Unit and Committee Volunteer Form

Unit Chair is a three-year commitment (Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair) Chair Responsibilities include but are not limited to: scheduling and leading unit meetings (at least two a year, usually virtual), provide TLA with any unit updates (officer changes, stipend deadlines, conference program proposals), prepare and submit annual budget, maintaining unit webpage, conduct unit elections and encourage TLA membership recruitment. Required attendance at Annual Assembly and Annual Conference. Must serve one year as chair-elect first to shadow, and one year after as past-chair to mentor.

Councilor position is a three-year commitment. Responsibilities include: attending all unit meetings and representing unit at all Council meetings (2 at Annual Assembly, 2 at Annual Conference). Required attendance at Annual Assembly and Annual Conference (where Council meetings will take place in person).

Councilor-Alt position is a three-year commitment. Responsibilities include: acting as back up for the Unit Councilor, attending all unit meetings and representing unit at all Council meetings if Unit Councilor is unable to attend (2 at Annual Assembly, 2 at Annual Conference). Required attendance at Annual Assembly and Annual Conference (where Council meetings will take place in person).

Record minutes of all official unit meetings. Report and maintain records and correspondence as deemed necessary by the Chair or TLA. Review financial records maintained by TLA office and report any questions or discrepancies to TLA office. Ensure Unit’s Google Drive is maintained and managed in an obvious file structure. Encouraged attendance at Annual Assembly and Annual Conference.

Work with the Unit Chair to update and maintain all current information on the unit’s webpage. Website is edited through WordPress and training is provided by TLA Staff. Encouraged attendance at Annual Assembly and Annual Conference.

Select recipients for TLA Awards. Review and revise award criteria, rubric and application. At least four virtual meetings a year and encouraged attendance at TLA Annual Conference for award presentations. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

Review and study the Bylaws and Standing Rules and recommend amendments and changes to Council. Can exercise a deep understanding of TLA practices and suggest association best practices. At least four virtual meetings a year and encouraged attendance at all Council meetings. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

The Conference Planning Committee works to plan the TLA Annual Conference. Members will meet virtually and in-person throughout the year to determine the programs and local arrangements at the annual conference. Required attendance at Annual Assembly and Annual Conference with monthly virtual meetings throughout the year. Member will be responsible for all travel on their own. Appointment term is 1.5 years.

Coordinates TLA’s response to all types of disasters that severely affect libraries in Texas, updates Disaster Relief grant application and rubric as needed; reviews and determines grant awards. Required two virtual meetings, with the understanding that in case of an emergency disaster, more meetings may be required. Encouraged attendance at TLA Annual Conference to help with the raffle for the Disaster Relief Endowment. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

Work with the Legislative Committee to watch proposed legislation which would restrict or interfere with the selection and acquisition of materials and other professional activities of libraries. Required two virtual business meetings a year and encouraged year-round advocacy for the protection of intellectual freedom in libraries. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

The Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List is compiled for use by the general reader and librarians who work with adult readers. Its purpose is to call attention to outstanding fiction published during the year that merits special attention from readers. List published in January. Committee begins work in February to publish the list by the following January. Required at least four virtual meetings a year. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

Establish and maintain an effective network for contacting legislative representatives and keep the association informed on state and federal legislation affecting libraries. Work closely with Director of Communication and Advocacy to promote legislative support for library legislation. Required four virtual meetings, with the understanding that more meetings may be required depending on the Texas State Legislative session. Appointment term is 4 years.

Promote libraries and the maximum use of libraries and expansion of library services throughout Texas by encouraging strong community involvement, cooperative relationships among libraries of various types on non-library partners. Coordinate with TLA staff to develop a regular podcast and manage the TLA Branding Iron Award program. Required four virtual meetings. Appointment term is 3 years.

Review and approve rubrics and applications. Publicizes the availability of scholarships, and other such awards in the Fall. Encourage nominations and applications during the winter. Determine recipients in the early Spring prior to conference. Required four virtual meetings, with the possibility of more depending on the committee scope of work. Encouraged attendance at TLA Annual Conference. Appointment term is 3 years.

Review TALL Texans rubrics and application. Review and select TALL Texans students from pool of applicants. Required at least two virtual meetings, with an understanding that outside work will be required to review and grade applications. Appointment term is 3 years.

The Tejas Star Reading List is a recommended reading list intended for recreational reading and to encourage children ages 5-12 to explore multicultural books and discover the cognitive and economic benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism. Committee members must be able to speak, read and write in Spanish. List published in January. Committee begins work in February to publish the list by the following January. Required at least four virtual meetings a year. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

The Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List is a recommended reading list for children and adults with recommended nonfiction titles and stimulate reading for pleasure and personal learning. List published in January. Committee begins work in February to publish the list by the following January. Required at least four virtual meetings a year. Appointment term commitment is 3 years.

The Texas Youth Creator Award Committee will administer the annual competition and monitor the production and distribution of all publicity and promotional materials associated with the program. Coordinate arrangements for the Awards ceremony at Annual Conference. Required four virtual meetings a year and encouraged attendance at the TLA Annual Conference. Appointment term is 3 years.