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. . . translating research into daily practice

“Celebrating 65 Years in November, 2012”

MINUTES

Iowa ASCD Executive Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, July 26, 2012 (9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.)

Location: Viterbo University Iowa Center, 4949 Westown Parkway, Suite 195, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Directors Present: Allan Eckelman, Jason Ellingson, Juli Grotewold, Lou Howell, Becky Martin, Ottie Maxey, Leslie Moore, Susan Pecinovsky, Tina Ross, Elaine Smith- Bright, Kym Stein, Cindy Swanson, Chris Welch, Jan Westerman-Beatty, Amy Wichman, Sue Wood, Stephanie Rosenburg-Wager (ad hoc)

Directors Not Present: Kelly Adams, Pam Armstrong-Vogel, Julie Davies, Marcia Tweeten, Kevin Vidergar,

Focus on Our Group Norms:

I. Welcome (9:00 A.M.) (President, Jason Ellingson)

◦ Welcome by Executive Director and “Passing of the Gavel”: ◦ Lou Howell welcomed all directors to Iowa ASCD retreat. ◦ Leslie Moore, Past-President, presented the gavel to President Jason Ellingson 0 ◦ Review of Agenda and Group Norms (Jason Ellingson, President) ◦ Ellingson reviewed the agenda and shared the norms and asked us to focus on them during the retreat: Listen for Understanding, Speak to Be

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 1 Truthfully Understood, Confront the Tough Challenges, Come Prepared, Have Fun, Start on Time and End on Time, Value Diversity, Honor Confidentiality 0 ◦ Welcome Activity  Directtors introduced each other by identifying their name, role, and strength.

II . Current Reality (9:30 A.M.) (Executive Director, Lou Howell)

◦ Howell highlighted the current reality of Iowa ASCD, based on the continuum of ASCD. Directors identified additional accomplishments as well as some “next steps” ideas. ◦ See summaries of each action attached to minutes. ◦ See “next steps” ideas below in minutes after each action in Gap Analysis/Getting to Root Cause/Determining Solutions.

III . Desired State (10:30 A.M.) (President, Jason Ellingson)

 Moving Forward - “So Where Would You Like to See Iowa ASCD Go/Become?” Directors were asked to identify one thing they would like to see Iowa ASCD focus on.

V. Gap Analysis - Getting to Root Cause - Determining Solutions

 Directors worked in their “passion” area to identify the gap between desired state and current reality. They then drafted root causes and possible solutions.

 Action I: Innovation and Leadership for Teaching and Learning

 Desired State:  Help educators organize for implementation of best practices back home by providing tools and supports  Sustain learning

 Root Causes based on Gap Analysis

 We have not focused on implementation before at a deep level  We assumed webinars/twitter chats would be enough  Implementation: Is it our job?

 Possible Solutions

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 2  Ask members and board if they need/want/expect Iowa ASCD to help with implementation and at what level (if yes, we can provide tools)  Follow-up sub-groups for all events.  Offer coaching session at conferences (maybe connect with presenter/mentor0  Email to administration upon registration suggesting conference deliverables and follow-up options.  Focused marketing – be specific on outcomes for learning opportunities  Differentiate sessions and be explicit on what will be implemented (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced)  Talk with Learning Forward – Iowa about partnership for follow-up (Get someone on our follow-up subgroup for sure)  Be more systematic in collecting and analyzing data on learning opportunities  Identify conference purpose(s)

 Additional Post-It Notes of Ideas on Poster

 Accomplishments/Questions  How might we help others work with “social technology” to a level of depth? Not sure it’s possible.  Why do we not get the response of professional learning survey? (Lou’s comment: Not sure what this is referring to; if person who wrote this will contact Lou, she will proceed with getting that information.)  What is our relationship with Midwest Affiliates? Possibility of co-sponsoring events? (Lou’s Note: We are working with Minnesota and Wisconsin to schedule a virtual learning opportunity for the board around integration of technology in our work as a “trial run” for possible virtual conference. We work with Illinois in the social event at ASCD conference. Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are re-establishing themselves; Lou has offered our support and services in that and connects with Missouri affiliate director often as he is working to “reinvent” the organization.)  How could technology support implementation?

 New Ideas for Possible Next Steps

 Communities of Practice in multiple areas  Make central the work of competency-based education

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 3  Extend grade-level conferences to content conferences for upper grades or middle-level integrated content, for example  Orientation for board members around technology  Communication of value-added events in multiple ways (Note: presently this is done through The Source, personal note to members and superintendents, web site)  Partner with Learning Forward – Iowa  Explore seriously the idea of virtual conference

 Actions II and III: Coalition of Member Relations and E-Learning and Technology

 Desired State: Development of members and development of membership

 Grow members  Grow membership (Goal of 1000+ members)

 Root Causes based on Gap Analysis

 Branding  No clear image of the parts of membership as a whole, and how to grow it  Membership and sustainability

