What an exciting times it is for TAEA! I wanted to update TAEA members on the changes that have been implemented to let our board be more productive and more relevant to every TAEA member.
Through NAEA’s leadership conferences, Kathy Dumlao, President-Elect and I have been given the tools to make our TAEA state board up to date on the requirements of non-profits organizations. This includes everything from insurance to updating policies and procedures. Your Board now has changed to four meetings a year, with the additional meeting being an online meeting. Great way to get things done without costs of gas and lunch!
We also have started implementing committees. Our first was the Communications committee. These board members jumped right in late last year and recreated our website, put us on Twitter, Instagram and kept our Facebook up to date! Go to www.tnarteducation.org to find out more information on our state and regional happenings! We have some talented people on this committee.
We are having our first TAEA Board Retreat on April 7th. Many states do this annually to get big items accomplished and to create a strong team. This year we are doing our retreatat the Frist Center for the Arts in Nashville to work on some of those items needing updating with our board. We will be working on defining the board members roles, updating our bylaws, forming new committees, and starting a strategic plan that is clear and relevant to all members of TAEA. This day will be a workday with dedicated art educators, taking some time to team build and see the great exhibits at the Frist!
Returning to the formation of new committees, we want to let members know you are welcome to assist us on committees and conferences without being committed to the actual board and meetings. These committees will change as our organization needs change or as the task at hand is accomplished. We have Communications, Membership, Development, State conference and others. If you would like to help in any way, please contact us!
We had a great Regional “unconference” in Memphis in February. We have our Middle TAEA Regional Conference on April 8 (hopefully board members will join us!) at O’More College in Franklin, and our East TAEA Regional Conference on April 22 at UT in Knoxville. Please go on the TAEA website and register-this is another new feature the communications committee has work their magic on for us! One place to go for all you news and registrations!
Our State conference will be at Memphis College of Art(MCA) in Memphis this year October 26-28, 2017!! Join us for all the Professional Learning and fun!!
Please don’t forget if you are TAEA, you are NAEA! Their website has amazing information and there are webinars you can attend for Professional Learning, just to name a couple of benefits!
TAEA Board is a living, breathing entity. We are now working to breathe new life into our procedures and policies, while also keeping all members communicating together. How can we serve you?
By Janis Nunnally, TAEA President
