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Organizing for a National Dialogue. A Briefing Report on the Relationship of NAEYC and Affiliates November 3, 2010 Anaheim, CA. Gwen Simmons Director of Affiliate Relations. Dialogue .
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Organizing for a National Dialogue A Briefing Report on the Relationship of NAEYC and Affiliates November 3, 2010 Anaheim, CA Gwen Simmons Director of Affiliate Relations
Dialogue • “Dialogue…is about a shared inquiry, a way of thinking and reflecting together. It is not something you do to another person. It is something you do with people. Indeed, a large part of learning this has to do with learning to shift your attitudes about relationships with others, so that we gradually give up the effort to make them understand us, and come to a greater understanding of ourselves and each other. “ William Isaacs
Important Updates • When using this presentation please reference the notes sections where additional information is often cited. • Please note that Exploring Relationship Possibilities: A National Dialogue is an evolving[ and authentic] process. Timelines and Guiding Principles were shared in November of 2010 and both will be revised in response to the feedback from Leadership Day participants and from the December 14th Leadership Call. • Final timelines and guiding principles for the National Dialogue will be presented to the NAEYC Governing Board at their January 2011 meeting. • Transcription and formatting of wall-charts is currently in process. Once completed they will be posted on the Affiliate Resource page along with this PowerPoint and a copy of the Leadership Day Agenda.
Purpose For today’s discussion: The view from the top – global perspective and preparation Prodding your thinking and benefitting from your input For the national dialogue: Strategic conversation about the desired relationship between NAEYC and affiliates. • How should NAEYC and affiliates relate to each other? • Are we maximizing the relationship? • Is the relationship purpose driven?
Overview • Historical Context • Why Now is the Right Time • Issues and Trends • Roles and Responsibilities • Project Timeline • Next steps • Questions
Learn the Past Watch the Present Create the Future
The “Relationship Issue”: An NAEYC Timeline • 1926 - NANE forms (National Association for Nursery Education) • 1937 – Boston Delegates conference – affiliate structure discussed • 1943 - Boston Delegates conference – formal relationship discussion tabled • 1955 - Registration process with NANE • 1958 - 30 Affiliate Groups in process • 1964 - NANE reorganizes as NAEYC, implements an Affiliate Group structure • 1989 - Governance Study conducted • 1992 - YC article by Marilyn Smith, NAEYC- Our Organization, Present and Future: Issues for Discussion, Spring Leadership Conference opens national discussion • 1996-1999 - ADP (Association Development Process) implemented • 2001 - Re-affiliation (version 3) implemented, first Affiliate Council meets • 2004 & 2007 - State Affiliate strategic plans submitted • 2010 - Strategic plans temporarily suspended • 2011 - 10 year anniversary of 2001 Re-affiliation • 2011 – National Dialogue initiated on relationship between NAEYC and its affiliates
What Does History Tell Us? The 2012 National Dialogue • Not the first time • Ongoing topic from the inception of NAEYC • Frequently emerges* • Emphasis on fiscal and legal structure • Attention to the “Issue Relationship” – typically overlooked
Why Now? • The timing makes sense • 10 year anniversary of re-affiliation • Vision 2015 • Organizational focus on continuous cycle of improvement • Right time to examine the relationship between NAEYC and Affiliates • Emerging trends among affiliates • Dynamic changes in ECE • Impact of shifting economic, political and social climates
Why Now? Dramatic shift initiated in the relationship between NAEYC and Affiliates 10 years ago • Re-affiliation (version 3) cemented and formalized a structural and legal relationship • Increased accountability • Legal documents signed (charter agreements) • Non profit business practices • Emphasis intentionally placed on states*
State Issues and Trends • Shift to state focus has left many local leaders feeling disconnected. Many report feeling “as if we’ve lost our voice.” • Attention to non-profit practices has left many state affiliates increasingly distanced from association work • Affiliates report not having enough input at the national level – “feel disconnected from the Board.” • Elevated Expectations (by NAEYC) without increase in resources, leaving many affiliates feeling unsupported in their efforts to achieve expected results.
State Issues and Trends • Affiliate structure not sufficiently customized to local communities • Affiliates appreciate heavy emphasis on business practices but report it dominates their energy, time, and resources – eliminating the passion of many to participate in leadership roles • State affiliates reinvesting time and resources in local affiliate relationships • Some local affiliates dissolving
National Issues and Trends • 2010 presents a different context • Changing context for ECE • Unique & complex state dynamics • Economy • Competition for time and commitment • Stagnant economy undermining nonprofit activities and contracts initiated by state affiliates in response to NAEYC expectations to create diversified funding • State affiliates restructuring • PA, WA, MD, NC, OH
Roles and Responsibilities • Affiliate Council Role and Responsibilities • Affiliate Board Role and Responsibilities • Affiliate Staff Role and Responsibilities • NAEYC Governing Board Role and Responsibilities
Affiliate Council Purpose • 15.1 The Affiliate Council serves three purposes: 1. To provide a forum for networking among Affiliate leaders to discuss issues of common concern; 2. To develop recommendations for the NAEYC Governing Board with a particular focus on Affiliate issues; and 3. To develop recommendations for the Nominating Panel regarding potential candidates for the Affiliate Liaison seats on the Governing Board. NAEYC Governing Board Handbook, 2010
Project Timeline: Open to Change as the Plan Materializes • Planning and Preparation • Phase 1: January – March 2011 • National Dialogue on Association/Affiliate Relations Begins • Framework for Association/Affiliate Relationship Constructed • Phase II: April – June 2011 • Recommendations Developed by Affiliate Council In Dialogue with Members and NAEYC Governing Board • Phase III: July – September 2011 • Affiliate Council Draft Recommendations Vetted • Affiliate Members • NAEYC Governing Board • Phase IV: October – December 2011 • Affiliate Council Finalizes Its Recommendations for Submission to the Governing Board • Phase V: January 2012 • Governing Board Deliberates Affiliate Council Recommendations and Concludes Its Decision Making • Implementation of Board Decisions Begin
Planning • Planning and Communicating • Historical Document Review • Survey – 4 Reflective Questions • Affiliate Leadership, NAEYC Governing Board & Senior Staff • Interviews • Association Component Expert • NAEYC Senior Staff – Past and Current • Affiliate Council Leadership – Past and Current • January 2010 Trend Report: Governing Board Book • Ongoing Documentation, Observations and Lessons from the Road
What’s Next • Leadership Day: Organizing for National Dialogue • White Paper: January 2011 • Launch National Dialogue: February 2011 • Guided by Discussion Guide • Affiliate Council appoints Steering Committee • Dialogue prepares recommendations • Affiliate Council vets draft recommendations • Affiliate Council presents recommendations to NAEYC Governing Board • NAEYC Governing Board deliberates Council recommendations • January 2012: Implementation of Board approved changes
Possibilities • I would like to see an action plan that unites the affiliates and national - something that we can all get behind and work toward. It should be that "impossible dream" that Stephanie Fanjul writes about…. it needs a focus that comes from within. Affiliate President, 2010
Relationships Power in organizations is the capacity generated by relationship. What gives power its charge – positive or negative – is the quality of the relationship. Margaret J. Wheatley
Draft Principles to Guide the National Dialogue • Honor and Respect Those Who Went Before, In the Present and the Future. • Be Respectful, Honest, and Truthful Enough to Allow us to Grow Into the Future. • A group exercise during Leadership Day produced additional suggestions for these principles. A revised set of principles will be developed and distributed in response to this input as we move this work forward. Added 12.2010, G. Simmons, NAEYC.