 Continue to expand online presence – Pinterest, Linked-in, Learnet, Google Plus, Twitter, and an app  Market that we are a political advocacy group and market our agenda  Improve member use of Iowa ASCD digital resources, based on personal and institutional needs  Create a robust PLN to get feedback, engagement, and serve our members  Continue to stimulate membership through plethora of ideas that are ongoing and “checklisty” as they come in  Stimulate membership through promotional opportunities (e.g., scholarships, awards, gifts, free memberships)  Actions of technology and membership should now focus on enhancement of Actions 1 and 4 – needs are knowledge of those happenings in our actions  Collect success stories from members that we can share out

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 4  Impact student learning and success through advocacy and learning  Continue to provide quality products and opportunities and value-added benefits for members

 Additional Post-It Notes on Poster

 Consider charging $30 for a first-time member  Provide “Saturday Scholars”  Provide Membership Awards  Gift one-year memberships to presenters  Provide scholarships for future directors of curriculum  Develop Iowa ASCD brand – so it is prestigious to be a member (Iowa ASCD  Quality)  Create a robust digital PLN on our site to get feedback, engagement, and serve our members  Plan for helping pre-service teachers “grow up with” Iowa ASCD  Aim for 1000 members  Meet membership needs of GenXers and Millennials  Increase accountability of services beyond the metro  Post on Iowa ASCD website the updates from the DE (One- stop “shopping”)  CBE – national conference, information on web site, updates on CBE task force  Stay as an organization true to “mission-driven”  Link our work with other organization – Social Studies organization, Learning Forward – Iowa  Iowa ASCD Journal – highlights/summarizes education topics – to educate membership and legislators  Send notes to people getting new jobs and invite them to/thank them for membership  Secure part of we site with value-added benefit for members only  Members engagement: online community, blogs, discussions  Get 500 twitter followers  Do authors’ reviews – e.g., book studies with questions developed  Create link or blog that provides summaries of currant research or areas of importance (e.g., Iowa core)  Quick reviews  Conference surveys – have drawing for prize for those who complete survey – e.g., free registration to upcoming conference

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 5  Daily/Weekly Tech Tip – Drive to site and build community  The Source should lead back to the site and blog site.

 Action IV: Advocacy and Influence

 Desired State:

 Iowa ASCD has partnerships with state organizations on common educational platforms – teaching/learning/best practice  Members of Iowa ASCD have and exercise their voice with state/federal legislators  Members are informed on the “how” of advocacy, including advocacy from afar  Members’ stories are reflected in talking points  Iowa ASCD provides regional meeting with legislators  Questions (Could we support costs of substitute? How do we educate teachers?)

 Root Causes based on Gap Analysis:

 Just completed first year of advocacy – 2011-2012  We don’t market ourselves as influencing public policy

 E-mail past participants on their willingness to participate this year and bring a friend (What leave are you using?)  Work with those partners to help us understand their legislative agenda.  Invite new “partners” to Day on the Hill – February 6  Pay attention to and share information about “hearings” that would apply to our “talking points”  Train board on advocacy on October 17  Create talking points for legislative agenda issues – assuring membership feedback and buy i  Blog the “talking points” during 2012-2013 to assure focus and continuation of the conversation  Contact Cindy Swanson (ISEA) as her lobbyist would be willing to help us.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 6  Stay informed of members and work of the various DE Task Forces

 Additional Notes from Post-It Notes on Posters

 Help Iowa ASCD members to “advocate from afar” or do we have to meet with legislators face to face to have  Post Iowa ASCD podcasts on advocacy talking points/support to support educators who want to advocate but cannot come to Des Moines  Regional meetings to share the stories of members and collect stories  Ramp up collaboration with SAI, IASB, and ISEA  What connections can we make across actions to be more effective?

 Governance: Additional Notes on Governance Posted on Board:

 New Ideas  Have monthly summary updates for board members after President’s Council meeting  Create a specific succession/capacity building plan for board members (e.g., conference attendee  committee work  board member)  Have board members reflect on their role with a self assessment prior to each board meeting/4 times per year

X. Business Meeting (2:30 P.M.) (President, Jason Ellingson)

All Directors were encouraged to review the updates provided on the web site for the Agenda for July 26, 2012.

 Approval of Minutes – April 11, 2012 (Marcia Tweeten)  Susan Pecinovsky moved that we approve the minutes for April 11, 2012. Sue Wood seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

 Approval of Finances (Julie Davies)  Leslie Moore moved that we approve the financial report provided by Iowa ASCD treasurer, Julie Davies. Chris Welch seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 Update on Fall Conference (Kelly Adams)  Lou Howell provided information on Rick Smith. Registration for the conference is available on line.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 7  Update on Daniel R. Venables Conference (Kevin Vidergar)  Lou Howell highlighted conference, facilitated by Kevin Vidergar.

 Update on Advocacy and Influence (Pam Vogel and Susan Pecinovsky)  It was moved by Leslie Moore and seconded by Cindy Swanson that the Iowa ASCD board approve the influence grant application due to ASCD on July 13, 2012. The motion passed unanimously.

 Update on Competency-Based Education (Jason Ellingson)  Jason Ellingson updated the team on competency-based education including the task force meeting on Monday, July 30. He also recommended we consider a Summer Institute on CBE.  It was moved by Susan Pecinovsky and seconded by Sue Wood that Iowa ASCD move forward with CBE as the focus of the Summer Institute. The motion passed unanimously.

