February 2, 2017
Winter Meeting Pictures Are In!
We received the final pictures from our Winter Meeting photographer, Karen Jacot, and they are available for viewing via this link: http://photos.karenjacot.com/sriwintermeeting2017/. Whether you joined us in Denver or just followed along virtually, take a view minutes to enjoy these beautiful photos!
CITY Center for Collaborative Learning Hosts Edcamp Tucson – February 11th
Tucson area teachers, school leaders and community partners who are passionate about what they do and want to share ideas, questions, skills, and enthusiasm about teaching and learning with others are invited to the 4th convening of Edcamp Tucson on Saturday, February 11th, 2017. Click here to learn more and register to attend!
Website Survey – Feedback Requested
We are in the process of developing a new website that we are hoping to launch by the end of February. As we think about the current structure of our website, and what we hope to shift, we’d love to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to take our website survey and help us build the site in a way that fits your needs!
Board Election Process Update
In April, the Board of Directors made a decision to postpone the 2016 election in order to spend some time rethinking our process. At the December board meeting, a new election process was introduced by the Governance Committee, and the board approved the new process and timeline.
Election Process Changes:
- Move to an every-other-year election cycle. This will allow any given Board to have two full years to work together before some members cycle off and new members are elected. In addition, SRI staff will only have to hold elections every other year – helping to reduce workload for our small, but mighty, staff.
- Move from current 3-year board term to a 4-year board term. Lengthening the board term by one year makes it possible to hold elections every other year and establish a board that remains intact for two full years.
- Align voting with annual Fall Meeting to increase participation. We will open the election prior to the annual Fall Meeting, but will close it during the annual Fall Meeting so we can support onsite participants with their voting. Participants will have an opportunity to meet current board members, learn more about the role of the board, potentially meet candidates in-person, and then do their final voting at the Fall Meeting. Our hope is that this will increase the number of affiliates voting in board elections. This will not eliminate the virtual voting for affiliates who are unable to attend the annual Fall Meeting.
To support these changes, the Board has directed the staff to also begin the election nomination committee work much earlier so that we have time to seek candidates, help them understand the role and work of the board, and support them with their nomination process.
We are seeking volunteers to serve on the board election nomination committee. If you are interested in serving in this role, please email Kari (kari@schoolreforminitiative.org) no later than February 24th. Our hope is to begin the nomination process in March.
What Kids Can Do launches 12 Steps for a Better World Student Challenge! Deadline: Feb. 17th, 2017
From What Kids Can Do:
To start the new year, WKCD has devised a challenge — our own version of New Year’s resolutions. We are inviting students and teachers (across the globe) to create their own unique list of small steps for a better world. “Do your little bit of good where you are,” Desmond Tutu reminds us. “It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Here are the particulars:
- We’re looking for a final product that combines your top 12 small steps (e.g., “Say hello to people you meet on the street–most of all, those down on their luck,” “Turn off lights”) and a visual that captures elements or the essence of your list. The visual could be a photograph, a drawing, word art, and more-whatever seems compelling
- We intend for this to be a class project, with every student contributing something. Students in grades 7 through 12 are eligible.
- We welcome out-of-the-box thinking!
- We will award $100 USD to the most striking entries. We will publish a collection of small steps lists, with their images, on WKCD.org.
Deadline: February 17th, 2017
Submission guidelines: The final product should be submitted to WKCD (info@wkcd.org) as an electronic attachment: a word document with your list and the corresponding image. The images should be approximately 400-600 pixels wide and/or high with a minimum resolution of 72.
Be sure to include the name of the school or program, where it’s located, an email address, and the students’ grade level.
Getting started: We encourage you to approach this challenge in whatever way best meets your style and circumstances. To prime the pump, we’ve included a short class experience that introduces students to inspiring quotes about the power of social actions. Click here for the activity and quotes. Questions: Write us at info@wkcd.org.
Do you have news to share? Interesting things happening in your area? Please let us know so we can share with our community! Email Chris Jones, chris@schoolreforminitiative.org.
Thank you,
Kari Thierer, Heidi Vosekas, Chris Jones, and Beth I Graham
On behalf of School Reform Initiative
