Abstract
“ALA now faces what could be one of the most exciting and important steps forward in the evolution of the organization— a formalized alliance between ALA and SBS.”
As I step into the role of ALA president, I bring with me a track record for scientific innovation and a background in business management. I believe both will serve the association and its members well. During the years that I participated in ALA as a committee volunteer and member of the ALA Board of Directors, I discovered first-hand that to remain healthy and successful, nonprofit membership organizations like ALA must respect established for-profit business principles. This begins by keeping the organizational mission solidly in focus and then recognizing and creating practical opportunities for stakeholders. The result of extensive ALA planning, the programs that ALA offers become more pertinent and relevant to its members. This will ensure a more successful and thriving organization.
In recent years, one factor that has contributed greatly to ALA's continued growth and success is its ability to develop constructive strategic initiatives with other like-minded nonprofit and for-profit organizations. As a result, members have enjoyed greater access to new technologies, different scientific perspectives, support for personal career advancement, and bottom line program cost discounts. ALA now faces what could be one of the most exciting and important steps forward in the evolution of the organization—a formalized alliance between ALA and the Society for Biomolecular Sciences (SBS).
Both organizations serve unique but related scientific niches. ALA and SBS members share more similarities than differences in terms of educational interests and member service priorities. After extensive research and discussion, leadership teams from both ALA and SBS agree that sharing resources and influence will greatly benefit member stakeholders in both organizations. From enriching a shared portfolio of more robust member programs, services and events to streamlining operational cost efficiencies, collaboration between our two organizations promises increased leverage for maximizing opportunities today and tomorrow.
Cooperation will enable us to further our many shared goals and priorities, expand our organizational scope and global influence, and elevate the quality and significance of our annual conference. We will create a sound financial foundation for stability and future growth, while we continue to celebrate our individual identities and histories. Under the leadership of a joint organizational board, ALA and SBS will continue to preserve individual identities but with a complementary set of key objectives.
At this crossroads in our association's growth and evolution, I hope you will support the ALA Board of Directors& recommendation and
Sincerely,
