Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics

ICTM Executive Board Meeting

Hanford Inn

Mason City, Iowa

June, 16, 2006

 

Cheri Ross, President, called the meeting to order at 1:00.

 

The members introduced themselves by indicating where they worked and what position they have on the board.  Members present (22):  Connie Nolan(AEA 4/12 Director & Program Co-Chair), Nancy File (AEA 13 Director), Lori Mueller (Journal Co-Editor), Rose Jennings (AEA 16 Director), Lisa Teeselink (Student Director), Kathy Wilkerson (AEA 267 Director), Michael Link (NCTM Representative), Kevin Astor (Treasurer), Dave Blum(Conference Co-Chair), Judith Spitzli (Department of Education), Travis Nuss (Exhibitor Chair), Cherie Schafer (Vice-President- Elementary), Daryl Kohlhaas(Vice President – Secondary), Ruth Avazian (AEA 14 Director  & Program Co-Chair), Laura Brincks (Treasurer Elect), Marlene Meyer(AEA 10 Director), Diane Royer(Vice-President – Middle School) , Catherine Miller (Vice-President – Post-Secondary), Cheri Ross (President), Kathy Wilkerson (AEA 267 Director), Deb Tvrdik (Past-President) and Maureen Busta (Executive Secretary)

 

Approval of minutes:  Deb Tvrdik asked the Board to make an addition to the February, 2006 minutes. The motion to send two board members to the Affiliates Leaders Conference should have included that the motion was made by Michael Link and seconded by Daryl Kohlhaas.  Motion that the minutes be amended to reflect that information (Blum/Schafer). 

Aye 18 Nay 0

 

Executive Secretary, Maureen Busta referred the board members to the executive board list and asked that the board let her know if there are corrections.  Busta provided a written report to the board listing a record of the time/tasks she has completed since March for the board. 

 

Treasurer’s report:  Kevin Astor, treasurer, reported the following:

            Balance Forward            28,598.15

            Income                      33,253.20

            Expenditures                        23,599.69

            New Balance                      38,251.66

 

            Current Checking           $992.74

            Current Savings            $37,258.92

            Total                            $38,251.66

 

            The audit was conducted by Travis Nuss & Sharon Jaescke. Kevin asked the board to think about whether the board wants to invest some of the monies in a savings account or CD.  Kevin asked if there were any questions related to the treasurer’s report and Cherie Schafer wanted to know what we have spent for speakers in the past. Deb Tvrdik indicated this past year was free.  Previous years varied.  Kevin noted one of the reasons for our positive balance is that rental is very reasonable at the school settings for our conferences. Meals area is a float through account so we don’t lose money on meals for the conference. Michael Link wanted to know what the requirements are to remain non-profit.  Kevin thought possibly $50,000, but thought this should be checked.  If someone requests a refund for registration at the conference they are either given a voucher good for next year’s conference if the request is based on bad weather or if other things happen before the conference then a refund is given (there is a deadline.)  The question was asked whether we wanted this group to have $35000 sitting in the bank?  Daryl Kohlhaas said if we have a regional conference then we may need money, but since that isn’t an option we probably don’t need it for that.  Kevin said maybe we could host some other kind of conference.  Michael disagrees with NCTM that we are too small to hold a regional conference.  Daryl asked whether we could sponsor one with Nebraska?  Michael Link indicated that the Regional Conference used to rotate every 7 years and now X number of hotel rooms and support for 3000 people is needed.  NCTM has changed their focus to attract bigger crowds.  Kevin Astor indicated that reimbursement for this meeting is 30 cents per mile for travel and ½ hotel double room rate.  Michael Link wanted to know if we should discuss mileage rate now and Cheri Ross indicated that was on the agenda for a little later.  Deb Tvrdik asked if Iowa Math and Science Coalition had sent their check and Kevin indicated that he had deposited it yesterday. 

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report (Kohlhaas/Meyer).  Aye 18 Nay 0

 

Membership Report:  Maureen Busta, Executive Secretary, gave the following report:

Number of members

Regular            403

Institutional           9

Student               25

Retired              28

Free Promo          8

Total                 473

Busta also provided the board with a listing of current and lapsed members by AEA. There are a total of 501 current members and 157 lapsed members (those whose memberships were past the monthly due date) in the database that was provided by Mary Friedrich, the previous executive secretary.  Daryl Kohlhaas suggested that an inactive status be given members who did not renew their membership.  Maureen thought that that would seem like we were rewarding members who did not renew on time with free membership.  Cherie Schafer indicated NCTM sends multiple renewals and Kevin Astor thought it would be better to keep it due each month rather than going to a yearly renewal.  Lori wanted to know what the Directors have done in the past.  Mary Friedrich would send postcards to the Directors and then they would forward the reminder notifications.  Lori Mueller indicated that no postcards were sent.  Daryl Kohlhaas said that if Directors know of people in their AEA’s that are not interested in being members to be sure to tell Maureen Busta. Daryl asked if retired members are receiving free membership as per Article 2 Sec. 3 of the Constitution:

 

Section 3.        Retired members, who have been a member of the Council for the last five years immediately prior to retirement, upon application, shall be placed on continuing membership.

