NAREA Board Meeting

Tucson, AZ

January 23-24, 2013

Board Meeting of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance

Present: Margie Cooper, Barbara Acton, Lella Gandini, Pat Tarr, Jennifer Azzariti, Amelia Gambetti, Jeanne Goldhaber, Susan Redmond, Terry Acevedo, Ellen Hall, Angela Ferrario, Jennifer Strange, Beth MacDonald, Jennifer Kesselring, Brenda Fyfe

Absent:Sheri Hunt, David Fernie, Carol Anne Wien, Simonetta Cittadini-Medina

Staff: Judith Kaminsky, Laurel Westmoreland

Announcements:

  • Barbara Acton’s cell stays the same and her new e-mail is:.

The board meeting was called to order at 9:25 am.

Jeanne Goldhaber moves to approve the minutes from Atlanta board meeting. Jennifer Azzariti seconds, and the motion passes unanimously.

Finance

  • 2012 results and budget for 2013 are presented.

Amelia Gambetti moves to approve the budget as presented. Lella Gandini seconds, and the motion passes unanimously.

Staff Reports

Membership

  • We are on par with where we are last year at this time. Our membership renewal mailing doesn’t seem to have had a big effect on our membership numbers. We will continue to share our new ideas for why to join.
  • The board discusses ideas related to creating more interest in NAREA membership:
  • free memberships with no benefits
  • attrition is a problem—people join once to attend a conference then never again
  • only send e-news to members
  • 5200 people who receive e-news could be considered “members” or supporters
  • get Innovations into professors’ hands as required reading
  • TED talks on our website
  • NASA (National association for Study Abroad) has knowledge learning groups as part of the membership; NAREA has interests within it as well, and we might cater to those interests
  • approach it from the standpoint of aligning yourself with x, y and z in terms of values
  • free to be a Friend of Reggio Children but you get a card which promotes a sense of participation and inclusion; there are layers of possibilities, giving citizens opportunities to support and be involved in what is happening in Reggio Emilia
  • different levels of contact—a way to widen the scope of our reach as well as to deepen the experience for others
  • better communication in terms of our message and what we do as well as our close connections with Reggio Emilia; NAREA offers more opportunities to connect with the origin of the approach
  • offer Skype with visiting Italians for half an hour after each conference and then put them on the website

The staff will consider free membership and make recommendations to the board of what the benefits would/would not include. At Hawaii meeting, the board will revisit the idea of free membership along with the staff’s take on how it might work.

  • Webinars
  • how they could work:
  • ask Innovationsauthors to do webinars on the topic of their articles; charge $50-100 and ask authors to do it for free
  • join for a year as individual or organization and you can access the webinars for that year which would be archived to access at will
  • have them every week/month 3:30-6:30 for teachers
  • suggest pre-reading
  • have post-conference webinar to discuss conference content (limited to registrant participation)
  • could simply post select conference sessions (not Italians)
  • Italian presenters could do a post-conference interview and could include a person from the local context
  • Incorporate virtual tours of different contexts
  • will require a discussion about where to put the fee walls going forward
  • MOOC as a possible next step—an entire online course
  • Benefits:
  • a great way to connect with those who don’t have the resources to travel or who aren’t part of large Reggio-inspired communities
  • wonderful tool for professional development
  • technology is not difficult, low cost, low overhead, very popular
  • local connection and the support of teachers could be strengthened by this kind of opportunity
  • they are interactive—everyone poses their questions by typing them in—and there is potential for small discussion groups
  • potential to incorporate different types of learning so it’s still in line with the Reggio approach
  • useful for new teachers—a beginning conversation

As a first step, and to figure out the technology before forging into the world of live webinars, the board agrees to connect idea of webinar with the membership CD/benefit. So for the next CD, we can pick a subject and then craft a piece around it.

A new work group is formed to explore the possibilities of webinars: Jennifer Azzariti and Jennifer Kesselring.

E-newsletter/Conferences/Website: Laurel Westmoreland

  • see Laurel Westmoreland’s Staff Report

Exhibit: Judy Kaminsky

  • see Exhibit Project Report
  • placeholder—there is still the question of repairs to be done in light of Italians’ visit in Portland
  • first step is to get permission for the extension from Reggio Children, then negotiate the details

Susan Redmond motions to formally request from Reggio Children an extension of the traveling exhibit beyond its current term. Jennifer Azzariti seconds, and the motion passes unanimously.

Judy Kaminsky will send Lella Gandini a list of 10-15 people/organizations who have inquired about hosting the exhibit in the future.

