May 31, 2012 Research Policy Practice Affiliate with Increasing Membership

Conference Call Reminders Pass Code: # *6 mutes your phone *6 again to join in with a comment or question Research Policy Practice

Agenda 10:00 Affiliate Trends Overview (Q&A/ Discussion ) 10:10Arizona 10:20Pennsylvania 10:30Florida 10:40Nebraska 10:50Wisconsin 11:00 Maryland Any other states/conversation to evaluate themes to share more widely with the Affiliate community Research Policy Practice

Arizona 1. Increased visibility in our state, especially visibility in places that indicated the elevated importance of our state professional association (tried to be at "the right table at the right time," and did some major branding work) 2. Implemented a motto of "do a few things, and do them well" 3. Developed and continue to refine an e-newsletter that goes out every other week 4. Increased communication with and support of our local affiliates and affiliate chapters 5. Implemented both a NAEYC Members in the Making grant and a matching grant from Families and Work Institute 6. Presented a professional development institute that was a unique professional development experience geared to present our association in a "revitalized" light 7. Improved our nominations process to "get the right people in the right positions" on our Board Research Policy Practice

Pennsylvania 1) A statewide QRS system that support/requires a “professional membership” in an early childhood organization as one element of the top 3 levels of the system. 2) In Pennsylvania there is an ongoing development of a “state wide systems” approach that connects all members of all local affiliates to the state AEYC so that we continue to work together for the benefit of the ECE community in Pennsylvania. We continue to work toward building systems so that our state AEYC is a cohesive unit connected together in regions for the membership. 3) The development of a state wide member benefit called Shared Source PA. A web based platform that offers members from across the state the opportunity to utilize training, cost savings programs, QRS materials and Accreditation information, community chat area, teacher and classroom resource area, health and safety training information and resources as well as other items. 4) The focused and intentional advocacy efforts through involvement in Public Policy as a united voice across Pennsylvania as it related to issues for ECE membership. Research Policy Practice

Florida We had the bump from conference. We are trying to hold on to the people by having the locals call and try to involve them. We are launching a contest with affiliates that will award them prizes for increasing members at different levels 5%, 10%, 15%. Value of membership flyer. Research Policy Practice

Nebraska 1. Nebraska received a portion of ARRA dollars to use for early childhood education. One of the projects funded by these dollars was called the Early Learning Connection for Quality Portfolio Project. The year- long project engaged early childhood educators across the state in a series of intentional professional development exercises. At the end of the project, many of the participants received stipends along with NAEYC memberships as a benefit of completing the project. 2. Nebraska AEYC offers our chapters and affiliates a variety of services/materials which they use “points” to access. One of ways they can spend their points is to purchase memberships for members of their chapter/affiliate. Nebraska AEYC actually purchases the membership on their behalf. We have had a few affiliates use this option in the past year. Research Policy Practice

Wisconsin

Maryland The data seem to suggest that student membership has increased significantly. In Maryland, several colleges/universities have student groups or have indicated (to the MDAEYC board) that they want to initiate one, which may suggest many emerging members who then join at the student level. – At the University of Maryland, the Early Childhood Education program is an NAEYC-approved teacher preparation program (which of course is one of many such programs), so that program and the student group both encourage membership. MDAEYC has waived the state and local membership fees, so students can join for $25. It is, of course, possible that some people are joining at the student member rate as a cost-savings measure. Research Policy Practice