 

Diane Royer suggested that this information be put in the journal and the application form be put on the web.  Cheri Ross wanted journal and membership committees to discuss this further and everyone should let those members know what they think.  

            Maureen Busta provided each AEA Director, President, Past President, Vice-Presidents and any other interested board members with a membership list of lapsed and current members by AEA, by grade level or entire list as appropriate to their position on the board.  Cherie Schafer wanted to know why the institutional membership had dropped off?   How do schools know that institutional membership is available?   Deb Tvrdik said that every elementary building was sent an informational letter regarding institutional membership.   Deb Tvrdik wrote letters and does not know when or how it went out.  Deb Tvrdik also wrote letters to elementary/middle school principals and secondary teachers.  It’s difficult to know when or how these letters went out since Mary Friedrich had indicated that the ICTM members were pulled off so Deb Tvrdik didn’t see it.  Daryl Kohlhaas suggested that the drop in institutional membership was not necessarily bad because it might mean that more elementary teachers were paying more for membership/conference.  Cherie Schafer indicated that she likes the institutional membership because it acquaints individuals with a math organization.  Cherie Schafer indicated that elementary teachers can’t be members of everything.  With an institutional membership every teacher in the building whose e-mail address was provided with the application received a newsletter.  Rose Jennings concluded that every person whose name was included on the institutional membership would attend the conference at a reduced rate and one copy of the journal would be sent to each school.  Rose Jennings asked who received letter – Deb Tvrdik indicated the principal.  Judith Spitzli said it would be nice to have the membership information in hand in August.  Deb Tvrdik said that Mary Friedrich worked through Haila Huffman at the Department of Education and was given a list of elementary buildings.  Rose Jennings wanted to know what the membership fee was and was told it was $35 (it is a bargain).  In the membership brochure the institutional membership is mentioned but not explained.  Ruth Avazian in her role as AEA math consultant sent out letters to all districts and she didn’t hear anything.  Laura Brincks shared a concern that teachers are claiming to be members of ICTM (using this in their portfolios) and they aren’t.  Does there need to be some communication with administrators with regard to this issue?  Some directors have had trouble getting a listing of math teachers in their areas from the AEA’s.  Cherie Schafer was concerned that the DE couldn’t share list.  Should membership forms be sent to the building level?  Diane Royer thought sending it by e-mail would be fine.  Nancy File wants names of teachers for her AEA. Rose Jennings and Ruth Avazian  asked Maureen Busta to make some corrections in the database and Lisa Teeselink said she would contact a member that Busta has on the lapsed list.  Dave Blum would like an institutional membership application form.

 

Department of Education, Judith Spitzli: 

            Judith Spitzli indicated that people don’t know who their AEA math consultants are and she will ask the math consultants to contact AEA directors who are on the board list.  With merging of different AEA’s it’s important to contact your math consultant and have them come out and visit with you.  Unless your building calls the AEA and asks for the math consultant they will not come out to the schools on their own. 

 

 

Several pieces of information were shared regarding Department of Education information:

 

            Presidential Awards - The most current information is that Linda Seeger was                           the awardee for 2005 and was honored in DC in the spring.  Linda teaches at                  Okoboji High School and the process is currently in the midst of determining the                   elementary winner for 2006.  Readers from across the state have been brought                         in and the national level has to approve prior to any information from the state                         being related.  Linda will be honored in August with honorees for next year.                    Next year’s winner will not be determined until after the February ICTM Annual             Conference/Meeting.  She would like this group to help in identifying                               secondary teachers for next year.  Another layer of help has             been added this                  year for mentoring.  An individual will be available next year as well.  Brochures                  are not current and will go on the Presidential Award website in the future.   Deb               Tvrdik asked if a link could be done for the Presidential Award website to our                   website.  Judith thought that was a good idea.  People are encouraged to try                again if at first they are not successful. 

 

Model Core Curriculum – What is content of world class curriculum at the secondary             level?  This is not a mandate, but AEA math consultants who had high school             math background, community college personnel who had taught high school             math, university personnel and current high school math teachers were involved             in the work to determine the most important mathematics at the high school             level.  The committee reviewed ACHIEVE, College Boards, ASAM Michigan             Standards, NCTM focal points (due out in the fall k-8) to determine the format             they used.  The first layer is on the website and the next layer (which Judith               Spitzli thinks will be more beneficial) will be on the web in September.  Rose             Jennings wondered if Judith Spitzli had a copy of the core curriculum with her             and it was suggested that the next layer would be more valuable but that it is             accessible at the DE website.

 

Every Student Counts – is a K-12 initiative to improve student achievement and build a             community of learners (teachers).  It is an opportunity for teachers to talk             mathematics during the day.  AEA math consultants will offer training for middle             level teachers.  By this fall all AEA’s will make it available to all.  Cherie Schafer             says this is the only place she hears about ESC. 

