I am delighted, and quite humbled, to have been installed as NADE’s President at our conference in Nashville. I am looking forward to a productive year with the new Executive Board, which has already begun to meet and conduct the business of the year.

Vice-President Margaret (Mickey) Hay is working with the volunteers to plan our conference for next year in Boston; Susan Ertel is updating the minutes from last year’s meetings and will have those posted on the web site. Incoming officers, President-Elect Rosemary Karr and Treasurer Jeanine Lewis, both have begun their duties within the past month. Rosemary is communicating with chapters, and Jeanine is already issuing reimbursement checks. The Board just created a new SPIN for online faculty members, which we will further develop with the help of one of our members who suggested it, and we are considering another one on teaching indigenous students. More on those later.

My thanks to the outgoing officers, President Hilda Barrow and Treasurer Paul Hrabovsky. They both continue to mentor and advise as we need them. Hilda was such a dedicated leader throughout last year, working with three new Executive Board members. In spite of her inexperienced board, Hilda encouraged us to take on several major projects, not the least of which were a complete revision of the NADE Policy Handbook and a new look for NADE’s web site. Through Treasurer Paul Hrabovsky’s mentorship, we all learned about the NADE budget and investments. Knowing he was not going to run for re-election, Paul patiently taught the novices who surrounded him. NADE is in sound financial shape because of Paul’s stewardship. 

The Board will be supported by other volunteers as we carry out our work this year. Hilda Barrow has agreed to accept a new position as Committee Coordinator, and Karen Tompson-Wolfe is going to serve as the SPIN Coordinator.

I am confident that the Board is making a smooth transition and that we will finish the work that was begun last year. We are committed to a final revision of the entire Policy Handbook and the rollout of the new NADE web site, which many of you previewed in Nashville. We’re all eager to help NADE’s members and local chapters have a great year ahead. Please be in touch with any of us as the year unfolds.

Thank you for the great honor of being the NADE President. I am pleased to support your work and the work of this great organization.

To see pictures of the incoming and outgoing boards, click here: See Boards

Those of us who attended the 2007 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, will long remember the fantastic experience. Over 1500 NADE members, including over 500 newcomers and a new Pacific chapter (PacADE), enjoyed the pleasures of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center and attended a wonderful conference. 

Some of the highlights of the conference included keynotes by Dr. Mark Milliron and Dr. Calvin Mackie, “Reba” and “Toby” at the Opening Reception, The Southern Belles’ reception for our newcomers, the fabulous exhibit hall, and many, many wonderful institutes and concurrent sessions offered by our talented membership. 

Nashville was a wonderful destination for our 2007 conference. I believe that part of our decision to attend a conference is based on where the conference is held because, of course, we can always count on an excellent program. Our next three conferences are already scheduled: Boston in 2008, Greensboro in 2009, and Columbus in 2010. Where would you like to meet in 2011? The Nashville conference brought together veteran Executive Board members and former annual conference chairs to provide leadership and oversight of the conference. If your chapter would like to host the annual conference, but you are unsure whether your chapter can pull together enough workers, don’t hesitate to pursue the idea. It is no longer necessary to have a chapter take full responsibility for all facets of the conference given the way electronic communication systems have shrunk the country. We can put together a team from a number of states and chapters and do a professional job. The Nashville experience confirms this. 

So contact me at mhay@swmich.edu or call 269.782.1306 if at your next meeting someone says, “Gee, do you think we could have a NADE conference here?” YES, you most certainly can!

To see the pictures of Award Winners honored at NADE 2007, click here: Awards

To see other pictures from the conference
(and the slide show from the President's Breakfast), go to:
 http://www.nade2007.net/

You can also see two photo montages in the printed version of the newsletter.

“Listen, my colleagues, and write it down

The next NADE conference is in Boston Town

On the 27^th of February, 2008

Hardly a person in our great state

Will miss this jewel in our crown….”

And so, NADE 2008 took the reins and began galloping towards Boston, where the conference will be held at the Marriott Copley Place hotel in the center of the city.

Our theme “Developmental Education: The New Revolution” connects Paul Revere to our new Leonard Zakim/Bunker Hill Bridge. The rider reminds us of our long and proud past as “revolutionaries” who believe that all students can be and deserve to be educated and recognizes our efforts to build bridges between developmental education and the traditional college classroom. 

You won’t want to miss this conference. Our keynote speakers are Steven Brookfield, Distinguished University Professor, University of St. Thomas Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Pelonomi Khumoetsile-Taylor, Ph.D., JD, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, MA. We have exciting pre-conference institutes and have extended the conference sessions to 75 minutes giving you even more time to enjoy all of the topics. On Thursday evening be sure to join us at the Old South Meeting House for a trip back in time to Colonial Boston. We also have great side trips planned for your family and friends (we know they will insist on coming to Boston with you).

