Dear ALSC Members, today the 2024 Slate of Candidates for ALSC governance positions was posted to our website. First, I would like to thank the co-chairs of the Nominating Committee, Susan Dove Lempke and Elisa Gall, along with the rest of the committee members (Jessica Agudelo, Joanna K. Fabicon, Sophie Kenney, Rachel Godwin Payne, and Susan H. Polos) for their diligence and hard work on behalf of our association. I believe that we have a strong slate of highly qualified candidates who will serve well and with distinction. Immediate Past President Amy Koester, when presenting last year’s slate, noted the challenge of finding members with strong leadership experience who are willing to serve in long-term leadership roles—particularly the role of Vice-President/President-Elect which is for 3 years. After considering a number of potential candidates, Dr. Claudette McLinn was chosen to be on the ballot this year.
We do realize that some of you may have expected to see a choice of two candidates for the position of Vice-President/President-Elect. ALSC Leadership recognizes that we need to focus on developing members to serve in this role and others, and we will continue to explore options for doing so. Several of our process committees (e.g., Managing Children’s Services and Membership) have this as an issue to focus on in their 2023-2024 workplans. Please note that our bylaws allow members to petition to appear on the 2024 ballot. The petition must be signed by 25 members of ALSC and submitted to ALSC Executive Director, Alena Rivers, by December 1—though sooner would be helpful. For information, see the elections timeline. Also, note that you can nominate yourself and others moving forward for these governance positions.
Please consider using the volunteer form to nominate yourself for a leadership position and know that ALSC is stronger when a multitude of individuals bring their unique leadership roles each year. I thank all of you for support of ALSC.
Jonda C. McNair
Charlotte S. Huck Endowed Professor of Children’s Literature, The Ohio State University
2023–2024 ALSC President
she/her/hers