How to Apply to the TALL Texans Leadership Institute Walter Betts

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 [email protected] 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
[email protected]
817-257-6100
Ted Wanner, Continuing Education Specialist
[email protected]
800-580-2852