You won’t want to miss…

“…Our city of culture, where you will see

We drink lots more than imported tea

Our hist’ry is rich with names and events

For all of you who have the good sense

To join us in Boston where you will be

Educated, inspired, wined and dined

Treated to events that are one of a kind”

See you theyah!

For more information on NADE 2008, go to the conference web site at:
http://www.NADE2008.net

Some days I wake up wondering what I could possibly have been thinking that fateful day in May 2005. That was the day that LAANE members were meeting to announce the NADE 2008 conference in Boston. Sure, I planned to offer a hand at the upcoming conference. You know, sorting a few envelopes, making a few phone calls, schmoozing with a few people, nothing too big--not too much of a commitment.

I don’t know what came over me when I gleefully volunteered to co-chair the conference. Maybe it was the confident twinkle in Margaret Suby’s eyes, or maybe it was the light-headed feeling I got being out of the office on such a nice day, I don’t know. But before I could even stop myself, I heard my alter ego—you know, the strong, powerful, competent person who lurks somewhere inside of each of us—say, “Sure, I’d love to do it.” It all started with that simple affirmation.

When I got back to my office and prepared to tell my dean, I thought to myself, “How hard could it be? After all I had successfully planned and delivered professional meetings and several regional conferences for 100 people. One hundred... fifteen hundred, what’s the difference, right?”

What was I thinking? Who am I to co-chair such an important event? I don’t know everything about developmental education. I am not one of those published experts whose articles and books we all read. And besides which, the conference was two and a half years away. Who knows what my life will be like then? Maybe I wouldn’t be living in Boston anymore (I am), maybe I wouldn’t be at my job anymore (I’m not), maybe my ideas won’t be any good (most are, some aren’t), maybe, maybe, maybe…

Well fast forward to today, another lovely day in May as I sit down to reflect on that decision. Things are really beginning to heat up for the conference. We have been meeting several times a semester to plan and discuss and share. We put on a great show in Nashville, from our well-stocked booth to our colonial “re-enactment.” I have spoken at every possible professional conference, event, and meeting, trying to rustle up enough volunteers to make ’08 a success. And yes, a faithful few have attended the last two conferences and literally worked like dogs, tailing conference leadership, lapping up information like hungry puppies (okay, so it was really margaritas we were lapping up!). But now that the conference is less than a year away, it seems like an endless flow of checklists, phone calls, emails, contracts, and notes. I even woke up at 3:00 in the morning with a great idea for a new conference event! (Fortunately for Mickey and Margaret, I didn’t share it with them until much later that day.)

But honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Looking out over my cluttered desk, with all of my NADE to-do lists, all of my messy handwritten notes that even I can’t read, not to mention piles of work for my “real” job, I can truthfully say that this has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my life.

Over the past two years I have gotten to know so many people in my regional chapter. I have seen the ’08 team come together to achieve some outstanding work, planning, and preparing for what promises to be a really exciting, informative conference. I have developed a strong network of colleagues throughout the profession, cultivated some friendships that I hope will last a lifetime, deepened my understanding of the vision of developmental education as it is expressed in dozens of different colleges across the country, and met people who were previously just anonymous contributors on the various listservs. But above all, I have come to realize that I am, in fact, that strong, powerful, competent person, one among many on our “team,” who can contribute so much to the profession.

So next time you are invited to a NADE meeting, GO. Who knows, you just might volunteer!!

The NADE Executive Board, under the new leadership of President Geraldine (Gerry) McBroom, is already fast at work. The NADE Executive Board includes Vice-President Margaret (Mickey) Hay, President-Elect Rosemary Karr, Treasurer Jeanine Lewis, and Secretary Susan Ertel. The new Board met in Nashville on the Saturday and Sunday following the conference to establish goals and to discuss projects for the upcoming year.

In April, we had a telephone conference call to take care of some agenda items in a timely fashion. We have set a goal as an Executive Board to have at least one conference call per month (maybe two) to help us keep on top of NADE business. As is always the case, we correspond daily via email and use this asynchronous method of meeting to our advantage as well. Usually, within a month of a meeting, we will have official minutes posted on the NADE website (www.nade.net). In fact, the majority of all reports and minutes as well as forms are available for download at the web site. So check it out.

Our second face-to-face meeting of the year will be in May when the Executive Board travels to St. George, UT (where Susan Ertel lives). The Board will stay at the Dixie State College Cabin in Pine Valley, UT. The cabin offers majestic views of Pine Valley Mountain and the quiet village of Pine Valley. The Board typically uses the May meeting as a chance to bond, get to know each other away from the stresses of the national conference, and conduct a great deal of NADE business.

In September, the Executive Board will travel to Boston to meet at the site of the NADE 2008 Conference and to work with the 2008 Conference team.

