{"id":9367,"date":"2019-06-17T09:00:02","date_gmt":"2019-06-17T16:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bclaconnectrev.wpengine.com\/perspectives\/?p=9367"},"modified":"2025-01-22T11:25:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T19:25:41","slug":"getting-involved-with-bcla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bclaconnect.ca\/perspectives\/2019\/06\/17\/getting-involved-with-bcla\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting involved with BCLA"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the editors: We asked 2019\/2020 President Chris Middlemass about how to get involved in the BCLA. <\/span><\/i>She shares her experience, explains the different BCLA divisions<\/a><\/span><\/i>, and gives insight to joining the BCLA Board of Directors<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

My biggest regret? \u00a0Not getting involved with BCLA earlier in my career. \u00a0I graduated when there were few jobs, and whatever you landed tended to define your career. \u00a0I took all the courses on different library sectors, but ended up as a lifer at the Vancouver Public Library. \u00a0I\u2019ve had fantastic opportunities through the years at VPL, as public libraries evolved, but I lost contact with other sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n

I jumped head first into the deep end in an elected Board position of Conference Chair. <\/span>I was recruited by someone who had served on the Board–in the days before websites it was hard to get the word out and recruit fresh blood.<\/span> The position was two years, the first year you developed the program for the conference, and then chaired the conference the following year. (This position doesn\u2019t exist now.) I worked with other people from different sectors, and found it a most rewarding experience, especially as it helped to round out my knowledge of library practice beyond my day job in public libraries. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve held other positions and worked as a volunteer with the conference. \u00a0I\u2019ve built a fantastic network of folks in a variety of libraries, archives, and related organizations. <\/span><\/p>\n

SCIGs (SECTIONS, COMMITTEES, INTEREST GROUPS)<\/b><\/h4>\n

BCLA members find opportunities to explore their interests through the Association\u2019s Sections, Committees, and Interest Groups (SCIGs). SCIGs represent some of the most current thinking and debate on overarching library issues. BCLA encourages member participation in SCIGs to compliment experiences in the work environment, provide perspectives and opinions on diverse subjects, and add to the diversity and strength of the Association. – <\/span><\/i>Divisions<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Getting involved with any of the sections, committees and interest groups is a great way to grow your professional network, and to expand your knowledge of other sectors, or take a deep dive into a specific topic of interest. <\/span><\/p>\n

Our Association Divisions are comprised of Sections, Working Groups, Committees and Interest Groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sections<\/b> represent a minimum of 10% of the Association membership. Sections are formally constituted and will have elected officers, constitutions, bylaws, and annual meetings. \u00a0A representative of the Section sits on the BCLA Board of Directors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Current sections are: <\/span><\/p>\n