While I was at ALA Midwinter, I was at a meeting sitting between two fellow librarians. Across the conference table from us was a presidential candidate for PLA.
As the candidate got up to leave, he/she scanned the nametags that the three of us were wearing. Then proceeded to hand my colleagues business cards and say “I’m running for PLA President – please consider voting for me”. And completely disregarded me.
Now there’s a couple things here. One, I am not a member of PLA, but am going to be signing up shortly. Two, he/she didn’t ask if any of us were PLA members, he/she just assumed they were and I wasn’t. Three, by encouraging them to vote for him/her and disregarding me, he/she lost my vote. And the votes of my peers to whom I have relayed the story with name and gender.
I’m a librarian. I’m a vendor. I am active in the library community (and not because of sales but because I care) and my vote is just as valid as any other.
Let’s not be hasty and make assumptions.
My Library Ideas 
You know, when I went to MLA in October I made a point to chat up the vendors and be friendly. Vendors are people too. Sorry this woman/man was so unprofessional.