Running a Successful Chapter Moderator: Chris Stephenson Padmaja Bandaru: Greater Boston Joanne Barrett: Florida Stephanie Hoeppner: Ohio

Agenda Why Chapters Scheduling Partnerships Engaging Meetings Building Membership

Why Chapters CSTA sees local chapters as the best possible way to: o Identify local issues and develop local solutions o Build a strong learning community o Provide targeted professional development o Build membership o Support state-level advocacy efforts

Qualities of Strong Chapters Strong, consistent, leadership over time Commitment to CSTA’s mission and members Understanding of local needs and issues Vision of what can be achieved A plan to achieve that vision Commitment to providing professional development Strong local partnerships (university/college and corporate)

Scheduling Meetings: Padmaja Publish an agenda before the meeting Rotate meeting locations Third week of the month seems to be convenient for more members Do not choose Mondays or Fridays for meetings Include time to share a classroom activity as a regular agenda item

Scheduling Meetings: Joanne Virtual Meetings Monthly, not Mondays or Friday, and Early in the evening Goal - make it easy for people to get home, get dinner and tune in! Live - Annual Meeting at FETC

Scheduling Meetings: Stephanie Meet online via Skype with several "hubs" Focus on professional development and sharing of ideas Meet at the Ohio eTech Conference each year to bring in new people

Building Partnerships: Padmaja University Liaison is a big help Google is also very supportive Approaching local companies also helped us They are trying to organize internships

Building Partnerships: Joanne Discovered we had a big problem in Florida at our first meeting through our virtual school participants We have been working on this ever since

Building Partnerships: Stephanie Find area businesses, other organizations or colleges to help promote CS education o TechCorps o In Ohio - TCS, Columbus State, Muskingum College

Meeting Strategies: Padmaja Setting the date ahead always worked for us Send reminders a week and day before We usually set the agenda for the future meeting Additions to the agenda are always welcome Updating the meeting notes helps people who could not attend but have an interest in the agenda

Meeting Strategies: Joanne Since the meetings are online, it is important to have a recorder for minutes Send out the agenda the day before, as well as a reminder Try to invite a guest "speaker" to focus on issues or topics

Meeting Strategies: Stephanie Set meeting dates for the year in advance List the topics covered Send out reminders with Skype id Try to for at least 2 face-to-face meetings Meeting minutes are posted on our website with other communications

Building Membership: Padmaja We maintain a list of interested people We always send the meeting invitations to them also The meeting invitation usually has an agenda attached People interested in the topic have attended and joined CSTA

Building Membership: Joanne Rely on eblast from CSTA Approach folks at every conference/event if I hear they are from Florida Big numbers do not necessarily make a difference We have a small core group but others know we are here and pop in from time to time when they have questions/issues

Building Membership: Stephanie All CSTA members in Ohio receive: o at the beginning of the year about meetings o about our State Technology Conference and any major professional development opportunities Through these events and messages we try to encourage membership into Ohio Chapter of CSTA

Famous Last Words Stephanie Hoeppner: With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable. ~Thomas Foxwell Buxton (Translation - keep up the good work; it will pay off) Joanne: Stay connected. If you are the lone voice for CS at your school, there is a way to not feel so isolated! Padmaja: “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney

THANK YOU! Padmaja Bandaru: Joanne Barrett: Stephanie Hoeppner: Chris Stephenson: CSTA chapter page: