MINUTES

Sign in to the Wimba meeting at:

ATTENDANCE: Gale Jones, Alice Hill, Cheryl Thingvold, Jacki Cinotti-Dirmann, Gudrun Martyny,

Linda Markley, Linda Villadóniga, Frank Kruger-Robbins, Alysse Rasmussen, Dr. Betty Greene, Myra Johnson, Pam Benton, Colleen Wapole, Dr.Vivian Bosque, Dr. David Gurney, Carol Wise, Susan McDonald

8:30 a.m.Call to order and welcomeCheryl Thingvold

  • Sign-in & trouble-shoot
  • Meeting guidelines and proceduresfor onlineLinda Markley
  • Welcome to FATI Representative: Antonietta Di Pietro
  • Approval of October 15th minutes. Corrections and revisions included

adding Anna Tijerino and Grisell Santiago to attendance list and name corrections.

Motion to approve minutes by Jacki Cinotti-Dirmann; seconded by Ester Gonzalez.

Minutes approved with revisions.

Past-president's report - evaluations Conference - 2011Linda Markley

Advocacy Videos – see website below to viewChrista Markley

Executive Director's Report – 2011 ConferenceGudrun Martyny

(Report should be attached)

Income did not include pay pal balance. FFLA was able to save money because various language associations sponsored speakers. FLAME account was paid through FFLA account which assisted us in meeting our contract amount in master budget for the hotel. In addition Peggy Boyles was sponsored by Siemens Learning. There was discussion about the need for a conference budget so that future committees can better estimate expenses. Jacki Cinotti-Dirmann moved to form a conference budget committee in addition to the finance committee. The current finance committee consists of the Executive Board. Jacki Cinott-Dirmann suggested that the Historian be included.

Alysse Rasmussen motioned that there bea line item that includes $1000 for ASL interpreters. Dr. Betty Green seconded the motion; motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

  • Website Issues

Gudrun Martyny informed the Board that FFLA website had been hacked and was down. APLUS server was contacted and would try to solve problem at a cost of about $3000 with no guarantee. Cheryl Thingvold expressed concern about members receiving proposals and emails. Linda Markley suggested that Frank, Gudrun, and Oneil work together to solve the current problems. There were suggestions of using Facebook or Twitter to communicate with members. Frank Kruger-Robbins offered to contact IALLT for assistance.

  • DOE World Language Course Descriptions & EOC Assessments:

There is general concern that the Florida NGSSS do not align with the

ACTFL proficiency standards even though the same terminology is being

used. Linda Villadóniga reported that she communicated with Dr. Sandra

McDonald about the alignment of the standards with ACTFL standards.

Lori Rogriguez at the DOE was contacted and supports the NGSSS

standards as they are written.

Andrea Newbold forwarded a copy of the letter written by Hal Rennert, the FATG representative, expressing his concerns with the standards as they are written and their impacton future EOC’s. Another concern mentioned was that the current standards will require a new certification proficiency level for teachers.

Annamarie Tijerino discussed the role of her position at the DOE in

developing the language EOC’s. She confirmed there will teacher input in

constructing a test bank of questions for use by local districts. Anna also

informed the Board that test specifications will be completed by February,

2012, and then test items will be written. Latin and Italian writers are still

needed. Spanish writing is currently waiting on a vender to be chosen.

Carol Wise mentioned that teachers were annoyed because applications for

test writing were closed before teachers could volunteer.

  • FLAN

Jacki Cinotti-Dirmann informed the Board that the winter issuehas not been completed due to lack of reports.She reported that she has tried several solutions such as changing publication date and deadlines. She also suggested that a short monthly newsletter could replace the summer FLAN with conference information that would still be sent in print to members. Cheryl Thingvold stated the need for more issues than pre and post conference issues in order to showcase FFLA to members and to the public. Linda Markley moved that there be a monthly FLAN sent as an electronic newsletter and Susan McDonald seconded. Motion passed. It was decided that all information must be sent to the editor by the 25th of each month with the newsletter being sent out the 1st of the following month.

