Organizational Definitions

From the ALSC Handbook of Organization: Committees of ALSC

91´«Ã½

June 27, 1990

The following definitions of various organizational groups in 91´«Ã½ supplement the definitions of committees in the 91´«Ã½ Handbook of Organization and provide guidelines for determining the appropriate group to carry out particular functions.

Assembly

An assembly is a group of representatives or delegates gathered together to perform one or more of the following functions:

  1. Acting as an advisory body to a parent or sponsoring group.

  2. Serving as a liaison between the sponsoring group and the groups represented in the assembly.

  3. Providing a forum for the exchange of information and a communication channel for reporting concerns and actions of either group to the other.

  4. Promoting cooperation and enhancing effectiveness between the groups represented.

An assembly is established by a sponsoring group, usually an 91´«Ã½ standing committee or division, and report to it. Delegates or representatives from other groups are invited to participate. Selection of delegates or representatives may be made by the sponsoring group or by the group being invited.

Assemblies may determine what activities of the assembly are limited to delegates or representatives (such as voting, speaking, preparing reports, etc.) and which activities are open to any interested individual (such as speaking, serving on committees, etc.) Assembly delegates may be required to register their attendance.

Coalition

A coalition is an alliance of organizations or independent groups, usually between one or more 91´«Ã½ units and outside groups, formed to work together for a common purpose or on a specific issue. Functions of a coalition may include:

  1. Stimulating public awareness.

  2. Gathering information or investigating a concern.

  3. Disseminating and communicating information.

  4. Providing a forum for the exchange of information.

  5. Identifying other organizations with a similar interest or concern.

Organizations who join a coalition will designate the position and/or individual who will represent them. The makeup of the coalition will be determined by the organizations forming the coalition. Coalitions may be informal and are not usually a legally constituted body, although their member organizations may be.

Discussion Group (see Interest Group)

Interest Group (also called a Discussion Group)

An interest group (discussion group) is a group of individuals who share common interests and concerns, and whose need to come together is recognized by a sponsoring unit (division, section, or round table). The area of interest is clearly articulated in the function statement and when the need for the group diminishes, it may be dropped or its functions turned over to a committee. Sponsoring units form interest groups to provide a forum for members interested in the specific topic to carry out one or more of the following functions:

  1. Sharing or exchanging information and encouraging new ideas.

  2. Discussing issues and exploring questions and problems pertinent to the group’s interest.

  3. Raising awareness of the group and/or informing others.

  4. Encouraging actions such as research, surveys, conference programs, and sponsoring unit projects.

  5. Monitoring current developments.

  6. Influencing policy decisions of others.

  7. Allowing individuals to establish networks and communication links.

Interest groups may include any interested individual or may be limited to members of the sponsoring body. The makeup and details of operation are determined by the sponsoring unit.

Addendum

  1. At the request of the Board, O&B made the following recommendation for the definition of “Discussion Group” (ALSC Item #30.1):

A discussion group is a gathering of the Conference participants who meet informally to discuss topics of common interest. Discussion groups meet during Midwinter and/or Annual Conference. Results of their discussion may be prepared for distribution to the relevant parent body and, if desired, to others who may be interested in the topic. A leader may be chosen by the group to coordinate discussion.

The Board accepted this recommendation for submission to COO.

Midwinter, 1993

Task Force

A task force is a membership group whose charge is to complete a specific task or to consider a particular issue, usually within a designated and limited time frame. The designated time frame may be defined by the nature of the task, or it may be set forth in the function statement. In all cases an effort should be made to determine a target date for completion of the task so that the work of the task force can be reviewed in a timely manner.

Functions of a task force may include the following:

  1. Gathering information and making recommendations.

  2. Studying an issue and preparing a report.

  3. Carrying out a specific project or activity.

A task force is used to address critical, urgent, or ongoing situations which require a strong, visible organizational effort and/or an activist response.

Sections

A section is a unit of a division which has a clearly defined sphere of interest and whose membership is usually drawn from a limited portion of the sponsoring unit’s total membership.

A section is established by a division to address the specific interests of this group in a formal and ongoing manner. Sections carry out functions similar to those of the division, such as:

  1. Sponsoring programs at conferences.

  2. Publishing documents, reports, etc.

  3. Representing section interests to the division’s governing body.

  4. Communicating with members in a regular manner.

  5. Speaking for the division in the section’s area of interest.

  6. Establishing committees.

Sections normally have by-laws, elected officers, seated representative(s) on the sponsoring unit’s governing boards, and regular conference programs. Members of a section must be members of the division. Sections may have dues.

Divisions

Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Subcommittee (standing, special or adhoc)

Section

Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Subcommittee (standing, special or adhoc)

Task Force

Discussion Group

Interest Group

Advisory Committee (standing, special, adhoc)

Advisory Board (publications)

Assembly

Coordinating Committee (standing, special, adhoc)

Joint Committee (standing, special, adhoc)

Interdivisional (standing, special, adhoc)

Round Tables

Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Subcommittee (standing, special or adhoc)

Task Force

Discussion Group

Interest Group

Advisory Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Advisory Board (publications)

Coordinating Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Joint Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

91´«Ã½

Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Subcommittee (standing, special or adhoc)

Task Force

Advisory Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Advisory Board (publications)

Assembly

Coordinating Committee (standing, special or adhoc)

Joint Committee (standing, special or adhoc)



Coalition on _____________________

Commission on _____________________

Council on _____________________