 Update and Recommendation of Higher Education (Jan Beatty and Elaine Smith-Bright)  It was moved by Leslie Moore and seconded by Kym Stein that Iowa ASCD provide a discounted membership to all candidates in an advanced degree program at the rate of $45 for three years. Discussion focused on providing opportunity within a specific time frame (e.g., within first two months of entering a program. The motion passed unanimously.  It was moved by Leslie Moore and seconded by Kym Stein that Iowa ASCD provide a tool kit that would be provided to Iowa ASCD directors and university leads to introduce Iowa ASCD to students in educational programs. The motion passed unanimously. Howell will work with Jan Beatty and Elaine Smith-Bright to develop a toolkit that contains talking points and membership brochure.

 Update on Membership (Amy Wichman)  Chris Welch led the discussion on “apps” based on questions shared by Amy Wichman. Apps will be explored more; Chris will set up a “sample” for the Venables workshop to assist the directors in experiencing and understanding the impact of apps in our organization.  It was moved by Jan Beatty and seconded by Susan Pecinovsky that a line item budget be provided for membership initiatives. The motion passed unanimously.

 Update on Technology (Chris Welch)  Chris Welch provided an update on technology, which is also posted on our web site. He identified next steps as work on user engagement,

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 8 blogs, and discussions that connect with the other work of Iowa ASCD (e.g., advocacy, partnerships, conferences).

 Update on Grade-Level Conferences (Kym Stein and Cindy Swanson)  Kym Stein and Cindy Swanson reviewed key points of the plan highlighted in the update. They asked directors to share names of teachers in Grades 4 and 5 who would be great presenters for the conference. (Note: Several directors who serve on planning ad

 Update on Curriculum Leadership Academy (Sue Wood)  Sue Wood shared desire for input from the team on focus of the Curriculum Leadership Academy. Tina Ross will update Sue and team of the DE’s focus areas for 2012-2013 after the DE all-staff meeting with Dr. Glass.

XI. Next Steps (3:30 P.M.) (Executive Director, Lou Howell)  SAI Conference – Booth: Iowa ASCD is in booth 1528; we will have membership brochures, the colorful “book marks,” and buttons for participants. We will draw for 2 free memberships in Iowa ASCD (New or Extensions) and 1 free conference registration for the Fall Institute.  Expense Forms: Individuals should complete expense form for travel to/from board retreat and for hotel for those who had to drive in the night before. Requests for reimbursement for travel should be sent to our treasurer, Julie Davies.  Calendars of Work – Job Description: Directors are encouraged to use their job description/calendar to plan their work and note the dates for future board meetings, etc.  The Source : Directors are encouraged to send Lou at least 2 articles during 2012-2013 for publication in The Source.

XIII. Closing and Adjournment (3:55 P.M.) (President, Jason Ellingson)

 Leslie Moore moved that the meeting adjourn; Tina Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Next Meeting – October 17, 2012 – 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. - Home of Pam Vogel

Action on the following:

◦ Minutes ◦ Finances

Professional Learning of Directors  Advocacy  Update on learning with Wisconsin and Minnesota affiliates

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 9 Discussion with possible action:

◦ Committee to Work on Affiliate Recognition Application for 2013 ◦ Update on impact of SAI booth ◦ Update and work on strategic plan ◦ Updates on all Teams’ Work  Membership  Technology  Fall institute  Curriculum Leadership Academy  Grade-Level Conferences  Summer Institutes  Advocacy and Influence  Venables Workshop

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 10 Iowa ASCD Action 1: Innovation and Leadership for Teaching and Learning

ASCD Affiliate Developmental Continuum: Programs, Products, and Services

Activities:

 Identified Co-Chair to serve in ongoing basis with the Past President  Chairs of all events are in place (Fall Institute – Kelly Adams, Curriculum Leadership Academy – Sue Wood, Grade-Level Conferences – Kym Stein, Summer institute – Kym Stein, Value-Added Event with Venables – Kevin Vidergar  Calendar for “the work” of each event are established: Fall Institute, Curriculum Leadership Academy, Grade-Level Conferences, Summer Institute  Advisory meeting of all chairs was held in fall of 2011 in Fort Dodge. A “schedule” was established.  Surveys used as evaluation of events – common questions with unique questions as well  Provided progress of and approved updated plan for this action – October 19, 2011  Multi-year conference plan was recently provided to the board of directors for consideration  Some of the conferences/events have advisories  Higher Ed representatives have developed a recommendation for consideration by the board at the summer retreat. Emphasis is on reduced membership and increased services to educators involved in higher education programs (e.g., master’s in teaching and learning, master’s and endorsement in principalship, EDS and doctorate for superintendency and/or curriculum  Summer institute for 2012 was not offered  Presenters at Curriculum Leadership Conference are members/directors of Iowa ASCD  Partnerships have been developed  SAI – booth  SAI – Professional Leadership Team – chaired by Troyce Fisher, a member of Iowa ASCD and represented by Lou Howell, executive director of Iowa ASCD. Directors Jan Beatty and Cindy Swanson also serve on this team .  SAI - Sub-Committee work on Principal Mentoring/Coaching, chaired by Troyce Fisher, a member of Iowa ASCD and represented by Lou Howell, executive director of Iowa ASCD. Directors Jan Beatty and Cindy Swanson also serve on this committee.  ISEA – Collaboratively provided grade-level conferences  Talented and Gifted – Executive Director worked with Mary Schmidt and Carma McLaren of ITAG and AEA gifted consultants on special edition of The Source  Iowa Department of Education – Iowa ASCD Director Sue Wood collaborated with Connie Maxson and others at DE to focus the Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy on RTI.  Iowa Department of Education – Iowa ASCD President Jason Ellingson is collaborating with Jason Glass and others at DE to focus on Competency-Based Education

