Sue Polanka, Wright State University

This is my last report as ALAO President. I’d like to thank everyone on the ALAO Board for a wonderful year full of great conferences and workshops, generous awards and scholarships, and informative and fun filled discussions about the future of our organization.
This spring the Board has continued our work to improve the ALAO website. Melissa Bauer, one of our ALAO Webmasters, conducted a usability survey about the website. Alison Ricker, Membership Chair worked with the Board on a card sort activity at our March meeting. The webmasters are collecting the data and hope to have a prototype of the new site available for our July Board meeting with a full launch in late August.
Because ALAO received tax-exempt status last June, we were able to register for a Google apps account for non-profits. Katy Kelly, Board Member at Large from the University of Dayton, registered us for the site and is leading the Board through the adoption of Google apps as a communication tool for Board activities.
We held our annual election in April. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we conducted the election this year in a slightly different way – twice! Thanks to everyone who volunteered for the ballot and a warm welcome to our newly elected Board members:
Eboni Johnson, Oberlin College – Vice President/President Elect
Don Appleby, University of Akron – Treasurer
Alisa Mizikar, Wittenberg University – Public Relations Coordinator
Jeff Franks, University of Akron – Board Member at Large
Julia Gustafson, College of Wooster – Board Member at Large
Suzanne Smailes, Wittenberg University- Board Member at Large

July 15-16th the Board will meet in Columbus for our annual retreat. At the end of the first day we have an official passing of the torch for the new officers. I will hand the ALAO gavel over to Betsy Blankenship, our incoming President. Thank you for allowing me to serve as the ALAO President.
– It’s been a great year!