MASA
MEMBER SERVICES
MEMBER
SUPPORT
Mentoring
One of
MASA’s most valuable services to new superintendents
is the mentor relationships facilitated through each region’s
Membership Services Committee representative. Each summer,
superintendents who are new to the profession are paired up
with experienced volunteer mentors who remain available to
meet regularly, answer questions, and offer advice when difficult
decisions arise.
A listserv
allows each year’s “Class” of new superintendents
to easily stay in touch with one another as they work through
their first-year challenges. (Contact James
Scofield if you would like to be a part of this list or
have any questions.)
MASA also
offers a Mentor
Toolkit packed with useful documents, resources,
and links to information and events that can help ease the
transition during a superintendent’s first year on the
job. The toolkit also contains helpful advice for mentors
on how to make the most of this unique relationship.
In addition,
MASA teams up with MIEM to offer quarterly
professional development events designed with new superintendents
in mind. The Mentor Toolkit also keeps new superintendents
informed about additional MIEM events that they might find
particularly helpful.
If you
would like to participate in the MASA mentor program, either
as a new superintendent or as a mentor, contact your region
Membership
Services Committee representative or contact Linda
Wacyk at 517.327.9268.
Individual
& Legal counseling
Resource
Teams
Experienced superintendents who have expertise or recent
success in selected areas of school leadership.
Professional
Advice
In addition, Members of the Membership Services Committee,
along with the Executive Director and MASA staff, stand
ready to assist any Association member who may desire advice
and/or assistance concerning a professional challenge or
relationship issue with the board, staff, public or fellow
administrators.
(contact our office)
Personal
Contract Analysis
Your personal employment contract is your only security.
MASA has placed a priority on assisting members in developing
personal contract language that provides maximum protection.
MASA staff is available to review your contract and make
specific recommendations for improvements. In addition,
MASA has developed a model Superintendent's Contract that
is provided to every member. For questions on this, please
call our office and ask for contract information at 517.327.5910.
Legal
Counseling
The staff of MASA is ready to help you get the personal
service you need to meet your individual needs with legal
counseling and consultation on Board-Administrator-Staff
relations. This service is most effective if requested before
a crisis occurs. (contact
our staff for guidance)
Public
Relations Counseling
MASA employs staff experienced in school public
relations. A call to the MASA office will bring you assistance
with school millage, labor difficulties, community surveys,
publications and general school P.R. Please contact Linda
Wacyk at 517.327.9268
Retirement
Planning
MASA has worked hard to build a working relationship
with the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System
(MPSERS). Our staff can help you find answers to important
questions which could significantly affect your retirement
planning. Each year we sponsor a retirement planning seminar
at our Midwinter Conference.
Publications
The
MASA Leader
the Association's newsletter is published bi-weekly to provide
legislative updates, news releases, announcements and Association
information. It is distributed on an alternating schedule
of printed paper issues delivered by post, and digital issues
transmitted right to your email. Note: this publication
was previously known as the Fortnighter.
Review
back issues of the Leader
(and Fortnighter) newsletter.
Submit
a press
release for review and possible inclusion
in our publications.
Supplementary
reports
e-mailed when late information on current issues would be
valuable to our members.
Brochures,
pamphlets and position papers
covering subjects of special interest are occasionally prepared
and distributed to members.
Director
e-mails
go out to members once or twice a month providing encouraging
words and updates on current issues of interest to school
leaders.
Interim
Superintendent Directory
MASA
maintains a directory of retired school leaders available
to provide interim administrative services to districts.
Board
Superintendent Relationships
Board-Superintendent
Relations
tips from MASA members on how to build relationships that
work.
Governance
Relationships that Work
recognizing the importance of effective board/superintendent
relations to school achievement, MASA and the Michigan Association
of School Boards collaborate regularly on group and individual
services that help members strengthen this important relationship.
Contact Linda
Wacyk for more information.
MASA
Press Release Service
Let MASA tell your story. Have an announcement or a story
idea? Complete
the form provided and a press release will be generated
on your behalf.
[back
to top]
PROFESSIONAL
ENGAGEMENT Continuing
Conversations / "Tricks of the Trade"
This collection of wisdom gathered from administrators throughout
the state provides "Tricks of the Trade" to for
success in some of a superintendent's toughest roles.
