Name: Elizabeth A. M. Howard
Job Title: Director, Eunice & James L. West Library
Institution: Texas Wesleyan University
NMRT Board Position/Title: Parliamentarian
What role does your Board Position serve in NMRT? I am the governance committee chair. In this role, I oversee the Governance Committee. We make sure the bylaws are up to date and reflect any changes that are voted on by the board. In this position, I also serve on the board as Parliamentarian when I ensure that the meetings are conducted appropriately and in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. I help the president run the meetings and make them feel comfortable.
How long have you been an NMRT member? I joined ALA and NMRT together, I believe, in 2010.
What’s your favorite thing about NMRT? I love the opportunities to be on committees. It can be very hard to get on a committee in ALA, even more so if you are a newcomer and do not have any connections. NMRT instantly made me feel welcome, and I did not worry (too much) about making a mistake. Everyone on the Board and in the Committees is happy to help you. When you are not sure what to do next or how to implement something you have never done before in a committee role, just ask. NMRT members are happy to help. It is a great environment to learn how ALA operates.
What advice would you give to someone just joining NMRT this year? Get involved! Don’t just stand on the sidelines and observe.
Favorite Genre: At first I was going to say favorite book, but I knew I would not be able to choose. I am enjoying Steampunk right now both the adult and middle-grade books I am reading with my son. Authors I would suggest trying in the genre are Gail Carriger and S. S. Taylor.
Meet Your NMRT Board Member is a 2016-2017 series to help NMRT members get to know their board. If you have any questions about this series, please contact the NMRT Communications Committee Chair, Melanie Kowalski (melanie.t.kowalski@gmail.com).