           

CGI – University of Wisconsin – a program for elementary teachers only.  Teacher             academies were offered last year.  One hundred elementary teachers and their             principals were trained:  Fort Dodge and Des Moines area.  The 2nd year             academy as well, and then after 1 full year you will be a trainer.  CGI focuses on             learning how students think about mathematics. Linda Levi, one of the             developers, is the Iowa’s trainer.  Any school in state could have applied.  Initial             information was sent to superintendents.  It was suggested that there be a             session on CGI as one of the sessions at the February Conference.  Daryl             Kohlhaas suggested that information be available on website for reference so             that administrators could be reminded of what’s going on out there.  AEA’s will             offer CGI training for 1st year with training next summer. Training will take place             in the district.  Six AEA’s will be certified in training for CGI.

 

Math Science Partnerships – from federal level – brings in ½ million each year.              Probably the same next year.  Board of regents & DE has money – grant             application in the fall, due by Feb. 1st to improve math & science.  Four year             institution is fiscal manager and intent is that math education people             communicate with math content level. University must start it and form             partnerships with LEA’s, AEA’s to determine needs and then determine what             will be done to improve.  Funding was only for science this year.  More             applications for math are needed.

 

Ed Rathmell as Government Liaison was not able to attend but sent a report for discussion.  

            Each of the board members received a copy of Ed Rathmell’s position paper “What Steps Would I Take to Improve Mathematics Achievement K – 8? “ for review.  Does ICTM want to join Ed Rathmell in support of his recommendations?  He would like to include that ICTM supports these views in addition to just himself.  Judith called attention to the focal points mentioned in the document.  These will be from NCTM hopefully in the fall.  The focal points identify important mathematics at each grade level.  Board members were interested in learning more about these and Cathy Miller indicated that this will be available and maybe ask Ed to send us something.  Ed plans to do more writing and lobbying and to include ICTM.  Judith Spitzli suggested that it might be good to read focal points prior to endorsement.  Cherie Schafer said that she would like to share the document with administrators and she was very much in favor of it.  Cathy Miller added that it is talking points for op ed pieces and that he can represent ICTM with these talking points.  Cathy Miller wants some talking piece for spirit of 9-12 in addition to Ed’s K-8.  Cherie Schafer says if this is done at the K-8 level, the 9-12 curriculum would be different.  Laura Brincks indicated that she is not that familiar with focal points and Connie Nolan would also like more info on focal points.  As a general philosophy the document is good.  Rose Jennings suggested that the focal points information be left off right now.  Dave Blum said he would like to get #2 in front of principals which would be great.  (Schafer/Astor) moved to endorse the nine points of Ed’s document with the board waiting until the focal points are clarified to endorse those.  Aye 18 Nay 0 Judith noted that Adding it Up references one hour a day also.  The nine main points on the document should go on the website and newsletter. 

           

Michael Link, NCTM Representative reported on the St. Louis Delegate Assembly

·        No resolutions were brought forward for affiliate or caucus.  Discussed what was going on in their states

·        Submitting resolution to bring guest to national conference – nominal charge to go to exhibit hall but not sessions

·        Leadership circle – qualifications to be in the leadership circle includes that if we share our membership list with NCTM they will cross reference ICTM members with NCTM members and 65% of our affiliate needs to belong to NCTM.  New Hampshire is the only state that has qualified.  We would receive a 3 year certificate that we are in leadership circle – banner- recognition in news info article with newsletters and 1 complimentary registration at leadership conference.  Deb Tvrdik said we exchanged this information 2 years ago.  Daryl Kohlhaas thought he wouldn’t be opposed to it but it appears it isn’t very beneficial. Kevin said maybe if we could gain membership then it might be ok.  (Kohlhaas/Royer) moved we exchange lists with NCTM.  Aye  18 Nay 0  Michael Link will complete this task. 

 

Michael Link shared other information learned at the Delegate Assembly.  The other states in our regional also have membership problems and we were the only state that increased attendance at the conference.  Elementary building memberships are a problem elsewhere and no one had any solutions.  Do we want student affiliates?  These are at universities or colleges.  Minimum requirement is a faculty sponsor and 10 members and if interested Virginia Williams from NCTM should be contacted.  Cathy Miller indicated that when Bonnie Litwiller was at UNI they had a student affiliate and students just didn’t have enough time to be involved.  The University of Iowa may not have any mathematics education people this year, there are 8-12 at Iowa State and at UNI 12-15.  Cheri Ross & Laura Brincks will be attending the leadership conference and the book they will be reading is “Now “.  Grant writing was recommended and there are tips for writing grants on the NCTM website.  Michael Link will update contact information for the website.  Feb. 23rd is the date of the conference.  In the past $500 was given to MET, which gets us recognition at the delegate assembly and in the newsletter we are at the benefactor level.  Does the board want to increase that?  The President’s Report has been renamed the NCTM Affiliate Annual Report.  Deb Tvrdik indicated that we submitted a grant for this year but we do not know if it will be accepted.  At one of the state conferences the teachers take review copies of their textbooks to pre-session conference so that pre-service teachers could take them for resources.  Michael Link suggested that students do something at pre-session.  Another idea that was shared is that a video booth with video camera could be set up at the annual conference where pre-service teachers have written questions that will help them in the classroom are provided so that experienced teachers could offer their expertise.  Regional will be held in Minneapolis in 2009.  The average NCTM member is 54 years old. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Report – Ruth Avazian & Connie Nolan will be working on the speakers.  Maureen Busta provided the following registration information from Feb. 2006.  This report is from Mary Friedrich and information was also shared from conferences in 2004 and 2005. 

