LIANZA

I was really pleased to be asked along to the recent Health SIG study days to discuss the relationship between LIANZA and our Special Interest Groups.  The event ran over two days and was held at the Otago School of Medicine in Wellington.  When I was there, there were 24 people from around the country and coming from a range of health associated fields.  I had the best spot – last speaker, straight after lunch  so decided that we’d aim for a conversation rather than me stand there and talk for an hour.  I’m really glad we did it this way, there’s nothing most LIS professionals like better than talking to each other. 

So, after quickly summing up how SIGs are setup and the relationship between LIANZA and its SIGs I posed some questions.

•             What can Council do to make the relationship better?

•             What can the Office do to make the relationship better?

•             What could SIGs do to make the relationship better?

One of the answers that we came up with that was common to all of these questions was to improve communication, and that communication needs to be a two-way street.  So, while I, as the portfolio holder for SIGs could do more in terms of communication out to the SIG convenors from Council, we agreed that this should not be an unrequited relationship – I love getting communication back too!

It was heartening for me, that many of the suggestions for what Council and the Office could do better are underway, e.g. focusing on leadership and advocacy, providing online professional development opportunities, improving the website etc.  There was positive feedback on the efficiency and helpfulness of the Office staff (thank you guys!), and people are pleased that we are seeking Expressions of Interest for training opportunities.

What things do we all need to work on?

•             Keeping communication going – both ways

•             Clarification of what Council’s role is and what the Office does

•             Seeking the input of our SIGs on issues that are their speciality - at the same time SIGs need to feel able to offer that input :)

Other SIG convenors or members out there – what do you reckon? Is this what we need to work on, what else?

Cheers
Heather

Heather Lamond ALIANZA
LIANZA Councillor - Ikaroa

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