Courageous
Journey
The
Courageous Journey™ is a voluntary certification
endorsement program developed exclusively for MASA members.
It offers school leaders an intensive three-year experience
with the application of transformational leadership theories
and processes in the school settings where they serve. It
allows superintendents to extend beyond basic certification
and distinguish themselves as exemplars of professional practice
in the superintendency.
Conferences
Each year, all Association members are invited to join us
at the Fall and Midwinter conferences. In addition, MASA sponsors
special conferences including: the New Superintendents Conference,
Aspiring Superintendents Workshop, and legislative/political
action conferences. View events calendar.
Professional
Development
The Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM)
formed as a cooperative effort of the Michigan Association
of School Administrators and the Michigan School Business
Officials (MSBO). Its purpose is to provide workshops for
our members which will meet their current and future professional
development needs. For more information, contact Dan
Pappas at 517.327.9267.
Digital Professional Learning Community (Audio Journal)
MASA is building a professional learning community using a powerful learning tool for the digital age. Through a partnership with Audio Education, we are offer members low-cost subscriptions to the Audio Journal—a monthly “executive briefing” for busy educational leaders. Each month, subscribers receive a 90-minute audio CD or MP3 file filled with interviews, commentary, opinions, best practices and analysis from leading-edge thinkers in education, business and public policy. Members can listen to it at their convenience anywhere they have a CD or MP3 player. In addition, subscribers have unlimited access to the Audio Education Online, which offers audio streaming and resources related to each month’s content.
[back
to top]
LEGISLATIVE
LEADERSHIP
Legislative
Representation
MASA continuously analyzes the content and effects of legislation
that concerns educators. Our support or opposition to legislation
is determined by action of the MASA
Legislation Committee and the MASA
Council whose locally elected members represent all areas
of Michigan. Legislative updates
are regularly sent out to members while the Legislature is
in session. For more information, contact Brad
Biladeau at 517.327.9265.
MASA
Legislative Platform
Legislative
Action Network
MASA’s online
grassroots advocacy tool that allows members to get involved
in the legislative process and contact their legislators.
School
Administrators Political Action Committee (SAPAC)
[back
to top]
EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
Cooperation
and Representation
MASA
maintains continuous communication with the Michigan Association
of School Boards and other educational organizations. Together
many activities are planned to cover a wide range of educational
needs.
Our membership
in the Michigan Congress of School Administrator Associations
fosters cooperation with many professional organizations throughout
the state.
MASA is
represented at meetings of the State Board of Education and
meets regularly with the Department of Education staff on
current issues.
MASA members
sit on numerous advisory committees of the Department of Education.
This provides direct input into educational decisions that
affect Michigan.
Save time and money with U.S. Communities
By registering with MASA’s newest partner, U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, districts can piggyback on government contracts and gain access to thousands of quality products they need every day. More>
[back
to top
AWARDS
-
Champion for Children Award (region)
presented to an individual in your region who has shown
outstanding leadership and dedication to enriching the lives
of children, and who has enhanced children’s opportunities
for success and achievement in school. This individual can
come from any number of roles in the community; members
of the corporate and business community as well as service
organizations are eligible for nomination and should be
considered.
- Superintendent
of the Year Award
honors a superintendent for exemplary leadership, administration,
and dedication to students, communities, and the profession
in each region.
- Hall
of Fame Award - MASA
presented to an MASA retiree your region who has shown outstanding
leadership and dedication career-long and beyond.
- Winners'
Circle
recognizes MASA members who have initiated a unique, successful
program or implemented an innovative idea that can be shared
and used in other districts.
[back
to top]
PUBLIC
SERVICE PARTNERS
Frequently,
various not-for-profit agencies and organizations approach
us to learn how they can get information out to Superintendents.
These organizations often have something of value to offer
to Michigan’s educators and students. As a result, we’ve
created the Public
Service and Partner Organization program  .
- Jazzistry
- KIDS
HOPE USA
- Michigan
Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)
- Michigan
Department of Corrections
- Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
- Global
Business Group, Inc.
[back
to top]
See
details on listed company discounts
|
(This will download a spreadsheet of resource people and
specialty areas. Contact 