 

            Board Members       22

            Speakers                68

            Participants                         430

            Educators                  354

            Students             76

            Total                        510   

 

      Connie Nolan said that last year there were 75 speakers and 84 sessions.  Joyce Becker did a nice job of lining up the speakers.  Connie Nolan is going to line up the sessions.  The building will be different next year.  The keynote speaker is Terri Sessoms at a cost of $2500 and she will do breakout sessions.  Skip Fennell has been asked to attend this year or next year.  David Kapolka will be sponsored by Key Curriculum and will do sessions on Tinker Plots.  Virginia Swenson contacted Deb Tvrdik that David Schwartz may also be interested.  Kevin Astor, treasurer, reported that the conference had income of $25, 642.50 and expenses of $5291.73. for a profit of $20350.77.  An additional $500 will be added for income now that the IMSC monies have been received.  Dave Blum indicated that next year the conference will be at Stilwell Junior High.  It has excellent classrooms, technology, and it has an auditorium.  The only challenge will be parking.  Because of district wide conference there will not be near as many West Des Moines teachers attending.  Deb Tvrdik asked Dave Blum to send a contract for both the pre-session and conference sites.  

           

Communications Report –Diane Royer & Lori Mueller

            Lori Mueller – biggest glitch was getting it mailed.  It has to go out of bulk                                         mailing and logistics of that. 

 

The Iowa Math and Science Coalition Meeting of April, 2006 was attended by Cheri Ross.  She shared the following information related to the meeting.

      We will be applying for a $500 grant from the Iowa Math & Science Coalition again for next year’s conference.  The following were discussed:

·        Working on specific math & science descriptors to be aligned with Iowa Teaching Standards

·        Sponsor a math conference for 2 and 4 year colleges. 

                        Would they still support ours?  Daryl Kohlhaas suggested it could be just                         added to ours. 

·        Proposal to develop news releases

·        More public relations and marketing on website

·        Develop awards program

 

The Board discussed how these proposals were developed and where they would go from here.  It was explained that IMSC has an executive committee that meets prior to their board meeting and identifies potential proposals for the executive board to discuss

 

Board Approval Items:  The following appointments were made:

1.      Executive Secretary – Maureen Busta  (already approved at board meeting in Feb) in effect until August, 2007.

2.      (Link/Tvrdik) moved to appoint Connie Nolan to complete Kathy Wankum’s term as AEA4/12 director.  Aye 18  Nay 0

3.      Nominating Committee -  Cheri Ross, and Daryl Kohlhaas

            President-elect, AEA1, AEA 4/12, AEA 9, AEA 13, AEA 14,

           Secondary VP, Elementary School VP are all up for election this fall.

 

 

            The following miscellaneous items were identified by Cheri as discussion items or informational items:

·        Affiliate Leadership Conference, Reno - Cheri Ross & Laura Brincks

·        Speakers for conference

·        Friends of Math Awards & Lifetime Achievement Awards

            Daryl wanted to know if Friend of Math could be an organization and it was noted that that has occurred in the past.  Plaques are given to all around winners and Friends of Math can be from each AEA as well. 

·        Outreach committee needs names for people who have been awarded grants in the past.  Maureen Busta will create a list of all previous awardees of either Friend of Math, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and previous grant awardees. 

·        Outreach Committee will be discussing the following in their committee and Cheri Ross would like anyone who has ideas to share them with the outreach committee. 

·              1. Donation to MET (or other?)

                              2.  How to get non-board members to apply for grants

                                          Deb Tvrdik says that grant information is on the website but wonders if it is missed.  Letter could go out at beginning of year indicating outreach things

 Lori Mueller was awarded the NCTM conference Grant and wasn’t notified.

Outreach needs to outline process.  Rose Jennings says it would be a disservice to board members if they have a good idea not to permit them to be awarded more than one grant.  Recurring theme is that info is not getting out to teachers in Iowa.  Connection to local math AEA’s is pathetic.  Teachers do not know what is available to them.  Ruth Avazian shared her experiences as AEA consultant.  Teachers need to approach administrators to get them to move.  Does AEA put out directory for teachers?  Could you give them names of all math teachers in AEA.  Kevin thinks it should be available to everyone.  Cathy wants user sessions for AEA’s and LEA’s for pre-session committee. 

