Beth Davis - President, Elementary/General Division
Change. When you hear the word change, how do you feel? Some easily embrace change, while others are more reluctant. Often, change brings good results. As with most everything, our attitude toward change will make the process easier or more difficult.
How would we act and react toward our students, their families, our colleagues, and our administrators? If we took time to reflect, we might decide there are some things we should change.
My principal challenged the faculty at my school to approach this year as if it were your last opportunity to impact the life of your students. If we viewed our jobs from such a perspective, what difference would that make in our daily choices?
What would we do differently in our curriculum?
My principal encouraged us to make a “bucket list” for this school year. Well, why not? Take a few minutes and think about what would go on your list. Would you attend a conference or workshop that you have not attended in a while? Would you be willing to help the state music teacher organization in some way? Would you try a new teaching strategy in your classroom? Would you use technology in a new way? Would you take Orff, Kodály, or Dalcroze training? Will you work toward national teacher certification? Would you finally lead your students in that in depth project that you have always wanted to do? Would you approach your performing group differently? The possibilities are endless. The children of our state deserve us to at least consider what we might change in order to give them the best musical experiences.
“It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” Those words are from the song Pass It On by Kurt Kaiser, which I often sang as a teenager. How true are those lyrics. You could be the spark to light a fire of joy in the students at your school, your colleagues with whom you work, or the other music teachers of your system. We all need fresh, new ideas. We also need encouragement. Be that spark for yourself and those around you. We have one of the most useful tools with which to spread joy and encouragement …music. So, reflect, make your “bucket list,” and get started on the change you wish to make. Share your ideas with others. Let us all watch the spark ignite our passion for our subject and our students. Let us eagerly anticipate that spark spreading around our state and embrace the changes that occur.
Save the Date!!!!! January 10 – 12, 2013 AMEA Conference,
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel Proposed AMEA Bylaw Changes to be voted on at the January Business Meeting
In an effort to have our bylaws reflect the current trends and needs of our organization, the AMEA Governing Board has proposed the following three changes for the membership to vote on at the business meeting in January.
The AMEA bylaws need to reflect the 2011 transition of MENC: The National Association for Music Education to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Therefore, it has been proposed to change MENC: The National Association for Music Education to the National Association for Music Education, MENC to NAfME, and CMENC to Collegiate throughout document.
Currently, Article III: Membership, Section 4 reads as follows:
Sustaining Membership. Sustaining membership shall be open to individuals, organizations, institutions, and businesses. Sustaining membership may include an individual membership, which shall be assigned by the person to a designated person. This membership shall have the same privileges as active members except the right to vote and to hold elective office.
Change, to read as follows: Industry Membership. Industry membership shall be open to businesses which support the mission of AMEA. This membership shall have the same privileges as active members except the right to vote and to hold elective office.
Rationale: AMEA has not had any sustaining members in recent years. The proposed membership category will replace the sustaining membership in order to include music industry. AMEA would benefit from industry relationships and support and the music industry would benefit from discount advertising and exhibit prices, a voice to the Governing Board in an ex-officio capacity, an industry col- umn in the Ala Breve, and a link to the websites of industry members on the AMEA website. The following is the wording for the pro- posed industry membership category:
Currently, the Executive Director is responsible for most of the financial matters of the association and the primary duty of the Treasurer is organizing and implementing registration at the In-Service Conference. Therefore, a third proposal is changing the title of Treasurer to “Treasurer/Registrar” throughout the document.
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