If you’re a YALSA member, you may or may not be aware of how the different committee processes work — how do you get on a selection or process committee? What are the differences between a committee like BFYA and Printz in terms of how you go about getting your name out there?

I know I’ve had a lot of questions, and over the course of being involved with YALSA, I’ve figured some out, but I’m learning more every day. One of the biggest ones I learned came this week, and I wanted to share it with other readers who are YALSA members both to inform and in hopes of asking for a little help.

Anyone who wants to be involved in the Printz committee, the Excellence in Non-Fiction committee, or the Edwards committee needs to be voted on by the YALSA membership. But to get on the ballot, one must apply first.

I put in my application for the ballot this year but was not selected to be a part of it.

But this is where I learned something really neat: you can petition to get on the ballot if you’re not selected initially. All it takes is 25 signatures from YALSA members to get on it. That means if you want to get on the ballot for the 2016 (yes, 2016) Printz, Edwards, or Non-fiction committees, you need to have 25 people sign this petition for you, and you deliver it back to YALSA.

This is, of course, where I am asking anyone who reads STACKED and is a member of YALSA to help me out a bit!

I’m in the process of securing 25 signatures, and if you’d be willing to help me out in the process, I’d be so grateful. I would need to be able to email you to pass along my personal information, as well as be able to collect the signature from you. If you’re a YALSA member in good standing (in other words, your dues are paid), would you let me know if you can help me in the form below? I’ll be in touch this week with more information. As of now, the forms are only print, meaning I’d either need them scanned back to me or mailed. YALSA says they’re working toward a digital petition in the future.

So you’re probably wondering why me? I like to think I have the ability to critically assess YA books, but beyond that, I’ve served both as an administrative assistant on YALSA’s Alex committee and I’m currently serving on YALSA’s Outstanding Books for the College Bound committee. I also volunteered three years as a judge for CYBILs. And if you’d like more on the “why me,” I’d be happy to provide that privately.

Thanks to everyone who is willing to help me out — and of course, I hope this information is valuable to other readers curious about this particular process.