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 11  ASCD – Iowa ASCD Director Susan Pecinovsky serves on Public Policy Committee  Iowa House Education Committee: Pam Vogel, Kevin Vidergar, and Randy Podhaski presented to the House Education Committee  Representative Cindy Winckler: Susan Pecinovsky, Pam Vogel, Lou Howell, and Stefaney Rosenberg-Wager met with her and Howell continues to review documents for her as well as share information  ASCD: Iowa ASCD Directors Susan Pecinovsky and Pam Vogel worked with ASCD Public Policy Director David Griffith to achieve Influence Grant that provided training by Griffith in Iowa  Events offered in 2011-2012  Fall Institute – October, 2011 – Doug Fisher  Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy – April, 2012 – RTI  Iowa ASCD and ISEA – Grade 2 Conference – April, 2012  Iowa ASCD and ISEA – Grade 3 Conference – April, 2012  Events planned and in process for 2012-2013  Venables’ Workshop – Authenticating PLCs – August 9, 2012  Fall Institute – October, 2012 – Rick Smith  Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy – April, 2013  Iowa ASCD and ISEA – Grade 4 Conference – April, 2013  Iowa ASCD and ISEA – Grade 5 Conference – April, 2013

Impact:

 Fall Institute “sold out” with more than 250 participants  Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy “sold out” with 11 on waiting list: 186 attendees (past academies have been in the 85-100 range)  Grade 2 conference had 225 participants  Grade 3 conference had 190 participants  Membership has increased in part due to “non-members” attendance at conferences. As a “thank you” for the attendance and increased price paid, they earn a year’s membership.  20 individuals (members, non-members, and directors) were trained by ASCD Public Policy Director David Griffith in advocacy and completed “visits” on the hill.  Survey responses are low  We sponsor Iowa Future

Active Collaboration:

 Iowa ASCD collaborated with the Iowa Department of Education for Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy focused on RTI  Iowa ASCD partnered with ISEA to offer Grade 2 and Grade 3 conferences in April, 2012. Plans are underway for Grade 4 and Grade 5 conferences in April, 2013.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 12  Iowa ASCD is working with Iowa Department of Education in Competency-Based Education  Iowa ASCD continues to “publish” conferences of organizations in its “Events” area on Iowa ASCD web site  Iowa ASCD provided Summit Summaries, based on 2011 educational conference of the Governor. All members as well as superintendents and principals in the state received the summaries.  Iowa ASCD will provide Summit Summary, based on August 3 conference of the Iowa Department of Education and the Governor’s Office  Iowa ASCD collaborates with state organizations to provide articles in The Source as well as special editions of The Source: ELL, gifted and talented, AEAs, Iowa Department of Education, SAI, ISEA  Executive Director, Lou Howell, serves as mentor of Nate Monson, Director of Safe Schools in Iowa.

See Action 4 for other programs and services related to advocacy and influence.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 13 Iowa ASCD Action 2: Member Relations and E-Learning

ASCD Affiliate Developmental Continuum: Membership

Activities:

 Approved plan for this action – October, 2011  Identified Director of Membership Relations and E-Learning  Worked to increase membership through multiple avenues (e.g., conferences, curriculum directors, individual e-mails, joint dues)  Increased participation of membership . Authors of articles for The Source, including special editions (i.e., gifted, curriculum directors) . Advisory team members (e.g., grade-level conferences – Kym Stein, Esther Mullen; membership – 4, advocacy – Linda Brock, Kerri Nelson with Randy Podhaski, Curriculum Academy – 3)  Implementation of marketing plan . Directors: badges, note cards/envelopes/stamps, business cards, Iowa ASCD e- mail addresses . Members: updated brochure, pins  Evaluations completed after each event (but “replies” are good)  Welcome sent by executive director to all new and renewing members  Press releases are provided/used (e.g., Jason Ellingson – emerging leader, advocacy participants)  Social media is used for communication – The Source (1st and 3rd Friday of each month except July, tweets, # tags at conferences, blogs, e-blasts)  Directors encouraged to wear Iowa ASCD badges at all conferences attended  SAI Booth  One-Stop web site for members  Value-Added opportunities – advocacy training, discounted events (Venables workshop)  Increased partnerships with various organizations (e.g., gifted, ELL, legislators, SAI, ISEA, Iowa Future, DE – Competency Based Education and Curriculum Leadership Academy)

Impact:

