National Network for Educational Renewal

NNER Governing Council Meeting Agenda/Minutes
October 15^th
1:15-4:00
Hyatt Regency, Bellevue

Greg Bernhardt, Richard Young, Roy Blakeney, Jean Eagle, Dennis Potthoff, Dianne Bath, Tom Poetter, Jennie Rakestraw, Marijke Kehrhahn , Dave Baker, Dick Clark, JoNancy Warren, Donna Cooner, Carol Wilson, Deb Shanley, Sam Hausfather, Mary Ellen Finch, Betty Lou Whitford, Molly Munson-Dryer, Leslie Wilson, Ada Beth Cutler, Nick Michelli, Pat Wasley, Ann Foster, Donna Michaels,

Guests Bill McDiarmid, John Anderson, Van Dempsey, Tom Bellamy, John Skillings, Bryan Burgin, Bruce Field

Budget update –Ann Foster, Greg Bernhardt (see documents)
New membership recruitment work-Carol Wilson

Leadership programs sustain and advance membership. To explore ways to nurture and support current members and involve new settings, the new member task force was established. It was recommended that recruitment become a standard agenda item. The task force includes force Ada Beth Cutler, Nick Michelli, Leslie Wilson, Caren Town, Jane Ziebarth, Jean Eagle.
Provisional or initial membership as an option was discussed. Donna Michaels suggested that there is an opportunity to expand recruitment in Canada.
Discussion included how to support current members in economically challenging times, the intersection of new members and retention (change in leadership requires proactive action- recruit the new leaders to the work). It was suggested that we use funds to engage people and explore how to do this effectively.
Mary Ellen Finch moved to adopt the provisional membership document provided by Carol. Ada Beth Cutler seconded. Passed unanimously.
Tasks: Develop materials for doing orientation or introduction sessions-podcasts. Ada Beth Cutler noted that Montclair can do this.
The executive board will study the unique contexts of each setting and work on an individual basis to support them.

Journal update- John Skillings

Hard copies of the inaugural edition were available at the conference to all attendees. The editorial board was thanked. The journal web site is up and portable if people want to add it to their web sites. Miami University provided the hard copies as a contribution to the NNER. John asked the group to consider if this is worthwhile and should be continued at the conference, if so, also consider how to support this financially for the long term. He also asked that the editorial board membership be expanded and for ideas on how and where to index the journal. Miami University will host this for three years. Nominations for editorial board will be given to John and acted on at the Feb. meeting.

Goodlad Institute update-Tom Bellamy

Tom updated the group on the Goodlad Institute’s current activities for collaborative grants. The Goodlad Institute sponsored and organized the Literary Café at the conference with over 100 books authored by NNER members. He will also put the Literary Café bibliography on the Institute’s web site and link it to the NNER web site.

Update from John Goodlad

John reflected on the changes in the IEI and the transition to the Goodlad Institute and the work with Tom Bellamy. He reflected on the ambiance of the house on Edgar St. for meetings and gathering and what camaraderie was built there over the years.
He updated the group on the AED Scholars group who will present their draft of a project addressing the conditions in education and changes at levels deeper than are currently seen. He thanked the Goodlad Institute for creating the signed posters of the house on Edgar St where so much of the foundation for our work was built and where so many important conversations, connections, and activities took place over the years of NNER development.

2010 Conference update-Molly Munson-Dryer, JoNancy Warren

The conference will be held in Normal, Ill on Oct. 6-9 near ISU campus and the group is pleased to have the conference at the setting of one of the largest teacher preparing institutions in the country and focusing on the local work. The theme is Realizing the Democratic Ideal.

Future Conference options, a proposal- Bryan Burgin

Bryan raised issues of conference locations noting that locating in settings may not provide access to those settings that are not readily accessible for travel. He proposed rotating conference chairs rather than rotating settings as hosts for the conference. He felt that this would provide access to more settings and be more cost effective. Van Dempsey suggested that the NNER conference be held in conjunction with the NAPDS conference that could address best use of limited travel and conference hosting resources.
Greg asked for a formal proposal at the February meeting. NY has a freeze on travel and they believe that that will continue to be the trend. Consider looking at the last five years conference costs for comparison and at the looming economic problems. We might want to explore telecommunication conferences as one option or a hybrid concept i.e. face-to-face every two years and telecommunication on the other years. Regional conferences were suggested as another option. The executive board will examine this in the Dec. meeting.

Rethink Learning Now (an initiative of the Forum) , NNER involvement

GC will look at the Rethink Learning Now on line and we will vote on whether the NNER wants to be a partner on this effort. Ada Beth asked that gc members watch the speech that Secretary Duncan will deliver on Oct. 22, 11:30 and advocate for quality education.
Ann will send out a reminder to log on to the site and the GC will vote on this in December.
We need to be part of organizations to be equal partners rather than just attach our names.

BYU publication update

Booklet, DVD that provide information on the NNER mission, activities from settings, and John Goodlad’s perspective on renewal, change, education in a democracy over the years are included in conference attendees packets. The booklet, The NNER Today is available to settings that want to use it for leadership development. Copies may be obtained from Ann Foster. The GC expressed appreciation to BYU’s for these much needed materials. The quality and depth of information and readability for those not familiar with the work were also noted as needed and appreciated..

Evaluation for 2009 summer symposium and discussion for 2010

This was distributed and and discussed. The summer symposium is a way to engage new members with turnover being a constant, this was seen as a critical activity. Settings’ ability to send people varies tremendously. However, the importance of the session was reinforced as it builds capacity in partner school and among other partners.

Tripartite council updates-tripartite chairs

Chairs public schools-Jean Eagle
A&S-Leslie Wilson
Nick Michelli
The chairs received good feedback from participants who engaged in conversations on their settings’ work, provided input into the expert panel work, and worked in role-alike groups.

National School Climate Standards: Benchmarks to promote effective teaching, learning and comprehensive school improvement-NNER involvement-Ann Foster, Nick Michelli

Kerlin foundation funds this type of work-Pat Wasley will make an intro to provide a foundation to propose funding for this work.

Elections

Deb Shanley and Dennis Potthoff have been nominated to stand for chair of the governing council. Both submitted statements describing their interest and vision for the work.
Deb Shanley was elected as chair for the two year term 2010-11.
EX Board member at large from GC nominations
Leslie Wilson nominated Ada Beth Cutler
Tom Poetter nominated Richard Young
Ada Beth Cutler was elected for a three year term 2010-2012.

Governing Council meeting Feb. 18, 2010 AACTE, Atlanta, 2:00-5:00

Meeting adjourned at 4:00.

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