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Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Annual Convention Crier
A Daily Convention Publication by the VSBA
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This Publication Sponsored by |
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Gina G. Patterson
Executive Director
Virginia School Boards Association
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On behalf of the board of directors and the entire VSBA staff, welcome to the 2020 VSBA Virtual Annual Convention. Welcome to both our newly elected/appointed school board members and our returning board members. This year has been a year of flexibility and innovation as we have all worked to quickly adjust our processes and procedures to ensure that we are meeting the needs of those in our care. We commend you for taking the time, even now, to prioritize learning and developing deeper in your role as school board members.
One of the most important aspects of our convention is the level of professional development opportunities available. This year’s convention will again include over 30 breakout sessions, as well as three dynamic general sessions. So, whether its School Law, Board Governance, Workforce Readiness, or Equity, you’ll find what you’re looking for at this convention. This year, because we are meeting virtually you will have access to the recordings of our breakout sessions for 30 days after the convention concludes. This allows you to access as many of the breakout sessions as you'd like!
Please make a note of the opportunities to connect with other school board members. Participate in session chats, send messages and set meetings with one another. Despite not being together in Williamsburg we want the Convention to be a place where we can all come together, share ideas, and check in with one another after a trying year. I hope you will join President Jordan and the entire board of directors at the evening of Comedy on Wednesday evening and Thursday at the Nightowl Networking session where we will be joined by Phil Gore to discuss School Board Governance.
We look forward to connecting with you virtually in the coming days.
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Logging on to the Online Event Platform
Attending the virtual convention is just a few keystrokes away.
To get logged in to the event, simply navigate in your web browser (chrome preferred) to www.eventmobi.com/vsba2020ac. Once there you will be prompted to log in with your email address. If this is your first time logging in you will also create your password.
Once logged in you have full access to all things Annual Convention! Having trouble? Reach out to the help desk, email helpdesk@vsba.org or call 1-800-446-8722.
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Thank You to Our Daily Crier Sponsor, SandsAnderson |
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Alex Sheen Opens VSBA Convention |
Alex Sheen is the founder of because I said I would, asocial movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. Sparked by the loss of his father, Alex and his organization send “promise cards” to anyone anywhere in the world at no cost. Alex is someone who truly honors commitment. He once walked over 240 miles across the entire state of Ohio in 10 days to fulfill a promise. In just two years, because I said I would has sent over 12.3 million promise cards to over153 different countries. The promises written on these cards have made headlines around the world. Alex is a five time Tedx Talk speaker and his charitable work has been featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, CNN, The Today Show, NPR, The Los Angeles Times and many other programs |
Thanks to Gold level sponsor Sodexo for sponsoring the Opening Session |
Exhibit Hall Updates
We are excited to be able to being this in-person favorite to the virtual convention. Visit Exhibitors by navigating to the Exhibit Hall section of the eventmobi platform. Select and Exhibitor to view their booth materials, and select a listed representative to send a message!
ZMM is sponsoring the Secret Word Door Prize Challenge, visit exhibitors and collect their secret words by starting a conversation. Enter that secret word into the Secret Word Door Prize Challenge section of the platform. Collect them all to be entered to win the Daily Door Prize! Visit ZMM (formerly OWPR) at their booth Wednesday at 6:30 pm to see who has won!
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Wednesday, November 18
9- 11:30 am Early Bird Session
(additional registration required)
Sponsored by Virginia Lottery
10:00 am Exhibit Hall Opens
2- 4:00 pm Opening General Session
Sponsored by Sodexo
4:30 - 6:30 pm Exhibitor Hours
Door prize drawing at 6:30 pm at ZMM booth
8:00 pm Evening of Virtual Comedy
Sponsored by Successful Innovations
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Thursday is Spirit Day
Wear your division colors or your Virginia Loves Public Education T-shirt!
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Convention Help Desk
Having trouble getting connected? Not sure where to find what you are looking for?
You can reach the event help desk by filing a help desk ticket at the bottom of the platform homepage, or by emailing helpdesk@vsba.org.
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Use #VSBA2020 on Social Media to share your convention story! |
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2020 VSBA Virtual Delegate Assembly |
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The Virginia School Boards Association held its 2020 Delegate Assembly on Monday, November 16, 2020. Delegates from across the Commonwealth met virtually to consider six new or amended legislative proposals, as well as recommendations for changes to the VSBA By-Laws. The proposals and by-laws were provided to every school board member in the Delegate Assembly Handbook which was sent via email on September 30, 2020.
