 |  |
M.L. Leadership Committee
Minutes from meeting of 10/3/2006
In attendance were Fred Baruzzi, Marco, Famiglietti, Janice Grecco, Jody Goeler, Thomas Heffernan, Troy Monroe, Paul Osypuk, Joe Scheideler and Earle BidwellAfter a welcome and introduction by Chairman Scheideler, a summary of the evaluations from the last leadership conference were analyzed and discussed. The responses from students were overwhelmingly positive with the overall rating of 4.23 of a possible 5.00. The adult ratings were3.66 on a scale of 1.00 - 5.00. The lower adult numbers were attributed primarily to logistics and organization. The room was noisy, there were interruptions and too long. The committee spent the majority of the meeting time focusing on possible remedies.
Regarding logistics, it was suggested that we explore the lower level back room of the cafeteria and a small theater in Echlin Hall as alternative sites. In either site, a microphone should be requested. It was also the consensus that we should stay with one large group but have two sessions in different locations.
Relative to possible programs, the following were suggested for consideration and decisions will be made at the next meeting.
• Some type of networking is beneficial
• Ask attendees to suggest topics in advance and have table groups discuss them for fifteen or twenty minute periods
• Open space technology where people volunteer to lead and others choose their groups when they arrive
• Consider Terry McSweeney, teacher of the year, as a presenter or facilitator
Possible topics or speakers for the second session include:
• Internet Safety, Marco Famiglietti
• Ted Sergi
• Mark Scharenbrioch or a motivational speaker like him
The theme and strands were reviewed and it was decided to stay with “Making Acceptance Acceptable.” Janice and Earle will research the possibility of providing something for participants to take home in place of pencils and bumper stickers.
Janice Grecco reported that she has already sent invitations to participate to past presenters and urged committee members to solicit new presenters. She provided an updated copy of the Leadership Conference Information, and Themes that was developed by Tom Heffernan last year.
Paul Osypuk raised the question of how we engage the marginalized kids at the conference. New language was suggested for the program. It would read:
The Middle School Student Leadership Conference is a CAS initiative to train middle-level student leaders from the diverse groups in your Connecticut middle schools. Since its inception over 5,000 students……..
A discussion about the Arthur Director Award resulted in the following decisions.
• An effort will be made to connect the leadership/acceptance efforts in schools with the conference strands during the adult sessions. One suggestion was to have advisors fill out a brief survey of what they already do. This could prompt a personalized request for them to apply for the award.
• The goal is to select and notify a winner in June, and select a date for the award celebration before school closes.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. As always please notify Janice jgrecco@casciac.org if you will not be able to be present.
