SCOPA Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2002

Present: Jae Williams, Todd Fell, Pamela Mann, Cecile Mandour, Mary Caldera, Stephen Jones, Rochelle Smith

Orientation agenda
Jae met with Diane, who suggested that the promotion review portion of the orientation be reinstated, but is willing to do it herself rather than calling in the head of the promotion committee. She also expressed appreciation for the informal style of the new orientation.
Several ideas were suggested for improving the orientation sessions, including making them longer (the last one seemed pressed for time at the end), presenting the information in a different order, and limiting SCOPA topics to brief, written comments rather than improvised ones, which are prone to take longer. It was ultimately decided to do a brief introduction to SCOPA members, functions and subcommittees first, then lunch, then the rest of the program, leading off with Diane's portion.

Jae also proposed that the orientation coordinator be made a distinct SCOPA position. Mary Caldera currently undertakes the tasks of orientation coordinator.

Diane had reintroduced the question of whether the orientation should take place every six months or by number of new people. The consensus seemed to be for the latter. It was also decided to hold the next orientation in mid- to late August, as three new people will have started by then.

Jae drafted a letter to be sent to new staff members when they arrive, consisting of a welcome and an introduction to SCOPA and its objectives.
After being invited to an orientation, new staff members will also be sent the agenda and relevant URLs.

Jae will send the revised orientation procedures to the group via e-mail.

Forums
Stephen reported on a discussion of potential forum topics between himself and Dr. Susan Cirillo from Southern Connecticut State University. One possibility would be a talk on aspects of being a new library director, and would touch on distance learning, administrative changes, and other initiatives. Such a talk could serve as one in a series in which different heads of nearby libraries speak (a forum given by James Welbourne, City Librarian for New Haven, was scheduled for June 26).

Jae is hoping to reschedule Thomas Blanton, who had to cancel his planned forum due to a family emergency. She is also attempting to reschedule Kristian Hammond.

Denise Hersey, the Eli Project Copyright Committee chair, would like to collaborate with SCOPA on a joint forum on copyright issues.
Cecile suggested that Fred Musto reprise a talk he gave at the University of Connecticut entitled "Cartographic Curiosities".

Mary brought up a previously suggested forum on coping with a changing workplace, perhaps to be given by the Learning Center. Jae has spoken with Kate Reynolds about it, and will follow up.

More forums are needed, ideally one a month for the rest of the summer, and two a month beginning in the fall.

Jae reported that Diane liked the changes to the grant guidelines and will take them to LMT for final revisions. Jae and Diane will begin to meet regularly and briefly after SCOPA meetings starting in September, as Diane's schedule often does not permit her regular meeting attendance.

A final point; Jae strongly urges that the group check the administrative calendar to see when to submit quarterly advertising. Advertising is especially important given the number of new staff.