By Ann K. Symons, Chair
Last year when I was Chair-elect, my main job was to do committee appointments – except for the Stonewall, Rainbow and Over the Rainbow Committees.  Those committee appointments were done by the Chair, Roland Hansen. I would, however, look at the long lists of members who volunteered for these appointments and look forward to making the next round of appointment.
This year it is now my turn to make the appointments. Something has changed – “nobody†seems to want to be on be on Stonewall. Well, not nobody because those people who submitted their names are very well-qualified. But it is nowhere near the level of interest that we have had in previous years.
What has changed? Why aren’t we seeing members volunteer? Beats me! Is it the new form that we are requiring members to fill out that asks what their qualifications are and why they are interested? Is it that we require that members attend two Midwinters in a row? Or is it something else?
Right now, I’m sitting here with an October 15th deadline and 22 vacant positions to fill on the Stonewall Committee.
That’s right: I said twenty-two! Â When the GLBTRT Board voted at Midwinter 2014 to have one subcommittee choose the adult award and one subcommittee choose the youth award, they also voted to have 11 members on each subcommittee.
I thought the number 11 – or 22 – was too high. I still do but I was elected to follow the board’s direction, and I will.
So, here’s where we are. We either need more members to apply, or I need you to give me some suggestions about what we are doing wrong:Â ann.symons@gmail.com
The silence I have received is not a befitting response for Stonewall. Stonewall is our most prestigious award – let’s keep it that way!
http://www.glbtrt.ala.org/news/archives/1202
