CTAM Board of Governors
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Holiday Inn North, Arden Hills

Present: Tom Kuster (President), Jill Lofald (President Elect), Gregg Sawyer (Past President), Larry Schnoor (Treasurer), Cynthia Carver (Historian), Dan Cronn-Mills (Newsletter Editor), Karen P. Wilson (Secretary), Dave Warne (College/University Rep.), Mary Schmidt (Community College Rep.), Cheryl Niedt (High School Classroom Rep.), Don Rice (NCA/CSCA SAC Rep.), Michelle Neaton (Speech Professionals Across MN Rep.), Mark Grant (Techynical Colleges Rep.), Rebecca Meyer-Larson (NW Geographic Rep.), Cliff Janke (SW Geographic Rep.), Sandy Nieland (SE Geographic Rep.)

Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Minutes from January 11, 2004 were approved.
Tom began with welcome and introductions.

Presidents Report: 2005 CTAM Conference: Mankato.

Past President: Gregg provided an update on elections for the general business meeting on Saturday.

Treasurer: Larry reported that 260 were pre-registered for convention- an all time high. The CTAM Foundation provided a grant of $3500 for 21 students to attend the conference. CTAM Foundation also gave $2500 to MN Playwrights' Center for the New Plays On Campus Collaboration. Good financial condition overall.

Historian: Cynthia reported that another year of history has been filed away in the corner of her office (now decorated with a nice poster).
Receives donations occasionally. Cindy will be applying for sabbatical next Fall and would like to write a more formal history of CTAM. Could be a journal report. Consensus was to support this project.

Journal Editor: In absentia, Nanette's report was distributed. 16 articles were submitted and 7 selected. 325 journals were printed. Three associate editors are Mark Huglen, Verna Corgan and Mike Dreher. Please send submissions electronically or on cd. Any volunteers for associate editors?

Newsletter: Dan reminded everyone to be patient while awaiting Speech
Teacher- there are lots of changes taking place. Larry reported that it is hard to send out an email of Speech Teacher since many members of CTAM don't want to give out their email addresses. Dan will keep the membership posted. Dan will be resigning his newsletter editor position as he moves into President Elect position so contact Jill Lofald with suggestions for a new editor (knowledge of Page maker is helpful).

Liaison to Central States and NCA: Discussion about panels from CTAM.
There is a possibility that the States Advisory Board may downsize the number of panels forwarded from individual states. Electronic journals and recruiting issues were also discussed.

Other: Mark mentioned that in speaking with other technical colleges it appears that many people do not seem to know much about CTAM. Is there a possibility of increasing publicity to them? Mark can get addresses. Tom mentioned that this seems to be a constant problem- even keeping up an address list is difficult. Some people are listed under different faculties/departments. Mark will send addresses, etc. to Dan. Discussion followed. Some people want to be members but don't want to pay. People need to be reminded that they need to join the organization in order to get the newsletter, etc. Benefits of membership come with membership!

Rebecca raised the issue of budget cuts- it is good to be a member of CTAM but if schools no longer allow them to have substitutes to attend CTAM this could become problematic. Jill will be sending out letters to superintendents and principals thanking them for an individual's participation. Letters of support from CTAM are very beneficial and Jill will follow up. Jill also raised the idea that CTAM presence at some of the administrators' professional conventions and perhaps some school board conventions would be beneficial. A letter from CTAM that goes out with the registration packet would also be helpful stating how and why this is an important conference for teachers to attend.

Larry provided background. CTAM used to meet with MEA. Teachers are allowed to go to the MEA convention-administrators support this. Perhaps CTAM should consider meeting at the same time and still maintain a separate convention. Discussion followed. If we met during MEA at least substitute teachers are not necessary. Any suggestion for action? A quick informal survey at the general business meeting might provide information about who may or may not attend a CTAM conference during MEA. Some BOG members thought that attendance might go down- fewer people may attend the CTAM conference. Cindy suggested that we meet with those principals and administrators who are supportive. School board members may be more apt to support attendance at CTAM. A list of schools that actively support attendance at CTAM is a way for administrators to see that their school is a leader. Consensus was that if a letter came with the registration packet it would be an enormous help. Larry could go through the registration list and tabulate how many attend from the various schools. A listing of colleges and universities that attend is also useful as it encourages contact across K-12 and college/university.

Convention: Larry will be asking everyone to stuff packets following the meeting. Four costumes will be provided for those who want to dress up as M & M's! Jill said all appears ready. Registration area is not adequate- can we set up three registration tables in the ballroom? Jill will follow up. Larry would like people helping at registration by 7:30 a.m. Three people at each of the three tables would be great help and he will train everyone in. Remember that no one who registers tomorrow can get the lunch. Larry reminded us that freeloading is not allowed. Jill pointed out that running the conference is really different from that side of the
table- please attend sessions, etc.

Summary of candidates for election at the general business meeting was presented.
CTAM Rep to Central States- Don was willing to do this another year. NE Geographic rep is now Mary Schmidt. Vacancy is now for 2 year-community college. Larry will gather information about conference attendees who may fulfill this. Gregg mentioned that he is the new META rep. and he has an excellent K-12 mailing list.

CTAM on the Road: On hold at present. Discussion followed about possibilities for CTAM on the Road. CTAM On The Road must apply to the Foundation to access any funds. Jill will work with Tom to continue CTAM on the Road. Perhaps Jill can ask some panel sessions from this conference to bring their sessions to specified location.

CTAM Foundation: This is the 10-year anniversary of the CTAM Foundation and perhaps CTAM should recognize donors, etc. Watch for future discussions.

Debate Topic Meeting: Larry mentioned that a special meeting to select the
debate topic will be held next August in Mpls. Motion was made and passed
for the executive board to discuss how CTAM can support this meeting and to carry through.

Media studies: If there is interest in forming a media studies organization could it be part of CTAM? Discussion followed. Consensus was that this would be a great idea.

Dance: Little interest expressed from Dance association in joining CTAM.

Advocacy: Jill is on a new committee for arts legislation. Watch for more information.
We need to encourage people to get training in theater before they go to schools, especially in outlying areas. There is a problem getting people to direct these shows as well.

Recognitions/Awards: Exec. Board discussed this- can some members of the BOG become part of a nominations committee to manage the process (not recreate it). Watch for further information.

2005 CTAM Convention: Mankato. Dan Cronn-Mills is conference planner.

Next meeting: Late December, January 16 or 21. Watch for more information.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.


Respectfully Submitted,

Karen P. Wilson, CTAM Secretary