If you have not been able to attend a Leadership Retreat sponsored by the SAA, then you are in for a real treat. You will definitely be able to attend this year’s retreat with no travel expense, a small fee, and unlimited time for you to partake in the offerings.
The first ever Virtual Leadership Retreat is being held the entire month of April. See below how the SAA Board feels about the Retreat and perhaps they can entice you to be a part of this remarkable experience.
Mark George: The Virtual Leadership Retreat is an opportunity for Suzuki teachers to interact as an organic learning community. Throughout the month of April, the SAA will host online discussions threads, interactive web programs, blogs, file sharing applications, and social networking sites for hundreds of registered participants. Don’t miss this opportunity to help create the future of Suzuki education.
Christie Felsing: Having an ongoing, month-long working session allows all SAA members to contemplate a leadership topic, return to the website, and respond to a discussion at any time of day that is convenient for them. This cutting edge format is truly “green”, allowing more members to participate, since no one is prohibited by travel, cost, or time of year.
Teri Einfeldt: I am thankful to the SAA for offering my colleagues and me the opportunity to participate in a month long “Virtual Retreat”. How exciting and rewarding it will be to hear lectures, chat about common issues, share thoughts about books, and broaden our horizons all from the comfort of our own space. The convenience, the financial saving, and the opportunity to “attend” as many sessions as desired makes this event a “must do” for every SAA member.
Beth Titterington: “Learning Community” is a hallmark of the SAA, its history going back to Dr. Suzuki. The larger the community—the more we learn. The Virtual Leadership Retreat during the month of April will also include “live streaming” events such as the SAA Annual General Meeting. Don’t miss the opportunity to “attend” this meeting. You can also tune in for ‘live’reports from Betsy Stuen-Walker at the Suzuki World Conference in Australia.
Carol Ourada: As we are each leaders within our own studio, family, schools, and local community, and yes, the SAA, the “VLR” offers many enriching sessions to build our leadership skills. I am excited to have this opportunity for interactive events, revisit some inspiring sessions from past conferences and retreats and new offerings. All of this is within reach of our own hand and fits our own schedule! So “see you online!”
Lamar Blum: The Virtual Retreat is an opportunity for us to explore new ways of connecting as a Suzuki Community. I am excited to see what this venue will offer and how it can be used in the future.
Marilyn Kesler: The Virtual Retreat has opened the door to so many new creative and informative sessions which can be viewed by so many SAA members who may not have been able to travel to the Leadership Retreat.
From the comfort of one’s home, members will be able to watch informative videos, call or email questions for the presenters, learn about so many new teaching ideas, and see their friends. On top of all of that we will all be able to save money so we can attend the May, 2010 SAA 14th Biennial Conference in Minneapolis.
Betsy Stuen-Walker: The Virtual Retreat is an exciting opportunity for the SAA to potentially reach a greater number of the membership, utilizing technology that is available. How exciting to be able to observe and participate at our convenience! We are all looking forward to this venue as a new way to communicate and share with each other. I look forward to seeing you online!
Ruth Engle Larner: I’m excited about the prospect of experiencing the VLR as I think about the variety of ways we’ll be able to participate. I’m hoping to become more familiar with navigating the SAA website, and discovering areas I’ve not yet accessed. The SAA is providing an opportunity for its members to learn and grow not just in our leadership abilities and rolls, but also in our understanding and use of technology. This technology can bring us all closer and strengthen our community.
Plan to “attend” the Retreat and participate in the many offerings. You won’t be disappointed.
The SAA Board outside the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre in Guelph, ON. The September meeting was hosted by Gail Lange and the Suzuki String teachers of Guelph.
