We expanded our circle of influence

With all that has been happening in regard to funding, H1N1, and the main business of educating our youth, the timing of our gathering and the topics of our Fall Conference made for a productive and stimulating time to be together. The total number attending including all members, presenters, spouses, vendors/exhibit participants, and staff was 700. This attendance number compares exactly to the 2008 Fall Conference.

Our Conference Planning Committee, chaired by Bruce Burger agrees that on the whole, the evaluation feedback showed that the conference was of value. (If interested in reviewing the results, region representatives have the information on how to access the full report.)

Over 92% of those responding agree or strongly agree that attending the conference strengthened their professional network. A sincere and well deserved “thank you” and “job well done” to all our volunteer members, sponsors, and staff that made this a successful event.

Looking ahead to Midwinter

Planning for our Midwinter Conference is well under way. The conference will be held in Detroit at the Renaissance Center Marriott on January 26 to January 29, 2010. Our theme of Expanding the Circle of Influence will continue as well as our second Midwinter Peer to Peer Sharecasing focus.

As of now, the following is being planned. There will be three half-day preconference options on Wednesday morning, January 26. Our newer superintendents will be encouraged to attend, but sessions will be open to all members. The topics will be:

1. Raising Revenue for your district
2. Understanding School Finance
3. Podcasting for Administrators

Another preconference activity will be an action update from districts in the southeast region who are participating with the Kids Against Hunger program.

James Eck, Senior Director for Leadership Field Services at McREL will provide the first keynote presentation. His topic is Leading Change in A High-Reliability District Requires Courage and Commitment. He will be referring to the just-published book by Waters and Marzano titled, District Leadership that Works: Striking the right balance.

Following the opening session we plan to have Poster Peer Sharing Sessions. We will also feature an update presentation and question-and-answer session on GEN NET participation, led by members of the Genesee I.S. D. administrative team.

Thursday will include a legislative update from Brad Biladeau as well as a national perspective update from Mark Bielang, President of AASA, our Distinguished Service and Awards Luncheon and three rounds of clinic session opportunities with priority given to our own members. Details on these presentations will be shared in our upcoming issues of the Leader.

Friday we will feature the presentation of our Champion for Children Award as well as an update from State Superintendent of Instruction Mike Flanagan. The conference will close with an activity on “How to Work with Media.” More than ever we need to unite and stand together. The strength of our network grows only as we are able to be together to share with each other our questions, concerns, ideas, and experiences. You can register now for the 2010 MASA Midwinter Conference by going to the events page of our MASA website.