24

Whilst reflecting on what to write for a personal reflection of my role as SHINe co-chair it struck me that the role of SHINe co(chair) has more than the essence of the popular TV series 24 about it.  Except in this case it’s 24 months played out in real library time.

I started in the role of co-chair nearly 24 months ago at the time of the SHINe AGM in 2006.  OK.  So, I was elected alongside my co-chair Andy Jackson,  I looked around nervously, what next?  Suddenly BOOM! the first committee session of the new session was held in Dundee: a nice lunch and some laughter, hey maybe not so bad…

Time ticks on and the Committee agrees to have two short life working groups led by the co-chairs.  By chilling coincidence the one I chose to lead is nicknamed “Tick”: its given name being the genuinely spine chilling “sustainability of the SHINe volunteer network”, a legacy of the previous SHINe Committee underworld “mafiosa”.

This led onto the discovery of the hidden underbelly within the SHINe Committee network – the twin vices of policies and procedures.  Some undercover surveillance by the SHINe Committee resulted in the cleaning up of these policies and procedures.  They were then put under a restraining order on the SHINe website www.shinelib.org.uk (under members area – committee meetings).  To this day the vice squad still patrols SHINe Committee meetings seeking out and taming wild newborn policies and procedures.

Tick, tick, tick, time marches on.  Zap! It’s the SHINe AGM screeching round the corner and the Committee decides to embrace the new “secret agent-style” technologies by podcasting the AGM and study day, for replay on the website www.shinelib.org.uk.

Boom!  Suddenly again it’s the first meeting of a new SHINe Committee – new faces to welcome and a new workplan to draw up to ensure the network’s continued governance.

Suddenly I turn a corner and there in front of me looms this year’s Hazel Williamson Bursary awarded to one member to attend a course or conference in that year.  I recall a high level of interest last year and scan the horizon and see eager library eyes peeping back at me waiting for the starting pistol.

Then just as suddenly it all goes quiet – for a moment I just breathe in the fresh air and reflect.  Then BOOM!  It’s nearly time for the AGM again and time to show the Committee’s accountability to the SHINe members and to step down for fresh young talent to make their mark on SHINe.

And the ending?

Well, if you volunteer for the SHINe Committee you too might experience the most exciting 24 months of your professional career.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

Lynn “call me Jack” Easton

Co-Chair, lynn.easton@irh.scot.nhs.uk