Home MembershipAffiliatesAffiliates NewsletterArchives December 2007

News & Notes

Announcements about the Affiliate program, dates, opportunities, tools, etc. This info primarily comes from ISTE staff.

Who Are We Anyway?

First things first – let’s get to know each other.  Did you know we have 76 Affiliates in our network? We span five countries connecting tens of thousands of ed tech professionals worldwide. Some organizations have been around for many years, while others have just begun. We all share the same vision but probably go about pursuing that vision in slightly different ways.  Take a few minutes to get to know your neighbors – even if they are all the way around the world. By the way, you can always see the list of Affiliates on the ISTE Web site.

Network Communications

Listserve: Be an active participant in our Affiliates Network listserve – our primary connection tool. To post, simply send an e-mail to affiliates@ISTE-Listserver.iste.org. Remember to pass on pertinent info to your members.  Each Affiliate should have at least two representatives on the listserve. Questions? E-mail Susan, listserve administrator.

Affiliate Wiki: Bookmark this site, subscribe to edits, and otherwise make this wiki your new best friend.  This is a new tool designed to help our network collaborate and share resources. The address is http://affiliates.iste.wikispaces.net. If you haven’t done so already, join today.

ISTE Website: Visit the website often to stay in touch with current events, resources, and Affiliate benefits.  Bookmark the homepage, www.iste.org, and watch the What’s New box for frequent updates (RSS available). Also, get familiar with other helpful areas of the site, including Membership, Educator Resources, NETS, Bookstore… oh, never mind! The list is too long!

Membership Periodicals and Updates: One person from your organization has been designated as the Affiliate primary contact. This “Affiliate Rep” will receive ISTE membership emails, ISTE Update, and Washington Notes via e-mail; and he or she will receive JRTE and Learning & Leading with Technology via postal mail.  It’s important that contact information remain current and that your membership remains active (dues paid). If you are the Affiliate Rep and have not been receiving these things, please contact us right away.  When you receive these tools, please share them with your membership* (*Reprint permissions are required for JRTE and L & L.)

ISTE’s Board of Directors – Affiliate Representative Position Opening

The ISTE Affiliate membership is provided two representative seats on the ISTE Board, which serve staggered terms. Current Representatives are Helen Padgett (AzTEA) and Ryan Imbriale (MICCA). Ryan’s term ends in 2008, therefore one representative position is open this election year.

Each Affiliate may submit through its Affiliate Representative one nominee for consideration.  If more than three qualified nominees are received, there will be a primary election in January to determine a minimum of two and maximum of three candidates that will be sent to the Board Nomination Committee. Once approved by that committee and the Board, those names will appear on the final slate for the ISTE-wide election in March. ISTE’s entire membership is eligible to vote for this and all Board positions.

You should have already received the Call for Nominations. Nominations are open beginning December 3, 2007, and must be received by January 4, 2008.

Please consider this important leadership opportunity to serve on the ISTE Board as an Affiliate Representative.  Also, encourage all ISTE members in your organization to be aware of the upcoming election and make their voices heard by voting in March.

Outstanding Teacher & Leader Awards – Nominations Open December 17

It’s true you are surrounded by many outstanding educators – teachers, administrators, coordinators, leaders – who give their all to make a difference in the lives of students and the future of education.  Many times their hard work unfortunately goes unnoticed.

The ISTE Affiliate program has an opportunity to recognize and award two exceptional people who will be chosen as the 2008 Outstanding Teacher and Outstanding Leader.  These awards honor one teacher and one leader who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in implementing technology to improve education. Each ISTE Affiliate may nominate one individual for each award annually.  Award recipients are selected from a pool of nominations submitted by ISTE Affiliates  from around the world.

Winners are announced in April and will receive up to $1,000 in NECC travel expenses (which includes registration). They are awarded a beautiful plaque and are showcased as award winners at NECC. ISTE publicizes recipients’ achievements to more than 200 media outlets world wide, including their local media and ISTE’s Learning & Leading with Technology.

Nominations are open beginning December 17. Look for an announcement and nominations forms to be sent in early December.  For more info, see the ISTE Web site.

Advocacy Training at NECC – Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2008

New this year!! A chance to learn how to effect change and make the voice of ed tech professionals heard far and near.

A special event will be held at NECC to help you and your colleagues build effective skills in advocacy to impact your community, state, and nation.  Throughout this half-day workshop, you’ll learn:

• how to develop and tell YOUR story so that policy-makers will listen
• all about ETAN (Ed Tech Action Network) and how to get involved at a local level
• how to create state-based strategies for your local region

You’ll have an opportunity to dig in and immediately apply the strategies learned, and walk away with a game plan that you can take back to your Affiliate, state, or region. Bring team members along with you – or join up with others from your region that you’ll meet during the workshop – because you’ll be given plenty of time to work on plans either with your group or on your own.

This event is presented by a collection of experienced and motivated Affiliate leaders, ISTE staff, and other impassioned and inspirational ed tech professionals.  It’s open to everyone, but Affiliate members are highly encouraged to participate as much of the content relates to people working together with their local colleagues.

More info will be provided soon. In the meantime, don’t forget to use all the advocacy tools provided. You can find them on our wiki, http://affiliates.iste.wikispaces.net.

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