                              3.  Should board members be able to apply?

                              4.  Other?

 

·        Review ICTM Constitution

·        Do we need to add to the by-laws to include more voting members (because at this point, only the officers of the Council and Ex-officio members of the Executive Committee [the registrar, the NCTM representative, the journal editor(s), the newsletter editor(s), the Department of Education representative, the Student Director, and the Government Relations Director] can vote according the Constitution)

·        Date of conference – should/could it be moved?  (second Monday in October is an in-service day in West Des Moines.  Email received from math teacher/wrestling coach that asked about possible change)

·        Advertising exhibitor workshops at conference (like NCTM did at the St. Louis conference)? – Maureen talked about this.  – Judith indicated at Reading Conference that strategies could be used but cannot sell at the session.

·        Mileage rate currently $.30.  Should it be raised?

                        It was decided to discuss this now.  Diane Royer asked what the IRS rate was and it was explained that it fluctuates.  It was 40.5, then after Katrina 48.5, and now it is 44.5.  It was noted that ICTM has not tied our rate to the IRS rate in the past.  Kevin Astor recommended raising it.  Diane Royer proposed 37 cents to split the difference between the IRS rate and what it is now.  Laura Brincks suggested 40cents per mile. (Schafer/Nolan) made a motion to establish the mileage rate at $.40 per mile effective today.  Discussion regarding the motion included.

            Daryl Kohlhaas thought it would make sense to tie it to IRS rate.  Kevin Astor thought this would not be common knowledge.  Daryl Kohlhaas thought it could be established each year at the IRS rate each year effective that meeting date and locked in for the year.  Dave Blum suggested if rate goes down then people are in a position of earning money on top of expense which may be a tax issue for them.  Laura Brincks thought if it is tied to IRS rate it would mean that we have to adjust as IRS changes.  Deb Tvrdik indicated that we travel only twice a year.  Cherie Schafer called the question.  Aye 17 Nay 1

·        Term for NCTM rep?

·        Other?   

                        The Outreach Committee had not remembered that the Publications was also part of their committee and were seeking more help.  Cheri Ross indicated that board members that are not here could help with publications/outreach.

 

 

The following members were involved in committee discussion groups.  Groups will report out starting at 9:00 Saturday morning. 

 

1.           The Conference which was facilitated by Connie Nolan, Ruth Avazian, Deb            Tvrdik, Daryl Kohlhaas, Judith Spitzli, Travis Nuss, Rose Jennings, and Michael            Link

            1.  Items for discussion – Conference Feb 23, 2007 and “to-do list”

            2.  Pre-conference Thursday night           

                        3.  Registration for West Des Moines teachers as last year?

            4.  Discuss future conferences

 

2.                 Publications/Outreach – facilitated by Lori Mueller & Diane Royer, Cherie Schafer, Kathy Wilkerson, Marlene Meyer, Catherine Miller

                        1.Journal

                              2.Newsletter

                           3.Website

             4.Grants 

 

            3.  Membership – facilitated by Maureen Busta, Nancy File, Lisa Teeselink, Kevin   

                 Astor, Cheri Ross

                        1.  Lapsed members

                        2.  Article for newsletter regarding why join ICTM it should be continued

                        3.  Postcards

           4.  Recruitment of members

                        Membership blitz at math teachers  - conference flyer to elementary connecting to reading along with letter re institutional memberships in August – some sessions from last year – similar sessions this year – reading keynote – and elementary sessions Lisa Teeselink says this is a “Huge thing”  - Cheri Ross will forward a letter to all members for review

      5.  Still offer sponsorship of free membership to first year teachers? – email in the fall, attach form info and send via e-mail

6.       Membership brochure – change to reflect multiple year renewals

7.      Certificates for membership in addition to membership cards? NO

8.      Talk about giving a year’s membership at the higher price like NCTM

                       

Maureen Busta was advised to get a list of math teachers by AEA for AEA directors to use.  Free membership again same as before – Re evaluate at the June 2007 Retreat.

Dinner was served at 5:30 and discussion groups continued their work after dinner as needed.

 

 

Saturday

June 17, 2006

 

Cheri Ross, President called the meeting to order at 8:30. 

Board Members present: (15)  Cherie Schafer, Marlene Meyer, Diane Royer, Ruth Avazian, Kevin Astor, Laura Brincks, Cheri Ross, Deb Tvrdik, Connie Nolan, Nancy File, Rose Jennings, Lori Mueller, Kathy Wilkerson, Cathy Miller and Maureen Busta

           

            David Steuben checked in to see if there was anything he could do and indicated that he would follow up with Travis Nuss via e-mail. 

