When people think about joining a group or organization, especially one that requires membership dues, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: What do I get out of this?
This is a very relevant question especially in times when it seems you can't eat dinner in peace without taking three phone calls to buy or join some group or service "for a small donation." In talking to people about the Alliance over the past few years, this question has arisen quite frequently. I have tried to think of something to put in members hands that signifies membership. Fond memories of Mickey Mouse ears and Little Orphan Annie secret decoder rings that were a part of the experiences of my youth were of no help either. I was left to examine the question: What exactly does the Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education have to offer its membership?
The Alliance offers four services to members. The first of these is scholarship.
Each year we award nearly $4,000 in scholarships to students and $500 to adults to enhance their pursuit of passions that might not be available through regular channels. We have supported students from primary and secondary schools, from rural and city schools, and from public and private schools. Students in the past have purchased experiments, resource texts, and other items to help them to further their talents. Adult scholarships have been responsible for creating an enrichment travel guide to Michigan and a page on the Internet dedicated to parents, students and educators in the state. Last year we began a scholarship endowment, funded entirely by private donations, that when fully operational will put forth even more money into student scholarships. Our children are our future. The time to invest is now.
The second service the Alliance offers members is communication.
Our newsletter is published four times a year. In it we regularly feature innovative programs and educational opportunities for educators, students, and parents . Images also offers information about upcoming events throughout the state. We also have begun, with the help of that aforementioned adult grant, an Internet page that will give everyone access to information about parenting, programming, advocacy and issues concerning talent development. Members will be able to access their representatives in Lansing or Washington with just a few clicks of their computer keyboard. This is the quickest way our voices can be heard and our concerns addressed. It is my goal to have names and addresses of contact people throughout the state published on the Internet to help parents and students access programs and information about talent development even quicker.
Tied very closely to communication is advocacy.
We are not a Political Action Committee in the legal definition, but I would like to think of us as a political interest group. We cannot, by law, give money to political leaders or groups but we can organize efforts to support legislation that is in the best interest of our students. You may have been a recipient of one our many "Call to Action" faxes. These faxes go out to key people throughout the state when issues are facing the legislature that will impact children in the state. Last year faxes were sent to key people asking them to contact their legislators and request their support for legislation. We have learned from the past that politics and education are intertwined and it is up to us to help roll the ball or be run over by it! The Alliance board also works very closely with many members of the state government, keeping them informed of the needs of parents, teachers, and students. State support for gifted and talented (section 57) is still in the education budget primarily because of the work of the Alliance and our members providing legislators with testimony in Lansing.
The fourth service the Alliance offers is in-service training.
Each year nearly 550 parents, educators and students gather for our annual conference. During the conference nearly 60 small group workshops, focus sessions and keynotes are offered to keep members up on methodologies and strategies in current practice. This conference has always been offered at a discount to members and this year even a larger discount will be offered with "early bird" registration. Along with the conference, Alliance board members will travel throughout the state to do workshops for affiliate groups. We are here for the asking.
The board also serves as a resource for affiliates using it's experience to suggest speakers for local conferences and workshops. The only way we finance these services is through memberships and conference attendance. Because of the difficulty in getting substitute teachers and the fact that many school systems are tightening their belts in respect to conference attendance, membership is becoming of critical importance to keeping these services at present levels.
We'd like to begin a membership drive that will bring in 200 new members to the Alliance. I'd like to ask you to share it with your friends and colleagues. If you are signing up new members have them note your name on their application. Memberships in the Alliance are tax deductible. As affiliates, you can act as the right hand (or left) of local coordinators helping to run programs and passing along information to interested individuals and groups.
In retrospect, the Alliance does offer more than mouse ears and decoder rings. It offers us a chance to really create change. It offers us a chance to raise as one voice in Michigan and help answer the question, "Where are we going?"
Feb. 9, 1997
If you are reading this you are likely on-line. Right now, Go ahead and e-mail us now with you questions, concerns, or requests. We want to be of service to you and especially to your children.