NNER Governing Council Meeting
October 7, 2010
Normal, IL

Attending: Deb Shanley, Leslie Wilson, John Anderson, Roger Nyffler, Dianne Bath, Roy Blakenley, Bruce Field, Sam Hausfather,  Phyllis Furland, Greg Bernhardt, Charlotte Harris, Donna Michaels, Nick Michelli, Audrey Kleinsasser, Deborah Curtis, Molly Munson-Dryer, Lisa Johnson, Jennie Rakestraw, Matthew Gustafson, Tom Poetter, Marijke Kehrhahan, Ann Foster, Jean Eagle, Tom Bellamy, Donna Cooner
Chair Deb Shanley called the meeting to order at 1:00.

  1.  Affiliate membership
    1. Questions raised: What’s the difference between this and full membership?
      The differences are that this provides time for individual development, use the expertise from the settings, connect people in more meaningful ways as a new setting develops the critical mass to be full members.
    2. It was noted that this may result in renewal for all, and activate current members that are less active than at other times.
    3. The executive board ratified this membership option at its July meeting.
    4. Deb Shanley called for a vote.
    5. Nick Michelli motioned that we adopt this for a period of two years and then review.
    6. Seconded by Sam Hausfather, passed unanimously.
  2. International Associate Membership option—is designed for contacts in places that are developing democracy in education and interested in our work.
    1. Question: what motivated this? Interest from other countries that are developing democracies when NNER members work with these areas. It was suggested that we look to the UNESCO nations for this possibility. Change the wording to reflect a group within an institution and add the responsibilities and rights (not a voting member).
  3. Goodlad Institute Associates Membership—might meet needs of people who are interested in staying connected but don’t have the institutional context to do so. We need to weigh the benefits of full membership as compared to Goodlad  Institute members. I.e. grant inclusion. This is for individuals who are not in NNER institutions but are interested in the mission and being involved in the work. This provides an opportunity for creating a wider circle of membership. Individual ownership for ideals and concepts is critical right now and this may support this, i.e. social networks where people want individual involvement and don’t have institutional affiliation. It was suggested that this might work well in Canada where there are individuals that understand the AED and John Goodlad’s work but are not in NNER settings. Suggested dues structure; $100 per year with the wording on the grant opportunities changed so that NNER members are the primary co-contributors and partners. The possibility of exploring donations was raised. If this is pursued, should those go to the NNER rather than the Goodlad Institute?  It was noted that the Professional Development Schools Association has individual memberships and perhaps the NNER can do the same. Could these two concepts be melded? The council cautioned against anything that would inadvertently undermine institutional membership. Suggestion; remove number 5  from the proposal and assume that these people will be included as is possible. Remove the discount for conference attendance.
  4. Budget  The NNER’s annual operating budget is on schedule with some categories being overspent and some under spent. The executive board noted that they had reviewed the 2009 audit and were cognizant of  and working on the organization’s efforts toward having and sustaining fiscal policies  that address the areas listed in the audit.
    1. This year’s conference should be a break even event.
      The July summer symposium resulted in a slight reserve that will be used to support future summer symposia.
  5. Future conferences
    1. 2011 Will be held in the Eastern US and  Regionally hosted by UCONN, CUNY, Montclair, USM in Hartford (Brandon volunteered to help).
    2. Theme will be Education for Everyone: Many Perspectives one Purpose
    3. Dates are Oct. 20-22. 2011
    4. 2012 West possibility-WY, CO, NE are in conversation about the possibility.
  6. Summer Symposium 2011 dates have been set for July 18-21, 2011. The symposium will be held if there are 20 participants.
  7. Tripartite Council Chairs reviewed the meeting. It was noted that the evaluations were positive and the interaction on the NNER’s position related to charter schools resulted in an overall statement that the NNER should support all schools that work toward principles that align with our mission and the AED whether they are charter schools or other types of schools and that we must continue to address issues in schools that are contrary to our mission.
  8. Cori Mantle-Bromley presented an overview of the UNESCO Teacher Education for Global Sustainability conference that she and Ann Foster attended in the spring. The tripartite council had a Q and A session on the work and information was available for those interested. More information and work sessions on this will be made available.
  9. Respect for All-is interested in the NNER being a partner. We will continue to work on the possible partnership MOU.
  10. Annual report format was distributed—needs to be returned by Jan. 2, 2011.

Meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

 

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