The latest issue (July 1994) of _AALL Newsletter_ includes a report that
mentions the AALL Board's long discussion at its April 29-30 meetings on the
language and content of the new five-year strategic plan. The text of "The
Strategic Challenge, 1994-1998" was also distributed to attendees at the
AALL Annual Meeting in Seattle.
During the conference there was a town meeting on the strategic plan.
Had I been able to attend the town meeting, I would have asked about the
choice of language where a definition of "strategic direction" is given, on
pages 1 and 13 of the document:
A strategic direction is defined as one in which
AALL must move in order to gain, maintain, or avoid
losing a winning stance.
"To gain, maintain, or avoid losing a winning stance" strikes me as language
more befitting the arena of war, or sports. As such, it typifies the male
world view. It implies that in order to succeed one must compete, be
aggressive and dominate others. (Against whom are we competing? Who
are our enemies?)
Overall, I think that the Long Range Planning Committee (consisting,
BTW, of six women and two men) did a fabulous job on this strategic plan.
It is very readable, comprehensive, and visionary -- even inspiring in
places! But if you look at the individual directions and initiatives, there
is a recurring emphasis on cooperation, rather than competitiveness, in such
wording as "helping members to...," "providing support for...," "forming
partnerships," "sharing resources," "encouraging growth," "responsiveness to
needs," and so forth.
In other words, the means we will use to accomplish our goals do not
seem consistent with the heavy-handed tone of an intention "to gain,
maintain, or avoid losing a winning stance." Could we not have used a
definition that sounds less militaristic, e.g.
A strategic direction is defined as one which must
be devised and employed by AALL in order to obtain a
specific goal or desired result.
Would a member of the LRPC, or someone who was at the Board meetings or who
attended the town meeting on July 12, please indicate whether or not this
particular language has been previously discussed? Is it an insignificant
detail? (Inquiring minds want to know.)
Peace and luv, ya'll ... Alva
____________________________________________________________________
Alva T. Stone
Law Library Internet: atstone@law.fsu.edu
Florida State University fax: 904-644-5216
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1043 tel: 904-644-2881
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