Merritt Fund Committee

Charge

The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund provides financial support to librarians who are denied employment rights because of their defense of intellectual freedom and privacy, or as a result of discrimination. Members of this committee raise awareness of the Merritt fund. (Updated and approved by the IFRT Executive Committee February 16, 2022.)

Responsibilities

  • Create or update promotional videos, pamphlets, and social media posts to raise awareness and funds for the Merritt fund

  • Organize fundraising events for the Merritt Fund

  • Provide short reports for the IFRT newsletter and executive board meetings with current membership numbers

  • All round table communication is conducted on ALA Connect (Including reports, documents, meeting information and a listing of committee members)

  • Additional round table committee chair responsibilities

OIF Responsibilities

  • Works with committee chair to schedule and organize committee meetings

  • Attend virtual and in-person meetings when possible

  • Monitor committee connect space and respond to questions and requests

  • Provide guidance on ALA Connect and ALA processes

  • Provides initial welcome and onboarding email to committee members at the beginning of the term

Timeline

After the Chair-Elect has finalized committee appointments and before the term begins, the incoming Merritt Fund Committee Chair may want to meet with the incoming chair and staff liaison to review the goals of the year, the frequency/calendar of meetings, confirm duties and clarify any questions.

First Quarter (July - September)

  • Term begins at the close of Annual Conference or July 1

  • Welcome new officers and committee members

  • Review goals and calendar with committee members

Second Quarter (October - December)


Third Quarter (January - March)

  • Committee chair will meet with OIF staff and Merritt fund trustees at Midwinter

Fourth Quarter (April - June)

  • Write a column about the year's activities for the IFRT Report and submit to the chair of the Communications and Publication Committee by their deadline

  • Committee chair will email incoming chair to relay any updates or progress

  • Committee chair will meet with OIF staff and Merritt fund trustees at Annual conference