R  E  G  I  O  N  A  L     U  P  D  A  T  E  S

Another summer has flown by, and by now you are looking at your bright and shiny new faces, and gearing up for another demanding school year. Between SAE, FFA and classroom, and for those of you in leadership roles, such as the state ag ed association, it will be a busy time! Somewhere in that busy schedule, take time to attend the NAAE convention in San Diego in December. Registration information is available in the newsletter. I have talked to the California Association, and know that they are planning to host a fabulous convention, complete with off-site tours and a great social/scholarship auction. They will also be hosting the Region I conference in Carmel in April 2001.

This summer I had the opportunity to attend the Washington, California, and Idaho conventions. There was excellent attendance at all meetings. We all share common concerns – teacher shortages, funding, and meeting exiting standards. Each state has taken a proactive approach to solving these problems. During these conferences, the professional development activities offered will continue to keep teachers current in industry standards.

Congratulations to the Region I NAAE award winners. They will receive recognition in San Diego. Outstanding Young Member: Sandi Weishaupt, WA. Outstanding Teacher: Kevin Fochs, MT. Outstanding Program, Yelm, WA. Ideas Unlimited: Jon Farquharson, OR.

It is time now to make that individual contact to the new teachers in your state, and inform them of the NAAE, and the membership benefits available. I challenge each state to increase its membership, and build our professional organization. If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sue Poland, (208) 257-3311 or spoland@mail.sd432.k12.id.us

Well, time is flying by. I thought at one time that things slowed down a little after banquet season and the end of school. WRONG! There is no slow time in the ag ed profession. You finish one job and get on to the next—or even start before you get finished!

We had a great Region II Conference in June in Abilene, Kansas. We discussed and dealt with a substantial amount of NAAE business. We also had several very good tours in the Abilene area. A BIG thanks to Bill Hunter, President of the Kansas Association, and a salute to Mike Womochil, the agri-science teacher in Abilene. Mike set up the program and organized the whole show. Great job! He had some excellent help from fellow teachers in the area. All in all, it was a great time of food, fun, fellowship, and business in beautiful and historic Abilene. Again, a huge thanks to the Kansas crew!

It’s not too early (or too late either!) to be planning for the NAAE convention in San Diego in December. Watch for details on times, places, and reservations. Have a great start of school and a successful year by planning ahead now! See you in San Diego.

James Dawley, (254) 562-2831 or jdawley@mexia.isd.tenet.edu.

I hope this issue finds you recharged and ready to go for another school year. The summer activities (regional meetings and state conferences) allow us to update ourselves and interact with other professionals to glean ideas and relate experiences to make us better in whatever types of classes we teach. My wish is for a great year for each of you.

Congratulations to Barb Osborn, Region III chairperson this year, for the very well done job of putting together this year’s conference and to the Iowa Association for being fine hosts. Also, congratulations to Pam Koenen for her fine job with the Minnesota conference. I am looking forward to visiting the South Dakota Association for their conference in August. Next year’s Region III conference will be in Chamberlain, SD. Make your plans now as it looks to be a great conference with some very interesting events planned.

Don’t forget to make you reservations for the NAAE convention in San Diego, Dec. 2-6. I know I am looking forward to seeing many of you there and renewing friendships. There were some very interesting committee recommendations brought to the floor at Region III. I think that you will see that some of these will effect your national organization in the future. Make sure that your state has representation in San Diego to make your feelings known on these subjects.

I’ve noticed that there are many opportunities to lend a hand to the running of the NAAE and to have a hand in what happens with the National FFA by representing the NAAE as an appointee to committees. If you should have an interest in being on one of those committees, please notify your vice president, and have a resume ready for when that appointment comes up. The board appoints or suggests people to fill these spots; we’re always looking for responsible leaders to fill these positions.

Let’s all get ready for a super year and remember NAAE is YOUR Professional Organization.

Chuck Stranberg, (320) 693-3350 or chuck_stranberg@litchfield.k12.mn.us.

GREAT NEWS! For the third year, Region IV’s membership is up and we again have the largest membership in our association. Thanks to all of those who had a hand in increasing our membership in 1999-2000. Each of us must continue to spread the word that NAAE is "The Professional Choice."

