Annual Report – Learning Forward Nebraska

Annual Report 2017

Highlights from the 2017 Board Retreat

Each summer, the Learning Forward Nebraska Board meets in Lincoln to reflect on the activities of the organization, celebrate success and plan for the upcoming year. This summer, just as in 2016, we met at the Nebraska Council of School Administrators’ (NCSA) building to facilitate the retreat.

The retreat began with a discussion with our NCSA partners, Mike Dulaney, Dan Ernst and Amy Poggenklass. The discussion focused on the role of Advocacy and Policy as Learning Forward Nebraska—aligning with our vision of Collaborative Partnerships. This high-energy discussion led to the formation of a new subcommittee (Advocacy and Policy) beginning its important work during 2017-18. Learning Forward Nebraska Member, Chad Dumas (Hastings), will guide the work of this committee.

Throughout the retreat, time was devoted to each goal area (Communication & Connection and Collaborative Partnerships) for review of 2016-17 activities and the development of visionary action steps for 2017-18 that lead to the attainment of the Strategic Plan by 2021. Several action steps emerged for both goal areas. Here are a few highlights:

Communication & Connection:

Increase membership to 300 members.
Create and implement a plan for recognition.
Intentionally involve/engage our members in committee work and the promotion of Learning Forward Nebraska.

Collaborative Partnerships:

Expand the Executive Leadership Program (ELP) across the state.
Lead sessions at the Nebraska Department of Education Continuous Improvement workshops and the spring AQuESTT Conference.
Engage with Summit Partners to advance and promote Professional Learning.

Please review the Learning Forward Nebraska Strategic Plan for more detailed information.

You may contact the Board at learningforwardnebraska@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @lrngfwdneb

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – RHONDA JINDRA, ESU #1

The Learning Forward Nebraska Affiliate has continued to expand in the areas of membership, partnerships with other organizations, and activities serving the Affiliate members.

The two goals, Communication & Connection and Collaborative Partnerships, provide purpose and direction for the work of the Affiliate.

Communication & Connection: Under the direction of Eileen Barks (ESU #2) and Jeff McQuistan (ESU #17), this committee began by creating a Communication Plan to guide their work. Many actions were implemented including the maintenance of a topnotch, professional website (https://learningforwardnebraska.org), a bimonthly newsletter that is now linked to the website, promotional materials distributed during conference events such as NETA, AQuESTT, and NDE Administrators’ Days, and the hosting of a January Twitter Chat. This committee also communicated with members by emailing a “Welcome Letter” immediately upon receipt of new membership.

Collaborative Partnerships: Scott Blum (Waverly), Julee Sauer (ESU #3) and Freida Lange (NDE) provided leadership for this goal area. Many innovative processes were implemented including the following:

Expanded the Executive Leadership Program (ELP) as described in the Learning Forward Foundation Affiliate Grant Award received during 2015-16. This expansion provided opportunities for administrators, staff, ESU and Curriculum personnel, etc. to experience job-embedded professional learning. This impressive program provided structure for innovative professional learning and results for students.
Coordinated and hosted the first Professional Learning Summit. The goal of the Summit, to affirm the shared values for teaching, learning and leadership across the state, provided an avenue for visioning and discussion. This partnership will continue in 2017-18.
Supported the work of the NDE Continuous Improvement workshops and the April AQuESTT Conference. In addition, Fred Brown of Learning Forward, provided a Pre-Conference and the Opening Keynote during Day 1 of the AQuESTT Conference.

To further explore the work of the committees, please review Committee Reports on the Annual Report.

On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank the membership for their support and service throughout 2016-17. I would also like to extend my appreciation to each of you while serving as the LFN Chair for 2015-16 and 2016-17. It is with great honor that I now welcome Scott Blum as our LFN Chair. Congratulations, Scott!

Here’s to an exciting year ahead!

Respectfully,
Rhonda Jindra, Learning Forward Nebraska President

PARTNERSHIP WITH NCSA

The Learning Forward Nebraska (LFN) Affiliate partners with the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA). NCSA is a strong advocate for professional learning across the state—serving Administrators, Curriculum Directors, Staff Development Coordinators, etc. Because of a similar mission and audience, the LFN and NCSA partnership will continue to grow in years to come.

Because of this visionary partnership, LFN members are encouraged to either begin or continue their NCSA membership to ensure alignment efforts are maintained and expanded.

