A task force is an action-oriented membership group whose charge is to address specific goals, complete a specific task, or to consider a particular issue. There may be a designated time frame defined by the nature of the task or set forth in the function statement. Functions of a task force may include the following:
- Gathering information and making recommendations
- Studying an issue and preparing a report
- carrying out a specific project or activity
- Conducting programs at conferences
- Establishing committees or other subunits.
A task force is used to address critical, urgent, or ongoing situations which require a strong, visible organizational effort and/or activist response. Any parent body may establish a task force, determine its duration, monitor its progress, and terminate its function. (ALA Policy Manual, Article 6.9)
Many, but not all, YALSA task forces complete all of their work virtually and members are not required to attend conferences.
Annual Conference Marketing & Local Arrangement | CALA/YALSA | Core YALSA Toolkits Taskforce | District Days | Evaluating Volunteer Resources | Mentoring | Midwinter Marketing & Local Arrangements | Legislative Advocacy | Presidential Initiatives Implementation | Social Media Marketing | Summer Learning | Teen Summit Planning & Local Support | YA Services Symposium Marketing & Planning
Annual Conference Marketing & Local Arrangements Task Force
To work with YALSA's Web Services Manager prior to the conference to create and disseminate online marketing materials that promote YALSA's presence at the ALA Annual Conference. To plan and implement YALSA local arrangements activities in close cooperation with YALSA's Program Officer for Conferences & Events, including assisting on-site with logistics for YALSA programs and overseeing teen participation for the ALA Annual Conference. Committee members aren't expected to attend Midwinter, but are expected to attend Annual. Committee size: to be determined, but including one member designated as Youth Participation Coordinator. Term: 6 months, January 1 - June 30.
CALA/YALSA Joint Taskforce
To determine a booklist to highlight and promote Chinese American creators and characters to commemorate the 50th anniversary of CALA. To select titles for the list in conjunction with ALSC (to begin work in February 2022). To provide recommendations to the board for review. To make changes as necessary depending on feedback from the YALSA Board.
Proposed Timeline: The joint taskforce, with members appointed by CALA and YALSA, would meet from June-September 2021 to determine the name of the booklist(s), set up selection criteria and rubric, develop potential promotional opportunities (such as webinars or panels after the booklist(s) release that highlight Chinese American creators or partnerships with community organizations that support Chinese American youth), and present recommendations for review. The taskforce will make changes as necessary by October 1 based on feedback from the Boards. All divisions vote for approval by December 2021. From February 2022 through December 2022, the taskforce will work together with the ALSC Quicklists Consulting Committee to select titles for the booklist and create a final bibliography to be promoted on the YALSA and CALA website. The final booklist(s) will be announced in January 2023 in anticipation of CALA's 50th Anniversary in March 2023, and subject to Board feedback/approval, may also be accompanied by additional promotional media.
Committee Size: The taskforce will consist of 7 members total: YALSA will appoint 3 members; CALA will appoint 3 members and 1 chair.
Date of Establishment: April 2021
Date of Completion: June 2023
Term: June 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023
Qualifications: Individuals with fluency in Chinese, experience with creating Chinese American booklists or library programming, and/or experience with advocating for underrepresented voices in youth literature more broadly are preferred.
Staff Liaison: Program Officer
Board Liaison: Susannah Goldstein
Core YALSA Toolkit Taskforce
To evaluate two core YALSA toolkits for their timeliness and effectiveness to members by:
- Surveying the membership for ways that they are using one or both of the toolkits (Teen Literacies and Teen Advisory) and what they would like to see included in updated editions
- If new editions are required, embed EDI elements for representation from underserved populations
- Invite membership to respond to new editions of the toolkits to give feedback on how they've been used in practice.
- Turn in a report to YALSA Board on findings by the end of taskforce term
Committee Size: 5-7 virtual members
Date of Establishment: August 2021
Date of Completion: December 2021
Term: August 2021 - December 2021
District Days Task Force
To encourage library staff to advocate for and with teens through local engagement with members of Congress whenever they are on recess especially in July and August; to provide library staff with access to information, best practices, training, tools and resources to help them build relationships with elected officials and inform officials about the critical role libraries play in supporting teen school success and college and career readiness; to track District Days participation by members; to collect and share out member stories about their advocacy efforts. Taskforce size 5 to 7 virtual members including the chair and at least two members from the previous year. Term: April 1 through September 30.
Evaluating Volunteer Resources Taskforce
To support inclusive spaces for our audiences and move towards becoming more of an anti-racist organization in YALSA policies and procedures by:
- evaluating YALSA resources, policies and procedures that support volunteer activity for aligning with YALSA's EDI vision;
- collaborating with YALSA volunteer committees in forming recommendations, specifically the Book Awards Oversight Committee, Education Advisory Committee, Organization and Bylaws Committee;
- providing an EDI practice, guidelines or a statement for YALSA policies and procedures.
