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2024-2025 President's Message | Read Jorge's Speech as Incoming President
While it is crucial to stay grounded in the present moment, it is equally important to envision the future and its possibilities. Moving forward is our only option. FLA conducted a board retreat last month, with the guidance of Anne Casey, to have our association’s new strategic plan drafted. The board and committee chairs have identified four major areas of focus; organizational stability, professional development and networking, advocacy, and communication. Objectives under these major areas have been identified and the next step is to assign initiatives to FLA groups and officers responsible for implementing them. In the spirit of looking towards the future, I’d like to share upcoming events and news that nurture our shared optimism.
Individual Membership Dues Revamped: We've heard your feedback - membership dues need to be affordable and accessible to everyone. The Membership Development Committee has responded. Starting in October 2024, we will introduce new individual salary categories and updated annual dues amounts. Please visit our membership page for more information: https://www.flalib.org/member-benefits-rates#Individual
American Library Association (ALA) State Intellectual Freedom Helpline Grant: We have been awarded this grant to create a state intellectual freedom helpline resource for all Florida librarians! Thank you to past president Shane Roopnarine and Chris Jimenez and the Intellectual Freedom Committee for their hard work to make this happen. More information will be shared soon.
- Webinar with Miami-Dade County Poet Laureate Caridad Moro-Gronlier: I’m thrilled to announce an afternoon conversation with Caridad Moro-Gronlier, a career educator, community-driven poet, and author of the much-praised book of poetry, Tortillera on September 19, 2024, from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. I had the pleasure of attending a poetry reading and conversation with this remarkable poet at my former local public library branch last year and I am excited to see her again. This event is open to everyone. Don’t miss out - register today !
- Webinar with Author Shola Richards: On the eve of his upcoming new book, Civil Unity: The Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives, and Our World, Shola Richards will discuss key themes in his new book and will have a thought-provoking conversation with our FLA 2024 Annual Conference keynote presenter, Kris McGuigan, on Monday, September 16, 2024, 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Free for FLA members; $25 for non-members. For more information visit: https://www.flalib.org/exploring-civil-unity-with-shola-richards-webinar
We are doing wonderful things at FLA to create a brighter future for our profession and our well-being. Let’s continue to celebrate our shared accomplishments and joy. As Buzz Lightyear exclaims, “To Infinity and Beyond!”.
Jorge Perez
2024-2025 FLA President
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