2025 Volunteer Structure FAQs

What to Know About the New Volunteer Structure

How was the decision made to change the structure?

In November 2020, the ALA Board of Directors appointed a task force charged with reimagining the ALA committee structure. This task force, which came to be known as the Reimagining Our Committees (ROCrs) Task Force, spent nearly three years auditing and redefining the roles of ALA’s standing committees, ad hoc committees, project teams and task forces. Throughout this process, it became clear that the Association’s original structure assumed that a committee’s work was ongoing and that there was always something that the committee needed to be doing. That was never the intent, as evidenced by ALA Policy which states “all committees are reviewed annually by the Board to determine the ongoing need.”

The ROCrs Task Force audited the current committee structure and conducted focus groups with volunteers to better understand their experience. The task force also evaluated the investment of volunteer time and energy against the desired state of the Association as outlined by the strategic direction and looked for any mismatches between the two.

The result of that work is an innovative new structure that was imagined to intentionally support the Association’s strategic direction across all focus areas while at the same time maximize the impact of volunteers’ time and talent, enhance their overall experience, and increase interest in volunteer service.

How long has this been in the works?

The ALA Board of Directors appointed the Reimagine our Committees (ROCrs) task force in November 2020. The new structure that was developed as a result of the work of the ROCrs task force was approved by the Board of Directors in May 2023.

Did the task force consult any current committees or members?

Yes. Focus groups discussions were held with current and former volunteer leaders to better understand their experience as part of the research and analysis conducted by the task force.

What’s the impetus for the change?

The Board of Directors wanted to bring ALA’s volunteer structure into alignment with the overall vision, mission and strategic direction of the Association. ALA needed to clearly define the various volunteer opportunities available within the organization based on the current and future needs of the Association. We wanted to ensure that the time and talent volunteers invest in a given role is meaningful and added value to their involvement with ALA.

What are the new committees and how many volunteer positions will be available?

There will be three categories of committees:

KNOWLEDGE

CLM Certification Question Writing Committee (8–10 volunteers)
CLM Certification Promotion Project Team (6–8 volunteers)
Future Readiness Advisory Council (6–9 volunteers)
Event Project Team (2–8 volunteers per event)

NETWORKING

Member Experience Committee (7–9 volunteers)
Member Ambassador Committee (4–7 volunteers)
Independent Member Advisory Council (6–8 volunteers)
Shared Interest Groups

RESOURCES

Chapter Connection Committee
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Advisory Council (7–9 volunteers)
Legal Management Operations Standards Committee Project Team (5–7 volunteers)
Business Partner Focus Groups (1–2 volunteers)

Across each of these areas, there will be varying levels of time commitments. Some areas focus on short-term tasks versus others that focus on full longer-term projects.

When will the new structure take effect?

The new structure will take effect beginning with the 2025–2026 organizational year that begins at the 2025 Annual Conference.

Are there any committees or roles that will remain unchanged?

Any group required by ALA’s bylaws will remain in place. Thus, the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee will be unaffected by these changes. ALA has flexibility to align those groups to fit its current needs.

When will applications be accepted for these new volunteer opportunities?

The call for applications will open in July 2024.

How will applicants be selected?

In the first year, all applicants will be vetted by a Board Task Force.

If you are currently on a standing committee and your term extends beyond May 2025, do you need to apply?

Yes. There will be a new call for volunteers in summer 2024. All current committee members including the vice chair will need to apply to be considered for one of the new volunteer opportunities for the 2025–2026 organizational year.

What’s the distinction between a standing committee, ad hoc committee, advisory council, project team, shared interest group, focus group, etc.?

Standing Committees are those committees that the Board of Directors uses on a continual basis. They can be set forth in the association’s bylaws or in its board operations and policy manual, or they may be established by custom.
Ad Hoc Committees are those formed for a limited period of time to address a specific need. When the work of the ad hoc committee is completed, the committee is dissolved. An ad hoc committee may exist for less than a year or for a year or more depending on the extent of the work assigned to it.
Advisory Councils assist the Board of Directors in carrying out their work by providing expertise and advice in selected areas.
Project Teams address short-term needs or projects of the Board and are typically disbanded upon the completion of those tasks or projects.
Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are also known as professional interest groups or components. These are communities within a larger organization, created around a shared interest in specific areas of knowledge, learning, technology or other characteristics of membership. SIGs offer additional benefits for association members such as access to subject specific information and resources, educational opportunities, networking with like-minded peers, and volunteer leadership opportunities.
Focus Groups are staff led, incorporating one or more members as necessary, limited in scope, created by the Board to achieve a single objective and report to the Board their results.

This format allows ALA to be flexible, adaptable and fluid and to take action when needed.

What are the qualification criteria to serve on the DEIA Advisory Council?

Certified Diversity Professional (CDP^®) or other diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility credential preferred but not required.

When will the new charters be provided?

The charters will be available when ALA does the call for volunteers this summer.

Looking to Give Feedback About the Structure?
Any question regarding the new volunteer structure can be directed to [email protected].