 Membership has moved from 325/350 range to now over 800 members  Multiple roles in membership are evident (e.g., higher ed [20], AEA staff/adm [38], curriculum leads [60], teachers [81], principals [101], superintendents/associate superintendents [33], central office, board members [1], legislator [1], DE [3]) Note: More than half of members have not indicated their role  Geographic Impact: AEA 1 – 35; AEA 267 - 98; AEA 8 – 90; AEA 9 – 79; AEA 10 – 54; AEA 11 – 300; Northwest - 26; Green Hills - 79; Great Prairie – 36  Joint Dues Members: 214 of 825

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 14  Curriculum contacts increased by 70 members due to personal contacts in fall and conferences (AEA 1 – 4, AEA 267 – 10, AEA 8 – 18, AEA 9 – 3, AEA 11 – 11, AEA 10 - 11, NW AEA – 2, GH AEA - 6, GP AEA – 5)  Increased collaboration/supports: . ASCD: Leadership Council Members – Susan Pecinovsky, Pam Armstrong-Vogel; Nomination Committee Alternate – Lou Howell; 2 Emerging Leaders – Stefanie Rosenberg-Wager and Jason Ellingson; Nominee for ASCD Board of Directors – Pam Armstrong-Vogel; Public Policy – Susan Pecinovsky . AEAs (e.g., AEA 267 – grade-level conferences, Fierce training; NW and AEA 1 – Summer Institutes, AEA 8 – committee members for Curriculum Leadership Academy and Grade-Level Conferences) . ELL (e.g., newsletter articles) . Iowa Future (e.g., sponsor of web site) . ISEA – Grade-Level Conferences . Gifted (focused newsletter) . SAI (e.g., Professional Leadership Committee, Principal Mentoring sub- committee)

 ASCD: Leadership Council Members – Susan Pecinovsky, Pam Armstrong-Vogel; Nomination Committee Alternate – Lou Howell; 2 Emerging Leaders – Stefanie Rosenberg-Wager and Jason Ellingson; Nominee for ASCD Board of Directors – Pam Armstrong-Vogel; Public Policy – Susan Pecinovsky  AEAs (e.g., AEA 267 – grade-level conferences, Fierce training; NW and AEA 1 – Summer Institutes, AEA 8 – committee members for Curriculum Leadership Academy and Grade- Level Conferences)  ELL (e.g., newsletter articles)  Iowa Future (e.g., sponsor of web site)  ISEA – Grade-Level Conferences  Gifted (focused newsletter)  SAI (e.g., Professional Leadership Committee, Principal Mentoring sub-committee)

Ideas for Increased Membership:

 Personal contacts with ASCD members from Iowa who are not Iowa ASCD members – See list on web site area of Board of Directors  Recognition in The Source of members who serve on committees and advisories with open invitation to others  Set up communication team under direction of Membership chair – responsibilities to include a presence on Facebook, Linked In, Penterest, Learnet  Grade-level web sites for Grades 4 and 5  Explore Institutional memberships and field test with a couple of interested districts  Booths or presence at state and national conferences  Hospitality Suite at SAI in fall of 2013 – featuring Jason Glass’s band

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 15  Increase use of press releases, including one for Summer Retreat  Each member seek to “Get 2”  Higher Education and Preservice Kits with reduced membership fees  Webinars – free to members and $49 for non-members  Publicized blogs  Virtual Conferences  Increased pre- and post-conference opportunities (e.g., tweet chats, webinars, web site page)  Better communication of benefits

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 16

Iowa ASCD Action 3: Technology

ASCD Affiliate Developmental Continuum: Communications and Publications

Activities:

 Identified Director of Technology  Approved plan for this action on technology – October 19, 2011  Allocated budget of $10,000 for new web site  Unveiled new web site in April, 2012  Added special pages for the following:  Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy  Grade 2 Conference  Grade 3 Conference  Gifted edition of The Source  Twitter - 343 followers with 963 tweets as of July 4, 2012  Purchased and used WebEx for board meetings, committee meetings, and planning/follow-up meetings (e.g., membership, conferences, technology, mentoring)  Digital welcome provided to each renewing and new member of Iowa ASCD  Digital communications with superintendents and principals – welcome to new year as well as alerts  Digital alerts when appropriate (e.g., hacking of Linked-In)  Digital letters/communications with legislators and the governor  Published The Summit Summaries – one for each of the two-day conference of the governor – One Unshakeable Vision; in addition to members, it was shared with all superintendents and principals in the state  Published The Source the first and third Friday of each month, except July  Directors and members provided articles that were included in The Source  Published “Special Editions” of The Source in collaboration with members/directors  Family and Community Engagement  Writing  RTI  Especially for Curriculum Directors – Mary Cooksley (Oskaloosa Community School District) (In addition to members, it was shared with all curriculum contacts in the state)  Serving the Gifted – Mary Schmidt (AEA 11) and Carma McLaren (Green Hills AEA)

 Presently working on ELL – Stephaney Jones-Vo (Heartland AEA 11) and Kathy Brenney (AEA 8)