  • Other Board Reports

JNCL: Past expenses were discussed and sharing of expenses as to travel/hotel are encouraged. Gudrun reported that all travel expenses must be reported under “travel”rather than under “advocacy” for tax reporting purposes.Advocacy cannot be more than 3% of the total budget.

  • FASLTA: has a conference Feb. 17-19 in Tampa.
  • FAATG:Nancy Decker reported that the groupmet virtually to discuss low student enrollment in courses and the impact of the NGSSS on teacher retention.
  • FLICU: Dr. Cornelius reported on an upcoming conference in Santa Fe. Details TBA.
  • NNELL: Coleen Wapole had no report at this time.
  • FFLJ: Dr. Betty Green informed the Board that there is a July 1st deadline for submission of papers for review to be included in the Journal.

NEW BUSINESS

  • Local Committee UpdateJacki Cinotti-Dirmann

The Local Committee met on December 3, 2011 and committeechairs were assigned. The theme for opening session was decided and relates to Florida History. Suggestions were made for preconference workshops with two possible off-site field trips, one to Ft.Caroline and another to St. Augustine. Also suggested is a visit to the Port of Jacksonville. Donations are being requested by the local committee members to off- set costs for the conference. A breakdown of attendees by days at past conferences was requested to determine the need for workshop space.

Linda Markley moved that the local budget be raised from $500 to $1000 to cover

additional expenses and inflation. Esther Gonzalez Wright seconded. Motion passed.

  • Pre-conference workshop & Opening SessionCheryl Thingvold

Cheryl advised the Board that workshops cannot be determined until proposals are received May 1st.

  • Connections–IALLT, Florida Council for the Humanities, other teacher

organizations, universities, businesses and legislature suggested as possible

connections to promote the Conference.

  • College Student Scholarship Applications will be sent to instructors instead of via the web site.
  • Contribution Letter–A form letter to be usedfor donation requests in cash or in kind is on the website
  • Deadline for submitting proposals – May 1, 2012. Presenters will be notified byJune 1. Conference Theme and Call for Proposalsis on the FFLA website

Mural Competition "Celebrating Florida's History"

  • Dimensions of the posters or muralsarenot to exceed 4' X 8'
  • Any medium may be used; work must be original, and portray some period of Florida's history
  • They may be done by any individual or group who are students of a registered FFLA attendee
  • Prize(s) will be awarded in each category: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 & Post Secondary.
  • Murals must be brought to the Renaissance Hotel in St. Augustine before the opening session on Thursday evening.
  • Murals will be displayed in the hall for the opening session and afterward in the Exhibitors Hall.
  • Winners in each category will be determined by vote of registered attendees and will be announced at the closing session.
  • Suggested prizes: Cash prize for winner in each category; Books, materials from publishers for runners-up.

ACTFL and SCOLT conferences update:

  • ACTFL: Lisa Podbilski reported her experiences at ACTFL in Denver, November 18-20, 2011. She was delighted to be selected by SCOLT to attend.
  • SCOLT: Dates reported Atlanta, March 22-24; Joint conference with FLAG – SCOLT, and SEALLT. Cheryl and Gudrun will be attending. Frank Kruger-Robbins, awarded “Best Workshop” at FFLA, will be a presenter at SCOLT.

Frank will also have an FFLA table at the IALLT conference.

Misc. Announcements/Items:

  • Linda Markley informed the Board that photos from the Conference are on the website.
  • Cheryl Thingvold suggested to the local committee that there be extended hours for the technology table at the 2012 Conference due to its popularity this year. It was also mentioned a different location than the Exhibitor Hall might allow access to more visitors.
  • Conference attendance: Some districts give bonus for not missing a contract day plus many no longer give a TDE for attendance. A suggestion was made to perhaps include post conference activities for teachers who cannot attend on a school day.

Future Board meetings: May meetingon site at Renaissance at WorldGolfVillage

  • Saturday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Executive Board Meeting on Friday, May 18, 6:00 p.m.

12:15 p.m.ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADJOURNMENT

Gudrun Martyny made a motion to adjourn and Frank Kruger-Robbins seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 12:15.