CTAM Board of Governors’ Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 18,
2008
Holiday Inn, Alexandria
Present: Michele Neaton (President), Cliff Janke (President Elect), Sandy Nieland (Past President), Larry Schnoor (Treasurer), Aileen Buslig (Journal Editor), Cynthia Carver (Historian), Sarah Wolter Newsletter Editor), Karen P. Wilson (Secretary), Jan Urtel (Incoming Secretary), Dave Warne (College/University Rep.), Angie Siefert Anderson (Community College Rep.), Margaret Kitterman (High School Classroom Rep.), Gregg Sawyer (MN Education Theater Assoc. Rep), Chris McDonald (MN Debate Teachers Assoc. Rep.), Cheryl Neidt (MN Speech Coaches Rep.), Diana Rehling (States Advisory to NCA and CSCA Rep), Rebecca Meyer-Larson (NW Geographic Rep.), Roxy Janke (SW Geographic Rep.), Tom Fish (K-8 Classroom Rep.), Scott Durocher (Metro Geographic Rep.), Jody Saxton West (SE Geographic Rep.), Kathy Ebnet (NE Geographic Rep), Mary Schmidt (Central Geographic Rep.), Dan Cronn-Mills (Webmaster)
Meeting was called to order
at 7:10 p.m. Welcome and introductions
followed.
Minutes from January 6,
2008 were approved.
President’s Report:
Michele reported that we are having a combined MNSCU workshop with CTAM for the
second year. This seems to work
well. Special thanks to Larry Schnoor
and Cliff Janke for their assistance.
Past-President’s
Report: Sandy announced that being
Past President is much easier than President or President Elect
responsibilities. CTMA on the Road
information is available on line. Please
encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity. Please encourage people to consider
representing CTAM on the Arts Education Consortium. The Mn State High School League process has
been clarified: Jill Lofald now holds this position but this is not a CTAM Board
of Governors position. It may be desirable to clarify the election process with
the MSHSL.
President-Elect’s
Report: (Convention 2008 Update & Input) Cliff reported that the
convention program is in place and that it looks like a varied and strong
program. The amount of talent, the
number of people who offer to share their gifts and talents is amazing. The logistics can be challenging. There are
six venues for Friday (and they are all full) and five venues for Saturday (and
these are full as well).
Treasurer’s
Report: Larry reported that 229
people have pre-registered. Walk ins occur so these numbers may change. There is $17,256 in the total budget at present
(without conference bills being paid).
CTAM is in good financial shape overall.
Several people have requested hard copies of the newsletter and Larry
will forward these names to the Newsletter editor.
Historian’s
Report: Cindy reported that she has records from the start of this
organization and she receives requests for information several times during the
year.
Journal
Editor’s Report: Aileen reported
that the Journal is on line. There were 19 submissions. Encourage others to submit. There is a new section called “On the
Web.” Congratulations to the CTAM
Journal for winning the CSCA Outstanding Journal Award!
Newsletter
Editor’s Report: Sarah reported the newsletter will now be on-line, in pdf
format. The August newsletter will
continue to be in hard copy to allow for ease of conference registration. Sarah
is a new mother! Congratulations were extended to her on getting the newsletter
out at the same time as becoming a new mom.
Central
States/NCA Liaison’s Report: Diana referred people to the pre-conference
information that was sent out. Look for
more information following the conference.
Web
Master’s Report: Dan reported that
the web site is up and running. Send
ideas, concerns, etc. to Dan Cronn-Mills.
BOG
Members Reports:
Rebecca reported that
things are going well and appreciated this conference in Alexandria. Concern about the one act contests held on
Saturdays and that the season seems to be extending while every other activity
is regulated. The incredible length of
the speech season is adversely affecting the one act play contest. Thursday or Fridays would be a better option
for theater.
Scott mentioned that each
section can determine when these contests occur. As Metro rep. Scott talked
with others in his area about the location of this convention: he received
mixed messages with
some favorable and some unfavorable responses.
Gregg mentioned that the
MSHSL should discuss the timing of speech and theater contests. META sponsored
the 4th Annual Spring Theater Forum at the Guthrie. He has a
financial report to give to CTAM for their generous donation. There seems to be a lack of attendance and
Gregg and Virginia McFerran may be rethinking this Forum. The Guthrie is very interested in continuing
the relationship with CTAM and META. A
disturbing announcement that the University of St. Thomas has closed their
theater and will be tearing the building down to replace it with an athletic
center.