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 17  Electronic Surveys used by advocacy team and chairs of conferences  “Gone Green” on all conferences: electronic documents provided via the Iowa ASCD web  See other actions of Iowa ASCD strategic plan for additional communications, including the following  Participation in partnership activities (e.g., SAI, Professional Leadership, ISEA)  Meeting with the Director of Iowa Department of Education  Presentation by Iowa ASCD members/directors to House Education Committee: Pam Armstrong-Vogel, Kevin Vidergar, and Randy Podhaski  Presentation and letters/communications to the Education Forum hosted by House Education Committee  Mentoring of Curriculum Leads in the state; mentors included Sue Wood, Susan Pecinvosky, Sharon Kurns, Cyndi McDonald  Contact and support for legislators (e.g., Iowa House Representatives Winckler and Forristall)

Impact:

 Iowa ASCD web site “hits” as of July 4 since unveiling: 2515 hits; 1153 unique visitors – 58% of whom completed a “return visit”, 8971 page views and most traffic is going to conference resources, event information and “especially for you” pages.  Iowa ASCD members who have “joined” or “renewed” via the web:  “Going Green” has substantially cut down on printing and notebook costs for conferences  Increase in follow-up opportunities is taking us from an “event-centered” organization to a learning-centered organization  Increased participation in conferences and events  Increased members from 325 to 825  Lawmakers/Policy makers are recognizing Iowa ASCD as “the source”

 ASCD: Director of Technology worked with IT Department early on in development of joint dues information as well as information regarding our/their web site.  ASCD: Executive Director worked with IT/Constituent Services to “clean up” the joint membership listing; Iowa ASCD executive director now as access to the membership reports available on a 24/7 basis  Iowa ASCD continues to “publish” conferences of organizations in its “Events” area on Iowa ASCD web site  Provide Summit Summary, based on August 3 conference of the Iowa Department of Education and the Governor’s Office

Ideas for Increased Use of Technology for Communication and Publications

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 18  The Source: Directors’ providing at least 2 articles during 2012-2013 year  Welcome on Iowa ASCD web site by President of Iowa ASCD  Increase use of Iowa ASCD web site for registrations for conferences/events and renewal/joining of Iowa ASCD  Additional pictures on Iowa ASCD web site  Pod casts on Iowa ASCD web site (e.g., advocacy, contacting legislators, featured speakers at conferences)  Increase “interactivity” of members and directors via the Iowa ASCD web site  “Special Features” on Iowa ASCD web site – e.g., accomplishments/highlights of members, work/accomplishments of “Emerging Leaders”  Special editions of The Source: For example, Iowa Core, content-specific areas, ELL, 21st century skills, competency-based education  Increase digital communications: Facebook, Linked in, Penderest, Learnet, twitter chats  Special pages on the Iowa ASCD web site  Webinars by Iowa ASCD  Grade 4 conference  Grade 5 conference  Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy - 2013  Competency-Based Education 

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 19 Iowa ASCD Action 4: Advocacy and Influence

ASCD Affiliate Developmental Continuum: Influence and Policy

Activities:

 Co-Chairs have been ASCD Leadership Council Representatives  ASCD Leadership Council was eliminated “immediately” per e-mail from ASCD in late June  We should continue to have these individuals continue as Chairs of Advocacy and Influence  Action 4 – Advocacy and Influence was approved by board as new action as of July 27, 2011  Influence Grant from ASCD was pursued July, 2011, and achieved for the 2011-2012 year.  Update of the grant’s progress was provided to ASCD in March, 2012.  Final update of the grant’s impact was provided to ASCD in June, 2012.  Co-Chairs of Action 4 and Iowa ASCD executive director trained in LILA () the past two years by ASCD Public Policy Director David Griffith. They then made visits to all Iowa Senators and Representatives to the United States Congress.  Influence Grant from ASCD was pursued July 13, 2012, for the 2012-2013 year.  Advisory team has been established and has met with the Co-Chairs to plan the events of 2011-2012  Representative Cindy Winckler: Susan Pecinovsky, Pam Vogel, Lou Howell, and Stefaney Rosenberg-Wager met with her and Howell continues to review documents for her as well as share information  Advisory team members joined representatives of the Iowa ASCD board of directors for a conversation with Jason Glass, director of Iowa Department of Education.  Legislative agenda has been developed for past two years by the Co-Chairs of Advocacy and Influence.  Communications have been sent to the Governor and the Director of the Iowa Department of Education.  Several Advocacy Tools have been developed by the Iowa ASCD Advocacy and influence team:  Iowa ASCD Advocacy Planning Tool  Iowa ASCD Advocacy Feedback Form  Iowa ASCD Rubric for Progress in Advocacy and Influence  Samples of Thank-you Letters to staffers, senators, and representatives.  Sample Press Releases  Iowa ASCD Talking Points  A web page on advocacy and influence is provided for all members.  A “private web page” on advocacy and influence is provided to the Iowa ASCD Advocacy and Influence Team with access privileges by all the directors of Iowa ASCD.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 20  Iowa ASCD provides updates on advocacy and influence regularly in The Source, as well as tweets state and national information.  Summaries of Days 1 and 2 of Governor Branstad’s Summit on Education last July were sent at the end of each day to all members as well as superintendents and principals in Iowa.  Plans are in place for Summary of one-day education forum hosted by Jason Glass and the Governor’s education aide.  Grade 3 Retention update was provided at the Grades 2 and 3 conferences in April.  Co-Chairs of Advocacy and Influence provided a break-out session at the Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy. While attendance was low, information was gathered that significantly influenced the Influence Grant Proposal for 2012-2013.  Survey of members with 24-hour turn around gave Iowa ASCD Advocacy and Influence team input from 154 members that influenced presentation to the Iowa House Education Committee.  Iowa House Education Committee: Pam Vogel, Kevin Vidergar, and Randy Podhaski presented to the House Education Committee  E-blasts were sent to all Iowa ASCD board members to make them aware of the Education Forum  Jason Ellingson is working with Director Jason Glass of Iowa Department of Education on a Memorandum of Understanding to allow Iowa ASCD to take the lead in Competency- Based Education  Event offered in 2011-2012: February, 2012 – Advocacy training and visits on the hill  Events planned for 2012-2013:  Influence/Advocacy Etiquette – Planned for October board meeting; seeing assistance from Senator Daryl Beall, Representative Lisa Heddons, and/or Representative Cindy Winckler.  Advocacy training by David Griffith – February, 2013  Visits on the Hill – February 2013

