NNER Executive Board Meeting
Seattle, Washington
July 18, 2007

In Attendance: Greg Bernhardt, Jean Eagle, Deb Shanley, Carol Wilson, Gary Callahan, Nick Michelli, and Ann Foster

Guests: Pat Wasley, John Goodlad, Tom Bellamy, Gene Edgar,  and Dick Clark

  1. Symposium Update—Summer Symposium Future Considerations—Interest indicates that there is interest and need for the summer symposium. The executive board agreed to continue the venue and noted that efforts must continue to include diverse perspectives, ensure that the session is cost effective, and is accessible to all groups from all settings. Greg also noted that the practice of volunteer involvement by the executive board as facilitators and leaders is important and a reasonable expectation as part of the executive board responsibilities. Combining the session with a summer executive board meeting was seen as a good practice.

Continuation of the symposium will be proposed to the governing council at the October meeting.

  1. 2007 Conference—It was noted that Bryan Burgin and the program planning committee were asked to plan for a few extra small group rooms throughout the conference as it has become clear that there will be a need for such at each session.

  2. Tripartite meeting—Tripartite chairs, Greg Bernhardt and Ann Foster, scheduled a planning session for the October meeting.

Action: Ann will ask setting contacts to confirm tripartite membership. Nick, Jean, and Gary will send out information, updates, welcome and/or other materials electronically to the members prior to the session. Annual Reports—Action: Ann will send out the annual report template and a reminder to setting contacts that the draft report will be part of the tripartite council meeting and include the tripartite council dates.

It was noted that the critical friend process has not been tried yet and this will also be discussed at the tripartite council meeting.

Updates from the executive board included Wright State tripartite groups and NNER are using the process in widening circles at their settings.

It was noted that examining past practices aids in renewal and sustainability.

  1. Annual reports from previous years are available on line and are helpful to connect current practices with the history of the setting.

There was discussion about the need to revitalize fundamental concepts such as partner schools actual practices and contexts in relation to the partner school compact.

  1. Future Conferences—2008 Conference will be held in Arlington, Texas. The tripartite council will discuss the 2009 conference; it was suggested that Seattle or a non-setting location be considered. The discussion will be brought to the governing council.
  1. Governing Council—Term updates-governing council chair term is up for election in October.

Action:  Ann will send out an announcement to the Google group- nominations will be due in early Sept.  Nominees will submit a short biography and vision statement for the NNER and their leadership of the organization

Terms of Office:
Gary Callahan, A&S tripartite chair, 2009
Jean Eagle, School tripartite chair, 2009
Nick Michelli, COE tripartite chair, 2008
Dennis Potthoff, governing council member at large, 2008
Deb Shanley, governing council member at large, 2009

  1. Pat Walsey Meeting on NNER Future—follow-up from May meeting with Greg and Ann

Pat described efforts toward honoring John Goodlad’s work through the University of Washington with an endowment to the UW to support hybrid educator scholars. The UW would like to build an endowment and work with the NNER to distribute and award the scholarships. Pat will work with the NNER executive board regarding the fundraising campaign to support this. NNER leadership may be involved in the process of development.

Proposal—COE at the UW is willing to provide office space without cost to the NNER for 10 years as a partnership contribution if space is available. Pat has requested space in a newly university acquired building and has not heard from the provost regarding the status of the proposal. If the proposal is accepted, Pat anticipated that the office could be occupied in 2009. Pat feels that the UW campus could demonstrate institutional attention to the NNER work through this support.

The proposed offer is for physical space for the NNER as a separate organization with the understanding that the NNER is responsible for its own infrastructure.           

Next Steps

Greg will hear from Pat on the status and legal implications if any. If the proposed space is available, the chair will take the proposal to the governing council in October.

Further Discussion Points on the Proposal Follow

The board listed the following considerations for further discussion:

  1. NNER Funds Transfer from the IEI—Carol moved that Ann be authorized to take whatever action is needed to transfer the account funds; Jean seconded.

Discussion:
Be sure that our bookkeeper is bonded; Motion passes unanimously.
It was also noted that the infrastructure costs will stay within the $31,500 for ongoing infrastructure expenditures currently budgeted.
Employees: one or none depending on the legal requirements for employees.

  1. IEI Update:  Tom Bellamy, John Goodlad, Gene Edgar, Dick Clark

John Goodlad provided the following background:

The NNER has been the major activity of the IEI, strongest and most regular staffing. Funding opportunities have changed over time, John noted that he does not want to raise funds at this point and that as he has been out of the funding circles for the past few years is not in position to raise funds.
           
John reflected on the necessity of changing leadership in organizations and has observed many attempts that have not worked and is now addressing change within the IEI. He is therefore proposing a transition for the IEI that would allow him to continue to work in the areas of interest to him by splitting the IEI so that the president could manage and renew the IEI external work while John focuses on his commitments and interests. John and Tom Bellamy have had a series of conversations and follow-up summaries that have evolved into a transition for the IEI leadership.
Current Action Plan—to spend as little money as possible for the present transition to ensure that there are funds available to do the work. John will continue as president until December 2007 with Tom Bellamy transiting into the role in January 2008. The two of them will present this transition at the NNER October conference to get feedback.

Tom Bellamy shared his approach to the transition. He noted that the IEI has the capacity to make a difference in the education profession; a significant impact and this is important. The four-part mission will not change while the way the goals are addressed will need to be considered as times and context change.

Significant Change—the IEI has thrived because of John’s work and influence. The IEI and NNER are working against the grain of current popular initiatives. We need to be cognizant of the challenges while grants are developed. Tom will serve as a consultant to identify three or four major areas for focus. DN follow-up, preparation and licensing of educators, follow-up on journalist work and master narratives, research and evaluation of local work to move the four-part agenda into the mainstream conversations. Identify leaders from around the NNER to be chief worriers for the work, get involved only in things where there is passion for the work and the work is transformative.

Gene Edgar—the highest priority is to maintain the strong working relationship with the NNER. All negotiations are founded on the assumption that all decisions support the strongest, most productive, and symbiotic relationship.

Dick Clark Summarized Current IEI Initiatives:

Dick will transition out of his current role as of August 2007.

Greg reinforced Gene’s focus on continuing the position and productive relationship between the NNER and IEI and recognized the new responsibilities of the NNER.

Tom noted that the NNER will have to provide the leadership for the IEI initiatives and that his role as a university professor and consulting leader to the IEI allows him to support the work, but the leadership will come from throughout the NNER from individuals interested in taking the lead on specific initiatives.

The NNER will continue as an independent organization working closely with the IEI.

Next communication steps between the organizations.

Greg and Gene Edgar negotiated a Draft Proposal for Cost Sharing between the IEI and the NNER June 26, 2007. It follows:

  1. Governing Council Meeting Agenda:
  1. Recruiting New Settings:

Action:  September 15 mid-term report (benchmark on deliberations) from the committee.

  1. iNET-collaboration with Nick and Tom Clark

Action: Nick will update the executive board and governing council. Nick and Tom will work on the policy symposium planning. Currently it is being considered for NY in April, 2008.
Content will focus on common issues in policy that are being faced internationally in democracies.

  1. Dates for December EB Meeting— January 11-13, 2008

[Print Window]     [Close Window]

Copyright © 2007 National Network for Educational Renewal. All rights reserved.