Margaret really appreciates
being a member of this organization and she will be conversing with others
about the wonderful ideas that are exchanged here.
Kathy received a letter in Spring from speech and drama coaches with a concern about
theater productions using the same material two years in a row: they would like
the theater productions to be different each year.
Cheryl reported that Rick
Purrington will be replacing her on this board. Maybe some coaches could request assistance
from CTAM on the Road.
Jody mentioned that her
speech-mentoring program is getting too big.
The MSHSL supports this program.
There is a possibility that stipends may be offered in the near future
for mentors. Her school has graciously helped with mailings, etc. Speech programs in her region seem to be on
the cutting block and this is a great concern.
Any thoughts or advice would be great appreciated. If one coach is cut is it reasonable to
decrease the number of students who can participate in the program?
Angie reported that the
conference sessions on technology and teaching communication are really
exciting.
Dave Warne reinforced that
the news about St. Thomas is disheartening.
Larry mentioned that he gets numerous emails
from people at colleges and universities that are lacking speech programs and
he responds to them with the best advice he can muster. He advises them to be sure to check this out
before they attend that specific college.
Cliff reminded the Board to
remember that students should be our focus, even with challenging budget
issues.
Roxy expressed appreciation
for this wonderful organization: CTAM made her a better teacher and coach. Thank you.
Tom reported that middle
school program schedules are problematic and he will be talking with others
during the conference to address this issue.
Chris distributed a handout
entitled “MN Debate Teachers Association 2008 President’s Report.” The MDTA has realigned sections from 6 to 4,
they have obtained 501c3 nonprofit status, they have a large matching grant,
scholarship money has been distributed, Coach of the Year is Pete Nikolai (St.
Paul Central) and the 2008 James Graupner Distinguished Service Award was given
to Cort Sylvester (Rosemount High School).
See handout for further details.
Personnel:
1. President-Elect Nominee: Mark Fokken from SW State. Nominations from
the floor will be accepted
2. Treasurer Nominee: Larry Schnoor. Nominations from the floor will be accepted
3.
Board of Governors: Fully staffed. Roxy Janke has been
appointed SW Geographic Rep.
4.
Secretary: Jan Urtel has been
appointed CTAM Secretary for the rest of the year as Karen has resigned citing
extra work responsibilities.
Outstanding Individual
Award
1.
This year's nominee – Virginia McFerran
2.
Criteria for nomination. There was a request for criteria. The Exec. Committee
has requested that Dan Cronn-Mills put a notice on the website announcing nominations
including a letter of recommendation and vitae.
Dan will report back to the BOG.
Cindy Carver has agreed to write some guidelines and will also get back
to the BOG.
CTAM Teaching Awards/Lifetime Achievement Award:
There was a proposal last year
for CTAM to recognize three new awards: Outstanding Adjunct Teacher,
Outstanding New College Teacher, and Outstanding New Secondary Teacher. Exec. Committee
approves of these new awards. Recommendations are due by May 1, 2009. All are encouraged to make nominations.
Lifetime Achievement Awards and other special awards from CTAM remain an option
every year.
BOG Roles and Responsibilities:
Michele mentioned that the
Exec committee had discussed the growth of these jobs. Sandy has written a time line and list of
duties for the current President and the President Elect. The Exec Committee has requested that the
role of the Past President now includes updating these job descriptions.
Each BOG member should
network, should communicate with membership, should actively seek out new
members, assist the President by soliciting conference programs, help promote CTAM and attendance at the conference. The BOG
is essential to CTAM. Larry requested
assistance at registration. Registration will be poolside.
Convention 2009 Update:
Larry reported that the
Crowne Plaza (potential location) couldn’t meet our requested dates. Rochester location would like us back; St.
Cloud and Duluth are also interested. At
this point there is no location determined.
Metro area is difficult because of the expense of metro area
hotels. The process continues so watch
for updates.
Next BOG meeting date and location:
Sunday, January 4, 2009, 11:30 a.m., St. Cloud
Ground Round.
Other Business:
Thanks from Karen for the wonderful years. This truly is a great organization and it has been a true pleasure serving CTAM!
Dan Cronn-Mills mentioned the CEU’s are always a popular draw and there will be new CEU modules offered online starting on Monday. This will be linked on the CTAM list serve. There is a fee associated with these modules.
Sandy mentioned that this is also her last meeting and she thanked everyone. See you next year. Cheryl Neidt also thanked the organization.
Michele or Sandy please send the new award information to Dan so he can put this on the web site.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen P. Wilson, Secretary