strategies for increasing and activating membership
   1. What are some of the reasons we are having difficulties getting people to run and participate?
      • expectations unknown
      • geography
      • time: doing more with less
      • no mentors
      • lack of results
      • apathy
      • [side notes: - can vote to change policy; eliminate "member at large"? Members: assignments from chairs]
   2. Do we know and agree on round table officers' roles and responsibilities?
      • put outline on web
      • provide modest generic goals (i.e. conference program)
      • post calendar with due dates
   3. What can we do to recruit, train, and retain new officers and active members?
      • use ULA to announce programs statewide
      • membership drive
      • director pledge drive
      • credit card payment of membership fee
      • presentations to groups
      • posting information in staff rooms
      • regional social groups
      • include membership with conference registration
      • simplify renewal
   4. How can we make round tables more effective and appealing?
      • relevant
      • utilize technology - phone conferencing; chat functions; video conferencing
3. Communication
   1. How can round tables communicate better with their members?
   2. How can round tables help their members communicate with each other?
   3. How can the Board of Directors communicate better with the round tables?
      • lists of new members to chairs
      • recognition of new members through welcome message
      • automatic distribution of member lists to round table officers
      • conference lunches - formal/informal
      • conference badges identify round table membership

Follow-up from this meeting:

• post notes on web site
• email / web link for response from members

Last Updated 3/25/2002