COSELL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes
Conference Call, Dec. 14, 2001
I. Called to order at 2:05 p.m.
Present: Mark Bernstein, Chair; Anne Klinefelter, Vice-Chair; Pauline Aranas, Past-Chair; Bill Beintema, Treasurer; Pamela Melton (2000-2002) and Sally Wise (2001-2003), Members-at-Large; and Jack Bissett, Secretary.
II. Announcements.
None.
III. Minutes.
Approved.
IV. Treasurer¹s Report: Bill Beintema
Bill distributed a report via email. The balance on Dec. 14 is $3,373.25. Dues provided income of $1,020.00; expenses totaled $807.89. As of July 12, 2001 there is $3,353.25 in the Treasury.
V. Membership Report: Bill Beintema
There are 46 members on this date; 45 are currently paid. Bill asked if Mark has a letter in his files that has been sent, in previous years, to new member institutions. Mark replied that he probably does and will send a copy to Bill, for the Treasurer’s files. Brief discussion followed about new law schools in the region and when they might be staffed and ready for COSELL membership, as well as new directors at current members.
VI. Old and Continuing Business
A. Strategic Plan.
Nothing further has been done. Mark, Pamela and Kris have talked and feel that it looks good for now. Pauline commented that its objectives need to be clearly spelled out, and projects designed to advance them need to be identified as such, and publicized. The group agreed that the plan need not be formally adopted by the membership and can be edited by the Board at any time, but that the membership needs to be aware of it, and their reactions sought. The Board is to review the plan and give any concerns or suggestions to Mark by March 1, 2002. It can then be reviewed and distributed at the April meeting. The status of each objective should be indicated on the web version.
B. Membership survey.
Who to survey: directors (plus whom?) Mark suggested that the Strategic Plan be sent to the directors, asking if this is what they expect of COSELL. Pauline urged publication on the SEAALL listserv and Newsletter, in addition to the directors. The remarks were made that when asked, in the past, what COSELL can do for its members, the usual answer is “the roundtables at SEAALL,” and that more promotion of COSELL awareness is desirable.
Other suggestions led to agreement that a letter to Directors accompany the ballot, asking in effect “What do you like best about COSELL membership?” and “What would you like to see us do?” Mark will consult with other Board members and work with Anne on text. It should also be added to the web site.
C. YBP Contract.
The contract extends through June, 2003. The question was raised: have we considered looking at other vendors, in an effort to negotiate better terms? Some such discussion may have been held, but no one was sure. At any rate, nothing needs to be done at present.
D. Consortium reception at AALL.
Sally had pulled together information about other AALL consortia. Bob Nissenbaum has tried in some years to organize a lunch-meeting for consortia representatives. Mark will contact him. Anne wondered if other consortia are similar to COSELL, in having relatively modest goals. Inconclusive discussion followed.
VII. New Business
A. Nominations/Election.
Pamela and Jack will “retire” from the Board in April. From many suggested names, a nominating Committee was proposed. [Since this meeting those members were contacted] The final Nominating Committee members are Deborah Jeffries, chair, Hope Breeze, and Rhea BallardThrower.
Several pertinent comments were made: the Committee needs to be given a list of previous Board members, and some suggested candidates. A strong technical services, particularly acquisitions, person should be one of the candidates, to assist in negotiating the YBP contract replacement.
One candidate is required for each of the two positions, member-at-large and secretary. The slate must be in the hands of the Secretary by no later than February 11, 2002, and the ballots must be mailed to directors no later than March 11, for return to the Secretary no later than April 1.
B. COSELL Roundtables at SEAALL.
The question was posed: Do we want the same four? Comments were that they are well attended, and good, relevant topics. Names for coordinators were proposed, and [since this meeting] the following members have agreed to coordinate: Linda Tesar for Technical Services; Robert Marshall for Teaching Legal Research; Roy Balleste for Web Development; and Ann Puckett or Wendy Moore for Collection Development.
C. Other new business.
The Board agreed to once again donate $500.00 to SEAALL for accommodating our meetings, and $100.00 for the SEAALL newsletter. Bill will send the check in early 2002.
D. Next meeting
Approval of the nomination slate and roundtable coordinators will be done by email, so the next meeting of the Board will be in Fort Lauderdale, on April 11, 2002.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3:08 p.m.
web version edited Thursday 17-Jan-2002 19:17