NARE Jobs Site: Judy Kaminsky

  • see Job Site Executive Summary

Innovations: Judy Kaminsky

  • Fall issue presented—the first regular edition post re-design; it took time to interpret the redesign and see how it would manifest itself in the reality of this first edition; it was not an easy process to decide upon parameters, but a valuable one; the “NAREA Column” has a new title: “Voices: Conversations from North America”

Open Discussion/Decision-Making

Winter Conference location: 2014, 2015, 2016

  • 2014—Greenville,with exhibit
  • 2015 & 2016—TBD; possibilities: Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, MO; New Jersey; Atlanta, Georgia

Summer Conference location: 2014, 2015, 2016

  • 2014—Albuquerque with exhibit
  • 2015 & 2016—TBD; possibilities: St. Paul, Minnesota; Canada

Lifetime Achievement Award, North American recipient

  • Review of the following candidates: Howard Gardner, George Forman and Suzan Frazier

Ellen Hall moves that the next Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon George Forman and that Susan Frazier be the next recipient. Jennifer Kesselring seconds, and the motion passes unanimously.

Iconic photos to be used in NAREA materials

  • When we re-designed our materials, the marketing consultant noticed the absence of children and suggesting that beautiful, meaningful images would enhance our message and breathe life into our materials.
  • The board is a logical place to begin our search for some iconic images—images that help us to express our values and our connection with the Reggio approach—which NAREA could use throughout our materials. In selecting images, it might be useful to think about principles in Indications as well as some other more practical concerns such as the following:
  • cropping (cut off bodies)
  • diversity children culture, geography, age groups
  • too light or dark; clarity
  • clutter in background
  • groups of children preferable to individual children
  • how the images communicates what we are about
  • capturing children in learning moments
  • We can address the issue of permission from parents if/when we decide to use any of the images.

To the extent that they are able to participate, by June 1 each board member will submit 15-20 images and/or drawings for the board to consider at the board meeting in Hawaii. Laurel Westmoreland will send out instructions for submission along with the release form.

New revenue possibilities

  • One possibility is a course of study (long term PD initiative/project for teachers, atelieristi, pedagogisti)—Red Solare Argentina and RE Institutet already have this. There might be potential to weave in, virtually or otherwise, an experience with those two countries in this kind of initiative.

While attending the Winter Institute in February 2013, board members will seek out a meeting with RE Institutet and Red Solare Argentina to explore this possibility of a course of study. On the Hawaii agenda we will have a report from those who are present at that meeting.

Lella Gandini will use the exhibit for a mini-course and can offer her experience in how that works.

Work Group Discussions

Networks and Relations: Angela Ferrario and Jeanne Goldhaber

  • Recap—In May 2011 we sent a questionnaire to Membership Coordinators and followed up with phone calls asking for suggestions as to how NAREA can lend support. Subsequently we’ve had several meetings, and these are some of the common suggestions (see the complete list entitled “3/12 Membership Coordinator Research” on main board member page under 2012 Membership Documents):
  • up-to-date member lists
  • updates from NAREA
  • resources and access to affordable professional development
  • more stories about the journeys of others
  • support for administrators to help them understand how to support change
  • more affordable membership
  • webinars
  • Reggio Children book as incentive to join
  • awareness of disconnect and lack of relationship-building in each state
  • opportunities for networking
  • focus on existing regional networks
  • ways to involve parents in the work
  • pair state network with NAREA
  • list all groups on NAREA website
  • graduate studies course to look at what’s being taught in college
  • special interest groups
  • NAREA presence at other early childhood conferences
  • The emotional output of these discussions is that of frustration and a sense of isolationism. There are geographical/regional distinctions in terms of the intensity of this frustration. People are wondering--where is NAREA on the front lines? Does this organization touch the individual’s life in terms of EC educators? Is NAREA an elite, exclusive, private group, and is this approach only for elite schools?
  • Through the conversation with members, they have organically formed their own groups. How can NAREA support them? How can we make the progression of diversity and inclusion more visible? How can we expand the beginning we’ve started with member meetings and provide more opportunities for people to get involved, use their expertise to support others and feel connected?
  • Ideas for ways to address these concerns:
  • guest column in Innovationswhere we might give a voice to networks and members (for example: ask Minnesota network how they organized and became so effective); could possibly incorporate Twitter or Facebook posts
  • NAREA should respond to the Atlantic article in some way to address the many inaccuracies.
  • use website (including webinars) to make resources we have available to anyone
  • strengthen connections with existing groups and networks (for example: 5 state study tour retreat in New Mexico in September--not many NAREA members participating)
  • personalize: regional coordinators to connect with state/provincial; foot in international, national, regional, local, school communities
  • local chapters offer leadership opportunities
  • exhibit in under-resourced area at no cost in 2015 or 2016
  • Perhaps our biggest problem lies more in our message—in communicating all of the work that is actually being done. How can we do that?
  • 10 Year Report—This could be a summary or inventory of the first 10 years as well as a place to float possibilities for the future, to include pictures that makes visible the many connections, states, relationships, etc. (Each board member could do a video review to accompany it.) This story is a way to express that we view North America as one and these are some of our strategies for deep and wide support. The report should include the following:
  • membership analysis—states, diversity of membership
  • 5200-on e-news list
  • relationship w/ Reggio Children
  • locations of exhibit w/ iconic photo from each—investment in professional development
  • regional networks developing as a result
  • International Network
  • strength of NAREA in global networks
  • scholarships in local contexts
  • level of support given to Reggio Children and vice versa
  • total conference numbers
  • school tours visits (Terry Acevedo)
  • study groups to Reggio, scholarships (connect to NAREA?) (Angela Ferrario)
  • show a map of activities (Jennifer Azzariti –maps in general)
  • professional development opportunities related to exhibit
  • child as common denominator (Jennifer Strange)
  • Lifetime Achievement Awards
  • presence at NAEYC
  • Fundamental Workshops (Lella Gandini)
  • DVDs
  • past and current board w/ geographical representation and short bio (Ellen Hall)
  • listing members (and levels of membership in the future)
  • On website w/ hotlinks—include in web redesign
  • Innovations—from Wayne State to NAREA
  • NAREA—do categories tied to each letter
  • projections or possibilities for the next decade—for our membership to weigh in on (chapters, etc.)
  • update of board discussion regarding Sandy Hook, re-addressing our vision through this lens
  • in addition to factual info in 10 Year Report, should include a way for teachers to connect and reflect the essence of who we are

