by Kelly Moore, CEO Canadian Library Association Keith Walker, CLA Past President and Director of Library Services at Medicine Hat College

1. But we’ve always
done it this way…
The recent experience of the
Canadian Library Association
in change management
Kelly Moore Keith Walker
CLA Executive Director CLA Past-President

2. Where we started
Challenges Inspirations
 deficit budgets  loyal members
 declining membership  national conference
 limited programs  committed Executive

4. Where we started
2010 Annual General Meeting
2 resolutions:
 give direction to Executive Council to address the
financial situation and propose changes at 2011 AGM
 approve Council’s decision to cancel the 2010 elections,
but hold election only for Vice-President/President-elect

5. Phase 1: CLA Future Committee

6. The changes
 What areas take the most money to operate?
 governance
 professional units
 What do we do that other associations do better?
 continuing education
 What are CLA’s unique strengths?
 broad-based national organization
 international contacts
 main point of contact between federal government and library
community

7. Process: Timelines
Action Plan timelines – draft June 22, 2010 Action Plan timelines – revised September 24, 2010
June 3- subcommittee formed July 15, 16 – subcommittee meets in person in Ottawa to develop first draft
June 9 – Vice President election call plan and to review input received
June 10 – blog open July 17 – draft plan shared with Treasurer
June 11 – feedback from conference discussions submitted by Executive Council July 28 – proposed plan written up
members July 28 – draft budget plan shared with subcommittee
June 15 – subcommittee teleconference held to decide on the process: what August 13 – Vice President election completed
information will be needed, review of the timelines, duties, communication August 25 – plan sent to Executive Council
plan, consultation plan September 15 – budget plan sent to Executive Council
June 15 – process discussed with the Treasurer for budget planning connection September 23, 24 – Executive Council meets in Toronto to discuss plan
July 15, 16 – subcommittee meets in person in Ottawa to develop first draft plan September 25 – subcommittee reviews and revises plan based on EC
and to review input received feedback
July 17 – draft plan shared with Treasurer October 4 – parliamentary opinion on the plan and legal opinion on the
July 28 – proposed plan written up elections
July 28 – draft budget plan shared with subcommittee October 13 – Executive Committee teleconference to review the revised
August 13 – Vice President election completed plan
August 20 – plan and budget sent to Executive Council October 18 – share plan with the community
August 31 - send plan to other associations November 1 – comments received from the community
September 23, 24 – Executive Council meets in Toronto to discuss plan November 5 – subcommittee to review input and plan revisions
September 25 – subcommittee reviews and revises plan based on EC feedback November 19 – legal opinion on revised plan
October 4 – legal opinion on the plan November 29 – revised plan to Executive Council for review
October 12 – share plan with community December 10 – subcommittee reviews and revises plan based on EC input
November 1 – subcommittee teleconference to review input and plan revisions December 17 – share revised plan with community
November 19 – legal opinion on revised plan January 14 – comments received from the community
November 29 – revised plan to Executive Council for review January 19 – subcommittee reviews the input from the community
December 10 – subcommittee reviews and revises plan based on EC input January 21 – governance review against the existing policies
December 17 – share revised plan with community February 5, 6 – Executive Council meeting; review final plan
January 21 – governance review against the existing policies February 28 – resolutions written
February 28 – resolutions written March 15 – resolutions reviewed by Executive Council
March 15 – resolutions reviewed by Executive Council March 30 – resolutions sent to the members
March 30 – resolutions sent to the members

8. Process: Communications Plan

9. Process: Consultation
Broad stakeholder consultation
 members
 non-members
 other library associations in Canada
Other consultation
 MLAS members
 directors of other non-library associations

10. Content: unique value propositions
 advocacy with federal government
 international engagement
 national research
 leadership skills development through volunteer
opportunities
 knowledge-sharing and networking

11. Content: Governance structure
where we were

12. Content: Governance structure
where we are

13. Content: Professional structure
where we were

14. Content: Professional structure
where we are

15. Content: the campaign
Member questions: What is CLA doing about this issue?
Response: Who is “CLA” in that question?

16. Phase 1: did it work?
 We followed the process and addressed the content
 We re-wrote large parts of our Bylaws in line with the
proposals in the Future Plan
 We presented a balanced 2011 budget to members
 We presented the Bylaw changes in a resolution at the
2011 AGM
Members passed the resolution UNANIMOUSLY!

17. Phase 2: implementation
And now, reality sets in!
 transitional Executive Council
 elections for 2012
 establishment of Networks
 call for volunteers
 review of awards
 changes to membership structure
 changes to membership fees and benefits

18. Lessons learned
 Communication is essential
 Consult with all stakeholders
 Focus on key areas for change
 Be naïve enough to think change is
possible
 Be bold!

19. Overview
What we changed What we left for later
(phase 1): (phase 2):
 governance structure  membership structure/
 professional structure fees / benefits
 timing for election &  continuing professional
appointment cycles development offerings
 budget structure  international
 re-defined priorities engagement