LA-IIS Consultative Document: UKOLUG's Initial Response

The UKOLUG committee had hoped to have been able, by now, to have 
presented UKOLUG members with a document summarising the options 
available to us if the IIS merges with the LA. We had also intended 
to include recommendations on what we saw as the best way forward for 
UKOLUG.  However, it quickly became apparent that the consultative 
document contained insufficient information on the alternatives open 
to us. 

The committee has responded to the document with some comment but 
also with many questions that must be answered before we can go any 
further.  We have tried to incorporate the comments and views that we 
have received from UKOLUG members into the letter, the text of which 
is reproduced below. 

May we remind you that if you wish to comment on the Consultative 
Document yourself, you must do so by March 15th. A copy of the 
document, together with the relevant addresses for responses, is 
available on the IIS Web Site (http://www.iis.org.uk/). 

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"Re: Our Professional Future. A Proposal for a new organisation for 
the library and information profession.

The UKOLUG Management Committee has now had time to study the 
consultative document produced by the LA, and in particular the 
sections that relate to IIS SIGs (page 8). We have several concerns 
about the document in general and the way in which it was 
distributed, but at this stage we wish to concentrate on what is 
being suggested as the way forward for Special Interest Groups 
(SIGs). 

As a general point, and before I move on to the specific questions 
about the proposed SIGs/OiLs, it seems apparent that - despite talk 
of unification, a "new single association", a "new name for a 
putative new association" and the implied equal standing of the two 
existing associations - the discussion document simply allows for the 
assimilation of the IIS by the LA.  The structure, form and 
mechanisms of the LA have remained inviolate with little or no 
acceptance of the ideas put forward by the IIS.

Added to this, we are aware that there is some measure of discontent 
among existing LA SIGs with the capitation system, which leaves them 
under funded (for example, the Multimedia and IT Groups) and unable 
to continue the production of print newsletters and journals.

UKOLUG would like to suggest that a third option exists in which SIGs 
of the new organisation would be run along the lines of the existing 
IIS Groups. This form of SIG would fall midway between an LA SIG and 
an OiL and offer SIGs autonomy of management while maintaining close 
links with the parent organisation.

UKOLUG would like this third option brought into the discussions.

Moving on to the existing proposals, we have many questions about the 
possible future position of SIGs within the new body and these are as 
follows:

1. Is the level of detail that is given in the consultative document 
regarding SIGs and OiLs really all that has been decided at this 
stage? If so, there is insufficient information on which to base a 
decision on how to advise our (UKOLUG) members on the best way 
forward. In fact it is impossible to make any informed decision on 
whether UKOLUG should become a SIG or an OiL
 
2. There is no information whatsoever on mechanisms or procedures for 
transition to SIG or OiL under the new association. Under the 
paragraph on SIGs it merely states that existing SIGs could submit a 
"proposal" to become a SIG under the new organisation. Are we to take 
it that we devise our own procedure and mechanism?

In the paragraph on the proposed new SIGs: 

3. What exactly does "Fully integrated in the new organisation" mean?

i) Will our finances/budget/bank accounts be "integrated" into the 
new organisation?
ii) Will administration and recruitment of members be taken over by 
the new organisation?
iii) Will the entire running of the group be taken over by the parent 
body?
iv) Will the SIGs be free to decide on publications, meetings, etc.
v) How will meetings and publications be managed and organised? By 
the SIG or the parent body?
vi) Will the SIGs be able to comment or respond independently to, for 
example, government papers or information vendor policy changes and 
activities?

4. What would the annual capitation fee be?

On OiLs :

5. Will the OiLs be totally separate and independent bodies?
 
6. What would be a "significant proportion of their members in 
membership of the new organisation"?
 
7. What would happen if the proportion of members in membership of 
the new organisation fell below the "significant" level after the 
group had become an OiL?
 
8. No mention has been made of offering reduced membership fees to 
those who are members of the new professional association. Would it 
be up to the OiL to decide whether or not to offer this?  Would this 
be permitted?

Overall, the UKOLUG committee is very disappointed with the document 
and the lack of detailed thought on the future of the IIS SIGs. As we 
are in the process of putting together, for our members, a document 
that gives details of the options open to us and the implications of 
those options, we would appreciate a speedy response to the questions 
and issues that we have raised above. 

Karen Blakeman
UKOLUG Chair"



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Karen Blakeman, UKOLUG Chair 
RBA Information Services, 
Tel: 0118 9472256, Fax: 0870 056 8547, Mobile: 0860 785716
E-Mail: [log in to unmask], http://www.rba.co.uk/


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