Margie Cooper and Barbara Acton will run point on this project with the support of the staff and Jennifer Azzariti for graphics. They will call upon the board as needed along the way. A draft of the content will be ready by the board meeting in Hawaii.

Angela Ferrario will draft a letter to former Membership Coordinators as a response from the board which will lay out the action plan.

Lella will write a response to the recent Atlantic article to address common misunderstandings and highlight RE in public school/under-resourced areas. She will send it to the NAREA staff. Then the staff will share it with the board, post on web, etc. (Will Lella send it directly to the Atlantic also?)

  • Sandy Hook—Tragedy in Connecticut
  • The board discussed many possible contributing factors for this kind of tragedy as well as many ideas in terms of NAREA’s possible role in voicing our support for families and educators in that community and inviting our colleagues around the world to participate.
  • As an organization, it is important to have taken time to acknowledge as a group the world that children live in and the violence they are exposed to. We should all keep this in the back of our minds as a reminder of how critical it is to rededicate ourselves to our mission and our commitment to creative expression, advocacy, relationships, etc. The board will continue to revisit this in an ongoing way—how are we continuing to address these issues as an organization?

Ellen and Margie will craft a statement on behalf of NAREA in response to Sandy Hook which we can include in many ways (10 Year Report, Innovations, e-news, plaque in the exhibit, etc.)

Research and Review: Lella Gandini, Jeanne Goldhaber

  • This work group will continue on in a more focused way with the goal of creating the most current and relevant bibliography possible for the NAREA website.

Jeanne Goldhaber willupdate the list on the NAREA website within the next year, consulting with Judy Kaminsky, Pat Tarr and Brenda Fyfe as needed. Remove Lella Gandini from this work group.

NAEYC 2013, Washington D.C.: Beth MacDonald, Jennifer Strange, Angela Ferrario, Jennifer Azzariti, Dave Fernie, Barbara Acton, Jeanne Goldhaber, Amelia Gambetti

  • Pre-conference session submitted: Developing Attitudes and Contexts: Education seen as a continuous process of life in Reggio Emilia This NAREA-organized session will debate the concept of education as a quality of living, and therefore as a concept that crosses the life span. Specific examples of strategies and initiatives that are rooted in early childhood education will be shared as food for thought for educators of all children and adults. We will explore current efforts in both Reggio Emilia and North America regarding connections and relationships between preschool and primary school and beyond. Participants will gain awareness of the current preschool-primary school project in Reggio Emilia, as well as programs in North America endeavoring to influence primary education from a Reggio-inspired perspective. Additionally, attitudes, contexts, initiatives, and investments will be shared as examples of developing a disposition to value learning as a permanent aspect of living.

Remove Angela Ferrario and Barbara Acton from NAEYC pre-conference work group.

Reggio Children/Reggio Emilia

  • Reference to latest RECHILD
  • Reference to latest version of International Center flyer
  • Situation in Reggio Emilia is difficult—economic, social and cultural problems
  • Increased number of countries that come in different study groups but participants in study groups have decreased due to international economic situation
  • Many requests from abroad connected to going deeper in study of Reggio approach, and representatives of Reggio Emilia went to 30 countries
  • Upcoming Winter institute: 50 countries participating
  • Margie Cooper invited to South Africa in June 2013 with participation of Naama Zoran of Israel

Write a letter in sympathy of death of Malaguzzi’s son. (Who was going to do that?)

Old Business

Board Terms, Size and Nomination Process:

  • After reviewing history and current policy as well as discussing board terms and nominations conceptually, the board ultimately determined that even though the terms of 3 board members are set to expire, there should be no movement of board members at this juncture with an eye toward continuing discussion. If/when regional opportunities are established, there might be some insight into that structure, and it will be the responsibility of board to reflect on the way in which board composition is supporting advancing respecting mission of organization.

The board will revisit this topic one year from now.