Impact:

 Pam Vogel and Susan Pecinovsky were leaders in this area. They were trained along with the executive director at the LILA training in February. They led the advisory, which included members of Iowa ASCD.  The board of directors supported the focus with the unanimous support for the addition of Action 4 to the Iowa ASCD’s strategic plan.  Twenty members were trained by ASCD Public Policy Director David Griffith and made visits “on the hill” in February, 2012.  The board committed to assuring an advocacy article in each edition of The Source.  The influence grant from ASCD allowed Iowa ASCD to take our first steps in this realm of advocacy and influence.  The development of relationships by the advocacy leads with senators and representatives has allowed us “influence” that includes calls from the legislators for

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 21 supports.

Priority + Time + Expertise has resulted in early success – with much room for growth.

 Active Collaboration:

 Representative, Cindy Winckler: Member of the House Education Committee We have met with Cindy Winckler on a regular basis; she also contacts us for information as she needs it. For example, she asked us to contact people to speak at the House forum on the education bill. When asked, only two people had signed up. We put out an “all call” to our members; ultimately 70 people signed up to present and only 50 were heard due to time. She also contacts us for summaries of information and our executive director has provided her written feedback on several documents, including the response to Governor Branstad for “One Unshakeable Vision.”

 House Education Committee: We were asked to present to the House Education Committee. Iowa ASCD Director Pam Vogel, Iowa ASCD Director Kevin Vidergar, and Iowa ASCD member Randy Podhaski met with the chair of the committee, Representative Forristall; he then asked the three to present to the entire House Education Committee. While initially we assumed we were “on the agenda,” it became very evident that “we were the agenda.” The Chair has also asked Iowa ASCD Director Pam Vogel to accompany him to the Iowa Department of Education to discuss the role of teacher and principal evaluations with the Director of Education.  Competency-Based Education: Iowa ASCD President-Elect Jason Ellingson has met with Jason Glass, Iowa Director of Education, to discuss Iowa ASCD’s taking the lead in competency-based education, a new initiative for the state. A Memorandum of Understanding is being developed and it will be announced by June 30 that Jason Ellingson will serve on the state’s task force. Iowa ASCD will be taking the lead in Competency-Based Education in Iowa. Our summer conference in 2013 will be a two-day workshop for the 29 districts with the waivers for CBE. We are hoping to connect with other states at the same time.  Iowa State Education Association (ISEA): Iowa ASCD collaborated with ISEA to provide two conferences for Grades 2 and 3 teachers on April 26 and 27. This is a new collaboration and will, hopefully, lead to other conferences and collaborations with this organization supporting 36,000 teachers in Iowa. A legislative update was provided and many questions were asked/answered about the third-grade retention plan of the governor.  Leaders Partnership: Iowa ASCD Executive Director Lou Howell represents our organization on a statewide team that addresses support for leaders in the state. This team is represented by non-profit organizations (e.g., SAI, Iowa ASCD, Learning Forward-Iowa), legislators, economic development, Iowa School Board Association, Iowa State Education Association, and Iowa Department of Education.  Administrative Professional Learning, a sub-committee of Leaders Partnership: Lou

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 22 Howell, Executive Director of Iowa ASCD, serves on the state-wide team that has made a presentation to Jason Glass, Iowa Director of Education. The proposal addresses “Assuring High Levels of Learning: Achieving Content Mastery through the Context of Professional Learning Communities.” We addressed the State Board of Education on March 27, 2012, and are now moving forward with a presentation to the Iowa Legislators next fall.  Iowa ASCD is a co-sponsor of Iowa Future, identifying and supporting innovation and change in the state. Other members of this coalition include School Administrators of Iowa (SAI), Urban Education Network (UEN), Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEAs), Iowa School Board Association (IASB), Iowa Department of Education (DE). Iowa Future builds on work funded by The Wallace Foundation to strengthen the effectiveness of school leaders

See Influence Grant update and proposal for additional and more specific information.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 23 ASCD Affiliate Developmental Continuum: Governance

Activities:

