5.1 Relationship with Association Committees

Committees are appointed to develop proposals, implement decisions, and otherwise assist the Council in accomplishing its objectives. In forming committees, the Council reviews the work of existing MLA committees to avoid overlap or duplication. Council committees seek cooperative arrangements with MLA committees whenever a mutual interest exists.

5.2 Appointment of Committees

The Council Chair, in consultation with the Vice Chair/Chair-Elect, appoints committee members and chairs for both standing and ad hoc committees. Standing committee appointments are for one year, and ad hoc committee appointments are for the duration of the committee or until the expiration of the term of the Council member. Representatives may serve on no more than two committees at the same time, and may serve as Chair of no more than one committee at a time. Committee appointments are usually made at the last Council meeting of the annual MLA meeting, with terms beginning at the close of the meeting.

5.3 Standing Committees and Liaisons

Standing committees are charged with specific areas of jurisdiction and consider on a continuing basis matters which fall within their jurisdiction. Once established, standing committees continue until formally dissolved. Four standing committees have been established by the Section Council: Communications; Elections; Section/Special Interest Group Review; and, Standards.

The Council Chair submits names of two Council members to each MLA National Program Committee (NPC) Chair, who selects one to serve on that committee. These NPC members serve as liaisons between the NPC, Section Council, and Section programming contacts. Two liaisons serve at the same time; one for the current year, and one for the upcoming year. The liaison for the upcoming year assists with the scheduling of Section and SIG business meetings.

Every three years, the Council Chair also submits names of Council members (two per committee) to the MLA President-Elect, who appoints one of them to serve as a member of the MLA Continuing Education Committee, the MLA Credentialing Committee, and the MLANET Editorial Board. This appointees serves as a liaisons between the Council and the MLA committees.

5.4 Ad Hoc Committees

Ad hoc committees are appointed to accomplish a specific purpose and are discharged once their assignments are completed.

5.5 Current Committee/Liaison Responsibilities

5.5.1 Communications Committee

• Develop, improve and promote mechanisms for communication between members of the Section Council and the Chapter Council
• Assist the Council Chair as liaison with the MLA Board of Directors
• Develop guidelines for communication in other areas as they are needed
• Assist in the development of better communication among Section Council Representatives and Representatives-Elect, and Section Chairs
• Compile the annual Section Council Directory and update the information as necessary
• Plan Section Council orientation for new Representatives and Representatives-Elect

5.5.2 Elections Committee

• Conduct the election of the Council's six nominees to the MLA Nominating Committee according to the guidelines
• Conduct the election of the Section Council Chair-Elect/Chair and Vice-Chair according to the guidelines
• Provide information to MLA President-Elect to assist in appointment of liaisons to outside organizations

  Nominating Subcommittee

  • Choose at least two nominees for Chair-Elect from among the outgoing and continuing representatives
  • In years when a Vice-Chair is to be elected, choose at least two nominees from among those representatives who have at least one year left to serve
  • Obtain the signed consent of the nominees on a completed Council curriculum vitae form
  • Inform the Chair of the Elections Committee as soon as the signed curriculum vitae forms are obtained
  • Announce the nominees and distribute copies of their curricula vitae to all council members at least two weeks before the vote is taken

5.5.3 Section/Special Interest Group Review Committee

• Determine the eligibility of proposed new Sections and Special Interest Groups according to the criteria approved by the Council and MLA Bylaws, and make appropriate recommendations to the Council
• Recommend to the Council necessary updates in the criteria for new Sections and Special Interest Groups
• Develop criteria for continued Section and Special Interest Group eligibility beyond those stated in the MLA Bylaws for approval by the Council
• Review and update the SIG Manual annually

5.5.4 Standards Committee

• Prepare guidelines for developing, monitoring, reviewing, endorsing and maintaining standards
• Monitor standards activities to assure that the guidelines are being followed

5.5.5 National Program Committee (NPC) Liaisons

Two liaisons serve at the same time. One council member shall serve as a liaison to the NPC for the current year, and one shall serve as liaison to the NPC for the upcoming year.

• Serve as liaison to the NPC, including performing duties delegated by the NPC in connection with Section programming for annual meetings
• Monitor Section program planning and implementation in order to make recommendations to the MLA National Program Committee (NPC)
• Communicate to the NPC the needs and concerns of Sections as related to programming at the annual meeting
• Promote activities aimed at strengthening Section programming at annual meetings

5.5.6 MLA Continuing Education (CE) Committee Liaison

• Serve as a member of the MLA CE Committee
• Communicate information between the Committee and Section Council regarding continuing education activities (see Appendix 28)

5.5.7 MLA Credentialing Committee Liaison

• Serve as a member of the MLA Credentialing Committee
• Communicate information between the Committee and Section Council regarding the Academy of Health Information Professionals and credentialing activities

5.5.8 MLANet Editorial Board Liaison

• Serve as a member of the MLANET Editorial Board
• Communicate information between the MLANet Editorial Board, the Council, and Sections regarding Web activities and needs
• Seek input from Section Council members on MLANet projects and issues
• Provide input on Section Council's Web page design and structure

5.5.9 Section Council Web Committee

• Maintain and develop Council's Web site
• Update information on the Web site as needed
• Establish Web page design and structure

Procedure Manual Table of Contents

Send comments or questions to Webmaster Melissa De Santis at desantis@uthscsa.edu

Last updated on: April 16, 2002.