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Surviving ALA
by Alison Hopkins
Conference exhaustion sets in sometime on Day Two. I'd been up by 6:00 am on both days, rushing to shower, eat, and find a shuttle bus in time to reach early morning meetings. On Day One, the second meeting involved another cross-town shuttle bus. No time for lunch; I munched on hotel mints and drank glasses of water to get me through the day. After the meeting, I would rush through a few aisles of the exhibits, and then off to a working dinner. Day Two seemed like a repeat of Day One, as meetings, exhibits, and programs melted into one conference blur.
That's how I used to do conferences, trying to be super-conference woman, able to make three programs, five meetings, two social events and a thorough viewing of the exhibits -- fueled by just one sit-down meal each day. I have known (and admired) people who can do this successfully, but I am not one of them. This realization and the change in how I "do" conferences reflects how professional involvement has helped me prioritize, plan and balance my life and work.
Getting Going
I feel I learned the hard way how to be effectively involved in professional associations. My experiences have been filled with frustration and challenges. I began with great zeal and energy, doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons, exhausting myself through too much involvement and too many committees, and completely burning out at some conferences. But, I also learned a lot through my involvement. If I hadn't jumped in at warp speed and participated, I would never have learned as much about myself, my capabilities, and what I want to get out of professional associations.
I began by volunteering in two ALA round tables: the New Members Round Table (NMRT) and the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT). I loved the philosophy and the people I met at meetings of both. Soon, I was Chair of NMRT's Booth Committee, repping SRRT at an Education committee and determined to be involved in the Women's Issues committee.
My first conference as a committee member was chaotic. I missed both the Women's Issues meeting and the Education committee -- they met at the same time, so I planned to attend the Education committee. Unfortunately, I did not read the updated calendar, and did not notice that the meeting had been rescheduled until I had waited in the room for thirty minutes.
I quickly volunteered for anything I could see, with the result that I found the conference exhausting, yet exciting. The Booth Committee chugged along and performed well, mostly due to a great committee and supportive NMRT executive.
I was then asked to join an SRRT book awards committee for books by and dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. This was a huge commitment in itself. I also, however, continued involvement with NMRT, chairing a committee which arranged a meeting at ALA Annual conference. Since both Round Tables had several meetings at each conference, some always conflicted. I took turns going to one committee or the other, depending on my level of commitment. (If I was chair of a committee, I went to that meeting!) This continued for a few years, with some interruptions due to health problems. I ended up running to be on the NMRT Executive Board. I lost, but then was appointed for a year as the Outreach Director.
Going Gets Good
The above shows how easy it is to become over committed; yet I was able to contribute something to each committee I was involved in. Involvement in two Round Tables with conflicting schedules was not the best idea, and meant that I was not able to participate fully in either. But, I enjoyed both, and at the time would not have been able to choose between them.
Committee involvement can be very confusing. Under the best of conditions, the committees I was involved in met only twice a year (with some e-mailing the rest of the time). It is extremely difficult to get anything done in such a limited time. The most productive committees have very specific directives and experienced leadership, but, committees with less specific mandates and less experienced leadership may offer greater opportunity for creativity and exploration.
Balancing Act
Through my experiences, I learned how to find balance and to survive. At conferences, I learned how to balance my need for alone time with the responsibilities of committee work. Instead of running my way through a conference, I go through what I want to accomplish, and am able to prioritize and create a realistic schedule for myself. I have more confidence in my ability to choose and take responsibility for my choices. These kinds of changes have also helped me at work, where I now manage my workload with more thought.
I would recommend getting involved in professional associations to anyone. There is a lot to learn, and so many interesting people to meet. I love hearing what other libraries are up to and seeing all the latest products. I could suggest that, prior to volunteering, you carefully examine personal and professional goals and interests, your current workload and future plans. Weigh this information carefully when picking the perfect committee to participate in.
Honestly, though, if I had done that, I would never have learned as much as I have. I do suggest jumping in with enthusiasm and energy, volunteering in a group or groups that interest and excite you. Try what is offered and be willing to fall on your face. Experience a variety of committees, even some with bad leadership, and confusing directives. Contribute what you can, and expect to make some mistakes. You will meet some great people, and have the opportunity to learn in many different areas.
Alison Hopkins graduated from Dalhousie University and has been working for the Queens Borough Public Library for the past seven years. She is currently working in branch administration and has been involved in professional associations for five years.