CTAM Board of Governors’
Meeting Minutes
Present: Gregg Sawyer (President),
Tom Kuster (President Elect), Mike Wartman (Past President), Mark Braun (Journal Editor),
Cynthia Carver (Historian), Dan Cronn-Mills (Newsletter Editor), Karen P.
Wilson (Secretary), Mary Schmidt (Community College Rep.), Cheryl Niedt (High School Classroom Rep.), Wanda Manther (MN Debate Teacher’s Association Rep.), Stewart
Wilson, (MN Speech Coaches Association Rep.), Michele Neaton
(Speech Professionals Across Minnesota Rep.), Mark Grant (Technical Colleges
Rep.), Rebecca Meyer-Larson (NW Geographic Rep.), Jill Lofald
(NE Geographic Rep.), Cliff Janke (SW Geographic
Rep.), Sandy Nieland (SE Geographic Rep.)
Not Present: Larry Schnoor (Treasurer),
Dewey Schara (K-8 Classroom Rep.), Kathleen
Maloney (Mn Alliance for Arts in Education Rep.), Jan
McNally (MN Education Theater Association Rep.), Todd Hering
(MN Debate Teacher’s Association Rep.), Cindy Larson (MN Collegiate Forensics Association
Rep.), Jodene Wartman (Metro
Geographic Rep.), Dave Warne (College/University Rep.)
Meeting was called to order at
Minutes from the
Gregg Sawyer began the meeting with a welcome and introductions.
Treasurer’s report: (CTAM sends kind regards to Larry and Barbara Schnoor on the death in their family) Larry reported, in absentia, that there are 203 people pre-registered for the convention (190 for the luncheon, 215 for the banquet, 125 for the breakfast, 40 box lunches). He would appreciate having at least six volunteers to work registration in the morning. A more detailed report will be provided at the Business Meeting on Saturday. Excellent numbers for an out-state conference!
New positions: thanks to Cheryl and Rebecca for joining the BOG- welcome!
Vacant positions:
to Gregg (or to Tom after Saturday). Consider-is there a need for an NCA Rep?
MSHSL AA Rep Assembly position: Scott DuRocher has been nominated for this
two-year position (this is limited to two two-year terms).
BOG responsibilities include forwarding session proposals and offering sessions at the State conference. If you and/or your constituency have specific needs please remember to bring such items to the BOG or to the Executive Committee.
Gregg reported that Kathleen Maloney had called together a successful meeting with Education Commissioner Yecke and several members of CTAM (including Judy Litterest and Gregg) on the importance of communication and the arts in education. One year of some type of art will be included in the State standard.
Local Arrangements: Jill Lofald has done
wonderful work.
Newsletter: Dan reminded everyone to send him articles. Web page is up and running. There were 3645 hits on the web page at last count. Is there a way for speech coaches to use this web site more effectively? Would be a good way to recruit new speech coaches to CTAM. www.ctam.us is the easy-to-remember web location. The list of BOG members will be updated on the web site. Are we ready for an electronic-only newsletter? Discussion followed. Not every school is ready for this- probably not the best time- will keep options open for the future.
Historian: Cindy reported that the archives continue to reside in her office. She has had a few visitors and a few requests for information from the archives. BOG members should forward requests to the Historian for specific newsletter items. Advocacy efforts over the years will be highlighted in the next newsletter. How does this year’s conference numbers compare with past years? Discussion followed.
Past President:
Mike is putting together efforts on the reinstated task force dealing with major funding issues and Schwans. More specific information will be coming. Short history of CTAM On the Road program. Please offer suggestions, ideas, comments. If you would like an On the Road session in your area please contact Mike and Larry. Discussion followed including dates of On The Road sessions (conflicts with Fall plays, debate, etc.), the focus appearing to be high school forensics, issues of time (takes a lot of time to plan, etc.). One benefit is to get people aware of this organization. Possibilities for sessions included concentrating on those colleges that have the most student teachers coming out of their schools and focussing on them. Could be a very useful outreach opportunity given the licensure requirements. Outreach for community theatre is another possibility. Perhaps the English association is the place for this to occur. Consensus was that this year’s waiver of conference fees and registration costs for up to five students from colleges/universities was a great idea. Discussion followed about the strength of music education organizations. Should CTAM target new teachers? Remember that not every college/university program is a member of CTAM. Why are not more college professors members of CTAM? Job listings on the listserve have been wonderful. Past President of CTAM is responsible for CTAM On the Road. Working committees out of the BOG might be a more effective way of carrying out such activity. BOG members are reminded to step up and take leadership. Mike reminded everyone to look at their BOG job descriptions. Dan will be posting these on the web.
Who is the official record keeper of the BOG list of members? The President will keep this list and will pass the information on to the Newsletter Editor and the Secretary. Reminder that the Membership is responsible for getting correct email address, contact information to the President asap.
Remember that BOG members are expected to attend meetings, etc. How do we handle those who do not attend, participate, etc? Discussion followed. Hand poll of who in the room was offering a session this weekend revealed that the vast majority of BOG members were actively involved.
New effort to attract graduate and undergraduate students was made this year. A few students may be attending- please make them feel welcome.
MN State High School League certification: All those who attend only the certification
will be charged $5 this year to try and recoup some costs of rooms (three rooms
for two sessions) etc. Discussion followed about benefits and costs, etc. The history of the CTAM conference was
raised. Is there a possibility of having
five or ten minutes at the certification session for the President of CTAM to
introduce the advantages of joining CTAM?
Gregg will talk to Larry about not charging $5- consensus was that this
was a good idea.
Meeting was adjourned at
Next BOG Meeting:
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen P. Wilson, Secretary