Committee Reports

Collaborative Partnerships

Overview

7 Committee members: Scott Blum, Julee Sauer, Sue Evans, Josh Fields, Jadi Miller, Frieda Lange, and Chad Dumas
Committee met 4 times during 2016-17
Additional ELP sub-committee meetings were held and facilitated by Julee Sauer
Focus areas included Executive Leadership Program expansion, the initial state Education Summit, and Nebraska Department of Education partnerships such as The AQuESTT Conference and Continual Improvement Workshop

Executive Leadership Program (ELP)

As part of the Learning Forward Affiliate Grant Award, LFN continued the intentional expansion of the ELP from the original, single ELP pilot
Four board members assisted in facilitating ELP’s (Julee/Scott, Eileen, Chad)
2016-17 ELP’s included ESU 3, ESU 2 with Fremont Public Schools, and Hastings Public Schools
A subcommittee facilitated by Julee Sauer was formed to get feedback on improving the implementation and overall process of the ELP
The ELP Feedback Form was used to collect data for 2017-18 participants

Education Summit

The first summit was hosted by LFN and included:
- Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (NASCD)
- Association for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (NACIA)
- Department of Education (NDE)
- Educational Technology Association (NETA)
- Association for Gifted (NAG)
- Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA)
The summit affirmed the shared values for teaching and learning through intentional support and leadership across the state
There is a desire for the creation of partnerships that are innovative and create systems of support in classrooms, schools, and districts and promotes teaching and learning beyond a conference or workshop
LFN utilized a partnership with the Nebraska Educational Technology Association to begin the process of further growing and promoting professional learning through the annual NETA Conference in Omaha in which approximately 21 LFN members attended and 5 presented
LFN is seeking an innovative partnership with the state teacher organization (NSEA)

Nebraska Department of Education: AQuESTT Conference 2017

LFN again partnered with the Nebraska Department of Education to further engage in the six tenets of AQuESTT
Hosted a pre-conference “Focus on Implementation” that was facilitated by Fred Brown of Learning Forward
Collaborated with the Nebraska Department of Education and Learning Forward for Fred Brown’s keynote on “Leveraging AQuESTT and Standards for Professional Learning to increase success for Educators and Students” focused on the consideration of scaling and sustaining new practices associated with the tenets

CIP Workshop

Continued having LFN leadership members co-facilitate breakout sessions as requested by NDE

Communication and Connection

Overview

Eileen and Jeff, Co-chairs
5 additional active members
Represents a merging of two former committees (membership, publications and publicity)
All membership communications sent through Learning Forward Nebraska Gmail account

BUILDING A PRESENCE Subcommittees

Conference Booth: Amber Johnson, Kellen Conroy
Promotional Items: Deb Wragge, Kellen Conroy
Website: Jeff McQuistan, Robbie Jensen, Kellen Conroy

ENGAGING MEMBERS Subcommittees

Newsletters (Smores): Dawn Ferreyra, Kate Carlson, Eileen Barks
nebEDchat, NebraskaPD: Eileen Barks, Kate Carlson
Recognition and Awards: Eileen Barks, Jeff McQuistan

Website

Live as of July 2016
Google Analytics to track use
Technical Updates taking place
Continue to review and revise to optimize membership experience

Bimonthly Newsletter

Published January April May
Utilized Smore software and analytics (may need to consider paid version)
Transitioned from a single board member initiative to a committee-based project
Considering how to utilize website with the newsletter
Email reminder regarding benefits of membership (with links)(perhaps this included in the bi-monthly communication)

Promotional Items

Conference Booth: NETA, AQuESTT, Administrators’ Days
Promotional Tokens: free promotional items from LF for all as well as purchased items for members only (i.e., keychains, stress balls, mugs)

Twitter Chat

#nebEDchat (January)
Hour-long chat on best professional learning practices
76 people joined chat (members and nonmembers)

Recognition and Awards

Tabled for consideration during 2017-2018

New Members

Welcome letter from sent following monthly membership updates, including Quick reference guide PDF, membership list, “If not a workshop then what?” PDF

Finance and Membership Report

Membership Summary

Learning Forward Nebraska had a total of 119 members for the 2016-2017 membership year. This is an increase of 14 from the 2015-2016 membership year.
Membership renewal information for 2017-2018 was sent out the week of July 17. Nonmembers will be sent information in August.
Anyone who would like to receive membership information can reach Amy Poggenklass at amy@ncsa.org.

Financial Summary

Learning Forward Nebraska has a current checking account balance of $5,714.81 including funds from year 2 of the Learning Forward Foundation Grant.
Invoices for the Annual Business Meeting lunch will be mailed out after Administrators’ Days.

Financial Statement

September 1, 2016 through July 18, 2017

Revenue

Expenses

REVENUE – $11,498.25

2015 Annual Meeting Lunch $838.25 (7%)
Membership Dues $2,635.00 (23%)
Learning Forward Affiliate Grant $8,000.00 (70%)
Miscellaneous Income $25.00 (<1%)

EXPENSES – $5,949.20

Annual Meeting $841.00 (14%)
Conference Promotional Items $1,072.67 (18%)
Postage $85.64 (<2%)
Printing $17.16 (<1%)
Newsletter $79.00 (<2%)
Miscellaneous $25.00 (<1% )
Grant Fund Expenditures (website, booth) $3,828.73 (64%)

Annual Report 2017

Highlights from the 2017 Board Retreat

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – RHONDA JINDRA, ESU #1

PARTNERSHIP WITH NCSA

Committee Reports

Finance and Membership Report

Membership Summary

Financial Summary

Financial Statement

Upcoming Events

Pages

Quick Links

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