            The Board discussed who should be voting members of the board and (Meyer/Mueller) made a motion that other appointed members of the board be voting members of the board.  Aye 14 Nay 0  This needs to be voted on in the fall since it is a constitution change and will be Included with the ballot in the fall.

 

Current:

Article VI.            EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The voting members of the Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Council.  Ex-officio names of the Executive Committee shall be the NCTM representative, the journal editor(s), the newsletter editor(s), the Department of Education representative, the Student Director, and the Government Relations Director.  The ex-officio members shall be voting members.  The Executive Committee shall act as the governing board of the Council.

 

New:

Article VI.            EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The voting members of the Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Council.  Ex-officio names of the Executive Committee shall be the NCTM representative, the journal editor(s), the newsletter editor(s), the Department of Education representative, the Student Director, and the Government Relations Director.  The ex-officio members and all appointed members shall be voting members.  The Executive Committee shall act as the governing board of the Council.

 

Cheri Ross asked the board for input regarding the term of appointment for the NCTM Representative.  Currently it is a one-year appointment with no limit of number of years for that appointment.  Deb Tvrdik explained that NCTM has a Regional Representative for 3 years.  The NCTM Representative in the past has sold materials at the UNI Fall Math Conference and at the Annual ICTM Conference.   They are also our Representative at the National Conference. (Miller,/Nolan) moved that the NCTM Representative position be a three year appointment beginning in July 2007.  Aye 14 Nay 0

 

The Constitution By-Laws would be revised as follows:

Article VI

Section 2.        Term of Appointment

The terms of the ex-officio members and Executive Secretary shall be one year.  The appointment shall be recurring and reviewed each year by the Executive Committee.  The NCTM Representative will be appointed for a three year term from July – July. 

 

The membership does not have to vote on this change since it is a by-law change.

 

The three committees (Conference, Outreach and Membership) that met Friday afternoon were then asked to report on their recommendations.  

 

 

 

Conference Committee Report: 

Deb Tvrdik reported for the committee and announced that the theme of the 2007 ICTM Annual Conference will be:

Math + Reading = Understanding

An Equation for Success

 

Deb Tvrdik referred to the Conference To Do list (see attachment).  A hospitality room will be provided.  Connie Nolan will do a flyer right away.  Lunch at the conference last year worked well.  Ruth Avazian will check into renewal credit.  Next year it is recommended to use the folder again and Maureen Busta was asked to purchase these when they’re on sale possibly in the fall. NCTM information will be added to the packet of information next year including the membership form and other NCTM information.  A pencil with perhaps the theme on it (Maureen Busta needs to do this) and notepad that Michael Link will do will also be included in the packet.  Deb Tvrdik says that a grant has been written to help with expenses for the pre-session and she would like as many of the board members to help with the pre-session as possible.  Jyll Miner will be reserving rooms for the conference.  Dave Blum is looking into having student guides who would wear identifying t-shirts to help direct people at the conference (Maureen Busta needs to order these).  Keynote speakers will be Terri Sessoms who will gear her sessions toward math, Key Curriculum is sponsoring Tinker Plots, and McDougal is looking into sponsoring a speaker.  Ruth Avazian is checking with Tom Allen for TI to have Navigations going all the time and Ruth Avazian wants 4 or 5 speaker’s names from each of the board members.  Connie Nolan wants to know which speakers are going to be really good speakers so that larger rooms can be set up for them.  Connie Nolan is going to revise speaker form and then it will be on the web.  Ruth would like names by the end of July.  Maureen Busta, Deb Tvrdik and Cheri Ross would like to be copied on e-mails.  Dave Blum has said that we may be able to go back to Southwoods next year or possibly go to Valley, but he does not want to be the conference chair forever.  Ruth Avazian has asked her Reading Lead Teacher to have a session at the conference.   It was suggested that it might be a good idea to star reading/math sessions.  Also a time needs to be put in the program for a business meeting as per constitution.  Kevin Astor thinks more elementary sessions would be good.  Lori Mueller wondered if hotels near the conference site could be suggested in the information.  Jyll Miner is going to find a block of rooms and as soon as rooms are blocked, Cheri said she could e-mail information.  Deb Tvrdik was pleased with last year’s motel, which was under $50 and close in.

(Tvrdik/Avazian) motioned that the rate structure remain the same.  Aye 14  Nay 0

(Maureen Busta will revise and put on the web right away.)

 

Outreach Committee – Lori Mueller reported for the committee. 

            The committee recommended that a mass mailing be sent to all members which would include grant applications, a plug for journal articles and membership information.  She noted that the newsletter is bulky via the internet and it is easy to miss things.

            Great Plains Math League – recommended monies be donated to this organization to purchase trophies given at the state competition to recognize 9-12 students. ( Mueller/Wilkerson)  moved to donate $250 to Great Plains Math League.  Discussion included whether the amount should be more (Rose Jennings), whether IMSC should also be approached (Deb Tvrdik), whether we will have enough in our budget to fund all suggested outreach proposals (Lori Mueller), and providing this type of support at the middle school and high school level ICTM will be seen in a positive light and membership will grow because of this (Rose Jennings).  Aye 14  Nay 0

            6th Grade Math Bee – (Mueller/ Royer) motioned to donate $250 to 6th Grade Math Bee.  Financial restraints keep some AEA’s from taking part(Ruth Avazian). Aye 14 Nay 0 Maureen Busta suggested that Cheri Ross report to IMSC for math competitions and request matching funds.

