Re: Hello---Its morning!!!! Anybody out there???

[Ken Haycock <haycock@unixg.ubc.ca>]

Dan Barron reminds us strongly and accurately of our advocacy role. With
due respect to the professionals involved this is all quite frustrating.
First, as a school board trustee I can tell you from my discussions with
other trustees in the past four months in Canada and the U.S. that FEW IF
ANY teacher-librarians or library media specialists make presentations to
their boards, not just at budget time but to develop understanding and
support.
Second, "trial balloons" are accepted as fact. All boards in British
Columbia are faced with budget reductions this year [including "my own"]
and we are all floating balloons to gauge community response. If the
BOARD doesn't hear from you the program will be cut--LM_NET doesn't need
to hear as much as the trustees do. Budgets are finalized at the end of
the month. Better still, get teachers, parents, administrators and
students to write if you have worked with them, if they undertsand and if
they are supportive [all true one hopes].
Third, plan for advocacy and building understanding after budgets are
over and keep building support so that you have it when you need it.
Fourth, again, talk to the people who make a difference and get the facts
straight. I picked up that forgotten communication device a few minutes
ago, got the names of the chair of the board and chair of the finance
committee, called and left messages for them to call me [long distance,
but they will, I know]. I won't whine but I will get the facts straight
and first and explain the impications second. It's their decision--but
they have to know the effect on investment, on teaching methods and, most
importantly, on student attitude and achievement.
Thus endeth the sermon.


Ken Haycock
School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
The University of British Columbia
831-1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC  V6T 1Z1
Voice: 604-822-4991  Fax: 604-822-6006
Internet: haycock@unixg.ubc.ca

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