TipS for firST-Time Leadership Conference Attendees
If this is your first MSBA conference, WELCOME! MSBA is your professional organization, and we are confident you will leave this event with a wealth of information to help you face the challenges of being a school board member or superintendent. Here are a few hints for getting the most from the conference. Look through your materials: This MSBA Journal magazine includes the Leadership Conference program. You can also find a copy at one of the conference hotel registration desks or at registration on Thursday morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The program includes event schedules and other important information. Be punctual. We value your time. Unless something unavoidable occurs, our events begin and end on time. We do not have assigned or priority seating, so please plan to arrive at meetings a little early to reserve your spot and get settled. Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself to other school board members. You will find them to be valuable resources for you both at the conference and in the future. Chances are, whatever challenges you are facing on your school board, one or more of your fellow MSBA members have been there before. Name badges give you a wealth of information to help you get to know fellow conference attendees. All blue badges are school board members. Yellow badges are given to superintendents, red to exhibitors, green to guests and purple to other administrators. The number and ribbon on the badge tells you which MSBA district an attendee is from. Introduce yourself to MSBA staff and the board of directors. If the staff or your MSBA director doesn’t find you first, please introduce yourself to them. You will see them at the registration desk, the Ask MSBA Booth, and other locations around the conference. They are wearing gold state of Minnesota name badges and they are there to help you. Please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Check out the vendors. Over 200 vendors exhibit at the leadership conference and their sponsorship is what enables you to attend the conference free of charge – there is no registration fee. Take some time to visit the vendors and explore what they have to offer. Ask questions. Don’t worry about asking a “rookie” question. Many of the most important issues facing public education today are raised by new members who are taking a fresh look at situations confronting our schools. Fill out your conference evaluation. MSBA staff appreciates your comments and reviews all of the feedback given. As time and resources allow, staff implement suggestions that improve the event. Take what you learn home. MSBA encourages school board members attending the conference to report at your next board meeting what you learned at the conference to any of your fellow board members and key staff who couldn’t attend. Sharing what you learned will help your team grow. MSBA is YOUR organization. Above all, know that MSBA is your organization. We are a diverse group of people with one goal in mind: providing the best possible education to our students. You will find your fellow school board members and our staff ready to help you reach that goal. Enjoy the conference and again, please let any of the MSBA staff or your board of directors know if they can help you at the conference and after you return home.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
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