Membership Discussions Highlight March 6 Amigos Board Meeting

At its March 6 meeting in Dallas, the Amigos Library Services Board of Directors participated in a planning session and discussion to address short- and long-term issues related to membership and member participation in Amigos programs. Amigos staff will conduct an analysis of data requested by the Board prior to its scheduled May meeting, at which time discussions will continue.

In her Chair's report, Jennifer Goodson, Ft. Smith Public Library (AR), announced she had appointed board members to the Nominating Committee and the Amigos Officer Nomination Task Force.

Amigos Treasurer Art Lichtenstein, University of Central Arkansas, reported solid January performances for the organization’s operations and its investment portfolio, both of which exceeded the FY2013 Amigos Business Plan. He noted that Amigos’ net assets are the highest in the organization’s history.

In other business, Directors reviewed and approved the Amigos Business Plan for FY2014. The Plan is based on the membership fees approved by members in May 2009.

The Board approved the reappointment of the accounting firm Salmon, Sims, Thomas and Associates, PLLC, to conduct the FY2013 financial audit. The Board received and reviewed Financial Definitions and Measurements, a document updated quarterly that describes how the organization's financial standing is calculated.

Nominating Committee Chair Bill Hair, Baylor University (TX), reported the slate of candidates for the May 2013 election. See the article Candidates for 2013 Amigos Board of Directors Election Announced in this issue.

President and Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Juergens provided various reports to update Directors on the operations of the organization. Amigos' Chief Communications and Membership Development Officer Tracy Byerly updated Directors on preparations for the May 15-16 Amigos Member Conference. Chief Financial Officer Charles Cason reported on the management services Amigos provides to various associations and on the status of a planned upgrade to the Amigos internet service. Chief Member Services Officer Laura Kimberly reported on participation levels for the online conferences conducted by Amigos during the current fiscal year.

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2013, in conjunction with the annual Amigos Member Conference. Members of the Board's Executive Committee – Chair Goodson; Vice Chair Oliver Delaney, Oklahoma City; Secretary Shirley Dickerson, Stephen F. Austin State University (TX); and Treasurer Lichtenstein – will be in Dallas for the meeting and the conference, while other Directors will participate online.