            Investigate $500 scholarship for students going on to college to be a math teacher whether it would be one time or renewal.  Kevin Astor indicated that it would not have a major impact on the budget to have an endowment fund set up.  Maureen Busta asked if monies in an endowment fund can be taken out.  Cheri Ross would like a committee to look into it to determine whether it is feasible in the future.  Deb Tvrdik thinks there are a lot of opportunities for high school math teachers.  Their loans are forgivable so they have financial help that others may not have. Perhaps more help should be given to ICTM members.  Kevin Astor wants monies to go to ICTM members taking graduate level math courses or Key Curriculum or other appropriate coursework.  Rose Jennings suggested that it could be anything to help teachers become better teachers.  Rose Jennings and Connie Nolan have had experiences in their districts where monies were given to students who were pursuing a math education major, accepted the monies and then changed their mind.  (Mueller/ Schafer) moved that up to $500 be awarded to an ICTM member to use toward tuition cost of continuing coursework in the teaching of mathematics.  Aye 14  Nay 0

            The grants will be determined by the Outreach Committee and Sarah Harvey was contact person last year.  Cathy Miller & Cherie Schafer will write the grant applications and rubric and the committee will decide how to proceed.  Cathy Miller was looking for criteria that should be used in awarding grants and Deb Tvrdik suggested that the committee come up with a rubric.  Deb says a blurb for each thing should be written and then a link to the website.  A highlight flyer was also suggested (Deb or Lori?).

 

            (Mueller/Avazian) moved a $500 donation to MET – may not want to do again if we are doing our own ICTM grant.  Discussion was how much has been budgeted so far for grants and it was determined that so far $1350 extra has been requested.  Kevin Astor suggested we wait until later when we discuss the budget.   Deb Tvrdik says some conference’s can be disaster so we want to secure enough funding for at least one year operation.  West Des Moines teachers were not a big money maker.  Cherie Schafer would like a bulk mailing rate and discussion needs to take place during the budget regarding this issue.  Connie Nolan will take care of free membership for retired teachers and make it similar to the free promo for first time teachers.  Perhaps set up our own account where interest is used to set up grant.  Cherie Schafer thought $7500 might be enough to establish an endowment fund.  Cheri Ross wanted to know what the benefit is to our organization to donate to MET and Deb Tvrdik explained it is just to get the affiliates involved.  Deb Tvrdik has gotten two grants for her school.  Brooke Brill went on a first time NCTM conference so people in Iowa have gotten MET awards.  Deb Tvrdik would encourage any NCTM member to apply.  Motion to table (Ross/Mueller).  Aye 14  Nay 0

            Three curriculum grants and two travel grants would be kept in place from last year.  Will there be a limit to the number of times some one can win?  Need more people to apply for travel grants.  Lori Mueller thinks $500 may not be enough to entice people to apply.  Cathy Miller thinks that limit should be after 5 years they may apply again.  Lori Mueller says we need to keep a list so that preference can be given to first time applicants.  Lori Mueller says maybe we should think about increasing travel grants.  Registration is practically $200.  Deb Tvrdik says it would be partnership with schools.  Cherie Schafer assumed that travel and curriculum grants were in place so no changes were to change.  Grant form does indicate matching funds.  Mileage rate needs to be on form.  Deb Tvrdik would like it specified where the regionals are that people could apply for:  Richmond, Virginia; October 11-13, 2007, Kansas City, Missouri; October 25-27, 2007, Houston, Texas; November 29-December 1, 2007.   (Mueller/Schafer ) moved two travel grants for NCTM conferences for up to $800 and continue curriculum grants.  An individual can receive these grants only once every 3 years.  Aye 14  Nay 0

            Lori Mueller wants good websites for journal and Judith Spitzli will write article about what’s going on in the State in newsletter and will put the application form to nominate someone for Presidential Award in the newsletter

            Rose Jennings asked for clarification of what is meant in the Handbook regarding the odd (secondary) versus even (elementary) order of nominations.  It was noted that that means that they are taking applications for the secondary (even year this year)  for May 1st , 2007 deadline.  Nominate someone now and refer to  www.pamst.org for the application form.  

 

 

Membership:  Nancy File gave the following report:

1.            (File/Royer) motioned that a reduced rate be offered if you join for more than 1 year

                        1 year 20

                        2 years 38

                        3 years 50

            Cherie Schafer wanted to know when a membership will end.  It was noted that Maureen Busta will be sending out 3 notices and that members will be notified on the 3rd reminder that their membership will end if the executive secretary is not contacted.

