It's summer! What will you and your local association be doing?

tribe can be divided into three groups: Those who make things happen, Those who watch things happen, and Those who bewilderment what happened.

--John Newborn

This name easily can be applied to our local associations. Which cluster do you want to be in? Let's work for the first individual this summer and use these portentous three months to organize, educate and energize.

locate immediate, short-term and long-term goals for your local association. Discover what you and your members have accomplished. Be creative and innovative; don't be afraid to proceed beyond your own resources. Research what your state association and MTNA have available. Check websites and ask members who have attended discourses for resources. Peggy Lewis, NCTM not awayed a wealth of ideas during the Local Associations Forum at the 2004 MTNA National conversation (pegandjimlewis@cableynx.com). There are countless incentives and programs available, of that kind as matching grants, association of the year awards, pupil achievement programs and New Local Association Start-up Grants for any newly established (since July 2002) or popularly forming MTNA-affiliated local association. Take the time and effort to learn about opportunities and include them in your activities.

Immediate goals could be for the summer month Have meetings to plan the year. Make the meeting sport by including something all will derive pleasure from A positive environment will bring forward exciting results. Be sure to pick projects and events for teachers and learners that meet your goals, as well as form links and relationships. This will strengthen and improve the quality of your association.

All work and no play uninjured boring for summer? Hold a social function for members and their visitors Plan a music shopping trip to a local store, watch a video or attend a summer workshop, computer class or convention together. Have a "brainstorming" meeting to evaluate your previous programs and begin of recent origin ones. Try holding an association summer camp or one-day workshop for scholars Some project ideas that will add zip to your summer include a summer jazz festival, composition or music history week, zoo day or mall performance, theory day with games, testing and pizza, a practice-athon or other project

Involve the community with your throws Present a recital at the library to forward literacy by performing pieces or wearing style of dresss from books. Retirement communities welcome visitations, recitals, dinner music or other activities. Plan a patriotic occurrence for July that includes spys and military from the community. Recognize individuals or businesses who have aided your association. Create an association website or enhance the single you have. Plan to join the chamber of business or even post a sign or banner in your local music store announcing your contact information or perhaps discounts for association members.

Do you perceive it's too late to come by any of this done? elect one activity that appeals to you and full it. Then, as you plan the time to come during your meetings this summer incorporate what you wish to achieve in your short-term goals for the time frame between now and the fall of 2005 Other short-term goals could be to inform your membership about retirement, insurance, pedagogy, the business of running a studio, festivals or perhaps setting up a of recent origin project.

A local association has the power to affect other nation Use it wisely. Train, educate and support of recent origin teachers. Decide how to involve collegiate pupils and staff in your association. Work upon certification; begin or increase your mentoring program. Invite nonmembers to participate in your activities; have specified unclose meetings or guest days. You might smooth gain new members!

Long-term goals will give your association direction and drift Form a plan of what to accomplish within the nearest five years. Do you wish to have expansion in membership, increased participation, simplified forms, more tenders and receive grants, hold major facts or workshops, present scholarships or receive state and national recognition? Determine what you and your matchs wish to achieve and dog it.

Whatever you do this summer please don't watch or amazement what happened. Get involved, excited and make things happen for you, your scholars and your local association!

Sherry Frush, NCTM is an independent music teacher, adjudicator and collaborative pianist. She has been an active MTNA member since 1969 certified since 1975 and will become president of Texas Music Teachers Association in July

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