Have you ever wonder what a board of director member does for NCAE? It is my pleasure to write the inaugural blog (a politically correct term for the occasion) for the November 6-7, 2009 NCAE Board of Director Meeting.
Burning Question number one: Who are the NCAE Board of Directors? Each local is assigned to a district or cluster based on their membership and geographical location. Each district or cluster elects a director to supervise the affairs of NCAE and to serve as a liaison between districts/clusters and the board. The presidents of each of the NCAE divisions and the NEA Directors also serve on the NCAE Board.
We gathered in Raleigh at the NCAE center on November 6 to begin our fall meeting. President Strickland called us to order because after all, we can be a little chatty at first since we haven’t seen our dear colleagues in awhile. We accepted the agenda with latitude because we never know what issues may arise that may need some discussion. We do the usual housekeeping items like approve minutes, the budget, and fill district/cluster vacancies.
This meeting we had an exciting training on “Creating an Organizing Culture” presented by Carmen Quesada of NEA. Yes folks, even leaders need training so we can brush up on our skills.
Personally, I found the topic relevant and interesting because as our educational culture changes we need to be able to bring people together and use our collective strength to create systemic change that meets the self interests as they are expressed by the group. Team NCAE, this is our purpose and it is essential that we successfully organize so that we can meet the vision of the association.
Following this intriguing look at how we create an organizing culture and what it takes to create one for NCAE, the board members were assigned to sub-committees.
Each board member is assigned to a committee and has a staff contact to work with on action items. The committees range from: Policy, Constitution to Facilities and Archives, etc. The committees meet for 90 minutes.
Wow, that completes Day One. In case you were wondering lunch and dinner were included.
On Saturday morning everyone had to rise and shine. The gavel goes down at 9 am. Your dedicated leaders were eager and ready to get down to business.
Each chair of a sub-committee reported on the work they completed on Friday. We heard recommendations for policy changes. We reviewed the constitutional amendments passed at the last Representative Assembly as well as New Business Items.
We were reminded to encourage members to apply for our NCAE awards that includes the CAN award for staff, Hall of Fame, Terry Sanford, Kay Trull, Linda Rader, Human Relations and The NEA Foundation for Teaching Excellence. For more information visit-www.ncae.org.
The internal concerns committee discussed training of new board members and debriefing at the end of each board meeting. Work for the NCAE and NEA Convention has begun and an update was received. One of our retired members reminded us, we must take care of the home place (NCAE center). Did you know it is now approximately worth 15 million dollars? Elections for NCAE officers on district and state level will take place this spring. The election oversight committee will be reviewing nominations and eligibility.
The highlight of the day was each district director had the opportunity to share membership recruiting events happening in their district/cluster. In lieu of a statewide membership decline our local leaders and staff are making diligent efforts to be creative and encourage ALL public school employees to join. Some of the cool ideas happening across the state include: Districts are offering membership grants, local ESP task forces are being formed, recruitment sessions in the middle of the day are being held so bus drivers can receive information and some locals are dividing Association Representatives into districts and they are competing for prizes and bragging rights when it comes to who signs up the most members.
It is important if your school does not have an Association Representative then maybe you would like to volunteer for the rewarding job. In addition to upcoming elections, we have the working conditions survey this year and the building AR is instrumental in helping this endeavor to be successful
I know you are thinking not another report. But some of most insightful information comes from our NEA Directors who lobby on Capitol Hill for us as well as the Division Presidents: ESP, Principals, Retired, and Student (NCAE). Each group updates us on the progress, issues and concerns their respected members are have happening across the state.
Finally we know it is almost time to adjourn, when the A-team presents. No not the television show. Mr. T or his gold chains were not present. It is our President Sheri Strickland, Vice-President Rodney Ellis, Executive Director Scott Anderson, and Associate Director Dr. Kelvin Spragley.
If you ever doubt the integral role that NCAE plays with the “powers that be” you should hear this dynamic group discuss what they having been up to in the educational area. It is amazing to look at their monthly schedules and how many miles they have crossed from Murphy to Maneo in an effort to advocate for our profession and make sure we have a great public school for every child in North Carolina.
I am sure your eyes are drooping now or maybe even you have let a yawn slip out. But I am so proud to be NCAE and to have a small part on such a powerful team. I challenge you to consider becoming a Board of Director member for your district or cluster in the future so you can experience the “Inside Edition” firsthand. This blog has officially been adjourned!
Happy Learning
~Brian Freeman, District Director 5B |
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