December is a time for making lists. Who will you give gifts to during the holidays? What parties will you attend? Where will you volunteer time (or give money)? Who do you want to see during the holidays? I suspect that some people's names -- close family members and friends -- will appear on multiple lists.
During the year, we also have lists of things we need to do, people we need to see, events we need to attend, etc. These lists contain both personal and professional things, people and events. They contain the "must do's" and the "nice to have's". When you create those lists, where is SLA? Is doing something with or for SLA on your list? Is interacting with SLA members important to you? Will you be attending SLA events?
In January, several hundred people (~300?) will descend on Savannah, GA and attend SLA's Leadership Summit. There are more truly active people in the Association than that, but I suspect the number isn't over 750. In addition, SLA has a staff of 30 people. These are all people who have SLA firmly on their lists. It is the organization where they donate their time and their brain-power. It is a where they hang out (online and face-to-face). And it is a group they turn to for help, mentoring, information, etc.
Imagine if all 11,000 SLA members put SLA on their lists? That would have a huge impact on each one of us. More people actively networking, more people interacting at events, more people exchanging information, and more people sharing their time and times!
So is SLA on your list? As you check your list (twice, according to the song), make sure that SLA is there. Get involved or stay involved....add onto your network, put yourself in the flow of important information...you'll be glad that you did.
