Oak Ridge Meeting Summary

SQUARE

. . . About Leaders and Leadership: “Leadership still matters most”

Until the leadership changes, nothing will change.

Principals are the key to our work. It is vital that we become a visible and tangible part of our local principals’ network and meetings.

Principals are the key people to work with to improve college access programs.

School principals need professional development training on college access.

We need to build relations with principals.

Principal is KEY.

The need for a passionate leader/principal that is involved and engaged, and will share with other principals and help to ignite their buy in.

Without the buy-in from the school Principal, not much happens

Principals are the key to changing school culture and community decisions.

When the principal and superintendent are involved, things change! Getting them involved is difficult until they “see” the need by getting outside their comfort zone

Principal leadership is a worthwhile effort. (Thanks for support to do this activity.)

Expectations of administrators are key.

The need for administrative leadership to effect change in the school culture.

Need to bring principals together for PD and showing through out project.

Terry and Chuck got me out of Fentress County on the bus tour and follow-up from a principal from OH.

. . . About Boards of Directors

A strong board – one that can speak and fund raise on your behalf is needed.

Select members to serve as an Advisory Board.

Each Center needs a functioning BOD

The critical importance of advisory board commitment.

. . . About AHE Network Strategies

When you are overwhelmed with reality, the success of others in similar circumstances is motivating!

It is helpful to see examples being done by others.

It is important to get the kids out of the town into the workplace and/or on the college campuses.

Teachers, counselors, decision makers must all be exposed to what is going on outside of their home county.

Annual Report; the need to improve information delivery to various stakeholders, including funders.

The AHE Network is a valuable resource and will be a very powerful force with the Appalachian education system.

Relationships and networking are essential to success and worth the time it takes

Working together is better than working alone.

Together we are much smarter, better than we are individually.

Great ideas come from collaboration rather than from one person.

Pollyanne sparked a great discussion which produced much excitement; we were listening and contributing. (See Leadership for Sustainability in Report Section)

Non profits can thrive.

Need a website and marketing material.

Our work is NOT confined to the AHE Network, but serves or should serve as a ripple effect. We continue to learn and grow

Dropping out is not an option.

Identify something to first be able to do something about it.

We are the strength and the weakness of our programs.

We can’t do it alone; community buy in is necessary.

IHL student service projects in local schools for sororities/fraternities, etc.; service grants

The broader import of statement for future grants

The need to manage competing job responsibilities

There can be a change in anyone; you just have to keep trying different avenues

CIRCLE - (Lingering Questions)

How will our AHE Network dovetail with the EPFP/leadership development programs?

What should we/will we do (what kind of training to provide) for our principals?

What are the other AHE Centers doing for principals with the new grant? A blog would help us share information on our progress

How are we going to build a strong network of principals in our region and not exclude some?

How will Ohio conduct this roundtable/principal conversation?

Who needs to be on our Board?

We need economic development impact data from states where AHE Network Programs have been implemented. Has there been a change in OH?

Should it be an Advisory Board or an Operational Board?

How can I make the Board functional?

Who should be asked to serve on an Advisory Board?

Why do we have the have the word “access” in the AHE logo on the front of the program?

Time, Time, Time

How can we learn from the experiences of OH to better prepare our programs in terms of by-laws and boards?

What is working and still growing?

What are we going to do about the bus tour? A Southern Tour?

How do we build a contingency plan?

Branding!! Marketing – getting the message out broadly, but with MS-HEI as a lead partner.

How do I develop the relationships within the Network of regional principals?

[As seemed to be the case] Why is the TN Department of Education not more concerned? The level of politics . . . Why do we shoot ourselves in the foot?

Can we (ARC) do something distinct for principals that will be missed if we aren’t around?

Getting organized???

How will a school district like Fentress sustain their activities after the TnACHE funding ends?

How do we use the Annual Report to promote the Plant the Seed concept?

What does out new expanded model look like?

How do we get the best travel experience for MS?

How does the entire school district help/hinder this new initiative?

Can we have a GA/TN Bus Tour in closer proximity to our states so we may invite more school leaders and counselors to participate?

How to clone the leadership?

How can I get more folks on the bus tour?

TRIANGLE -- Important Points

Connect, Connect, Connect -- Network, Network, Network

Continuing to build a/the network is important.

New places to recruit for ORAU/ORNL.

Fentress’s need for the ‘next’ step.

Develop changes for the bus tour.

Help get the word out in working in the region.

Principals are the key to total school buy-in because they set the tone for the entire building and the students’ experience of education.

Marketing Skills & Products; Marketing; develop marketing material

Function of Boards

Places to get grants

Contact/involve service learning students to assist GACHE with projects.

Need to rethink Board of Directors and Functions.

Plan for succession for our program (if I leave is important).

Advertise – bumper stickers – paint barns, etc.

We need an AHE Network slogan.

Networking

How to answer broader impact questions by NSF.

Be prepared for change.

Need a good forum for sharing.

Sharing with cohorts.

Always share ideas.

It is nice to have money to leverage when networking.

Personal relationships matter.

Leverage.

There is still Power in printed material.

Must be selective when considering board members

Foundations are not a likely source of funding right now.

Leadership is the key to non-profit success.

Build a good board of directors who can/will add value.

FACEBOOK (as a resource).

Whether we are a 501C3 or not – act like one when it comes to funding.

Inquire!

Make all principals aware of AHE efforts.

Start a regular mailing effort with the principals – communications.

Time together creates partnership; it doesn’t happen overnight.

I don’t have to do anything or everything by myself.

New folks (in work) are helped when they join a strong organization; specifically, I’m thinking about how much MS is helped by joining a stronger AHE Network Directors meeting.

Share and build.

We need to remember that getting out of one’s hometown is Very Important in Improving Education at home.

Importance of getting administrative people out of their setting.

Trust-building relationships.

Use leaders to champion work and build new relationships.

Never forget that our students’ parents do not or may not know how to be supportive.

Need to promote our vision for a different relationship – education/economic development.

Must join with state leaders to make a difference.

Get leaders out of their own county to see other programs.

There is hope—when there seems to be little or no hope. Ask for fuel or tangibles other than money; include decision makers.

The process will not show quick results.

Helping one person can make a difference to many people.

We are changing a culture.

Visionary leadership is critical; Parent involvement is critical.

Relationships are important.

It is more than enrollment in post-secondary; need to develop a follow-up plan.

Teacher expectations matter; parental engagement matters; superintendent commitment and leadership matter.

Learn more about Appalachian “at promise” scholarship.

Link up with real estate agents to provide virtual tours on line of model schools.

Selective appointments to the advisory board.

Balancing competing interest of host agency and institution.

General Comments

I enjoyed the variety of topics covered; the breadth was good.

This was a very direct and focused meeting with a wealth of information. Expectations were well defined.

Thanks Jeff for the idea list.org website for bylaws.