Our fourth face-to-face meeting as a Board will take place at the NADE 2008 Conference in Boston in February and March of 2008. The Executive Board typically arrives on the Friday before the conference and meets through to the next Friday. The new Board then takes over after the President’s Breakfast on Saturday morning.

With the upcoming unveiling of the new NADE website, the revamped NADE Policy Handbook, and the newly revised NADE Conference Planning Manual, there are many reasons to check out the NADE website for information from the NADE Executive Board. Also, remember when you are planning a state or regional conference, you may apply for a grant to have an Executive Board member speak at your conference. You may find the grant application on the website. 

As President-Elect of NADE, it is my privilege to work with state and regional chapters. This year in Nashville, the Leadership Congress for chapters was conducted by Geraldine McBroom. The new chapter, PacADE, was introduced. That brings us to 29 NADE chapters representing 46 states!

My primary responsibility is with regard to chapter reports or grant activity. Information was given to the chapter leadership regarding grant opportunities. The Board introduced a new Type C grant to help defray the expenses of hosting Certification Council Training at chapter conferences. Grants Type A, B or C are for a maximum of $500 each. If a chapter is in good standing, they may apply for all three grants in a fiscal year. For a chapter to be in good standing, two reports are due annually. The forms and their due dates (May 1 and November 1) are found at the website http://nade.net/nade_forms.htm.

Liability insurance for each chapter is available through an endorsement to the NADE Business Liability Policy. This is a group coverage endorsement and has shared limits to coverage. Each chapter is encouraged to submit an application (found on the website) for Chapter Insurance. The fee is $75 with a deadline for application of May 1.

If your state or region does not have a NADE affiliated chapter and is interested in developing one, please contact me for help in beginning this process. You may go to http://nade.net/ChapterConferenceDates.xls for local and regional conference information. I am excited to have the opportunity to serve NADE and your chapter. Please send me information pertinent to your chapter. NADE needs current officer information and conference dates for each chapter. If you have any questions regarding chapter activities, email me at rkarr@ccccd.edu.

To see a picture of the new PacADE Chapter, click here: See PacADE

Two very important changes are taking place in NADE: the office is moving and the web site is being renovated.

THE NADE OFFICE IS MOVING

NADE's annual shutdown period will be June 16-July 5. During that time, the NADE office will be closed. Additionally, the NADE office will be moving!

Beginning July 5, NADE will have a new address:

       NADE

        500 N. Estrella Pkwy Ste B2 PMB 412

        Goodyear, AZ   85338

        Phone:  877-233-9455 (unchanged)

        Fax:  623-792-5747

        Email:  office@nade.net

        web:   www.nade.net

NADE WEBSITE UNDERGOES CHANGES

The NADE website at www.nade.net has recently experienced both cosmetic and functional changes. The static portions of the website are already posted to www.nade.net; over the next week to 10 days, any links broken in the upload and any outdated links will be removed. Over the next few weeks, dynamic portions will be activated on the new website:

· Members will be able to update their contact information online.

· NADE unit leaders will be able to update their unit's leadership information online.

· The general public will be able to print any portion of the Leadership Directory they wish, using a simple query process.

· Individuals will be able to join or renew their membership online using MasterCard or Visa (no checks or purchase orders).

NADE will also be soliciting "Pagemasters" who will help keep the NADE website content up to date.

Please visit the NADE site at www.nade.net (the same address NADE has used in the past) and let us know what you think. Send your comments to office@nade.net.

Remember, change can be good!

The NADE Elections Committee is calling for nominations for President-Elect, Vice-President, and Secretary. You are welcome to nominate yourself. If you nominate someone other than yourself, please ask that person for permission. 

The descriptions for the offices up for election and the form for submission are on the NADE website (www.nade.net)under Executive Board Forms/Documents. The title of the form is 2008-2009 Nomination Solicitation Flier.

Please give running for office serious consideration; we need a strong Executive Board to serve the membership.

The NADE Certification Council congratulates the following institutions and programs for achieving NADE certification for 2007:

PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, TENNESSEE

Mathematics, Reading, Study Skills, Writing—Distinguished

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE, TEXAS

Reading—Distinguished

UTAH VALLEY STATE COLLEGE, UTAH

Writing Center, Tutoring—Advanced

STEPHEN E. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY, TEXAS

Tutoring—Distinguished

SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY

COLLEGE, TENNESSEE

Coursework—Advanced

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA

Coursework—Distinguished

Please join the Council in congratulating the hardworking individuals at these institutions for their well-earned honors.

Welcome, PacADE!!!
 

NADE is proud to welcome a new chapter to the organization: the Pacific Association for Developmental Education (PacADE). Here the NADE Executive Board poses for a group shot with the PacADE contingent after the new chapter was installed.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Tropical Island + NADE Conference = Paradise

Let’s hope so!!!

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

NADE 2008

32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE