CTAM Board of Governors' Meeting Minutes Sunday, January 11, 2004, Pippin Restaurant, Roseville

Present:  Tom Kuster (President), Gregg Sawyer (Past President), Jill Lofald (President Elect), Karen P. Wilson (Secretary), Mary Schmidt (Community College), Kathleen Maloney (Alliance for Arts in Education), Michelle Neaton (Speech Professionals Across MN), Sandy Nieland (SE Geographic)

Not Present:  Larry Schnoor (Treasurer), Nanette Johnson-Kuriskis (Journal Editor), Cynthia Carver (Historian), Dan Cronn-Mills (Newsletter Editor), Cheryl Neidt (High School Classroom), Todd Hering (MN Debate Teachers), Don Rice (NCA/CSCA SAC), Cliff Janke (SW Geographic), Dave Warne (College/University), Dewey Schara (K-8 Classroom), Jan MacNally (MN Education Theater Association), Wanda Manther (MN Debate Teachers), Stewart Wilson (MN Speech Coaches), Cindy Larson (MN Collegiate Forensics), Michael Worcester (MSHSL AA Rep Assembly), Mark Grant (Technical Colleges), Jodene Wartman (Metro Geographic), Rebecca Meyer-Larson (NW Geographic)

Meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m.  Minutes from the September 18, 2003 meeting were approved. Tom Kuster began the meeting with a welcome and introductions.

Treasurer's Report: Tom distributed a summary of the budget from Larry (in absentia):

Balance as of 9/21/03:  $13,537

Income from Convention fees/memberships:  $12,345.

Total Income:  $25,882.

Expenses:  Journal (Gustavus):      $2,469

Newsletters, mailings, etc (MN State Univ. Mankato):  $1,076 MDTA (33 members):  $495 MSCA (139 members):  $1,390 META (42 members):  $212 Radisson Hotel, Duluth:  $8339 Duluth Public Library:  $160 CTAM Foundation (Memory of Margaret Hayes):  $25 Gregg Sawyer (refund):  $25 Gregg Sawyer (luncheons-BOG and Exec. Com): $142.77 US Engraving (awards):  $129 NCA (Speech Communicator): $1173 Stillwater High School (final bill for food service):  $831 Student memberships/convention fees:  $1820 Perpich Center for Arts Education:  $288.15 CTAM Foundation Refund (amt left from grant):  $1391.85 Total Expenses:  $20,044.57 Balance as of Nov. 6, 2003:  $5,837.43 Thanks to Larry for this information.  Report from Larry was approved.

Historian's Report: Look for newsletter article.  Would it be possible to do a session at the convention on the history of CTAM?

Journal Editor's Report: Report from the new Editor was distributed (in absentia).  The same associate editors have been enlisted: Mark Huglen, Verna Corgan and Mike Dreher.  Three complete manuscripts have been submitted. "Off to a good start." 

Newsletter's Report:  Dan (in absentia) reported that the winter issue should include:

-Convention review:  Tom

-Convention site announcement:  Tom and Jill -Membership information: Larry -CTAM Journal CFP: Nan, Dan already has this -Members Directory: Dan -Historian’s article: Cindy -Call for outstanding individual nominees: Dan will update the form -MSHSL State Debate results (if available) -Fall convention proposal form: Dan will update the form -Other, any information sent in by the membership

NCA/CSCA SAC Report: Don Rice was unable to go to NCA in Hawaii but Tom stood in for him at the appropriate meeting. Tom will report more later.

BOG Members Reports:

Kathleen reported that Sheila Livingston will be receiving a SALLY award for her work in Arts Education. Kathleen will follow up on bringing a CTAM guest to this reception.

Mary will be getting out information on the storytelling organization to which she belongs.  There is funding available for college students to attend as apprentices.

Michelle reported that SPAM is in limbo- there was no report written from last year and this needs to be completed.  She would like to see SPAM more closely affiliated with CTAM and will pursue having this workshop at the same time/location as the CTAM State conference.  Consensus was that this would be a good idea. Discussion followed including some lighthearted comments about a possible name change.

Gregg is hoping to strengthen ETA and mentioned that CTAM should be advertised as the State umbrella organization to other organizations. Gregg reported that META sent out a survey to one act play directors but there was a problem with addresses.  There will be some changes in the one act play contest.  Possibilities include 4 of each A and AA performances on both days since this is noncompetitive event.  The CTAM membership would like to hear about the results from the survey and Gregg mentioned that a letter may be sent out to all the directors summarizing this information.

Convention 2004:

Site: Three possibilities were discussed: Points Sheraton on North Oaks Ave, Radisson at the City Center in downtown St. Paul near Town Square, Holiday Inn North (at County Rd E and Lexington in Arden Hills).  Holiday Inn North has already submitted a possible bid.  Tom distributed a summary of CTAM site needs for discussion:

Thursday evening meeting room for 20, Friday through Saturday 8 meeting rooms with 20 capacity, 5 rooms with 40 capacity and 1 room with 90 capacity, total attendance of between 250-280, overnight rooms for 10 on Thursday and for 60 on Friday, Meals:  Thursday evening dinner for 20, Friday morning rolls, juice, coffee (hospitality table), Friday noon luncheon for 225, Friday evening reception for 150, Saturday morning breakfast for 130 (business meeting) and Saturday noon box lunches (advance order).

 Kathleen mentioned the possibility of the Riverwood- right off of 94 closer to St. Cloud-lovely space with good breakout rooms. When the conference is in the Twin Cities the banquet is often substituted by an evening cocktail hour so people can attend evening events in the area.  Gregg would be happy to be the site host if the location is in downtown St. Paul.  Gregg will contact Larry for more information.

