Role Statements of the Board

The ASLA Board consists of Office Bearers and Directors, who must be resident in Australia and a financial member of ASLA or of an incorporated school library association recognised by ASLA.

The Office Bearers  and Directors of ASLA are elected from the ranks of the membership and appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

President

The President must work in close co-operation with the Board to ensure that ASLA works to implement its objects and its strategic plan. In some cases the actual work undertaken will vary according to the geographical location of the President.

The President will:

• provide overall leadership and guidance for ASLA in the implementation of the policies approved by the Board.
• chair all meetings of the association, including the Annual General Meeting.
• act on behalf of ASLA, in consultation with the Board, when decisions need to be made between meetings of the Board.
• maintain liaison at an executive level with ALIA, IASL and other bodies, and represent ASLA at meetings or events as determined by the Board.
• maintain close liaison with the Vice President to ensure that ASLA policies and guidelines are followed.
• monitor the roles of the administration staff.
• review the annual performance of the administration staff with the Treasurer and present a report to the Board.
• monitor the work of various Project Teams as approved by the Board.
• ensure the Board is represented on Project Teams to oversee the work.
• keep a watching brief on any political developments that may affect school libraries and teacher librarians.
• work to ensure that ASLA remains the peak body for school libraries and teacher librarianship in Australia.
• attend the ASLA National Conference (funded by ASLA).
• communicate regularly with the membership through a journal column and other means as applicable.
• report regularly to the Board.

Vice President

The Vice President must work in close co-operation with the Board and to ensure that ASLA works to implement its objects and annual operational plans. In some cases the actual work undertaken will vary according to the geographic location of the Vice President.

The Vice President will:

• work to ensure that ASLA remains the peak body for school libraries and teacher librarianship in Australia.
• assist the President in the implementation of policies approved by the Board.
• deputise for the President when necessary.
• as directed by the President, oversee any special projects that ASLA undertakes.
• facilitate relationships with external and international organisations that support the objects of ASLA, particularly ALIA and IASL.
• in consultation with the President, represent ASLA as the regional associate for IASL, prepare the annual IASL report, and work in close association with the IASL Regional Director.
• review the Access Editor’s annual performance with the Secretary and present a report to the Board
• report regularly to the Board.

Secretary

The Secretary must work in close co-operation with the Board to ensure that all the business and duties assigned are carried out. In some cases the actual work undertaken will vary according to the geographic location of the Secretary.

The Secretary will work with the President and the administration staff to ensure that:

• arrangements are made for meetings for the Board and the Annual General Meeting, and the agendas and papers for these meetings are distributed.
• minutes for these meetings are recorded, signed and distributed shortly afterwards, and properly maintained.
• matters that require the attention of members are followed up.
• support is provided for Project Teams as required.
• Twenty-one (21) days clear notice is given of any proposed change to the Constitution, and if any change is adopted, ensure a complete copy of the Constitution is available within sixty (60) days of lodgement.
• notices received from Member Associations of elected Directors are advised to the Board
• in collaboration with the Vice President, review the Access Editor’s annual performance.

Treasurer

The Treasurer will work closely with other members of the Board and the the administration staff to ensure that all the financial requirements are carried out. In some cases the actual work undertaken will vary according to the geographic location of the Treasurer.

The Treasurer will:

• oversee the administration staff in the operation of all bank accounts and other financial accounts maintained by or on behalf of ASLA.
• oversee the maintenance of records of all financial transactions.
• oversee the reconciliation of bank statements with records of financial transactions of ASLA and report to all meetings of the Board.
• oversee an annual audit of the ASLA books.
• work with the administration staff to prepare full financial statements for the Annual General Meeting.
• present the Treasurer’s report and auditor’s statement and report at the Annual General Meeting.
• present a draft budget for the coming year in collaboration with the the administration staff.
• be a signatory on all accounts.
• work with the the administration staff to monitor the sale of products.
• chair the Finance Project Team.
• in collaboration with the President, review the the administration staff annual performance.
• report regularly to the Board.

Directors

Each Member Association shall have the right to elect a Director. Where there is no Member Association membership, Directors will be nominated from and elected by the voting members.

A Director will:

• work to implement ASLA objects and strategic plan.
• represent the interests of all members of the association as a whole.
• work to ensure that ASLA remains the peak body for school libraries and teacher librarianship in Australia.
• actively participate in Board meetings.
• assist the President to oversee the work of and provide leadership to Project Teams.
• be responsible for at least one Project Team.
• provide members with accurate and sufficient information on ASLA business especially when seeking support for decisions.
• present member issues and concerns to the Board as appropriate.
• represent the association as directed by the Board and provide reports as required.

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Version Control – ASLA role statements

ASLA - Version 1 - 1995
ASLA - Version 2 - 1998
ASLA National Council - Version 3 - 2002
ASLA National Council - Version 4 - 2005
ASLA National Council - Version 5 - 2007
ASLA Board - Version 6 - February 2011

Updated to align with amendments to the Constitution - 14 January 2014

Updated to align with amendments to the Constitution - 7 May 2022