NSAII 2012 Conference Wrap Up Discussion

We need NSAII -- it matters now more than ever.  It keeps me looking at things I might not want to look at that live in my reality.  We aren't handed this opportunity, we need to nurture and grow it.  We won't grow it if we stand back and expect someone else to do it for us. We need to be as strong advocating for ourselves in this group as we are advocating for others. (Teresa Ferrer, Oregon, discussion facilitator)

How can NSAII assist you in your work?

Conference:

• Revise roundtables around issues that states are facing; check in with states prior to conference during conference planning. And it has to be longer than 1/2 hour; too short.


• Tools and technologies that we use that make life easier/more effective (e.g. social media, useful tools, training resources, event planning, presentation)


• What does it look like on the ground to organize around instructional issues?


• New Organizing Institute session at NSAII (outcome: we all have a common story of our work - collective voice) and then share that via all of our communications channels; how to share collective success; create much stronger unity of focus. Focus especially on how we can tell our own story, create a group story and individual stories, about how we and our members are doing great work.  Leave with a tangible product we can use.


• Joint conference with research (SERSA)


• Topic suggestions are: teacher evaluation, SIG results, Common Core, Early Testing (Kentucky), public perception; CBMA, school accountability, licensure


• Use instructional rounds (medical model)


• Repartner with NALPSE, connect policy and legislation


• Bring together other UniServ staff, be creative and flexible -- what does the 3 Point Plan and leading the profession mean for all staff?


• For all topics, use exemplars


• Bring in Presidents. executive directors


• Open source -- post online.  2 statements: 1) This is what I know or have expertise I will share and 2) This is what I want to know how to do or know more about.


• Planning committee takes info and matches needs; preselects training before arriving at conference


• Comparative presentations -- what is happening in various states (not just one) concerning important topics and issues


• Not just descriptions of what's happening but also structures (take-aways)


• What is looming nationally in the political landscape?  What is ALEC proposing? Reports from states -- trends.

Groupsite/Communications:

• Post information about what is going on with regions. 


• Link or steal documents from other organizations; may lead to discussions on our groupsite (CCSSO, RTT states, SCEE, etc.).


• How to share materials on program, presentations, designs without having hard copies.


• We'd like an NEA org chart with contact information; detailed NSAII staff list, including content of what we work on (expand existing directly) [We will prototype this in the NEA Pacific Region]


• Find more avenues to seach out current NSAII member needs


• Issues about messaging


• Webinars on hot topics

Collective Voice:

• Responsible, Response-able, Responsive


• Develop strategies to become more self sufficient as an organization (NSAII), including conference, leadership on professional issues, etc.


• Can NSAII create policy statements? 


• Should we raise dues?