Member Login
Search

Search the Catholic Portal

Advanced
Search the Catholic News Archive

Board of Directors

Paul Bracke
Paul Bracke, 2021/22 Chair

The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall direction and administration of CRRA. The Board ensures the mission is maintained and approves strategic directions, annual goals, and budget. The Board determines the needs of CRRA, establishes the criteria, rights, and responsibilities of members, partners, and other participants, and ensures support sufficient to carry out the mission.

Duties and expectations of Board Members can be found here.

2020/21 Goals

  • Focus on financial development and sources of non-dues revenue that create financial sustainability.
    • Develop a strategy for revenue diversification and expansion by exploring non-dues revenue.
    • Position the Catholic News Archive as the best alternative to higher-priced commercial companies for digitizing and archiving Catholic newspapers, with costs designed to sustain the CNA over time.
  • Review and evaluate current governance and infrastructure (including committees), to ensure efficiency and mission success (to be led by Governance Committee).
    • Review board roles, level of engagement and desired skill sets to create job descriptions for each role.
    • Identify and communicate the pathway to and value of leadership.

2019/20 Accomplishments

  • Created a multi-scenario dues restructuring plan to ensure the financial viability and growth of CRRA and the CNA. This plan was tabled due to the pandemic. The Board decided to hold dues flat for 2020-21.
  • Developed a plan for grant writing to provide agencies with a clearer perspective on the progress of the organization and its ability to steward its financial resources.
  • Worked on designing and implementing plans for business continuity including evaluating roles and responsibilities across CRRA and aligning needs based on goals and objectives.
  • Assessed CNA archiving and publishing fees as part of broader efforts to identify and pilot projects that showcase how the CNA can add revenues while supporting members and can serve as a better option for digitizing and archiving Catholic newspapers than commercial entities.
  • Increased engagement by identifying more volunteer opportunities that can enhance leadership within CRRA and by expanding our collaboration and partnership opportunities with organizations with shared interests and goals.

 

CRRA Board of Directors for 2021/22

(in alphabetical order by last name after the chair)

1. *Paul Bracke, Ph.D., Dean of Library Services, Gonzaga University (2019/20–2021/22); Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect 2020/21; Chair 2021/22

2. *Xan Arch, MLS, Dean of the Clark Library, University of Portland (2020/21–2022/23); Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect 2021/22

3. *Emily Asch, MLS, Director of Libraries and Archives, St. Catherine University (2019/20–2021/22); Secretary/Treasurer 2021/22

4. Sara B. Baron, Ed.D., University Librarian, Duquesne University (2016/17–2018/19, 2019/20–2021/22); Chair 2017/18; Past-Chair 2018/19

5. Caroline Fuchs, MLS, University Librarian, St. John's University (2021/22–2023/24)

6. Millicent Gaskell, University Librarian and Director, Villanova University (2015/16-2016/17, 2017/18–2019/20, 2020/21–2022/23); Secretary 2017/18–2018/19; Secretary/Treasurer 2019/20

7. Leslie O'Neill, Director, Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (2021/22–2023/24)

8. Marianne Ryan, Ph.D., Dean of University Libraries, Loyola University Chicago (2021/22–2023/24)

9. *Mark Shelton, Ed.D., Director of Library Services, College of the Holy Cross (2017/18–2019/20, 2020/21–2022/23); Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect 2018/19; Chair 2019/20; Chair 2020/21; Past Chair 2021/22

10. Kathleen M. Webb, Dean of Libraries, University of Dayton (2016/17–2018/19; 2019/20–2021/22); Secretary 2016/17; Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect 2017/18; Chair 2018/19; Past-Chair 2019/20–2020/21

*Asterisks identify members of Executive Committee