Name of Conference:
MAACCEConference Dates: June 20-22, 2007
General Comments: The entire conference was very energetic.
Specific Workshops I attended were:
1.) After School Share Point, Part 1 & 2
2.) Popular Education, Part 1 & 2
3.) If There Is a Will! There Is a Way!
4.) Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood
Beginning with my first choice: After School Share Point. This session, which consisted of two parts, left its best impression on me because the facilitators would pose questions to the audience and then their answers would become the forum for further discussion. It was a clever way of creating an interactive environment that provided real solutions and new ideas.
The Popular Ed Modules were very insightful. The part that left the biggest impression on me was when we drew out our learning environments and hung them up to give one another a “step into my world” experience. I would liken it to Show and Tell. I was very surprised at the extent of help and support that was provided by some sites.
The next session that I attended was the presentation: If There Is a Will! There Is a Way! I was not impressed. I felt as though I was in a one sided conversation; there was no sharing or question time. The session seemed to consist of the speaker speaking at me about everything that she did. There were no compare and contrasts, no object lessons, and no real time subjects that you could compare what she did. Not! Good! This was a lesson in what not to do.
My final session was: Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood. How much fun was that?!
This session was just about as interactive as you could get. There were roles to be played. There were tactile activities and
manipulatives. There was interaction throughout. The discussion after the activity was from my perspective, “real time, real world” talk.
My experience was very informational. I was able to experience what worked and what
didn’t. The guest speakers were motivational as well as informative. The meals and the people I spent time with were nice too!
I walked away with a lot.
Name of Conference: PTA National Convention
Conference Dates: June 28 – July 1, 2007
General Comments: This conference literally radiated energy, excitement, liveliness and unification. Their theme was, “Every Child, One Voice.”
Specific Workshops I attended were:
1.) How to Develop an Integrated Communications Plan -Presented by, Larry Powell
2.) Lights! Camera! Leaders! -Presented by, Arnold Shapiro
3.) Reaching Out - Presented by Bob
Witherspoon4.) Engaging Highly Mobile Students and Families -Presented by, Aurelio M.
MontemayorThe first session that I attended was: How to Develop an Integrated Communications Plan. This session was very strategic in its format. The strategic structure was helpful because everyone was made aware of the direction we would be going during our attendance in this workshop. We were provided with an agenda, which denoted all of the activities which consisted of challenges and solutions. Each activity involved one aspect of the plan. The key components were: goals, strategies, objectives, and tactics. We were placed into groups and as we covered each topic we would complete a group activity which would show how each component was applicable. This session was obviously well thought and planned out. At the conclusion of our session we still had time for questions, answers, and resource information.
The second presentation that I attended was hosted by Mr. Arnold Shapiro. Lights! Camera! Leaders! This was presented using relevant parallels between show business and our business. He used a lot of
relatable stories of success and setbacks. Here are some statements and commentaries that left an impression on me. Mr. Shapiro made some statements such as “your success is not measured by someone else’s ruler”, and, “leaders are not born they’re grown.”
He then proceeded to recite a list of qualities that we should always keep fresh in our minds that would help us to recognize leaders in our midst. Some examples were enthusiasm, determination, commitment, caring, character, compassion, courage and confidence, charisma, creativity, credibility, communicative, and finally they are TENACIOUS. Through Mr. Shapiro’s commentary it’s reassuring to know that ethics, integrity, and leadership can still go hand in hand. He challenged us to stay mindful regarding the impact we have through what we present by asking ourselves, “Is my influence positive, negative, or neutral?” “Is my conscience bothering me?” “Would this attract respect and admiration?” Mr. Shapiro spoke about influences on
followership: trust, obedience, knowing right from wrong and peacefully solving issues. When you’
ve learned to follow then you can learn to lead. With that being said; leaders will and should: 1.) Lead by example. 2.) Have a vision and hope. 3.) Motivate and inspire. 4.) Communicate with consistency and clarity. 5.) Be honest. 6.) Always set goals. And finally; 7.) Be an innovative problem solver. As you can see, this particular session had a huge impact on me personally. In turn I see this session benefiting me and others in my professional encounters presently and in the future.
The third session that I attended was: Reaching Out! This was a very different type of presentation. The person who conducted this session
didn’t seem to be very well prepared. There were no handouts. There was no visual presentation. The sound system was not functioning properly. The person simply spoke of the difficulties in approaching someone and what he, the speaker, thought you should do in certain instances. This experience left me very bewildered and disappointed. Another example in what you
shouldn’t do.
My final session was: Make the connection: Engaging Highly Mobile Students and Families. In contrast to my third session this session was flooded with information. Flooded with visual / power point programming. Flooded with handouts, directories, and published materials. Flooded with interactive role playing other activities. Flooded with lots of sharing and insight. There is nothing wrong with any of the aspects of this session, but, too much of ‘everything’ is bad. Mr.
Montemayor could have had a very active and thought provoking session had he kept the mindset that less is more.
Overall my experience was educational and informational as well as instrumental and motivating. Each time I am given the opportunity to attend one of these events I walk away having gained so much.
Reflection on the
MAACCE Conference and the National PTA Conference: My Conclusion
As I conclude my summaries on
MAACCE and The PTA there are patterns that I’
ve noted.
The first item: aesthetics are important because they seem to be the initial catalyst that energizes your audience. Respectively I am mindful that our main responsibilities probably don’t include this area of concern, but, our appearance could be categorized within this area. It’s important that we represent our student strand in a manner that would make all feel welcome and comfortable.
The second item: Making checklists for media, supplies, printed materials, and a plan B can be helpful and effective resources to aid in
proactivity. Comforts such as complimentary notepaper, pens, water, mints or other hard candies might be nice as well.
The third item: We should have more information than we need and be prepared not to use it. Regarding the unused information; we should have a table to place the information and resources that we have available to our audience upon their exit. By doing this we can be assured that we have ample time to cover the most important points of our sessions. Also this would
alot for ample audience participation as well. Those who would need more info and resources would be provided for at the table.
The fourth item: Talk to people not at people. As you choose your topic make them
relatable and parallel to today’s issues and let your audience voice their concerns. Don’t presume nor assume anything stick to participants statements and available facts. Encourage interaction. If you don’t know the answer; say so.
Most importantly stay enthusiastic, and have fun.
It is my hope that these observations and suggestions are useful and helpful in attaining our goals at C.O.A.B.E. Thank you.
