NOTES FROM LEADERSHIP DAY 2016
What do you consider the most positive aspects of being affiliated with SECA?
Virginia/Tennessee
Southern voice—commonalities of issues
Additional resources
Hands-on and realistic issues
Every state has a representative no matter how large or small
Much more personal
Hones in on what is relevant to your state
Offers technical support
Florida/Texas:
Being part of the south
Southern Issues
Public Policy Advocacy
Numbers – folks – strength
North Carolina/South Carolina:
Support and resources
In similar regions a more targeted focus
Mutual respect among members
“at home” feeling—grass roots
Arkansas:
Strength in numbers
SECA is about relationships
Louisiana/ Mississippi
Autonomous but connected
Southern expertise
Resources
Relationships
Networking
Sharing of ideas—conference, President, Board Reps
Happy about SECA support
Kentucky/Alabama/West Virginia
State support
Grass roots
Every State is represented—regional connections
Accessible
Relationships—small “matter” I
Training content is quality
Promotes professionalism
Georgia/Oklahoma
Rich heritage and culture
SECA always there for us
Immediate response
Authentic
TA and Board Training
What do you consider to be the strongest cultural and heritage commonalities that the 14 SECA statesshare
Virginia/Tennessee
Generational poverty
Wages are lower
More blue collar
More family tradition oriented
Hospitality, food, smiles on the street
Pace of life
Florida/Texas
Rural poverty—all poverty
Low density population areas
Working poor
Lack of poor student $
Highest first time in college
Language barriers—Southern English = language poverty
Gentility and mutual respect
Health issues
North Carolina/South Carolina
Socio economic status
Dual language
*Rural, at risk
Cultural richness
Arkansas
Inclusiveness
Religion
Family oriented
Louisiana/Mississippi
Poverty (generational)
Financial accountability
Family composition
Static Families/community
Southern pride
Culture of food and obesity
Kentucky/Alabama/West Virginia
Generational poverty
Accents
Rural areas
Obesity/general health issues
Social emotional stressors—(disadvantages-ongoing difficulties)
Learning issues
Stereotypes---slow/stupid
Family ties
Southern pride
Traditions
Connections
Georgia/Oklahoma
Regional identity—all southern
Focus on people/greater good
Similar political issues
Activism for southern issues
$ in South, but doesn’t always flow to those in need or children’s issues
What do you consider to be the most challenging aspects of being affiliated with SECA
Virginia/Tennessee
Even in our states we have different interests and issues
Many members don’t know that they are SECA member
Florida/Texas:
Today in FL—Do members know they are SECA?
Branding
Marketing
Advocating within state boundaries? What is uniqueness—
works in the state but not within region
No “running” philosophy?
No unified method of getting leadership
No election process
Board wick
North Carolina/South Carolina
Affordable, valuable to all members (entry level teachers, grass roots, ground level)
SECA has been very supportive to NC! SC!
Arkansas
We no longer have any association manager
Louisiana/Mississippi
Membership’s lack of understanding the role of SECA
Has been thinking they can only belong to SECA OR something else
Kentucky/Alabama/West Virginia
Losing National Voice
Dues structure
Change is scary
With Higher ed-national organization is more valued than regional
Georgia/Oklahoma
Being able to afford to travel to SECA Conf.
Cost of dues in dual states
No differential student member dues
How can SECA strengthen bonds with your state affiliate
Virginia/Tennessee
Documentation from SECA to share with members
Florida/Texas
Dues—revenue sharing
How do you afford the relationship?
Confusing with different dues structures among states—divides rather than bonds-does not promote cohesiveness
Dual affiliates in state—how will this work with SECA Rep?
Issue—if one state affiliate does not join SECA, the dues of the SECA affiliate will be more – hence, SECA will lose members (If one new affiliate in the state does not join SECA and the other does, the dues of the SECA affiliate will be more.
Issues of packaging membership
North Carolina/South Carolina
Continue the flexibility and support
Continue presence at conferences, retreats
Arkansas
Proximity
Louisiana/Mississippi
SECA presence at conference
More info in general sessions at conference (state)
Like the personal touch—getting someone on the phone—get help (The southern way)
Kentucky/Alabama/West Virginia
Leadership/Board issues (design /structure)
Board training: non-profit development
Web/tech support
Newsletter support
Membership communication help
Georgia/Oklahoma
Administrative support/love it
Help with identity issues
What is SECA apart from dual relationship affiliation
How can SECA better serve membership in your state
Virginia/Tennessee
Continued contact
Bookkeeping – providing support in services
A voice
Florida/Texas
(Didn’t get to this question in the allotted time.)
North Carolina/South Carolina
Assistance in growing membership
Use of SECA network
Continued support throughout the states
Arkansas
Advocacy on behalf of Southern states in national policy debates (or to provide tools/resources to do this
Help identify political advocates
DEFEND THE CHILDREN FROM PUSH DOWN
Louisiana/Mississippi
More visibility at university level
Make them more aware of what’s available
Mentoring
Website needs to be more user friendly—categories
Marketing
Happy about SECA support
Kentucky/Alabama/West Virginia
Bring together all individuals (teachers, ass’t, caregiver)
“at risk” populations
exceptionalities
Faith-based training
Infant/toddler information
Career transition/networking
New teacher support
Promoting professionalism/growth
“veteran teachers”
CDA students
Costs/wages
Georgia/Oklahoma
Students need help with affordable membership dues
Issues of those new to the profession
Students have energy idealism to move the field into the future—use them