How to Apply to the TALL Texans Leadership Institute Walter Betts Leadership Development Committee Ted Wanner TLA Continuing Education Specialist A few tips before we start… • Please mute your microphones, if any, to minimize background noise. • Please use the chat box to type questions at any time. • This webinar is being recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants. Why Apply to TALL Texans? Leadership Training Self Discovery Networking Basic Requirements • Five Years of Experience (for librarians) – Five years working in any kind of library – The time does not need to be continuous – No library degree is required • Or Three Years of Experience (for “lay persons”) • Current employment in or related to libraries – Can be full time or part time • TLA Membership at the time of review Other Requirements • Complete application by Jan. 25 deadline • Three references (try for the deadline but…) Starting the Application • www.txla.org/TALL-Texans-apply How To Save Your Application • At the end of the form is a button labeled “Save TALL Texan Application” • Use this button to save your work – you may edit your text at any time up until the deadline How To Retrieve Your Application A Confirmation Screen appears when you save the form You can return to the form from either the TALL home page or the Members Only page You can then use your password to return to your application Commitment Section Question 1: Personal Data Question 2: Education Question 3: Employment History Question 4: Professional Organizations Question 5: Community Organizations Moving from History to Personality • Questions 1 through 5 ask about your contact information and history (work and leadership experiences) in an objective sense. • Questions 6 through 12 ask about your leadership history in terms of meaning. – Note the point values on each question. – Be aware of the word limit on each question. – Answer the question. Question 6: Describe how your leadership skills were enhanced by your active participation in the organizations that you listed in questions 4 and 5. Question 7: Describe what you have learned and/or how you applied what you learned to a real life leadership situation after attending one workshop, seminar, or continuing education session. Question 8: What do you consider your most distinctive career achievement and why? How did you accomplish this? Question 9: What do you consider your greatest leadership skill and why? Question 10: Why do you want to participate in the TLA TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute? Question 11: What are your professional and leadership goals within the next five years, and how would these goals improve libraries in your community? Question 12: In addition to participating in the TLA TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute as one means to achieve these goals, describe one learning experience you would pursue and how you would pursue it. Question 13: References How You Will Invite Your References • For every name you provide, you will receive one URL on the confirmation screen after you have saved the document. How You Will Invite Your References (continued) • You may send the URLs (one per person) to the people who will provide your references. • Like you, they will have the option to use a password to draft and edit their work over several sittings. Rules About References • At least one reference must be from someone who was in a managerial relationship to you. • At least one reference must be from a librarian (can be the same person as above). • No reference may be from anyone in a subordinate relationship to you. • Remember that these recommendations are professional references. Question 14: Notification Information Question 15: Administrative Information Question 16: Optional Information The Multimedia Option • Beginning in 2013, applicants have the option to submit answers to questions 6-12 as media recordings. • On the form, type “Submitting answers by media file”. • Send the file(s) to tedw@txla.org in mp3 or mp4 format (or mail to TLA by Jan 25). • Stay within the word limit. Most Common Errors • • • • • Mistakes in spelling and/or grammar Failure to answer a question as written Failure to answer a question completely Neglecting the flow Small thinking Statements to Avoid (They Drive Selection Committees Crazy) • That your main reason for attending is… – To pad your resume – To get a higher-paying job – Because someone else told you to go • That the Institute curriculum is beneath you. • That you really should be attending as a mentor or instructor. Another Reason Why Applications May Be Declined BALANCE IS CRUCIAL What Happens After You Apply • Selection Committee reviews applications • Committee meets in mid-February • They select up to 24 participants and up to 5 alternates • Notices are sent on or around March 1: – Each declined and alternate applicant is told why the application was not accepted and how it might be changed to improve chances of acceptance. – Accepted applicants are given more information about the Institute site and next steps. Designated persons are notified before the applicants. A Few Words About Cost Registration Fee is $595 (includes instruction, classroom materials, and room & board) • HOWEVER – – In a typical year, most institutions pay full cost – Local community groups and foundations often have scholarships and grants available – Many TLA divisions, districts, & round tables have set aside money for this specific program – June Berry Fund QUESTIONS? Thanks for Attending! Walter Betts, Leadership Development Committee w.betts@tcu.edu 817-257-6100 Ted Wanner, Continuing Education Specialist tedw@txla.org 800-580-2852