January 9-11, 2009, SAA Offices, Boulder, CO

Members present: Lamar Blum, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Mark George, Marilyn Kesler, Ruth Engle Larner, Carol Ourada, Diane Schroeder, Betsy Stuen-Walker, Beth Titterington, and Pam Brasch, ex officio.

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 am by Diane Schroeder, chair.

MOTION #1 To approve the September 2008 minutes as corrected.
M Ruth Engle Larner S Lamar Blum Carried

A discussion of Policy 2.11, as it relates to the ENDS Policies, followed.

MOTION #2 The Board recommends that Teacher Trainer Guidelines and Ethical Responsibilities be articulated and distributed by Jan. 2010 to Teacher Trainers and Institute Directors. The Board requests that the Teacher Development Committee develop Teacher Trainer Guidelines and Ethical Responsibilities to be presented to the SAA Board by the Board meeting of September 2009.
M Marilyn Kesler S Betsy Stuen-Walker Carried

MOTION #3 To change Policy 1.1.C to read as follows:
1.1.C. Teacher Trainers subscribe to and advocate for all SAA professional guidelines and ethical standards.
1. Teacher development courses meeting SAA standards of excellence are consistent in core content and professionally delivered.
2. Teacher development courses are offered in appropriate SAA selected and/or approved venues.
3. Assessment processes are in place to insure that the Teacher Development Program provides consistent and thorough teacher training.
M Marilyn Kesler S Ruth Engle Larner Carried

MOTION #4 To rescind Policy 2.11 because it is now covered in the ENDS Statement 1.1C.
M Lamar Blum S Mark George Carried

MOTION #5 To acknowledge that the Board has received and read the Monitoring Reports.
M Teri Einfeldt S Beth Titterington Carried

A discussion of the Monitoring Reports was next, specifically addressing Policy 2.3 Financial Planning/Budgeting, Policy 2.4 Financial Condition and Activities and Policy 2.6 Management Contingency Plan.

An update on the current status of the Annual Fund drive was given by Pam. Teri shared a report from the CD Committee and its production of the incentive gift “Celebrating Excellence”.

MOTION #6 The Board endorses the SAA’s decision that there will be no teacher training offered for Piano Books 5, 6, or 7 (currently published editions or proposed revised new editions) in any institute, apprenticeship or long term training in 2009 or until further notice.
M Teri Einfeldt S Carol Ourada Carried

Diane updated the Board on the Parent Education Project and its funding.

Beth shared a report from the Honorary Board Committee, highlighting the completion of all Honorary Board interviews for the American Suzuki Journal.

Friday’s meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.

Saturday’s meeting called to order at 9:20 am.

MOTION #7 To accept the following revisions of POLICY 1.1.C, which will supersede MOTION #3.
1.1 C. There is a dynamic and cohesive teacher training system.
1. Teacher Trainers subscribe to and advocate for all SAA professional guidelines and ethical standards.
2. The teacher training curriculum is the product of ongoing collaboration and continued study by Teacher Trainers.
3. Teacher development courses meeting SAA standards of excellence are consistent in core content and professionally delivered.
4. Teacher development courses are offered in appropriate SAA selected and/or approved venues.
5. Assessment processes are in place to insure that the Teacher Development Program provides consistent and thorough teacher training.
M Marilyn Kesler S Beth Titterington Carried

The Nominating Committee report was given by Teri.

MOTION #8 To accept the 2009 Board of Directors non-competitive slate as presented.
M Carol Ourada S Ruth Engle Larner Carried

It was the consensus of the Board to support the SAA Gift Policy as it stands.

MOTION #9 To appoint Betsy Stuen-Walker as secretary for the 2009-2011 BOD term.
M Nominating Committee Carried

MOTION #10 To appoint Mark George as Chair-elect for the 2009-2011 BOD term.
M Nominating Committee Carried

Brainstorming ideas for the Virtual Leadership Retreat, and planning the Annual General Meeting, followed. An overview of the 2010 SAA Conference was shared by Christie and Pam.

MOTION #11 To change Policy 4.10.4 to read as follows:
4.10.4 Board elections by the voting members will be held between February 1 and April 15 in accordance with the bylaws.
M Ruth Engle Larner S Lamar Blum Carried

Saturday’s meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.

Sunday’s meeting called to order at 9:10 am.

Chair charged the Interboard Committee to contact other organizations regarding information on Mentoring Programs. Christie shared a description of the proposed Young Teachers Council.

MOTION #12 To approve revisions made on Policy 1.1B and 1.1C to read as follows:
B. The official training system for Suzuki teachers in the Americas is developed, administered and sanctioned by the SAA.
1. The SAA teacher training system is dynamic and cohesive.
2. Teacher Trainers are advocates for all SAA professional guidelines and ethical standards.
3. The teacher training curriculum is the product of ongoing collaboration and continued study by Teacher Trainers.
4. Teacher development courses meeting SAA standards of excellence are consistent in core content and professionally delivered.
5. Teacher development courses are offered in appropriate SAA selected and/or approved venues.
6. Assessment processes are in place to insure that the Teacher Development Program provides consistent and thorough teacher training.
C. Professional Suzuki teaching is readily recognizable.
1. SAA is the reliable source for information about a Suzuki teacher’s proficiency.
2. The SAA Certificate program is the recognized indicator of Suzuki teacher proficiency.
M Marilyn Kesler S Beth Titterington Carried

April Agenda items:

  1. Further discussion of Policy 1.1B
  2. Meeting dates for 2009-2010
  3. Final plans for AGM
  4. 2009 Annual Fund plans
  5. Young Teachers Council discussion
  6. Parent Committee brainstorming
  7. Branding exercise
  8. Gift Policy review
  9. CLC Awards planning

Committees:

Summer Institute Focus Mtg (ad hoc): Carol, Beth, Lamar

Poster Committee (ad hoc): Marilyn, Pam

Former Board Member Committee: Beth

Nominations: Teri, Diane, Christie, Pam

Development Steering: Lamar, Ruth, Carol, Diane, Mark, Pam

Interboard: Ruth, Marilyn, Pam

Audit: Carol, Diane, Pam

Board Education: Beth, Christie, Diane, Pam

Honorary Board: Beth, Betsy, Gail Lange, Pam

CD project (ad hoc): Paul Salerni, Dave Madsen, Lamar, Teri, Pam

Meeting adjourned at 11:35 am.

Respectively submitted,
Christie Felsing, Secretary