Friends Groups Notes from the Friends Support Group January 2007

Friends Support Group Notes | January 31, 2007
Topic: Best Practices for Working with Your Library's Board of Trustees

Handouts:

• Model Friends Cooperative Network [Friends of Libraries Sourcebook, third edition, by Sandy Dolnick, ALA, 1996]
• Role of the Friends Board [FOLUSA]
• Role of the Library Board [FOLUSA]
• Code of Ethics [Friends of the Washoe County Library, as seen in: The Essential Friends of Libraries: Fast Facts, Forms, and Tips by Sandy Dolnick]
• MHLS Friends Group Resources Web Site

Facilitated Discussion Notes:

Friend- to-Board communication

• Annual report to the Board
• Agenda items:
• Report from BOT
• Report from Director
• Friends President - ex officio of library board
• Written memo of understanding (sample forthcoming)

Potential Conflicts:

• Personality: trustee or the director
• Level of fundraising activity
• Fundraising capacity
  • Difference between expectation and commitment

Deciding what Friends $ should be spent on:

• Visible gift/expenditures (aid with membership)
• Wish List from director

Role of the Director

• attends every meeting
• provides guidance to the Friends as to what the library needs (i.e. wish list)
• Gives a report at the Friends meeting
• helps the Friends feel appreciated

Bylaws / mission statement

• who you are
• "why you are"

Role / use of email for internal communications between the Friends and board

• Keeps all parties informed
• Helps to present a united front to the public
• Tip: help Friends board establish a non-personal email address to use for Friends business (ex: LLfriends@gmail.com)
• Post non-personal email addresses on the Friends website

"Off-topic Topics":

Examples of Membership Benefits:
-get into book sale early
-fine waived coupon
-newsletter just for members
-$5 off @book sale
-Gift items - % off gift items (ex: note cards, bags, coffee mugs)

Membership Forms:
-Collect email addresses on membership form
-Skills / prof. experience a new member is willing to share with the group

Appeal letter tips:
-signed by both Friends and Library board presidents
-describe past accomplishments
-plan for the future

Membership acknowledgement (once a new member sends in their membership form and dues - what next?)
-welcome letter: describe how to become more involved in the group

Fundraising Activities
Trivia Contest
Irish Band Concert
Victorian Tea @ local B&B
Restaurant Crawl
Soup Night

Events - two, sometimes separate, purposes:
-fundraising
-PR - don't have to break even (suggested donations rather than entrance fee)

Next meeting: Monday, April 30th Topic: Events

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