Mark George

Thoughts on Governance, Customer Service and Ownership

The Suzuki Association of the Americas is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board has two essential responsibilities: (1) Crafting policies and ends statements (mission statements) that ensure an efficient, effective and visionary organization, one that is reflective of its ownership and that operates in a legal and ethical manner, and (2) evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer against those policies and ends statements.

The Board of Directors organizes its activities around a mechanism known as Carver Policy Governance, which outlines the manner in which a board can be successful…

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The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) is celebrating its fortieth anniversary, a time to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of Suzuki education in the Americas. Hundreds of thousands of students and families have been touched by the teachings of Shinichi Suzuki. Moreover, instrumental music education has seen a radical shift in philosophy.

Forty years ago, music educators had low expectations for most children, with special attention reserved for the so-called gifted or talented students. Today, largely because of the influence of Suzuki teachers, it is widely recognized that with excellent teaching and support, all children can play in tune, make…

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Mark George, SAA Board Chair-Elect introduces Parents As Partners Online, which will air January 17 through February 28 on the SAA website.

Register for Parents As Partners Online

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Dear Friends and Colleagues:

The Board of Directors of the SAA is seeking nominees for board service. We would like to ask you to consider who among your colleagues and associates you like to see involved in shaping the future of the SAA.

Exemplary board nominees might be drawn from your network of parents, former Suzuki students, friends or professional contacts from the corporate, academic or philanthropic communities. Nominees must have a strong belief and dedication to the Suzuki Philosophy and may have specific skills or experience in such areas as higher education, psychology, marketing, business management, fund raising, technology, communications or other areas of knowledge and experience.

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Read more of 2010 Conference Closing Remarks »

The 2009 Annual Membership Meeting was broadcast live on the web on April 4th, 2009 from the SAA office in Boulder, Colorado. It features the new teacher development video “A Suzuki Teacher’s Pledge”, a tour of the SAA office, and lots of news and trivia.

Broadcast correspondents: Diane Schroeder, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Lamar Blum, Ruth Engle Larner, Mark George, Marilyn Kesler, Carol Ourada, Beth Titterington, and Pam Brasch

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