What are you interested in? - awd

That's not fair, Aaron -- asking a valid question to an ambiguous post. Out of all the committees, I'm really most interested in what's coming out of OITP. Maybe that should be my guide. At the same time, I'm really just interested in whatever committees are honestly (and actively) thinking about positioning libraries at the forefront of the future of information services. Tall order, I know. - J450N

It's a starting point, my online reference interview if you will... If you're interested in OITP stuff you want OITP Advisory committee, if you've not served on an ALA committee before indicate you're interested in being an intern on the committee. (I'm in my 6th year with the OITP Advisory Committee, 2 years as intern (where I was treated as an equal member) and 2 two-year appointments as member (2 consecutive appointments is the term limit) and this group r0x0rs!) - awd

immensely helpful. as if i expected anything other than that from you. thanks! - J450N

Agree with Aaron, but that's actually a pretty competitive position. I don't recommend hanging your committee hopes on one posittion, especially intern for OITP Advisory. If you need help finding other options as backups, lmk. Depending on your interests, ORS (Research & Statistics) could be interesting, as could the new Advocacy Office & other groups in the +ashington Office. - Jenny Levine

Remember, there's always work at LSW. ;) - Your Neighbor Steve

The key is to write a note in your interest form - "I'm most interested in what's coming out of the OITP folks" *and here's why and how my experiences and strengths would further the OITP folks* would make for a great start .. mention the related stuff (here's where I as you about which OITP stuff specifically and why it interests you) and pick a relevant to you 2nd & 3rd choice and mention how those would benefit, too. Jenny's point is well taken, OITP is (imho) a sekseh committee, doing loads of cool stuff - awd

OITP is too sekseh for my cat, what you think about that? Seriously, though - thanks for posting about this, Jason. You helped inspire an internal conversation at ALA about how we can make the whole "trying to figure it out" process easier, and we have an idea about one possible way to solve it. - Jenny Levine

Thanks for all the feedback. Of course I filled out the form before Aaron's useful direction, but hopefully I succinctly got my point across about how/why I'd like to be involved with OITP. The online form doesn't really provide much feedback about how much/how little information should be included in making your case as a volunteer. - J450N

Just accepted an invitation to serve as intern for the OITP committee (2010-2012). Thanks again to you all for the encouragement and advice! - J450N

Congrats. That could be a really interesting committee. - Walt Crawford

Congrats, J450N! While I'm "rolling off" the committee, I think it's great that more "newer" folks (esp. those with an LSWian bent) are working with the Washington Office policy research folks :) - awd

Digital Copyright slider: http://www.librarycopyright.net/digital... and Section 108 Spinner: http://www.librarycopyright.net/108spin... Yeah, some of the cool stuff developed during my 6 years :) - awd