Fall 2009 Newsletter

Volume 1

Number 1

"Essentials for Success" was the theme for the 2009 Summer Conference held at beautiful Crystal Mountain.  This past year's conference was a three day format unliek the 2008 which was only a two day conference.  The majority of conference attendees prefer the three day format and that will be followed in 2010.

Day one started with a overview of the happenings of MCPA over the past year which included; our Risk Management Seminar in Lansing, MI, our presentation at the MI Career Education Conference in Detroit, MI, and the Risk Management Seminar held for our members in the Upper Peninsula (Copper Harbor). 

Some of the presenters we were treated to during the conference included:
- Dr. Dennis Dunlap, talking about the National Career Readiness Certificate
- Mr. Jay Gross, Using technology in the classroom
- Lori Johnson, Using Blackboard with her program
- Cary Mannaberg, Moodle in the classroom
- Diana Bailey & Gleena Zollinger-Russell, Overview of Pupil Accounting
- Jill Hookey, State & National Wage & Hour Laws

Each of our presenters did a great job informing us, teaching us, and entertaining us.  I can honestly say that everyone walked away from this conference better equipped to face the challenges that lie before us.

I must also share and thank Crystal Mountain for the accommodations and excellent food prepared for us.  As in the past, they did a fantastic job meeting our conference needs.

If you are interested in viewing a PowerPoint slideshow (approx. 50 pictures), please click here.  This slideshow will take several minutes to load, so I suggest that it only be viewed using a broadband internet connection.

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We are faced with some trying times right now, state budgets are placing many of our jobs in jeopardy of being fazed out and the high school reform is limiting the opportunities our students have to learn the transition from school-to-work.  But if we join together to show the importance of work placements and the education that takes place from these placements, we will become a stronger and more viable organization for the benefit of our students and the State of Michigan.

Enjoy your school year, work hard and I look forward to seeing you at the many conferences & regional meetings that are planned and working with you on the causes before us.

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The annual business meeting held in conjunction with the Summer Conference elected Sasamon Parker to the role of President-Elect.  Sasamon has been a long time member of KOMAC and most recently served as its chairperson.  Sasamon works at the Muskegon Career Tech Center as the Workplace Coordinator.

Sasamon brings energy and enthusiasm to the position of President-Elect.  We look forward to her serving as our future President and leading MCPA into the next decade.  With school funding continually in limbo, this will prove to be a challenge for Sasamon, but one that we feel she can handle.  Congratulations and good luck Sasamon!

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We are putting on our annual Summer Conference June 14-16, 2010 @ Crystal Mountain. If you have any ideas for a topic send them my way and I’ll see if we can add them to the agenda.  Contact: Spike Fuehr, MCPA Past- President and Summer Conference Co-Chair 517-223-6108 or fuehr@fvl.k12.mi.us

A big Thank you to these people who are no longer on the Board of Directors this school year: Penny Miller-Nelson, Past President is the CTE Administrator for
Midland schools- Penny has also served as the Regional Rep. for SVRACC
for three years.

Penny Paul, SMOCA Co-Regional Representative, Business teacher for Troy
High School. Penny has also served as the Treasurer for many years.
Penny had the good fortune to retire last year. We wish her the best.

Tom Benton, V.P. Publications & Historian,  Davison High School. Tom
has done a great job the last four years putting together our
newsletters.

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The planning is done and we're ready for your reservation!  This year's Risk Management Seminar once again will be one that shouldn't be missed.  A lot of planning and work has gone into this year's seminar which will provide you with all the rule and regulation changes pertaining to student work site placements.

If you have access to a laptop computer, bring it along.  All of the seminar handouts will be given to you on a flash drive to reduce our paper consumption.

We look forward to seeing you at one of the two seminar dates (Nov. 2 & 3, 2009) at the Lansing Community College M-TEC Center - West campus.

Click here for a seminar registration brochure.

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Our Past-President, Spike Fuehr, has done an excellent job creating and maintaining our MCPA website.  Take a few minutes to visit the site!  When there, you should be able to get answers to most all of your questions, visit MCPA regional websites, get updates on pertinent issues, and even ask a question that will be answered by your Board members.  Take some time to give it a look!

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The dates for the Summer Conference are June 14 - 16, 2010 at the beautiful Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, MI.  We hope that you can make it - because it won't be as good without you!

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The MCPA Board of Directors has an open position that we would like filled.  The position of VP of Publications & Historian came open with the resignation of Mr. Tom Benton, of Davison High School.  Tom held this position for four years and did a phenomenal job and we thank him for his service.

If you or someone you know would like to fill this position please contact Rich Moll (mollr@greenville.k12.mi.us)   We know that you have what it takes to act in this capacity!

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This past Summer Conference saw two of our members honored for the contributions to MCPA and for their role in helping students transition from school to the world of work.

Our first Honoree was Penny Paul.  Penny has worked closely, for numerous years, with Bette Rose as a co-chair of SMOCA and has also served on the Board of Directors.  Bette gave a wonderful tribute to Penny who was shocked and surprised.  However, not to be out done, Penny responded with numerous accolades to the MCPA and the many members who work so hard to make student education work.  Penny also retired last spring and is currently enjoying retirement with her husband.  We wish Penny health and many years of leisure.

Spike Fuehr was our other Honoree.  If you've been involved with the MCPA, you've seen Spike working feverishly as Co-President, webmaster, and many other roles.  Spike was recognized for his efforts by Cindy Candella who provided the members with a PowerPoint of Spike many accomplishments.  Spike has been an invaluable friend and leader of MCPA and we hope that his willingness continues for years to come.

Should you have the opportunity to see or email either Penny or Spike, Congratulate them for being leaders and examples for the rest of us.

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The Michigan Career Education Conference date is set and proposals for presentations are underway.  The MCPA has submitted a brief proposal for the conference and if you are interested in submitting one, please visit this site (www.michigancareerconference.org).  The theme for this year's conference is, "Career & Technical Education:  Making a Difference".

If you are thinking about attending, the conference will be held in Grand Rapids, MI at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on January 31, 2010 through February 2, 2010.  To find out more information as it develops, visit the link above.

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For each of the email addresses listed below, please substitute @ for (at).  This will hopefully reduce any unwanted emails from appearing in the regional reps email accounts.  Representatives in blue text, indicate new Regional Reps.