NAREA Board Meeting

Greenville, SC

March 2, 2014

Board Meeting of the North American Reggio Alliance

Present: Barb Acton, Margie Cooper, Angela Ferrario, Jeanne Goldhaber, David Fernie, Susan Redmond, Jennifer Strange, Pat Tarr, Beth McDonald

Absent: Carol Anne Wien, Lella Gandini, Susan Lyon, Sheri Hunt, Ellen Hall, Jennier Kesselring, Amelia Gambetti, Jennifer Azzariti

Staff: Cheryl Rapaport, Lauren Dap, Patty Randall

Announcements:

  • Introduction of new staff members: Lauren Dap and Patty Randall
  • Announcement of Cheryl Rappaport’s retirement
  • Exchange from Board Members
  • Discussion of importance of attending the Board Meeting

The Board Meeting was called to order at 11:10.

Motion to approve minutes made by Jeanne Goldhaber and seconded by Dave Fernie. Motion was approved.

Finance

  • Historical and current reports were given
  • Discussion of support of Foundation took it’s toll
  • Margie will give a second report with Summer/Winter conferences broken out
  • Discussion of repairs to exhibit
  • Discussion of exhibit’s use
  • Possible loss with a goal to break even
  • Officially vote the budget in June

Membership

  • Lauren gave the report that we have 6000 members as a base
  • January was the largest renewal month

Exhibit Report

  • Judy sent report
  • Phase 2 we have filled all of 2015
  • NY will host the winter conference 2015
  • 2016 available for first half, second half will be hosted by Toronto
  • Openings in 2018-2020
  • Discussion of supporting hosts after the exhibit is gone

Jobs

  • 91 jobs posted brought in $11,000 with minimal work

Innovations

  • All issues will be available on the website
  • Discussion of Reggio Children difficulties going from recorded to written articles
  • Discussion of how to use Innovations as a revenue stream
  • Discussion of copyright and the importance of looking into due diligence.

Reggio Children

  • Highlight of NAREA Board Meeting is when the colleagues from Reggio join us. Paola Cagliari and Angela Barozzi updated the board from Reggio
  • Discussion of political climate in Italy, new mayoral candidate, minister of labor, privatization of schools
  • Conference gave a message of resistance and strength
  • Working with Heckman
  • Reggio children values the cultural exchange with NAREA
  • Looking forward to more shared research- possible teacher exchanges

Summer and Winter Conference

  • Patty updated the Board on the Winter Conference which just concluded. Will update further with the summary and summer conference as we get closer to the date.
  • Board meeting will be the day before summer conference

Visibility of NAREA

  • Ten Year Report: discussion of what has been done.

Margie working with nonprofit reporting consultant

  • Website: Patty and Lauren shared the development link of the website

Discussion followed

Work Group Discussions:

Networks and Relations:

  • Angela reported members interviewed membership coordinators
  • Three reports were handed out to be read
  • Some of the comments are outdated or will be addressed with new website
  • Members were asked to read the notes and make decisions on how to move ahead and have continued conversations in June
  • There may be a reconfiguration of the group with new people who have like interests

Research and Review

  • Jeanne Goldhaber shared results from “eric” search and discussion followed
  • 120 titles with research “all over the place”
  • Discussion of NAREA’s role- generating, promoting, sharing, publishing
  • Discussion of who do we want to reach
  • Discussion of copyright
  • Margie asked to keep this open as information we did not have before
  • Jeanne will forward the research to the board and the office

CD 2015 is suspended

NAEYC 2014

  • Beth MacDonald reported that a session has been submitted
  • Discussion of the exhibit booth. Margie suggested that NAREA not renew
  • Discussion of the importance of Board Members to be active promoters of NAREA at NAEYC
  • Discussion of the preconference day- time to take risk, try something new
  • Beth will report on the NAEYC preconference day in June

Other:Send iconic photos to office

Future Board Meeting:

  • Held in Reggio Emilia
  • Combine with professional development
  • Possible Spring 2015
  • Agreement that the board will help fund those who need support
  • Discussion of high level reasons for not going
  • Cost would be to Reggio Children, hotel , meals, airfare Monday-Thursday
  • Eliminate June/July board meeting that year

Developing Resources: postponed

Board positions update:

  • Carol Anne Wein to retire in June
  • Canada is eager to stay connected to NAREA
  • Margie will bring a slate with one name, Karen Callihan, to the June meeting

Draft Editiorials

  • To be shared in newspapers and e-newsletter
  • 500-1000 words
  • Board members will be guest editors
  • Board members will self direct
  • Dave will take November

The Meeting concluded at 4:45pm