SILC Congress 2012 Proposed Resolution:

Whereas SILC Congress is an event designed to address the professional development of the staff, council members, and state plan partners of SILCs; and

Whereas clear direction must be provided on issues that have needed clarification for several years, to allow SILCs to better maximize their budget or training resources, and provide a new direction for SILCs and the event that will hopefully encourage colleagues to volunteer time and resources to improve the success and quality of SILC Congress.

Therefore be it resolved that the following changes be carried out by the executive committee, regional representatives, and Congress committees:
* Bona fide attendants will not be charged for meals or registration. All other guests of SILC Congress attendees must pay the meal fee. SILCs will be encouraged to contribute to the accommodations fund.
* Guest speakers will not be charged for meals or registration for the day or days they present. They will pay a prorated meal fee for any day they attend in addition.
* Training materials will be available in as many formats as needed (event manual including accessible formats, flash drive, and posted online) in order to provide for the varied needs of all attendees.
* The SILC Congress business meeting will involve as much preparation and effort as possible to make it relevant to SILC issues and the event (similar to a full council meeting). 
* Resolutions shall be done in advance, or if made from the floor, read and sent around in print and electronic format for consideration and possible ratification.
* SILC Congress will meet every year, but on a virtual basis (odd numbered years) starting in 2013 and face-to-face (even numbered years) resumed in 2014. Significant planning will have to go into both approaches including resources.
* SILC Congress is an event that shall be addressed through volunteer support and agreements with partners (such as the SILC Net – ILRU, NCIL, and APRIL), a conference coordinator, and a fiduciary.
* In addition to the Venue, Program, and Finance Committees, a Policy Committee shall be enacted to: 1) Archive past minutes, resolutions, and Congress presentations and materials, 2) Post these historical documents for reference to gain knowledge from them, and 3) Use past and current information to develop a policy manual with protocols for SILC Congress. 

Respectfully Submitted,

New York SILC
Texas SILC
West Virginia SILC
Georgia SILC
Pennsylvania SILC
Arkansas SILC
California SILC
Illinois SILC
Maryland SILC
Connecticut SILC
Vermont SILC
Idaho SILC
Puerto Rico SILC

1/10/12