June 17th Meeting Topic: NEW in the Year 2K:  Organizational Decisions

Place:  Chef Wangs*, 5100 El Camino Real, Los Altos
Ph. 650-965-2689
Directions: 1 block west of Rengstorff, corner of Distel & El Camino.
If you get to San Antonio, you went too far.
*Note: Not to be confused with Chef Chu on San Antonio Rd.

Cost:  $15.00 for members, $20.00 for non-members
This includes 3 appetizers, 5 entrees, a rice dish and a noodle dish.

RSVP by June 15th and get a $3.00 discount!
Call Alex Scott  or Gloria Heistein .
You may also e-mail Gloria at interlec@ix.netcom.com

Agenda:
5:45 - 6:00 PM - Arrive, register
6:00 - 6:15 - Introductions & team building
6:15 - 7:00 - Chinese buffet, networking and announcements.
7:00 - 8:30 - Program:  NEW in the Year 2K:  Organizational Decisions

This is our last official meeting of the current year.  It will be a celebration of where we have gone so far as a professional, volunteer association. NEW has had monthly meetings, a newsletter, a website and special events such as a Job Fair and an upcoming Workplace Conference in October 1999.  Most of all, NEW is a place to network and share resources.

To date, NEW has about 60 members, of which twelve are on the current Steering Team.
At least half of the current Steering Team will move on to other commitments next year, so without new leadership, NEW will not continue.  Others have suggested that NEW merge into the newly-formed TEW, Teachers of English in the Workplace, an interest group of CATESOL.

This June 17th Dinner Meeting will be a crucial one that will decide NEW’s fate.
Once a balance sheet of NEW’s performance over the past year is brainstormed by those attending, we will ask members to address the following questions:

1.  Shall NEW remain as is, or will there be organizational changes in the Year 2K?

2.  What changes might be made to streamline NEW’s operations?

3.  Should NEW merge into TEW?  If so, what are the pros and cons?

4.  If NEW remains as an organization, which members are willing to serve on the
Steering Team?

By the end of the meeting, we will have our plan outlined and will define action steps
for the future.
 

N.E.W. Steering Team Members and Committees 1998-99

These people have graciously served as Steering Team members for NEW this past year.  Many of them have been active over five years.

1.  Leadership - Gloria De La Ysla Heistein and Kathryn Burkhead
Coordinates works of other committees and the operation of the group for the year. Seeks ways to further professionalize N.E.W. by continuing to get feedback from members and guests, attending other organizations and conferences.  Sees that newsletter is written and mailed on time.  Presides over Steering Team meetings.

2. Membership & Finance - Sonja Levinger, Alex Scott
Keeps a current roster of members. Sees that new members are greeted at each meeting and encourages them to join. Collects dues from members. Keeps funds in account and reports on budget.  Writes checks for expenses.

3. Programs - Karen Barroso, Katie Dunlap, Bet Messmer, Kathleen Miranda, Kris Pemberton, John Wiley, Kathryn Burkhead, Gloria Heistein
Secures locations for meetings. Facilitates meetings and finds speakers..  Finds people to bring refreshments when needed. Writes a thank you note to guest speakers.

4. Education/Resources - Karen Barosso, Kristine Pemberton, John Wiley
Disseminates info on courses of interest to new and current members. Drafts a bibliography of materials.  Works on a brochure to describe Best Practices.  Organizes a Workplace Conference.  Serves as liaison with other organizations such as CATESOL.

5. WebMaster - Pat Hendriks
Maintains the website.  Posts articles and newsletters of interest to members.

Other members who have supported the Steering Team in 98/99:  Sally Acuff Freyburg as Refreshments Coordinator and Gennie Dean as membership list coordinator.  Rebecca Linquist also helped by setting up the website.

These are just some of the people who have actively supported NEW throughout the past year.  Thanks to all who have either served officially on the Steering Team during the past year, or have volunteered to facilitate or to serve on the Planning Conference Committee.

Get involved and develop professional contacts:
Whether or not NEW stays intact as an organization depends on its current membership. With at least half of the current Steering Team leaving or taking on lesser roles, NEW cannot continue at its present level of activity without new leadership.  This could be a  great opportunity to develop your leadership skills and be a visible participant in your own professional development.

At this June meeting, volunteers will be needed to serve on all of these committees:
Leadership, Newsletter, Refreshments, Programs, Facilitators, Membership, Education.

If you want to be actively involved, but cannot attend the June meeting, please contact Gloria Heistein  or any other member of the current Steering Team.
Let them know how you can serve and how much time you can commit to.

Your ideas are welcome.  Please come to the June meeting and offer your support forour network.  How can NEW or TEW best serve your needs?
 

Calls for Summaries of Outstanding Vocational Programs:
Chris Babowal has been commissioned by a State Equal Rights Group to review and present information on quality vocational programs.  If you would like your program to be considered, please submit by email to cbabowal@arels-american.com  a summary and an explanation of why your program is outstanding. Your submission will need to be sent no later than June 25, 1999.

Planning Conference Committee Meeting:
The next meeting will be June 17th at 3:30 PM at Mission College.  There will be time to also attend the evening dinner at Chef Wangs.  Things are moving along quickly, so you are all welcome to come to be part of this dynamic process.  Contact John Wiley for more information .  You can also check the website for meeting notes.

Save October 15th for NEW's Education in the Workplace Conference:
An all-day workplace conference for providers and companies will be hosted by Mission College on Friday, October 15, 1999.  “Training Solutions for California's Workforce:  Increasing Productivity and Quality through Workplace Education.”

This will be a conference for everyone: experienced and novice teachers in the workplace, companies who want to learn more about what we do and how we can help them find training solutions for their multicultural workforce.

There is still a need for NEW members to get involved and help prepare for and help with the conference.  Plan to attend a committee meeting to get more information.

Need a Job for the Summer or Do You Need a Language Trainer?
Come to the meeting on June 17th with your resumes, business cards and job announcements.  NEW meetings are perfect opportunities to network and get to know
your colleagues in the workplace.

Summer Planning Meeting:
Friday, July 16th (1-3) is the date for NEW’s Steering Team to decide on the programs and dates for the 99/00 year.  The location will be announced in the next newsletter.  Let us know if you can attend.