Minutes from Fall Meeting

September 27, 2008

Lexington, KY

Ruth Styles facilitated the meeting:

1.   Tom Leech and Ruth Styles took over duties last winter after Pam Pennington resigned.

2.   Jeff Rogers’ treasury report indicated that the account contained $1456.00 and that no expenses occurred after a $200.00 deposit.

3.   A testing chair was not appointed.  Ruth Styles and Tom Leech developed a selection committee who worked to set the criteria.  The winner was Alex Feiertag from Highlands High School.  Her report can be found on: http://web.me.com/lzinsadams/Reise/Willkommen.html

Annabelle Arbogast from Covington Catholic was named as the senior award winner; however, she was named as alternate on the national level.  She also received the Glow award.  The faculty award was Rick Knopp from St. Xavier.  He received the “Duden Award” because high number of his students qualified to apply for the study trip.  Mr. Knopp was also recognized nationally at ACTFL Conference in San Antonio.  He received the  “Friends of German Award”.   He has an exchange program with a Gymnasium in Stuttgart.  Ruth proposed a link to a site of schools that have exchanges to help teachers who seeking information.  Linda Zins-Adams has already started a blog site that contains pictures and details about the exchange program between Highlands and a Gymnasium in Bernau bei Berlin.  See: http://web.me.com/lzinsadams/Austausch/Willkommen.html

4.   There were 57 members, but now there are only 47 members.  Laura McGee is working to increase enrollment.  The national organization dues provide a “kick back” to the state membership.  All members should encourage more people to join.  It was suggested that one could give the gift of membership to a student to help increase membership.

5.   Ratification of constitution to submit to National AATG to get funding.  Ted Fiedler motioned. Carol Anne Costabile-Heming seconded the motion.  Voted by acclamation.  Tom moved that the secretary and treasurer be appointed opposite times to the appointments of the vice-president and president.  Rick seconded the motion.

6.   Laura McGee returns as an executive officer to assist Ruth and Tom.  Ferrell Rose is the vice president candidate.  Linda Zins-Adams is the candidate for secretary.  Jeff Rogers – continues treasurer.  Linda Zins-Adams replaced the secretary who resigned.  Due to the situation with the position of secretary, it was discussed that new secretary will serve just one full year to complete the original two-year term.  A slate vote occurred and Ferrell Rose was elected as vice president for new term.  Linda Zins-Adams will serve a term of just one year as secretary.  Caroline moved.  Jean Dungeon seconded the motion.

7.   The discussion of the creation of testing committee occurred at which time Ruth proposed that each college and university nominate a person to serve on committee. Duties include:  conducting oral interviews and reading applications of the students applying for the study trip.  This would give exposure of high school students/programs (i.e. articulation). Rotation of representatives would be needed.

  

German programs exist at the following institutions:  

NKU (Carol Anne has agreed to be committee)

Transylvania

Murray

Western

UK

Georgetown

Elizabethtown (Jean has already agreed to be on committee)

Berea

Bellarmine

Centre College

 

The suggested timeline and responsibilities for the committee:

From Feb. 20 until March 11:  Committee needs to make decision of award winners, which includes the responsibilities of receiving and reading applications, then arrange and conducting interviews.

By March 12, the testing chair notifies teacher of status of students.

Carol Anne Costabile-Heming agreed to facilitate the action of creating the committee.  Laura seconded the motion.

8.   As the chapter president, Ruth Styles had made arrangements to attend the assembly meeting in ACFL 2008 in Orlando.  She looked unsuccessfully for a representative to replace her.  This prompted a discussion about the high costs related to the conference.  Ted Fiedler wrote to complain to Brett Lovejoy, Executive Director of ACTFL.  The demand that attendees pay conference hotel $212.00 is too high for many professionals.  Moreover, many of the people said that they are not going due to fees.  Carol Anne mentioned that at the Executive Council she and others were able to negotiate luncheon price from $50 to $40.  Ruth will write a letter also to state that a representative will not go in her place, as it was difficult find such a representative due to the cost of the conference.

9.   Jeff Rogers is offering a workshop in Kade House in Spring 2009 ($450.00 contribution from treasury – chapter money).  To get national project funding 2010 from German American Heritage fund, Ted said we could work towards this project for spring 2010.  This spring, it was suggested that equestrian thematic units could be developed to share with teachers in KY.  The suggestion was made to find an expert on equestrian terms in the German language.  This could be achieved through a posting on the Listserv. Sigrid Suesse motioned. Carol Anne Costabile-Heming seconded the motion.

 

Ted Fiedler motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Meg seconded the motion.