Program:  Jill supports the hotel site concept and is pleased to be able to plan this convention.  She received last year’s conference evaluation forms. Much discussion followed. Ethics and teaching issues were raised.  We should all be aware of the Board of Teaching web page on ethics. Could be a useful session for first year teachers, and for veteran teachers who are not current with such issues.  Jill has enough program ideas and is still working on a theme.  Letters will go out in March responding to those who submitted information on the conference proposal forms.  More theatre, debate, dance and media studies offerings would be welcome.  More information will be forthcoming in the next newsletter. Gregg mentioned that ETA is working on developing an AP course in Theatre  (cost about $2 million). Cheryl Neidt provided information (in absentia) about some possible conference events including the Guthrie's future programming possibilities and a workshop by a St.Thomas staff member on coaching psychology.  Jill will follow up.  A reminder that there are grants available for this type of activity.

Program ideas included another Harold workshop (like Harold II, the sequel), a meeting between new teachers and veteran teachers, studio tours (like MPR), a swap session of speech cuts, a job fair session, a session about CTM On the Road, and GIFTS for speech coaching.  Some of the well attended sessions from last year included extemp speaking, creative approaches to teaching the intro. speech course, the new coaches workshops, selecting suitable material, the Harkness roundtable discussion, the GIFTS session, the Harold, assessment, small school roundtable, theatre as a voice for justice,  and ensemble warm up exercises .   Is there any possibility of doing the speech workshop 6-9 the night before so it stays away from the Friday morning sessions?  Gregg will pursue this with Barb Seng. People would also like more time for their individual group meetings.  Saturday afternoon meetings are a possibility. Speech coaches may be able to meet on Friday night.  Include in the registration packets some information about activities in the Twin Cities for out-state people.  Keep funneling program ideas to Jill.

Speaker/Featured Artist: Possibility of a performance at lunch was mentioned but since awards will be offered at lunch this year time makes this impossible.  At the evening reception there could be a short performance. Sally Wingert may be a possible keynote speaker (4:30-6:00, prior to the cocktail hour).  Gregg will follow up. 

Awards:  These will be handled at the afternoon luncheon.  Nominations should be sent to Tom.  More information will be in the next newsletter.

Fees: Consensus was to continue offering special rates for college and graduate students.

CTAM On the Road:  Larry and Mike- anything new? Perhaps the Schwan's sponsorship has derailed this program and consensus was that CTAM needs to reinvigorate it. Regional reps need to offer suggestions for this program.  Do the upcoming elections provide some opportunities? Clarity about the mission of CTAM On The Road would be helpful for the BOG members. Discussion followed about the history of this program.

Candidates for Election, 2004: President Elect (from college level) and Treasurer positions are up for election. Is Larry interested in the position  of Treasurer again? Would Dan Cronn-Mills be interested in running for President?  Is Mankato a possibility for the next conference location if this is a possibility?

BOG Vacancies: Central Geographic Rep: Motion was passed that Tracy Hagstrom be asked to take on this position.  NE Geographic Rep: Jill will work on this and Tom will follow up as these are Presidential appointments.

Outreach: Membership Growth- Discussion about bringing in current and future teachers (secondary ed. majors). No action at this time. Discussion followed about CTAM and other agencies/interest areas (theatre, dance, media studies).  Any suggestions for action here?  Dance does not seem to be interested in pursuing a connection with CTAM.  Who could lead a conference session for current college students about licensure issues? Education Departments, Communication/Theatre Departments and English Departments need to talk together more effectively- could this be a session at CTAM?   Are English teachers more active in the Humanities Commission? Is the English Teachers Association still in existence?  Perhaps a personalized letter to English teachers inviting them to join CTAM and a letter to English Department Chairs would be helpful.  Rick Beach at the University might be a good person to contact about leaders in this field. Jill mentioned that a reading class/clinic is now required for English teachers for re-licensure and perhaps this would be a good conference session.

Advocacy: Kathleen is drafting an on-line survey to get information on the impact of some of the big legislative issues.  Focus of this survey would be Licensure issues, No Child Left Behind and economic impact.  CTAM could be very helpful with this survey.  Could you mention this in the next CTAM newsletter?  March 24 is the next Arts in Education Day at the capitol.  There are openings for the Perpich Center Board- these are appointed positions and some school administrators would be welcome.  Go to the State of MN web site and recommend people for these positions.

Monitoring and improving the HS standards: Licensure issues- CTAM members should talk to Senator Kelly about changing the Theatre/Dance licensure.  Can CTAM establish a clearinghouse of information for such agenda items and deal with this at next year's CTAM conference?  Sandy will contact Steve Griffin at Gustavus to begin this conversation, Jill will contact Tom at UMD about this, and Karen would like to be involved in this as well.  Some substantial information needs to be collected including anecdotal evidence from college department chairs about the impact of this licensure. Can this appear as a boxed item in the next newsletter?  Who are the contact persons who can deal with licensure issues for the next CTAM conference?  Jill will see about setting up a session at next year's conference.  Much discussion followed.

Other:  Discussion followed about the new costs for receiving hard copies of the Speech Teacher/Communicator ($8 per year per subscription).  Not all CTAM members can receive electronic copies, can everyone pay $8 extra for membership and include this bundle with a newsletter mailing? Discussion will continue at the next Executive Board meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen P. Wilson, Secretary