Mark Nardo-PS 56, Indianapolis
Lynn -Montessori Centers, Indianapolis
Tara Slagel- The Northside Montessori, Indianapolis
Cecile- The Montessori Academy of Indianapolis
Marilyn Horan- Bunche, Ft. Wayne
Tammy Lake-Towles, Ft. Wayne
Robin- Little Flower Montessori, Zionsville
Sandy- The Montessori School of Westfied, Westfield
Jessica- The Montessori School of Westfied, Westfield


Call to Order: 10:56 AM

1. Discussion of the success of the Spring Conference

2. Discuss teacher surveys from Spring Conference

-great feedback; interesting thing happens: some people love the things that some people hate
-we need more information about the workshops than just the title
-teachers would like to have a round table discussion with other teachers. Just need some time to get other people's viewpoints. Scheduled as a workshop or open the entire day...
-most beneficial: networking, vendors, sharing ideas, connecting
-regional and age-level meetings are redundant
-some people would like to get rid of the last meeting; took too long
-almost 200 people came, including administrators and board members. Registered people...190
-did parents come? Should we include more parent-centered classes? Yes; we'd like to see that aspect grow. Need to address this issue so that we're better able to offer topics for parents.
-we should definitely focus more on public outreach. Literature, summer festivals and setting up booths, making a video, more information on website, contacting realtors
-NAEYC participation. Get a booth next year. It's usually in April.
-we need a media package
-also, we need a cohesive idea of what we want to put out here into the public

3. Review Regional Session Discussions

-would be nice to partner with AMS; especially with travelling symposiums (usually all day, about 3 topics, breakfast, sessions, lunch, sessions, speakers from all over the country); perhaps hospitality the day of; 
-refer to handout: Results of Regional Session Discussions at Spring Conference
-PLEASE LOOK OVER HANDOUT AND RETURN WITH IT NEXT MEETING...TO DISCUSS

4. Report from Whitney about letter to legislators: CANCELED...WHITNEY NOT PRESENT

5. Tara Slagel's TV Debut- AMAZING!!

6. Viewing CD from Oak Farm Montessori -- a unique idea: CANCELED...NOT ENOUGH TIME
-parent interaction and education possibility

7. Fall Conference location and date- 

-Margie from PS #91 has agreed (51st and Evanston right off Keystone) to host the Fall Conference
-Saturday, October 17, 2009

8. Keynote speaker secured for Fall Conference: Sister Anthonita Porta --discussion of topics she can present
-possible Friday night dinner with her...at additional price of approx. $15
-possibly in hotel conference room; can we get a block of rooms for a discounted price? $99 a night? Right off of 465...behind Champs

-See handout; be ready to discuss at next meeting; topic will be set at June meeting

9. Discussion of topics Sister Leonor can present

-See handout; be ready to discuss at next meeting; topic will be set at June meeting

10. Promotional ideas for Fall Conference: WILL BE DISCUSSED AT ALL DAY MEETING: JUNE 19TH

11.Treasurer's report -- checking account balance is $9,320.30 with one outstanding bill of approximately $300 (not received yet from Ft. Wayne). All receipts from Spring Conference have been recorded and deposited.

MEETING ADJOURNED:
-Next meeting: possible all day in June? Yes: on Friday, June 19th at 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Towles in Ft. Wayne; with catered lunch from Casa's: writing by-laws and conference plan...SANDY bring example of by-laws. Try to find PTA by-laws...
-outline for regional meeting heads for local meetings; CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT UMSI WITHOUT UMSI BOARD'S APPROVAL
-give each region a small budget and a gift of the AMS sponsored DVD "Nurturing the Love of Learning"

UMSI website business:

-send an announcement email about website's availability-JESSICA
-links: AMS out of Ohio: Nurturing the Love of Learning: Montessori for the Preschool Year
-Put some member comments on the website-JESSICA
-community information page for the website; more information about philosophy; here are the schools in your area
-post job listings-
-if you're trained and you're retired or a stay-at-home mom looking for part-time work as a substitute, please contact us
-NEWS: Anita offering paraprofessional training