It's said that change is the only constant, and this year, change seems to have its foot on the gas pedal. For OSBA, it's like starting a new year of high school with a fresh slate of classes and a few new friends. The opportunities and challenges are exciting.

The end of our health insurance program will mean changes for OSBA members and for the association itself. We've shifted our attention to making sure that the new OEBB meets the health-insurance needs of our members as best it can. We've delivered this message to the governor and to OEBB and offered our help; it's a commitment that stands. [OEBB Information Center]

We're looking at a five-year plan to guide OSBA's finances into the new era, and, within the next year, we'll embark on a deeper evaluation of our association.

One opportunity inherent in the coming end of our health insurance program is that it allows us to focus more on our core mission: delivering high-value programs and services. You'll see a membership survey in the next year, which will help guide us. Not that the survey will be the only chance for your input - another is fall regional meetings, which begin in late September. We'll visit with a great many of you in 17 meetings around Oregon.

The Governance Committee concluded its year-long review of our governance structure and made its proposals to the OSBA board in June. Two main concepts that the OSBA board will consider forwarding to members - and that have the potential for greater member engagement - are new representation regions to replace our Congressional District-based representation structure and the concept of one vote per board for OSBA board members and officers. The changes require amending the OSBA Constitution. You'll soon see a Focus on Critical Issues about the proposed governance changes as well as a voters' pamphlet.

Some projects that will have big benefits for public education include accountability projects we're working on with COSA, the Confederation of School Administrators, and a student-achievement data project that is part of our Bridges to Achievement program. You'll hear more about that at convention.

You've heard us speak of taking back the education agenda, and it's not just an empty phrase. We had this in mind as we influenced the Legislature's passage of richer education budgets this spring, and we will be broadening membership in the group and will present our plan next August. Dori Brattain, our new associate executive director (and general counsel), made a presentation about taking back the agenda at the Superintendent's Summer Institute. 

It's important that we invite ourselves to the table whenever any group is talking about the education agenda. We must be willing to brag about our many successes and acknowledge our challenges as we commit to overcoming them. 

The staff is putting the final touches on preparations for our annual convention, "DreamCatching," Nov. 8-11. It's an exciting time for the new OSBA.