II. Escalating Advocacy
Music Education Day. In June, Garry Taylor, Susan Smith, Mai Yamane, and I took part in NAfME’s Hill Day in Washington DC and had the opportunity to meet with aides to Senator Shelby (R), Senator Sessions (R), and Congresswoman Sewell (D). During our meetings, we discussed the importance of four major issues (1) maintaining music education as a core academic subject with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), (2) ensuring music educators are evaluated by qualified individuals, (3) promoting school day accessibility to music education programs in all schools, and (4) ensuring appropriate federal funding for music as part of early childhood education programs. We also shared information from NAfME’s new Broader Minded campaign (
http://www.broaderminded.com) and reinforced the professional credentials and needs of music educators in our state.
When we finished our meetings, I was convinced that our Association needs a day to promote the importance of music education with members of the Alabama Legislature. As President, I will work with President-elect, Susan Smith, and the Governing Board to host our state’s first Alabama Music Education Advocacy Day in 2016. Experienced Alabama educators will be relieved to see that we are taking on this challenge. I know this has been the dream of many members of our Association for a long time.
III. Enhancing Communications
Twitter Feed (@ALMusicEd). As your President, I will work aggressively to help the AMEA distribute news and resources more quickly using social media technologies. Our Association now uses Twitter to supplement our communications using Facebook and email. I encourage you to “like” our Facebook page and follow our Twitter account.
Website Retrofit. Garry Taylor and I met to discuss revisions to the AMEA website to integrate modern and traditional methods of website deployment while incorporating feeds from our Facebook and Twitter accounts. We are exploring several options and hope to launch a new site before the January 2015 conference.
President’s In-State Travel. As President, I plan to enhance communications between the Governing Board and our various divisions by attending meetings and events sponsored by our divisions. Together, Susan Smith and I plan to attend meetings of all of our organizations during the school year.
IV. Elevating Efficiency
Strategic Planning. Several of our strategic goals are now over ten years old. To clarify the goals of our Association, Past President, Sara Womack, and a select committee revised our Strategic Plan, and we will publish the new plan so that all members of the AMEA will know the long-term direction of our Association.
AMEA Collegiate Representative Mai Yamane, President-Elect Susan Smith, Jay Dunn & Morgan Carter (Legislative Assistants to Senator Richard Shelby) AMEA President Carl Hancock and Executive Director Garry Taylor
Governance Structure Revisions. At the June AMEA Governing Board Meeting, the Board passed a major revision to our organizational committee structure by consolidating the efforts
ala breve
of multiple committees and creating a new Music Education Advocacy Committee with the authority to organize our Music Education Advocacy Day at the Capitol campaign. This revision should allow the Governing Board to operate more nimbly and refocus the AMEA on advocacy and professional development.
AMEA Executive Director Garry Taylor, President Carl Hancock Hillary Beard (Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Terri Sewell), President-Elect Susan Smith, and Collegiate Representative Mai Yamane
Conclusion
In 2005, AMEA President Becky Rodgers (now Warren) shared a story about how while staring at the enormity of the heavens and watching millions of stars twinkle in the night sky, she was overwhelmed with the feeling of being small and insignificant, until she remembered how important she was to her students and fellow music educators. Becky wrote, “What we do matters because music connects all humanity to each other and to that power that is greater than all of us” (Rodgers, 2005, p. 2). As music teachers, we are connected through our common interest in working with children, making music, and teaching. As a member of the AMEA, you are connected to a national organization focused on advocating music education on Capitol Hill and in your classroom. Attending the 2014 National Leadership Assembly in June affirmed my impressions.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the direction of our Association. Please send an email to me with suggestions, feedback, and ideas (
carlbhancock@gmail.com). I hope you and your students have a wonderful school year! - Carl
Rodgers, B. (2005, August). Insignificant? I hardly think so. Ala Breve, 2.
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