Meeting – Finalizing Constitution

NMTESOL Uncategorized

MINUTES OF NMTESOL
MEETING 4/25/08

Present:
Officers: Amy Christensen, Vice President; Kristina Sievers, Treasurer; Penny Mortier, Secretary
Coordinators: Jennifer Herrin, Web Coordinator; Deborah Golden, Membership Co-Coordinator
Other Members: Cathy Varney, Rowena Nichols, Jerry Leister, Jennifer Schultz

The meeting began at 4:30 pm.

Purpose
The purpose of this meeting was to come up with a final draft of our constitution to be presented when requesting affiliation status with TESOL. All members were invited to this meeting.

Structure of the Organization
It was decided to make the constitution as simple as possible so that it would be easy for members to understand, and so that, if we should later file for non-profit status, we wouldn’t be unduly restricted by a cumbersome body of regulations.

It was decided that the easiest form for the association to take would be to have a structure consisting of 4 elected officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) and a Board of Directors consisting of the officers and appointees such as
Web Coordinator, Newsletter Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Affiliate Liaison, Director of Advocacy, Northern Area Representative, Southern Area Representative, and others as needed.

The Board of Directors will direct the work of the organization.

It is recognized that, as we grow, we may have need for more board members, representatives, and ad hoc committees.

Annual Business Meeting
The Association will have one annual business meeting at which the new board will be elected, amendments acted upon, and general business conducted. We will try to rotate the location of this meeting to different places around the state. So that all members regardless of location can participate, voting may occur in person or by e-mail.

Tax-Exempt/Non-Profit Status
At this time we are not calling ourselves a non-profit organization as this is a legal designation that requires filing papers.

We will look into the regulations governing these designations so that we can make an informed decision about whether/or at what point we should file. A CNM BIT Faculty member who has helped other non-profit groups has been contacted in hopes of learning more.

Bank Account/Dues
Kristina Sievers, the treasurer will set up a bank account in the NMTESOL name that will be accessible to officers. The officers will pay their own dues to open the account and we will then start collecting dues from all members.

A provision was written into the constitution that would provide for the transfer of treasury funds to TESOL or a non-profit organization with similar goals in case our association were ever dissolved.

Copies of Minutes/Constitution for Members
Jennifer Herrin will forward these minutes and a copy of the draft of the constitution to the membership. It is anticipated that TESOL may request further changes when the draft is submitted.

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.

Minutes submitted by
Penny Mortier, NMTESOL Secretary

Our Officers and Committee Coordinators

NMTESOL Uncategorized

Officers
President: Bill Ancker
Vice president: Amy Christensen
Treasurer: Kristina Sievers
Secretary: Penny Mortier
Coordinators
Web Coordinator: Jennifer Herrin
Affiliate Liaison: Catherine N.H. Lewis
Advocacy Coordinator: Ann Cortés
Newsletter Editor: Ann Savino
Southern Area Coordinator: Deb McCormick
Membership Coordinators: Debbie Golden and Henry Shonerd

Minutes – Second Meeting

NMTESOL Uncategorized

Second NMTESOL Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2008

I. Announcements

  • Catherine presented a flyer of Tex-TESOL member benefits – something we can draw on when we start our membership drive.
  • Presentations given by New Mexicans at NY-TESOL Convention were recognized:
    a. Jennifer: Business English Teacher Training in New Democracies
    b. Amy: Speed Dating/Reviewing and SWOT Peer Reviews
    c. Connie and Kristina: Applying Brain-Friendly Lessons to ESL Classes
  • Henry and Catherine summarized the visit of International TESOL Educators (sponsored by the US Department of State) to College of Santa Fe – Albuquerque and Santa Fe Community College. See pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/NMTESOLpix/InternationalVisitors
  • Jennifer announced that Erica Volkers, Director of Education, wants to promote new TESOL Teacher Education Courses offered at CNM through Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS).

II. Membership

  • Nominations for Membership Co-coordinators were accepted: Debbie Golden & Henry Shonerd
  • We agreed that dues will be: $20 regular membership; $15 for students and volunteer teachers/tutors – we will start collecting dues as soon as we are accepted as an affiliate, i.e. all our submissions are accepted: Newsletter, Officers, List of Members, Constitution

III. First Newsletter Contents (led by Connie)

  • First we brainstormed some ideas for logos: zia sign, chiles, watermelons, roadrunners, mountain outline
  • Spotlight on member (starting with the officers) (Nora will interview Bill)
  • TESOL-New York presenters will summarize their own presentations (Krissy, Connie, Amy, and Jen)
  • Summary of the International TESOL Educators’ luncheon at College of Santa Fe and SFCC (Henry & Catherine)
  • Status report on affiliation process (TBD)
  • Report on the classes for ESL/bilingual education certification (offered by CHSS at CNM) (Jen)
  • Announcement of Diane Larsen-Freeman Webcast, May 7 (recast can be held up to 3 months afterwards) (TBD)
  • Column (Rowena and others)
    § Rowena’s Grammar Corner?
    § Ask Rowena?
    § You Can Use it On Monday?
    ¨ Call for Academic articles (and other submissions) for future editions

III. Constitution (led by Penny and Bill)

  • Decided to call organization NMTESOL
  • will use a blog (http://www.nmtesol.blogspot.com/) to publish information/announcements until further notice
  • Our email address is: nmtesol@gmail.com
  • Officers’ Meeting: to finalize Constitution – April 25, 4:30-6:00pm – Although this meeting is for officers, any interested members of the ESL Community are welcome – invitation will be sent out on Wednesday, April 23.Thanks very much to all of you who were able to attend! And a special “thank you” to the providers of snacks: Penny and Connie!!

Minutes – First Meeting

NMTESOL Uncategorized

1st NM TESOL Meeting – March 14, 2008 – 4:30-6:30pm
Moderated by: Amy Christensen and Jennifer Herrin

I. Everyone introduced themselves, said where they worked, and where their ESL passion lies. The International TESOL Convention to be held April 2-5 in New York was mentioned (Go to http://www.tesol.org/ for more information)

II. Amy Christensen spoke about her experience with CO-TESOL and Rocky Mountain TESOL and the comment was made that when becoming an affiliate, we can become a regional or state-wide affiliate.

III. The specs for affiliation were presented: 50+ members A current newsletter A constitution Officers, etc.

IV. Participants broke into groups to brainstorm a “to-do” lists in each of the following categories:

  1. Constitution Committee Contact: Penny Mortier, Bill Ancker, Hedy Newmann Dalia
  2. Newsletter / Website Committee Contact : Connie Gulick, Bronson Elliott
  3. Projects Committee Contact: Ann Cortés, Tom Pierce, Rowena Nichols
  4. Membership Drive Committee: Contact: Nora Nixon or Terry Toman

V. Each group presented their ideas getting feedback from other participants.

VI. Nomination forms for officers were passed out and the next meeting was set for April 18 (details to be determined). Penny, Hedy, and Connie will provide snacks.

Thanks! Many thanks to all who were able to attend!