Don't know how I got pulled into yet another committee, but it's true. I joined the KM Professional Society, so I could contribute to a report they are drafting called: "KM for the Next Administration." I've decided it's my ESTJ-type personality and my need to constantly improve things, make an impact, and affect change. I've also become an evangelist on "down with email" and the promotion of social networking tools such as wikis and blogs for better communication and organization of information. What I've realized, though, is I cannot write this report without the network of ideas from my fellow information/knowledge professionals.

So...here's my focus for the report in a nutshell:

• What are our best practices on improving communication methods and streamlining project workflows for better management of information and ultimately knowledge systems?
• How do you apply best practices for getting things done, fostering creativity and innovation, enabling the sharing of ideas and knowledge, connecting the dots for people, locating experts and expertise within given project/subject areas, promoting working smarter, enhancing quality of life?
• Also looking at what structures, cultures and mindsets are in place that are preventing this within the organization.
  

Tell me your story and I'm more then happy to share the KM Professional Society's final presentation/report with you! To contribute your ideas, click on: KM Models of Best Practices - Stories and Ideas from the Field. (Additional note: The link goes to our SLA KM members area. If you are a KM member and need access to our members only area, please contact me Karen Huffman for access to the KM members only areas after you have registered on the wiki.)

How many of you wonder about the KM benefits of email and listservs? Last week, I watched my re-directed KM-Gov and SLA-KM listservs email folder fill to over 80 discussions (or nearly 450 pages of replies to topics) about practical examples of KM (not the colorful theory, or "jello" version, of KM); leaving a legacy; retaining knowledge before it walks out the door; and the pursuit of case studies/practical examples of SharePoint. In my pursuit of streamlining work processes and create ways where information is shared more effectively (both pursuits of "life hackers"), I'd like to propose that we start aggregating our ideas on our wiki and rely less on email and listservs. Our wiki would allow us to capture, aggregate, and share information among our members in a more streamlined, organized fashion. David Stern and I started aggregating ideas on Best Practices (members only). Since many members were interested specifically in SharePoint, I've created a page dedicated to SharePoint where members can share their learnings, case studies, and/or advice. This content could be the foundation for further discussions during SLA Seattle this summer!

Additional Notes:

• If you need assistance getting started with SLA's wiki, please see Wikis 101.
• If you are a KM member and need access to our members only area, please contact me Karen Huffman for access to the KM members only areas after you have registered.

Dear KM members,

As you have all heard, we have experienced phenomenal growth in the SLA KM Division over the last year and a half, and we have accomplished a great deal in that time. There were well attended continuing education classes and sessions at the previous annual conference, and much of this material has been re-purposed on our bleeding edge wiki. We have completed two member surveys that have identified strategic directions, and we are looking forward to the completion of targeted initiatives such as an in-process Expertise Database and a new Mentoring program.

We are looking forward to the programs being planned for this year's annual conference by Donna Gibson and her committee. In addition, we are creating a Click U KM overview tutorial.

We are very interested in hearing from our members, so make sure you let us know how to make this Division one that meets your needs. You can also help us grow by networking with members from other SLA units or organizations that have an interest in Knowledge Management. Helping members leverage KM capabilities is crucial to our Division and our profession.

Of course, none of this enhancement happens without effort. We are a volunteer organization, and we rely on contributions from our members to populate our knowledge base. Please consider contributing your Lessons Learned and Best Practices gleaned from your experiences. We have a large number of experts with knowledge, and an even larger number of inexperienced KM practitioners that are hoping to gain knowledge through this group. For example,

• Create documentation and upload it to our site (or simply send it to our Chair of Professional Development) during your formal or informal mentoring sessions with other KM personnel.
• Tag via Del.icio.us an interesting article or site as SLAKM.
• Send us copies of your reports as case studies.
• Submit an opinion or news piece to our wiki editor.
• Write a quick review of a software product or a successful personal technique.
• Lead a WebEx or chat session on a topic of interest.
• Make a contribution and an impact on your peers.

If you haven't already done so we encourage you to participate in our discussion list and join our wiki. 

• Join our discussion list.
• Need help? Visit our User Guide.
• If a KM Member, sign up to access and contribute to content just for you.
• Visit the wiki regularly to learn about our latest ideas, read our latest postings, make a contribution and more!

Interested in volunteering?  We can always use extra hands and new ideas!  Please contact Chair David Stern at hdavid.stern@gmail.com or Chair-Elect Nerida Hart at nerida.hart@lwa.gov.au.

Thanks for listening.  Thanks for helping.

        David