7- 24-17 Nebraska State Reading Association Executive Meeting

Rebecca Bartlett brought the combined meeting between the Transition Team and Executive Committee on July 24, 2017, at UNK An at-length discussion was held on the various Options offered by ILA. The 5 options are: 1) Full Group Affliation 2) Full Non-Group Affliation 3) Limited Non-Group Affliation 4) No Longer Affliated 5) Waiver Members who attended the ILA meetings in Orlando or other state meetings shared information, held question and answers, and gave recommendations concerning the transition.

A motion was made by Mary Lou Benesch to recommend Option 1 to the board for Full Group Affiliation with ILA. Julie Koziek amended the motion by having a re-evaluation at the end of 3 years. Karen Heafer seconded it. Motion passed.

We discussed upcoming dates for NSRA Board Meetings for 2017-2018. Fall Meeting – November 11, 2017 Winter Meeting – During February’s Conference Spring Meeting – April 14, 2018 Summer Meeting – To Be Determined International Literacy Conference – July 22 – 24, 2018

Tiffany’s contract was discussed. Julie Agard and Kristin G. will check into Pay Pal to see if our transactions can go straight through the bank to save fees charged by Pay Pal. The NSRA Budget for 2017 – 2018 was reviewed. Karen moved that we continue to donate $250 to Plum Creek. Bailey seconded it. Mary Lou shared information we learned in Orlando about Book Studies at the state level. Steinhouse Publishing would assist us in this project. Julie A. will check with Steinhouse and will send information to Nikki. Kristin shared information from the Iowa Reading Association. Conference discussion: We have Kearney Ramada booked already for 2018 and 2019 both still in the month of February. Mary Lou made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Bailey seconded it. SUMMER LEADERSHIP TRAINING JULY 25, 2017 UNK

ILA Coordinators Mary Lou Benesch and Colette Sorensen welcomed the group and introductions were given.

Marissa Payzant from the Nebraska State Department of Education introduced herself and shared some highlights from the state including information on: - Legislative “Reading Improvement Act” - ACT scores for Juniors was briefly explained and possible cut scores - Vendor changes are being discussed with the possibility of going with NWEA - An invitation was given to attend Teacher Education at the Cornhusker - Marissa shared information on Disciplinary Literacy

Installations of State Officers was held: - President Karen Heafer - President-Elect Michelle Rezek - Vice-President Nikki Piper - Secretary Cindy Settje - Treasurer Kristin Ganoung - Past President Rebecca Bartlett

A brief report of Session Highlights from ILA Conference in Orlando was given by: Julie A., Mary Lou B., Colette S., Cindy S., Julie K., Nickki P., and Lori S.

The motion from the Executive Committee was brought to the Board Meeting. Secretary, Cindy Settje, read the formal motion recommended from the Executive Board:

A motion was made by Mary Lou Benesch to recommend Option 1 to the board for Full Group Affiliation with ILA. Julie Koziek amended the motion by having a re-evaluation at the end of 3 years. Karen Heafer seconded it.

Discussion with ILA via email and the phone was conducted. After talking with ILA, a vote was taken and the motion failed. Kristin G. then made a motion to contact ILA to request an action plan that would work us into full Group Afflilation within 3 years. Bailey F. seconded it. The board continued to discuss this new motion. Unanimously approved.

Members signed up and worked on various committees. Each group reported on: - Publicity - Projects - Membership Development - Professional Development - Finance - Conference Program

Conference Updates: - Headliner will be Doug Fischer - Feature speakers Nell Duke and Ralph Fletcher - Look at pricing incentives - Patsy is looking for someone who would be willing to work with her and to help shadow her job - Conference will again be in Kearney on Feb. 22 – Feb.24, 2018

NSRA Business Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President, Karen Heafer. The Agenda was reviewed and changed as needed. Meeting norms were discussed: - Computers should be at 45 degrees in order to be fully engaged to the speaker - Start and end on time - Be respectful and open-minded of other’s comments - Stay on the topic - No sidebar conversations - Keep our mission the focus

The Minutes from the April 22nd meeting were read and approved. Kristin gave the Treasurer’s report. The Second Quarter Treasurer’s Report was shared and a Working Budget was presented. It currently is not a balanced budget since there are still some details to be worked out with ILA and our decision to affiliate. The 2nd quarter report was approved, but the working budget will not be approved until the November Board meeting.

Mary Lou gave the ILA Coordinators Report.

Old Business: - A question was brought to the Board asking if the Memorandum of Understanding from the ILA needs to be reviewed by a lawyer before signing.

New Business included Future Board Meetings will be: - Nov. 11 @ Shoemaker School Grand Island, NE (4160 Old Potash Hwy 68803) - Febr 22 – 24 TBD @ Conference in Kearney, NE - April 14 @ Shoemaker School Grand Island, NE Listed various possibilities of new names. All Councils are urged to think of a new name, which must have the word literacy in it. Some suggestions were: Literacy Association of Nebraska (LANE) Cornhusker Literacy Association of Nebraska Nebraska Chapter of the International Literacy Association Literacy Educators of Nebraska (LEN) Nebraska Association Literacy Educators

Marilyn C. made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Julie K. seconded it.

Respectfully submitted,

Cindy Settje NSRA Secretary