Aye 14 Nay 0

 

2.             Membership cards are still recommended

 

3.             Lapsed members

                        Three contacts

1.      letter by mail, return envelope

2.      end of renewal date, e-mail would be sent and asking if they would not like to be contacting again

3.      a month after their renewal month postcards will be sent indicating that their membership will end

 

      All 2005 members will be contacted by e-mail, and they will be asked if they are still interested in being members to let the executive secretary know.  Deb Tvrdik wants that retired information to be included on the e-mail.

4.         Free promotion for 1st year teachers is to be continued and all members will be contacted in September to sponsor new member.

 

5.  Free promotion to pay for substitute for conference and registration to 3 people at a cost of approximately $400.   Cherie Schafer wondered when this would be done.  Deb Tvrdik didn’t think anyone applied last year.  Could outreach committee handle this?   Nancy File says not much for criteria.  1st time conference attendee included in e-mail in Sept. Advertising for conference should include first time attendees and join the lottery to win.  The committee thought that anyone who is going to the conference for the first time as a teacher would be eligible.  These applications would be due November 1st.  Will info be out?  Connie Nolan indicated this will be out shortly.  Nancy thought Dec. 15th would work.  Maureen  Busta wondered if there was any problem with putting registration form on the web now.  (File/ Jennings) moved that free registration and sub pay be offered to up to three first time conference attendees.  Aye 14 Nay 0  Nancy File typed the form for the previous grant, put it on website and nobody applied for it.  Nancy File thinks someone from their building applied and they never heard anything from last year. 

6. Once flyer is done we want letter from President encouraging conference attendance and          membership sent to elementary principals

7.  Retired membership needs to be on web and in newsletter and AEA information needs to be found to identify math teachers in building.  People need to know that ICTM exists.  Maureen Busta will locate info related to labels from state by AEA.  Lori asked if institutional members are eligible for grants.  Information should be highlighted in information about institutional membership that this is a big benefit.  Nancy File says if director knows school on their list that they could get institutional membership information to them

 

Kevin Astor, Treasurer, facilitated the discussion of the budget. 

            Kevin Astor distributed working copies of the proposed budget and asked the board to fill in the line item information based on last year’s actual expenses and previously approved motions that were related to affected monetary values in the budget.  Discussion related to the budget included inquiries about NCTM sales (Meyer), whether we could order what we wanted or if the items were sent pre-designed (Mueller).  Cheri Ross suggested that requests be put in to the NCTM representative to have items at the conference.  The treasurer was asked to submit expenses for the Presidential Awardees to Judith Spitzli.  This would include Pam Swan, Diane Royer and Linda Seeger.  The bank will probably remain the same for Laura Brincks.  Kevin reported that we do owe Mary Friedrich one more payment and that that check will be sent this month.   Cherie Schafer asked where bulk mail would go? We need to know difference in price between bulk mail or regular mail.  (Schafer/File) gave Maureen Busta permission to check rate and if substantial savings would result then get bulk rate.  Maureen Busta will report the results back to the Board via e-mail as soon as she gets the information.  Marlene Meyer asked why the NCTM line item was increased. It was explained that Michael Link  does everything he can to keep expenses down, but the thinking is that Atlanta, Georgia is going to be more expensive. 

Motion to remove from table (Tvrdik/File) the following motion: $500 donation to MET. 

Kathy Wilkerson said in their group they had said if they had monies for ICTM they would not do the MET grant.  Aye 0  Nay 14 

(Miller/Avazian) made a motion to approve budget of expenses and income of  $38,650.   Aye 14  Nay 0  

Cheri Ross would like people to look at Director’s Handbook and forward corrections to Cheri Ross. Nancy File says that dates and addresses need to be changed.  Maureen Busta asked if after that was done if the board wanted her to wire bound the handbooks and the board didn’t think that was necessary.

Cheri Ross asked Cathy Miller to share information related to Joel Haack in support of her recommended nomination for the Friend of Math Award. (Miller/Jennings) motioned that Joel be a Friend of Math awardee. Aye 14  Nay 0 Maureen asked if she could order the plaque now and the board thought that would be fine.   

We need list of winners who have received the Friend of Math Award.  Deb Tvrdik remembered that when she was Secretary of this organization there were lots of boxes containing historical information.  Nancy File requested that Maureen Busta prepare a spreadsheet of information to build a list of awards and grants that have been given in the past. 

Marlene Meyer wanted to know what the Conference Committee wanted the rest of the board members to do.  It’s important to come in and help with the pre-session, registration table, ticket takers and be sure to let Ruth Avazian know names of speakers.  If you prefer a different e-mail let Cheri Ross know. 

Cheri Ross referred to an e-mail that she had sent to all board members including a news release advertising that they had attended the board meeting and if they want a letter sent to their administrators they needed to let her know that contact information.

(File/Mueller) motion to adjourn. Aye 14  Nay 0

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maureen Busta

Executive Secretary