FAME: FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FOR MEDIA IN EDUCATION

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Ain’t No Tired Like an, “End of the Year Teacher” Tired

Julie Hiltz
FAME President
Dr Carter G Woodson PK-8 Leadership Academy
Tampa, FL
Julie.Hiltz@sdhc.k12.fl.us

As your FAME President and colleague in this profession, I am truly humbled and I understand just how tiring this time of year can be for most of you. Take heed--a much deserved summer break is ahead. Before closing the books, please consider reading the following updates about our profession, as well as, pending changes to the FAME organization.

We’ve been tremendously busy since our last update and the hard work--in many ways, has paid off. First up, celebrations! After many emails, phone calls, and visits the new Best and Brightest Legislation includes Media Specialists! YAY!!!! It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Tallahassee Legislative Lobbying group this year. Additionally, FAME has been invited to participate in the Florida Department of Education Florida Standards Review as Specialty Stakeholders. Our interests will be represented by Ashlee Cornett (ELA) and Tara Zawacki (Math). In addition, we are continuing to build our future financial stability through payback of the Jim Harbin account and the addition of a higher interest savings account (aka a rainy day fund). Our financial security allows us to be present at national conference as well- Andrea Parisi and I will be representing FAME at ALA and Lorraine Stinson will be attending AASL.
The FAME Board of Directors met on May 18, 2019. Here is a brief summary from each Committee:

Awards (Angela Michael) Nominations have been received for all our awards categories: Administrator Advocacy, Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, and the Amanda Award. Winners will be announced at FAME19.
Communications (Tara Zawacki) A FaceBook group will be created this summer. This will allow more two-way communication between FAME and their members.
Conference (Ashlee Cornett & Heather Biela) November 6-8. The Call for Presenters and confirmations of acceptance will be handled in June. (Dates TBD). Registration for conference will open in August. And we just bought our own domain for the conference- http://www.fame-conference.com/
Diversity (Ad hoc) (Maria O’Brien) The Committee is actively seeking new members “that can serve authentically as representatives of ethnicities, races, backgrounds, and communities (e.g. LGBTQ) they most affiliate themselves with.” (More information on the committee’s work can be found in this issue of FMQ.)
Finance (Sue Ahlers) As the economy rebounds, so do we. In addition to the current Jim Harbin payback ($1000 per month) at the end of our fiscal year (June 30, 2109) any additional funds over our minimum checking account balance will be evenly distributed to our new savings account (rainy day fund) and the Harbin fund.
Governing Documents (Sandy McMichael) The Board is in the process of updating and adding language for Conference, Lobbyist, and the Finance Committee. Additional changes will be codified soon for SSYRA Jr/SSYRA/FTR and Nominations to reflect actual practices.
Intellectual Freedom (Sarah Reckenwald) Our scholarship winner is Aaron Wang from Timber Creek High School. Melanie Mahaffey is his Media Specialist.
Jim Harbin (Ginger Carter) State entries were due June 1st. Judging begins in July.
Legislation (Deb Svec & Michelle Jarrett) Planning sessions for the 2020 Legislative Conference begin in September, 2019 so FAME members need to start thinking earlier about how to support our agenda. Be on the look for information when school starts again.
Membership (Shannon Isom) The new membership year begins July 1, 2019. The dues for Active Members will increase to $75. This is the first dues increase in over a decade.
Nominations (Andrea Parisi) Elections were held at the end of the May. The new President-Elect and five Board Members will be sworn in at FAME19.
Professional Development (Ramona Rhea and Kate Neff) Diversity Committee member Marianne Dolce presented Nurturing Empathy Through Multicultural Literature and Programming in the School Library at our recent regional meeting held on April 13, 2019. Ramona Rhea represented FAME at the recent FLA annual meeting and will be presenting a Makey Makey workshop in Pinellas this summer.
Scholarship (Melanie Mahaffey) A winner of the Sandy Ulm Scholarship will be chosen this summer. Announcements are made at FAME19.
Signature Book Programs
1. SSYRA Jr. (Debora McNeil) 52,000 votes were place by students this year. This is an increase in participation by 9,000 votes.
2. SSYRA 3-5 & 6-8 (Jen Caressimo & Ana Woodbrey) Facebook live author visits will continue this year. With an understanding that some districts filter FB access, the Committee is also pursuing permission to post the videos on our website after the event.
3. Florida Teens Read (Sarah Smith) The Committee has chosen their theme “Read Hope Speak” and will be working on bookmarks, videos, and other supporting resources to be posted on their webpage.

When I was sworn in as President, I promised to make transparency a priority. I will be actively working on a few projects that I feel are crucial to our continued success as an organization. I hope to have updates for you in our next issue of FMQ and by the Conference.

I will be taking the next steps to make the Diversity Committee a standing committee, codified in the By Laws. I chose “Love All, Serve All” as my Conference theme because I believe it embodies what we do as media specialists and how we aspire to do it. As educators we must continue to examine our practice; ensuring our stakeholders of a learning environment that is both safe and inviting; as well as, inclusive. My work with the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee these last two years helped me identify some of the strengths of our organization; practices of our members; and areas for growth. The Committee will be meeting this summer to discuss how it can continue to support the work of FAME, (i.e. Membership, conference participation, signature book programs, and other related activities). We’re hoping to offer professional development during our scheduled conference in effort to update our FAME members. If you are interested in participating in this work, contact Maria O’Brien (daytonalib@gmail.com).

I’ve asked the Committee Chairs and Officers to refresh the website. Beginning in late June, we’ll all be reviewing our site for clarity and accuracy of information, including expanding transparency about the work we do. If you have questions, corrections, or additions for the website email me (juliehiltz@gmail.com).

That was a lot of updates. Thank you for reading to the end!
Thank you for the work you do each day for the kids and adults in your schools.
Julie Hiltz
FAME President

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