Ann Koopman Leadership Travel Award

KoopmanAnn_144x144.jpgThe SLA Philadelphia Chapter is proud to announce a revised Chapter Award dedicated to the memory of Ann Koopman who strongly believed in mentoring SLA members in their leadership roles and in building a leadership pipeline within SLA chapters and divisions to strengthen the SLA organization while providing a learning environment for members to develop transferable career skills.

Ann was a role model as an active member of SLA since joining in 1993. She was Treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter from 1998-2002 and again in 2004-2007. Ann was also active in the Sci-Tech Division, serving as a Director 1999-2000, as their Treasurer 2000-2004, Business Manager 2003-2004, and Chair-Elect through Past-Chair in 2005-2008. Ann was elected to the SLA Board of Directors as Division Cabinet Chair-Elect in 2012 and served as Division Cabinet Chair in 2013 until her untimely death in December 2013.

Purpose:

  • Recognize Chapter members who
    • have made outstanding contributions to the Chapter and
    • demonstrate an eagerness for additional leadership roles.
  • Foster their further development as an SLA leader by enabling them to attend leadership training events held at the SLA Annual Conference and virtually throughout the year.

Stipend:

  • Up to $2,000 to cover registration, hotel and travel expenses to attend the SLA Annual Conference.

Qualifications: 

  1. Be a current member of the SLA Philadelphia Chapter in good standing, for at least two (2) years.
  2. Has not already served as Chapter President-Elect, President or Past President.
  3. Has served on and made a significant contribution to a Chapter Committee, served as Chair or Co-Chair of a Chapter Committee, or made a significant contribution to a special project during the year prior to applying for this award.

Requirements:

  1. Completes an application form for the award by February 28th.
  2. The award winner is responsible to register for the SLA Annual Conference prior to the Early Bird Registration deadline and to arrange for hotel and travel reservations.
  3. Receipts for registration, hotel and travel are to be submitted for reimbursement using the Chapter Expense form and sent to the Treasurer within 60 days after SLA Annual Conference.
  4. Serves as a Chair or Co-Chair of a committee during the year that the individual attends the SLA Annual Conference for which the stipend was awarded.
  5. Is strongly encouraged to accept a nomination for an elected chapter officer within 3 - 5 years following attendance at the SLA Annual Conference for which the stipend was awarded.
  6. Must attend all leadership training sessions held at the Annual Conference, including the Chapter and Joint Cabinet meetings.
  7. Meets with the Philadelphia Chapter delegates for orientation prior to the Annual Conference.
  8. Attends any other SLA leadership training given as a virtual event or recorded sessions during the year that the individual attends the Annual Conference for which the stipend was awarded.
  9. Makes a presentation at the Chapter’s Fall Networking Event in September or October following attendance at the Annual Conference about the value derived from attending.

Benefits:

  1. Receives a stipend of up to $2,000 to cover registration, hotel and travel expenses to attend the SLA Annual Conference.  The SLA Philadelphia Chapter Executive Board will determine the stipend each year depending on the location of the Annual Conference.
  2. Is assigned a mentor during the year that they are Chair or Co-chair of a committee to guide their leadership development.  Ideally, the mentor has been Chair of that same key committee in the recent past, or is the Director who has responsibility for that key committee.
  3. Is assigned a mentor during the year following attendance at the SLA Annual Conference for which the stipend was awarded who currently holds or has recently held the officer position that they are interested in seeking.  This mentor will guide them in developing the knowledge and leadership skills that are needed for that officer role in the future.

Nominations:

  • You may view the application form as a PDF prior to applying.
  • Applications accepted only via online application form.
  • Nominations will be accepted until February 28 each year.
  • Self-nominations are encouraged.
  • Student members of SLA Philadelphia Chapter who are enrolled full-time in a library and information science master’s degree program are eligible.

Notification of Winner:

  • Winner will be selected no later than March 31st.
  • Award winner is announced prior to the Early Bird registration deadline for the Annual Conference.
  • Award is presented at the Chapter Annual Awards Event in May.

Donations: 

  1. Donations should be designated for the Ann Koopman Leadership Travel Award and sent to the Chapter Treasurer.
  2. A specific call for donations will be made annually at the May Awards Event, although donations will be welcome throughout the year.

This Award was initially approved by the SLA Philadelphia Chapter Executive and Advisory Boards at their March 31, 2014 Board Meeting.  The revised Award was approved by the SLA Philadelphia Chapter Executive Board by email vote on December 1, 2015.