Helpful Links

Knowledge Illustration — Knowledge CLM Certification Question Writing Committee Standing Committee 8–10 volunteers (including Chair); CLM preferred 4-year staggered terms 6–8 months each year The CLM Certification Question Writing Committee serves to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to review, revise, sunset and manage the Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® program. Its primary responsibilities include revising test items, writing new test items, sunsetting outdated questions and working with the testing contractor to evaluate and improve the assessment process, working with the professional staff in overseeing the administration of the program, and recommending needed changes in prerequisite and recertification requirements consistent with the board’s four pillars of the strategic direction, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.  [header]CLM Certification Promotion Project Team Project Team 6–8 volunteers (including Chair) Annual Cycle 6-month sprint The CLM Certification Promotion Project Team serves to assist the board of directors and staff in promoting the CLM program. Shall be six meetings over 12 months focused on creativity in promotion our credential. Teams will partner with staff liaison on promotional opportunities to elevate the CLM credential in value and opportunity. Future Readiness Advisory Council Advisory Council 6–9 volunteers (including Chair) 2-year staggered terms 6-month sprint The Future Readiness Advisory Council, in alignment with ALA’s Vison, Mission and Strategic Direction, shall assist the Board of Directors by researching, monitoring, projecting and alerting them to new developments, ideas and future trends impacting the legal industry and the association by preparing a report of their findings which can be used by staff, the Board, the Annual Conference Project Team, and any group that is interested in the findings. [header]Event Project Team(s) Project Team 2–8 volunteers (including Chair) 1-year term 9–15 months; varies based on event The Project Teams will work with any third-party conference vendor and ALA staff to build educational matrix for events including, but not limited to the Annual Conference and other in-person and virtual events that invite members and nonmembers to attend. Teams will participate in conversation on educational content and member experience related to the event. Project teams will be named for each event — e.g., Annual Conference Project Team, Intellectual Property Project Team, etc.

Networking Illustration — Networking Member Experience Committee Standing Committee 7–9 volunteers (including Chair) 2-year staggered terms Ongoing work This committee will be strategic with ongoing work to improve the member experience for engagement, recruitment and retention. Member Ambassador Committee Standing Committee 4–7 volunteers (including Chair) 2-year staggered terms Ongoing work This committee will recruit, onboard, assign and evaluate the Ambassador program. Independent Member Advisory Council Advisory Council 6–8 volunteers (including Chair) One cycle Due to a growing number of independent members, this advisory council will be formed for one volunteer cycle to examine opportunities to improve the independent member experience. They will examine and report on opportunities to engage, retain and improve the independent members’ ALA experience. The group may be renewed if the Board determines continued strategic value.    Shared Interest Groups • Large Firm Administrators • Small Firm Administrators • Intellectual Property Administrators • Plaintiff/Personal Injury • Corporate/Government • First Five SIGs champion conversations that can be peer-to-peer with opportunities for in person time. SIGs are formed based on percentage of membership, tags in online communities, and require benchmarks for utilization that will guide termination as appropriate.

Resources Illustration — RESOURCES Chapter Connection Committee Standing Committee 15-22 members (including Chair) supporting 4-6 chapters each* 3-year staggered terms Ongoing work *Number of members can change based on total number of ALA chapters. The Chapter Connection Committee assists the Board in education for chapter leaders on policies, programs and initiatives of the ALA. This includes providing support and resources for chapter leaders to enhance the member experience.Committee Chair works with Board and Staff liaisons to respond to any chapter requests. DEIA Advisory Council Advisory Council 7–9 volunteers (including Chair) 2-year staggered terms One year The DEIA Advisory Council meets quarterly to gather relevant findings from the various volunteer groups they are dispersed inside. These findings are presented to the Board of Directors and include suggestions to continue the quest to see and feel DEIA in all that we do. The group participates in assigned volunteer groups across the Association (one member per volunteer group) to serve as a DEIA lens in the work of the various groups.The Advisory Council will review the DEIA survey as part of their analysis and recommendations to the Board. They will also serve to assist chapters in fulfilling the Presidents’ Award of Excellence DEIA items if there is no DEIA credentialed staff to assist. Legal Management Operations Standards Project Team Project Team 5–7 volunteers (including Chair) 3-year staggered terms 3–6-month sprint The project team updates the legal management operations database (aka, UPBMS) after the Future Readiness Advisory Council completes their evaluation of the industry opportunities. ALA staff provide education to the volunteers on how to update the database. Business Partner Focus Groups(s) Focus Group 1–2 volunteers Post-events One month Focus groups are formed after ALA events to bring together business partners in a forum to capture successes and opportunities from the business partner perspective. The volunteers will participate in capturing ideas and sharing member experiences of business partner contributions.

Volunteer Opportunities Defined

Standing Committee Project Team Illustration — Standing Committees Those committees that the Board of Directors uses on a continual basis. They can be set forth in the association’s bylaws or in its board operations and policy manual, or they may be established by custom. Project Teams Address short-term needs or projects of the Board and are typically disbanded upon the completion of those tasks or projects. Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) These are also known as professional interest groups or components. These are communities within a larger organization, created around a shared interest in specific areas of knowledge, learning, technology or other characteristics of membership. SIGs offer additional benefits for association members such as access to subject specific information and resources, educational opportunities, networking with like-minded peers, and volunteer leadership opportunities.

Ad Hoc Committee Illustration — Ad Hoc Committees Formed for a limited period of time to address a specific need. When the work of the ad hoc committee is completed, the committee is dissolved. An ad hoc committee may exist for less than a year or for a year or more depending on the extent of the work assigned to it. Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) These are also known as professional interest groups or components. These are communities within a larger organization, created around a shared interest in specific areas of knowledge, learning, technology or other characteristics of membership. SIGs offer additional benefits for association members such as access to subject specific information and resources, educational opportunities, networking with like-minded peers, and volunteer leadership opportunities.

Advisory Councils Illustration — Advisory Councils Assist the Board of Directors in carrying out their work by providing expertise and advice in selected areas. Focus Groups These are staff led, incorporating one or more members as necessary, limited in scope, created by the Board to achieve a single objective and report to the Board their results.