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The CALA strategic plan will focus on four strategic areas that maximize strengths, utilize expertise, sharpen skills, deliver high value to members, and heighten the association’s far-reaching impact on CALA and the LIS field:

To effectively implement the strategic plan, CALA’s financial and operational practices will prioritize and support these four strategic areas. These strategic areas will also guide CALA to develop and launch quality programs and services that aim at inclusive member recruitment and engagement, leadership training and professional development opportunities, local chapter development, professional networking and connections, and advocacy. 

Mission Statement

Support the professional development and research scholarship of CALA members, advocate for Chinese American librarians in professional organizations and enhance the leadership development of Chinese American librarians through training, mentoring, networking, and collaboration with colleagues in the United States and abroad. CALA’s work inspires Chinese American librarians to meet their professional goals and to make valuable contributions to the global library community.

Vision Statement

CALA is a vital, inclusive, diverse, and member-driven community which provides members with a range of opportunities to share knowledge and achieve their professional aspirations. CALA is recognized and valued for its work to support the leadership, research, and scholarship of its members. CALA inspires and empowers its members to be key collaborators, contributors, and leaders who advance the field of librarianship globally.

Core Organizational Values

CALA is committed to:

Mandates

To maintain compliance and achieve success, as a registered non-profit organization in Illinois, CALA must adhere to mandates required by state (such as, the Illinois Secretary of State and Attorney General) and federal laws (i.e., the IRS). 

Five-Year Goals and Objectives

1. Increase Membership Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement

Goal: Identify and develop creative and innovative programs and services to recruit, retain, and engage members regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Objectives:

1) Continue to be an inclusive library association that welcomes and values diversity and opens its membership to all library and information science professionals who are interested in the mission and vision of CALA.

2) Advocate CALA's strengths and highlight CALA’s distinctiveness from other library associations in mission and membership recruitment.

3) Enhance communications among CALA members, using modern communication tools to recognize member achievements and share member expertise and resources.

4) Set a target for membership recruitment. Explore a variety of channels to bring in library and information science professionals and supporters from all types of libraries, LIS schools, and library related business organizations.

5) Publicize local activities and engage members locally or through online presence.

6) Connect members to develop a sense of belonging in CALA, regardless of age, experience, and background; engage members and provide services to develop a community in which members can obtain guidance for various professional needs. 

2. Create an Exemplary Professional Development Program

CALA aims to establish a comprehensive and dynamic professional development program that empowers members to grow as leaders and professionals in the evolving field of library and information science.

Goal 1: Empower Members Through Strategic Leadership Development

Objectives:

1) Provide leadership development opportunities tailored to the needs of CALA members.

2) Support CALA leaders to attend leadership training programs, such as Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, ALA Emerging Leaders Program, and ALA Leadership Institute.

3) Identify, cultivate, coach, and train CALA members to become future leaders in the Library and Information Science field in the 21st Century, including associations such as the ALA, IFLA, and Library Society of China.

4) Empower and encourage members to develop leadership skills in a diverse cultural environment by serving CALA members in leadership positions and working in different types of libraries and with a diverse team setting.

5) Increase the role that CALA plays as an advocate and model for leadership training and development of librarians of color in achieving, evaluating, and measuring CALA program/initiative outcomes, and influence ALA leadership policies and practices toward a more inclusive system.

Goal 2: Serve as a significant professional development platform to meet its members’ dynamic professional needs and nurture growth.

Objectives:

1) Leverage and expand existing professional training and mentoring programs within and beyond CALA.

2) Develop and deliver responsive professional development programs that build skills and aptitude based on members’ specific needs, such as research and scholarship.

3) Continuously assess and improve all programs, including the mentoring program for new members and new leaders, as well as programs for returning members and leaders.

4) Develop a long-term plan to provide and share resources on professional development for members.

3. Support Local Chapter Development

Goal: Enhance local chapter development through joint programming and funding, chapter leader training and support, and chapter member recognition.

Objectives:

1) Invest more financial resources at the chapter level and provide funding support through national membership rebate programs, joint initiatives, membership recruitment and retention, and fundraising.

2) Foster collaborations among chapters by providing opportunities to host joint training or online conferences.

3) Improve and maintain communication and training between the CALA national office and the chapter offices to improve chapter leadership skills, capacity, and accountability to lead and manage chapter business.

4) Provide professional development opportunities to help members establish networking and mentorships within each chapter. Coordinate training and succession planning for chapter leaders.

5) Strengthen connections between chapters and other associations at a national level.

4. Expand CALA’s Impact Through Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement

Goal: Strengthen CALA’s presence and influence at local, state, national, and international levels by building strategic partnerships, promoting cultural exchange, and collaborating on initiatives to promote inclusion and professional excellence.

Objectives:

1) Establish partnerships with library associations, academic institutions, and cultural organizations to co-develop impactful programs and initiatives.

2) Co-host events, conferences, and training opportunities that benefit CALA members and promote shared goals.

3) Support joint research and scholarship that highlight the contributions of Chinese American librarians and CALA’s role in the LIS field.

4) Promote Chinese and Chinese American culture and librarianship through international collaborations and cultural exchange.

5) Build a strong international profile and implement a global outreach strategy.

6) Collaborate with organizations such as the Joint Council of Librarians of Color, ALA, and IFLA to advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

7) Leverage partnerships to expand member benefits and professional development opportunities.