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M.L. Leadership Committee
Minutes from meeting of 10/6/2009
Connecticut Association of SchoolsMiddle Level Student Leadership Conference Committee
Minutes
October 6, 2009
1. Welcome and Overview: Chairman Joe Scheideler introduced several new and returning members. In attendance were Fred Baruzzi, Mary Jane Dix, Robert Garry, Tom Heffernan, Paul Osypuk, Nathan Quesnel, Deane Renda, Stafford Thomas, Darlene Wallin and Earle Bidwell
2. Review of 2009 Conference: Joe invited attendees to view a slide show of last year’s conference, to share their recollections of the event and review evaluations. The evaluations were very favorable, as were the comments of committee members in attendance.
3. Arthur Director Award Celebration 2009: Earle reported that this year’s winner is North Haven middle School and that the celebration will be on October 23rd.
4. After a short discussion, it was determined that the theme and direction for the conference are still appropriate and timely.
a. There was some discussion of adding strands that deal with technology and social networking; areas that affect school climate. While there was no clear conclusion, there seemed to be consensus that any workshop that fit the theme would be acceptable.
b. There were several suggestions for strengthening various aspects of the program. They include:
i. Online evaluation that would allow the data to be tracked more easily.
ii. Follow up (online) to create a data bank of “next steps” that schools could access.
iii. A “tool kit of activities” that schools could take with them to spur their next steps. Possible sources for the tool kit could be the Art Director Award applications from previous years.
iv. Review the language in the promotional material that would encourage diversity of gender, formal and informal student leaders, grade level etc. Additional language under “Student Leaders will:” Earle and Janice will develop sample language in both areas and put it online as a Google Document to invite feedback from committee members who were in attendance.
5. There are some changes to the conference routine necessitated by construction at Quinnipiac. They are:
a. The dining hall will not be accessible for breakfast or registration. Continental breakfast will not be served and registration for participants and presenters will take place in the corridor outside the “post office” in the Student center building.
b. Lunch will still be served in the renovated section of the cafeteria; however extra committee support will be required to guide students to the temporary entrance near the library.
c. The Echlin Building will no longer be available but the Lenders Business School will be open to us. This actually results in an additional six rooms for breakout sessions.
6. The list of past presenters will be posted online and committee members are asked to review the list and make phone call in advance of Janice’s email call for presenters. New presenters are always welcome and committee members are asked to assist in finding and securing them. Click link below or paste in browser to view presenter list as a shared Google document:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtyTzRdSEGZXdFdUZmJqdEl5eWV0NHVvTGVoazBucFE
7. The Advisor Roundtable will again be on of the two advisor sessions. Topics will be solicited at the time of registration and the sessions will take place in a section of the dining hall.
8. There was considerable discussion around the second sessions. Here are the ideas and suggestions:
a. Give the advisors something for “them” to motivate and inspire.
i. Matt Cavedon, former presenter and inspiring leader
ii. Tom Moore, men’s basketball coach at Quinnipiac
iii. Business leader for the community
iv. Session presented by Art Director Award wining school
v. A military veteran
vi. Andy Blaylock from U-Conn
vii. School of the Year John Winthrop Middle School
viii. A law enforcement officer with expertise in technology (dangers of web and social networking)
9. Future Meeting Dates and Adjournment
12/01/10
01/05/10
1/11/10 Conference
1/12/10 Snow Date
3/02/10 Debrief and Dinner