Committee Size: 5-7 virtual members
Date of Establishment: April 2021
Date of Completion: December 2021
Term: July 2021 - December 2021
Staff Liaison: Tammy Dillard-Steels
Board Liaison: Amanda Barnhart
Legislative Advocacy Task Force
To encourage all members to participate in legislative advocacy activities such as National Library Legislative Day by creating messages and resources and then working with YALSA's Communication Specialist to leverage YALSA's communication channels; to provide members with tools and resources to help them educate elected officials about the need for strong library services for/with teens; and to vet the applications for the NLLD travel stipend and choose a winner(s). Taskforce size: 5 - 7 virtual members including at least one member from the previous year. Term: December 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018
Mentoring Task Force
Review applications submitted for the YALSA 2014 - 2015 mentoring program to determine applicants' eligibility. Using information provided in mentor and protégé applications select and match mentors and protégés from those applicants who are eligible. Submit selections/matches to YALSA's Program Officer for Continuing Education. Committee size: 5 - 7 virtual members.
Midwinter Marketing & Local Arrangements Task Force
To work with YALSA's Web Services Manager prior to the conference to create and disseminate online marketing materials that promote YALSA's presence at the ALA Midwinter Meeting. To plan and implement YALSA local arrangements activities in close cooperation with YALSA's Program Officer for Conferences & Events, including assisting on-site with logistics for YALSA events and overseeing teen participation for the ALA Midwinter Meeting. Taskforce members aren't expected to attend Annual, but are expected to attend Midwinter. Taskforce size: 5 - 7, including one member designated as Midwinter Youth Participation Coordinator. Term: 6 months - October 1 through March 31.
Presidential Initiatives Implementation Task Force
To provide support, guidance and advice to the YALSA President in the implementation of their theme. Activities may include working with the President to review Organizational and Implementation Plans to develop and coordinate appropriate theme-related goals, activities, and initiatives. As appropriate, collaborate with relevant YALSA leaders and groups to implement theme-related activities, including but not limited to the blog managers, journal editors, and committee chairs. Taskforce size: 5 - 7 virtual members including chair. Term: 1 year term starting July 1 ending June 30 of the following year.
Social Media Marketing Task Force
This group will be responsible for using social media to widely market YALSA selection lists (Amazing Audiobooks, Best Fiction for Young Adults, Great Graphic Novels, Quick Picks and others) for the current and previous years, and the Teens' Top Ten list. The chair of the task force will work with the chair of the HUB and the selection list coordinators in this endeavor. This is a year-long, virtual opportunity with the option to renew for one year. Task force size: 5 - 7 members, including the chair. Term: One year, July 1 - June 30.
Summer Learning Task Force
To leverage state and local networks to promote the applications for summer learning grants. To vet the applicants for the grants and by February 10, 2020, choose the 20 applications that best meet the eligibility requirements as measured by their responses to questions on the application. To vet the applicants for the summer intern grants and choose the 20 best by February 17, 2020. To update existing and compile and/or create new timely resources focused specifically on assisting library staff with implementing summer learning programs and activities and add them to YALSA's Summer Learning Ning as they are developed. To seed discussions and share resources on the Summer Learning Ning on a continuous basis. Taskforce size: 7 virtual members, including the chai and at least two members from previous year. Term: July 1 through June 30
Teen Summit Planning & Local Support Task Force
To assist YALSA's Program Officer for Conferences & Events and CE Consultant with planning and implementation of a teen summit, to be held in conjunction with the 2019 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The purpose of the one day summit is to engage with teens who are not regular library users, especially those who come from underserved groups, to inform how YALSA can help libraries better serve these teens. Specific tasks include: providing input regarding the agenda and speakers, recommending area youth-serving organizations to help identify underserved teens from the DC area to participate, and helping on-site with logistics. Size 5 to 7 virtual members, including the chair. Term December 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
YA Services Symposium Marketing & Planning Task Force
To assist YALSA's Program Officer with the planning and marketing of the conference, including vetting papers and proposals, vetting scholarship applications, assisting the Program Officer with identifying authors and keynote speakers, and leveraging social media tools to promote the event and scholarship opportunities, and more. Members will regularly share content via social media and through their state and local networks to build excitement for and share information about the event. Members will work with YALSA's Communications Specialist to assist with the implementation of a marketing plan. Size: 5 to 7 virtual members, including the chair. Term: 12 months, December 1--November 31.