2010-2011
Facilitator’s Manual
The History of the Mayor Daley Book Club
Currently, approximately 2,200 students from about 80 high schools participate in the Mayor Daley Book Club. The American Library Association has recognized the book club as an exemplary after-school program for young adults in the United States. Since its inception, Mayor Daley has been excited about the support the book club has received from Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Public Library, as well as the Mayor’s staff.
The book club began in the spring of 1998 after Mayor Daley served as “Principal for a Day” at Orr Community Academy High School on Chicago’s West Side. After Mayor Daley’s experience at Orr, he invited a number of students to meet with him at his office to talk about ways that he could continue to work with the school. One of their suggestions was to start an after-school book discussion group. An avid reader, Mayor Daley liked the idea. Shortly after the meeting, the program began and then expanded to all CPS high schools the following year. Since that time, the book club has helped high school students improve their reading and writing skills as well as build self-esteem.
Mayor Daley continues to participate in book club discussions and so does his staff. In addition, the book club has received support from many well-known business, sports, and entertainment figures as well as authors. Stephen King, Alex Kotlowitz, Scott Turow, Stuart Dybek, Alan Stratton, and other well-known authors have met with club members to discuss their literary works.
Northside College Prep hosted Mayor Daley’s first Book Club Conference in March 2001, with special guest Chris Zorich and over 500 members in attendance. This conference set the pattern for a lively day of workshops, prominent speakers, and gift bags and books. The 2002 MDBC Spring Conference was held at UIC with special guest Terry Trueman, author of Stuck in Neutral. A popular new feature at this conference was the Battle of the Books competition with Lincoln Park High School winning first place. This second conference also introduced the annual award of $500 college textbook scholarships to ten senior Mayor Daley’s Book Club Scholars and a gift certificate from Borders books to each club’s outstanding member. At the third annual MDBC Conference held in May 2003, author Jerry Spinelli signed copies of his book Stargirl. Carver Military Academy won the Battle of the Books competition, and restauranteur Charlie Trotter demonstrated his cooking and writing techniques to workshop attendees. At the fifth conference, held at Dunbar High School in May 2005, author Sharon Draper shared experiences in writing her books, including The Battle of Jericho. Last year, the 2010 Spring Conference took place at DuSable Campus and featured author Allan Stratton.
In August 2001, Mayor Daley launched another literary initiative, “One Book, One Chicago”, a citywide book club which urges Chicagoans to read and engage in book discussions throughout the city in the spring and again in the fall. Mayor Daley’s Book Club collaborates with this effort by incorporating the books into the book club’s selections, which have included To Kill a Mockingbird, Night, My Antonia, Raisin in the Sun, The Things They Carried, Coast of Chicago, Pride and Prejudice, Go Tell It On the Mountain, The Crucible, and In the Time of Butterflies. The fall 2010 selection is Toni Morrison’s A Mercy.
Mayor Daley’s Book Club endeavors to make each member’s voice heard. The student advisory council was created so that members could have a stronger voice in Mayor Daley’s Book Club. Now have a greater voice in book club selections and more input into conference planning.
CPS Email for Communication
The Mayor Daley’s Book Club uses CPS email to communicate with facilitators about a number of items related to administering the book club. It is a requirement of facilitators to monitor your CPS email on a regular basis, at least several times per week, to receive alerts about impending book delivery dates, reminders about submission of paperwork, news about events, and updates on other information. Please check your CPS email account several times per week. This will help us to provide more timely and complete information to you.
If you have problems accessing your CPS email account, call the Office of Information & Technology Services Help Desk at 553-EXCL for assistance.
MDBC Wiki
The Mayor Daley’s Book Club provides a wiki to facilitate communication between facilitators and to promote further information about the operations of the club. All facilitators are requested to register at the wiki at the beginning of the school year. You are encouraged to periodically check back at the wiki and to share information with other MDBC facilitators. See the wiki page at http://cpslibraries.wikispaces.com/HSMDBC.
CPS Acceptable Use Policy
Please ensure that your club members have signed CPS Student Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) on file with your school. In addition, our events are often filmed and photographed so, maintain signed photo release forms for your students. Notify Lisa Perez at if any of your students who are attending our events do not have photo release forms.
Mayor Daley’s Book Club
Overview / MDBC Reports
All Chicago Public School high schools are encouraged to participate in the Mayor Daley’s Book Club. No participation fee is assessed. The following summarizes some of the club benefits and responsibilities:
I. Student members will join in discussion groups to read and discuss the books selected by their clubs. They will receive books for their personal library and gifts such as T-shirts, pens and bookmarks. All members will be invited to attend the annual Spring Conference, where they will participate in workshops, meet authors, receive gifts and books, and enjoy various forms of entertainment.
II. Facilitators will receive compensation for leading seven book club meetings and completing the following responsibilities:
· Attend the facilitator orientation online meeting or watch the archive;
· Recruit at least 15 students who participate as regular club members;
· Conduct seven book club meetings, lasting one and a half hours each, on an approximately monthly basis;
· Fax Facilitator Payment Request forms to Justin Qualls at 773-553-6211 immediately following each meeting;
· Promote club meetings within the school;
· Help the club designate two student representatives to the MDBC Student Advisory Council;
· Maintain regular, effective communication with the MDBC staff
· Promote and attend the annual Spring Conference.
2010 – 2011 Mayor Daley’s Book Club Facilitator Pay Procedures
Mayor Daley’s Book Club facilitators will be compensated for up to seven (7) MDBC meetings (held before or after school). You will be compensated 1.5 hours for each meeting held, totaling up to 10.5 hours. Clubs with fifteen or less attending members should have one (1) facilitator. Clubs with sixteen or more attending members can have two (2) facilitators.
To be eligible to receive compensation, facilitators must submit:
1. The Facilitator Payment Request form faxed to Justin Qualls at 773-553-6211 immediately following each meeting.
2. Facilitators can claim one meeting per month. If two meetings occur in one month – widely spaced apart – they can be submitted within the same month, but meetings should generally occur about one month apart to be claimed for pay.
*Please note, the maximum compensation for each facilitator (maximum two facilitators per school in clubs with 16 or more attending members) is for seven club meetings (10.5 hours), and the Spring Conference (6 hours), for a total maximum compensation for the school year of 16.5 hours.
With questions regarding MDBC pay issues, contact Justin Qualls at 773-553-6223 or Lisa Perez at 773-553-6212.
Other Information
· Refer to the MDBC wiki page for information on book ordering, entering information about your Student Advisory Council representatives, and other items.
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