Workshop Proposals Wanted

Mark your calendars! The 2008 OSBA Annual Convention is scheduled for November 13-16 at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in Portland. Please join us as we celebrate our 62nd annual convention.

Once again, we are requesting proposals to develop a program of workshops that will be both informative and interesting for those attending. If you have a successful or unique program and would like to share it, please complete the enclosed "Workshop Proposal" form and return it to OSBA by May 16, 2008.

We will consider any successful program or project for inclusion in the convention program. Since the audience is primarily school board members and superintendents, please consider topics that will meet their needs. We also recommend that you include students in your presentation if applicable. Please limit the total number of presenters and/or panelists to no more than five due to meeting room space limitations.

We are particularly interested in topics related to:

• Improving student achievement;
• Cultural competency;
• Innovative high school programs; 
• ELL programs;
• Parental and community involvement;
• Data-based decision making;
• Social media tools: wiki's/blogs;
• School climate and culture;
• School board/superintendent relations;
• Community College/K-12 partnerships;
• Effective and/or innovative ESD programs;
• Budgeting and school finance;
• Goals and planning;
• Facilities planning;
• Assessment and accountability;
• Cyber schools and e-learning;
• Curriculum and instruction;
• Bullying and harassment;
• Board governance;
• School safety and building security;
• Sports, co-curricular activities and Title IX issues.

These topics currently have broad interest. However, we encourage you to submit proposals for any other topics which may appeal to our audience. 

For those interested in conducting a workshop:

1. Complete the Workshop Proposal form (18k ) or Microsoft Word Version.
2. Submit the Workshop Proposal by May 16, 2008 by mail or fax to:

Sharee Fisher
Oregon School Boards Association
P.O. Box 1068
Salem, OR 97308
Fax (503) 588-2813
We look forward to receiving your submissions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Betsy Miller-Jones via e-mail or at 503-588-2800.

Student Performers Wanted

The Oregon School Boards Association is looking for 4 or 5 student performance (band, orchestra, choir, ensemble, dance and theater) groups for this fall's Convention. The 2008 OSBA Convention will be held November 13 - 16 at the Portland Marriott Downtown.

Each year, the OSBA Convention showcases student performing arts groups for the 800 attendees (board members, superintendents, and community college presidents). Student groups will perform at the general sessions and meals. OSBA will reimburse up to $1,000 of actual expenses (upon submission of receipts).

The selection criteria include the following:

• Performing group must be of high quality
• A variety of performance types (band, choral, etc.)
• A variety of age groups
• Upbeat, energetic, and entertaining styles are preferred
• A variety of school district sizes and types (rural, urban, etc.)

The performing group size is limited to a maximum of 35 performers.

For those interested in performing:

1. Complete the Student Performance Proposal (10k ) or Microsoft Word Version.
2. Prepare and submit an audition tape (audio or video) or CD. These do not need to be of professional quality, but good enough for us to review a performance.
3. Submit the Proposal and audition material by May 16, 2008 to:

Sharee Fisher
Oregon School Boards Association
P.O. Box 1068
Salem, OR 97308

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Steve Lamb via e-mail or at 503-588-2800.