 Identified Director of Technology  Identified Director of Membership Liaison and E-Learning  Identified Director/Co-Chair of Innovation and Leadership in Teaching and Learning  Identified Director of Summer Institutes and Grade-Level Conferences – effective July 1, 2012  Strategic Plan of Iowa ASCD  Progress updated at Summer Retreat of 2011  Official “update” form used at all board meetings for progress toward actions of strategic plan – for information only, for discussion and in put, or for discussion and action  Action 1 – Innovation and Leadership for Teaching and learning updated and approved July 27, 20122  Action 2 – Membership updated and approved October 19, 2011  Action 3 – Technology updated and approved October 19, 2011  Action 4 – Advocacy and Influence added and approved July 27, 2011  Updated and achieved Iowa ASCD directors’ approval of “Job Descriptions” for each board member on February 10, 2012  Updated and achieved Iowa ASCD membership’s support for Constitution (April 11, 2012)  Updated and achieved Iowa ASCD directors’ approval of Operating Procedures on February 10, 2012  Updated and achieved Iowa ASCD directors’ approval of Code of Ethics on February 10, 2012  Updated and achieved Iowa ASCD directors’ approval of Conflict of Interest Protocol on February 10, 2012  Developed and achieved Iowa ASCD directors’ approval of Biennial Plan with ASCD – August, 2011  Provided update of Biennial Plan with ASCD to Iowa ASCD board on May 5, 2012  Provided update of Advocacy and Influence Grant at mid-year and finally in June, 2012  Provided each director with job description of their role as well as calendar for the year at the Summer Retreats of 2011 and 2012  Continue to seek membership on the board of directors with priority given to geography, gender, and roles.  Executive Director of Iowa ASCD was mentored by Executive Director of Wisconsin  Evaluation plan/protocol of Executive Director was established for December, 2012, with formative review in July, 2012.  President’s Council Meeting occurs monthly with President, Past President, President- Elect and Executive Director of Iowa ASCD  Monthly updates of progress toward professional goals of executive director are provided monthly to President, President-Elect, and Past President.  Updates provided periodically to board of directors by executive director.  Iowa ASCD Board of Directors has “gone green” with all documents, including minutes and agendas, provided to board of directors on the web site in area especially for directors.

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 24  Constitution of Iowa ASCD is available on web site to all members and others visiting the web site.  Iowa ASCD Board Member, Pam Vogel, has been selected to run for the ASCD Board of Directors – 2013  Executive director met with President-Elect to review role (June, 2012)  Past President has begun evaluation process of the executive director, including the establishment of common expectations and evidence.  Past President is scheduled to take lead in audit of finances of Iowa ASCD. Report to the board expected in December.  President-Elect is poised to take lead in nominations for 2013.

Impact:

 Agenda plan results in updates and work centered on four actions of strategic plan  Fiscal responsibility – Gone from $2.86 “in the bank” to a Fiscal Report for 2011 noting a reserve in savings of $68,306.24 and a total income in F11 of $90,548.20 and expenditures of $97,709.63 (Net Income: $-7161.43  Membership on Board of Directors  All AEAs are represented except AEA 1  Roles on the board include: AEA staff (4), Higher Education (2), Superintendents (3), Associate Superintendent (1), Curriculum and Professional Development Leads (5), Iowa Department of Education (1), Partners (1), independent Consultant (1)

 ASCD: Work with Walter McKenzie in several initiatives as he serves as our “go to” at ASCD  Biennial Plan  Mentoring of Executive Director  Influence Grant Proposals and Updates  Review of Documents (e.g., Code of Ethics, Operating Procedures, Constitution, Conflict of Interests)  ASCD: Work with ASCD Public Policy Director David Griffith in advocacy and influence, including his training of directors and members  Iowa ASCD participates with ASCD in Leader to Leader Conference each summer as well as LILA in January  Executive Director, President, and Leadership Council Members attend ASCD’s annual conference  Executive Director of Iowa ASCD serves as mentor of Emerging Leader, Stephaney Rosenberg-Wager

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 25 Ideas for Increased Growth in Governance

 Explore and implement an institutional membership in Iowa ASCD  Monitor use of credit cards for renewal, joining, and registrations (e.g., conferences, webinars)  Provide monthly an update by the executive director to the Iowa ASCD Board of Directors  Provide additional documents to the membership (e.g., minutes, agendas) as directed by the board  Consider a consent agenda in regard to fiscal update and minutes.  Summary of Board Meetings – Should they be published in The Source and posted in members’ area of the web site?  How do we become more actively involved in ASCD?  Lou Howell served as alternate on Nominations committee but was told they didn’t need her when a member of committee at last moment was not able to attend.  We offered the names of Lou Howell, Susan Pecinovsky, Pam Vogel, and Tom Ahart for consideration on the Legislative Team at ASCD. Bridget Waggoner was selected (Not an Iowa ASCD member at the time, but has since become a member.)  Lou Howell asked Walter McKenzie, our “go to” from ASCD, what the process is for getting involved. No one seems able to tell us what we can/should do.  Professional Development for the board – do we need? If so, what is needed?  Should there be a “new board member” orientation beyond summer retreat  Board of Directors – how do we evaluate our impact as individual board members? As a team of board members?  What role should individual goal setting and/or small team goal setting play in our board of directors?  Do we need “succession plan” for board members and/or executive director

Iowa ASCD – Minutes for July 26, 2012, Board Retreat 26