VCTM Board Meeting

Vermont NEA Bldg.

Montpelier, Vermont

August 26, 2008

Members Present:  Barbara Unger, President; Nancy Pejouhy, Past President & Zone 5 Representative; Roberta Cota, Secretary;  Jean McKenny, Zone 2 Representative;  Kim Audette, NCTM Representative; Paula Dolan, Zone 4 Representative;  Barbara West, Middle School Representative; Jason Cushner, Zone 3 Representative; and Mary Calder, Elementary Representative.

The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m.

Secretary’s Report:  Moved by Mary Calder and seconded by Jason Cushner to accept the Secretary’s Report of May 8, 2008.  Motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Treasurer’s Report:   Barb Unger went over the treasurer’s report for Bob Chaffee which was discussed at length.  Moved by Jean McKenny and second by Nancy Pejouhy to approve the treasurer’s report and budget.   Motion was approved unanimously.

Standing Committees:

MEMBERSHIP:   Barb Unger reported for Harvie Porter on current membership which is at about 148 members.    Zone representatives were encouraged to recruit members in their Zones.

HIGHER EDUCATION REPORT:  Barb stated that she received a resignation letter from Tim Whiteford as Higher Education Representative, so we need to fill this position.

ATMNE REPORT:   ATMNE Fliers, which were sent in from Harvie, were distributed about the conference.  Since VCTM is not doing a fall conference, we were encouraged to push the ATMNE conference in Portland, Maine on November 6-7, 2008.

NCTM REPORT:   No report.

NEWSLETTER:    Again Bob Kenney and David Rome would like to resign as Newsletter editors.  Barbara will check with Harvie who had made a suggestion at a previous meeting.  It was suggested that we put openings in the newsletter for all positions.  Barb said if they didn’t do it this time, she would get it done.  Barb will put it out on the list serve to see if anyone has any articles for the newsletter.

PAEMST REPORT:    Nancy Pejouhy stated that there are three finalists for elementary math.  She can’t release the names yet.  The new process will all be on-line.  They will be taking nominations for Grades 7-12 for the upcoming year. 

OLD BUSINESS

Website  

RC reported on website.  She was having trouble posting as the hosting company made some changes.   She is hoping that everything will be up and running in the next couple of weeks.

Math Coalition:  Barb Unger reported that Vermont placed first at the Penn State Competition.   Two of the boys on Barb’s team placed first and second.  We have now been put in Division “A.”

NEW BUSINESS

Fall Conference:  Instead of a Fall conference for VCTM, we will do a mini-workshop w/Jean McKenny, T^3 National Instructor  – How to use the new TI-Nspire .  These sessions will show how the various applications of the software can be linked within documents to help students learn mathematics and science.  The CAS (computer algebra system) of the N-spire CAS model will also be explored.  This session is primarily suited for mathematics and science teachers who teach late middle, high school and/or college students.    If she can get 200 students, she will be able to keep the calculators.   During NEA days, it will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from  – 4:30 & 5:30 p.m.  and Thursday (October 23) morning from 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. sponsored by VCTM.

Barb recruited volunteers for the VCTM table at the NEA conference.

The VCTM annual conference will be Thursday morning at some point.  Barb will let us know the exact time and place.

Nomination Committee:  Bob Chaffee is looking to resign his position so we need to look for a new treasurer.  We also need a Newsletter Editor and a new Higher Education Representative and Zone 5 Representative and another Representative for Zone 3.   We need to look for a President Elect also.   Barb read some suggestions from Tim Whiteford as possible ideas that we could focus on for VCTM.  We should be used as a clearing house for math in Vermont.

Nancy suggested that we look at the By-laws and maybe change or add wording that if you don’t attend so many meetings in a row then we will assume that you no longer want to be a representative.  We need to look at the By-laws as well as other things and update them.

Teacher Awards:  Jason Cushner reported on his findings for a VCTM Award and asked for input.  Everyone thought it was a good idea.

Moved by Nancy Pejouhy  and seconded by Kim Audette to pilot Jason’s program for Outstanding Mathematics Teacher Awards.  Motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Conference Calls:  Barb reported on information she was able to get.  Is it cost effective?  This was discussed at length.  Barb will look into this for the January meeting.

NCTM Leadership Confs.:  Barb reported on our Affiliates Action Plan of which she drafted for NCTM.  What will our vision be?  What about math initiatives in the state?

Spring Conference:  After much discussion, it was decided that we would have the conference again at St. Michael’s if it is available and that it would focus on Differentiated Instruction for Math - What’s the Latest Buzz?  were possible topics.  We will look for volunteers for doing workshops.  It was also discussed that we offer stipends for presenters.  We now offer mileage and copying costs.  Nancy reported that a lot of grants require that teachers disseminate information and  VCTM would be one way of disseminating that information.  Also, if it is a school day teachers cannot double dip.  Whereas, NEA Days are not a paid, so teacher’s can receive stipends.

Moved by Nancy Pejouhy and seconded by Kim Audette to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m.  Motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta A. Cota, Secretary