Over the last 100-plus years, the ALA has had extraordinary people from all over the country represent the national organization and make an impact on the ALA mission during their term as national president and long after their goodbye from the National Convention stage. They are deeply committed to the mission of the Auxiliary, and their passion has enabled them to drive meaningful improvements in ALA programs and raise substantial funds for initiatives like the Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF). Two strong examples of this dedication are Past National Presidents Sharon Conatser and Diane Duscheck, who made a significant impact on fundraising and program awareness during their time in office.

Conatser of Illinois was elected national president during the 95th ALA National Convention in 2015. She came into office with a tremendous amount of history with the organization and passion for AEF. 

Conatser educated departments, units, and members on the importance of this granting initiative and it paid off — literally. Conatser raised over $250,000 for AEF. Her commitment to the cause was deeply personal, rooted in firsthand experience with the impact of AEF assistance. 

“I chose the fundraising focus AEF because a tornado hit close to our home, and I was involved in helping members fill out their applications and getting them submitted,” Conatser said. “When I returned to give the checks to the members, two ladies showed up and wanted to know why they didn’t get a check. Upon checking, they had let their membership lapse, not understanding the ramifications of the lost benefits. I made it my mission to inform members of the importance of continuous membership to qualify for AEF assistance. It is all about members helping members.”

Following Conatser, Diane Duscheck of Wisconsin, 2017-2018 ALA national president, emphasized long-term sustainability and growth, becoming the first national president to choose the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund as the national fundraising focus. 

Duscheck recognized the potential of the fund to secure the organization’s future and shared her motivation behind this strategic choice.

“The ALA Foundation was almost 10 years old and in the infancy of providing grants when I was planning for the national focus,” she said. “The purpose of the endowment is to function as a permanently restricted pot of money where donor contributions are held in perpetuity. As a young Foundation, funds were needed to build the capacity of the endowment so the interest earnings could be used to fund ALA programs. I set my sights on the size of the fund that would be needed for the endowment to be self-sustaining. Generous contributions of ALA members throughout the nation helped the ALAF grow by almost $475,000 during the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

“As the endowment continues to grow, investment interest also grows,” Duscheck continued. “That interest is used to support ALA programs like Spirit of Youth scholarships and ALA Girls Nation. My belief in the ALA Foundation was important when I was national president and is the driving force for my continued involvement on the ALA Foundation’s Board of Directors.”

The national president is the highest elected leader in the ALA and represents all members as an ambassador of the organization. When they take an active role in fundraising and advocacy, like Conatser and Duscheck, it sets a powerful example that inspires departments, units, and members across the country to get involved and remain focused on the mission.

Fundraising and advocacy are not just about short-term goals; they sustain the ALA’s programs over time. These programs require continuous financial support to remai