Thanks to Mr. Harold Eckler (MO), the Missouri Association, the delegates in attendance, Mr. Mike Cox - NAAE President, Dr. Jay Jackman - NAAE Executive Director, and Mr. Jeff Maierhofer - Region IV Alternate Vice President for the Region IV Leadership Conference in Columbia, Missouri. The conference was an outstanding success. Best wishes to the Michigan Association members who are currently planning the 2001 Region IV Conference to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Congratulations are also appropriate to our 2000 NAAE Region IV award recipients for their outstanding accomplishments: Outstanding Teacher—Floyd Beneker (MI); Outstanding Program—Oregon-Clay High School (OH); Outstanding Young Member—Patrick Henne (MI); Postsecondary All-Star Team—Joliet Junior College (IL); Outstanding Cooperation—Ed Johnson, ABN Radio & TV (OH); Outstanding Service—Rich Karelse (MI); Ideas Unlimited—Gretchen Sanford (MI); and Honorary Life Membership—Bill Wheeler (MI).

Please make you plans now to join us in San Diego, California, December 2-6, for the 2000 NAAE Convention. Your board of directors has been busy planning for another outstanding convention.

Best wishes to each of you for another successful school year. 

Bryan Gause, (765) 458-5136 or bgause@uc.k12.in.us.

Greetings from the southeast. I hope everyone had a good summer. It is now time to get back to educating our future. I hope all are ready for the year and I hope that you have an excellent year.

Thanks to Philip Paramore and the Alabama teachers for hosting the Region V Leadership Conference in Orange Beach. They were perfect hosts. Everyone enjoyed the meals and the tours. Thanks also to Ted Hoffren for the work that he did and to all the teachers who came to the conference. It was with everyone’s help that we had a successful conference. Thanks to Mike Cox for attending our conference.

Congratulations to the winners of the NAAE awards from Region V. Also, congratulations to South Carolina for having the highest numerical increase in membership, Mississippi for having the highest percentage increase and to Georgia for having the largest percentage of members. Congratulations to all of Region V for having an overall membership increase. Keep up the good work!

Thank you to the teachers in Tennessee and South Carolina for their hospitality in my visits. They really made me feel at home. I can see great things happening in these states in agricultural education.

Hopefully everyone is making plans to attend the NAAE convention in San Diego. If you look online at the NAAE website, you will see the schedule for the convention. Be sure and reserve your room at the Holiday Inn on the Bay.

Florida will host the 2001 Region V Conference at the Florida FFA Leadership Center in Haynes City, Florida. I urge all the teachers and members in Region V to attend. The dates of the conference will be June 24-27, 2001.

Again good luck on the upcoming school year. Let’s keep up the good work for Region V. 

Roger Teeple, (828) 686-3852 or rteeple@vistatech.net.

I must say what a pleasure it was to attend the Region VI conference in New Hampshire this year. The weather cooperated, the tours and workshops were educational, and the attendance exceeded expectations. I truly enjoyed meeting all the new faces and attending the workshops. Janet Rosequist and her committee are to be commended on such a successful conference. Congratulations to our Region VI award winners from Pennsylvania and Virginia who were selected by the regional awards committee for their outstanding efforts. I’d also like to welcome the new Region VI Alternate Vice President, Robin McLean, who was elected during the conference.

In July, I attended the Maryland Conference and I commend the executive committee for their efforts in conducting an excellent conference. We in Maryland look forward to hosting the regional conference next year and invite all to attend. You don’t want to miss participating in the annual "Ag Teacher’s Olympics!"

As we begin a new membership year, I encourage you to introduce the NAAE to the new teachers in your state. It’s a good way to promote professionalism in our young teachers to enhance their career and help them to be successful.

The NAAE convention will be held in San Diego, December 2-6. Please consider attending and representing your school, state, and region on the national level. It’s an excellent way to become involved in the NAAE!

Please feel free to call on me if I can be of service!

Sarah Osborn Welty, (240) 236-7200, ext. 67263 or sowelty@yahoo.com.