VSBA President Rodney A. Jordan lead the meeting and reviewed the six new or amended legislative proposals. Delegates voted to approve proposals three and five as a block and heard robust discussion on the remaining four proposals. Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure for the virtual assembly, school divisions were able to request proposals to be removed from the block prior to the meeting. After all Delegates wishing to speak on the four removed proposals were heard, Delegates voted to approve each of the proposals.
Following approval of the legislative proposals, Delegates discussed recommended changes to the VSBA By-Laws. Recommended change #1 prohibits more than one board member from each division to serve on the Board of Directors at the same time and change #2 prohibits more than one board member from each division to serve as regional officers at the same time. Following discussion, the two recommended changes were approved by the assembly.
The final order of business was an introduction of incoming VSBA President Janet Turner-Giles. President Jordan welcomed Turner-Giles and allowed her to bring greetings to the Delegates. Following the introduction of Turner-Giles, Jordan adjourned the 2020 VSBA Virtual Delegate Assembly.
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Thank you to the VSBA Annual Convention Event- Level Sponsors |
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VSBA Quarter Century Awards
Congratulations to Dr. Lawrence Varner (Prince Edward County School Board) for receiving the VSBA Quarter Century Award in recognition of 25 consecutive years of service on his school boards. "I was excited and humbled when I was first appointed in 1995 and it has been an honor being allowed to continue to serve,” said Varner of this recognition.
Thank you to Vectors Asset Management for sponsoring this award.
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Westmoreland County Governance Team
Earned July 2020
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Newport News City Governance Team
Earned November 2020
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The VSBA Master Board Program emphasizes team and trust building, communications, managing change, ethics, and working together as a team to benefit every child in your school division. The program consists of four courses, which when completed, the School Board is designated a “VSBA Master Board” and recognized at the VSBA Annual Convention. Certificates are presented after the courses are completed. Each session of this program is four hours in length and will is facilitated by an experienced trainer at the school division’s choice of location. Congratulations to Westmoreland County and Newport News City Governance Teams for being the first teams in Virginia to complete this program.
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Tonight!
Comedy & Music
Join us LIVE at 8:00 PM
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Enjoy a relaxing evening of laughs with comedian Jeff Shaw. Jeff has performed nearly 9,000 shows across North America and the Caribbean, including a residency in Las Vegas. This is a night you don’t want to miss!
Thank you to our sponsor:
Successful Innovations
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Don't Miss Out!
There is still time to register for the 17th annual - 1st Virtual VSBA 5K walk/run. Sponsored by Quinn Evans.
5K race awards winners will be announced at the closing session on Friday.
For more information visit the 5K page in the Awards Section of the eventmobi platform.
Don't forget to submit your race pictures, and any entry you may have for the 5K awards!
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Foundations, Clerks, and Student Board Representatives Meet Virtually to Learn and Collaborate on Hot Topics |
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The VSBA Foundations Workshop was held virtually on November 5th. Attending Foundations representatives heard from various experienced foundations personnel from across the Commonwealth, spoke about unique challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and exchanged ideas about fundraising, next steps, and best practices. |
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On Thursday November 12, the VSBA hosted a virtual workshop for the School Board Clerks. During the workshop, clerks heard a keynote address from Dr. John B. Gordon Superintendent for Suffolk City Public Schools, legal updates from VSBA Attorney Elizabeth Ewing, a presentation on COSA as well as updates on the new VSBA Database. The workshop wrapped up by allowing clerks the opportunity to check in with one another and provide updates on best practices especially since the many changes divisions have been forced to embrace since March. |
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Student School Board Representatives from across the state gathered Virtually on Tuesday, November 17. The students heard a keynote address from VSBA President, Rodney Jordan (Norfolk City) on the topic of Civility in the board room. Students were then lead through interactive breakout sessions to discuss and exchange ideas and experiences on various topics. The session also included a presentation sharing the experience of being a young school board member, as well as a presentation outlining advocacy as it relates to k-12 public education. |
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Rockingham County welcomes back students on first day of ...
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - On Monday, Rockingham County Public Schools welcomed students back to school as more students returned physically back to class for the first time in months. Last month the school division approved a new hybrid...
Read more
www.whsv.com
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Pulaski County Public Schools updates mission statement...
PULASKI, Va. (WDBJ) - Pulaski County Public Schools has updated its mission statement to be more inclusive in all decisions that it makes. As part of a statewide initiative for equality in education, the school board has spent weeks to pass a...
Read more
www.wdbj7.com
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Henrico high schooler placed first in Veterans Day...
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WWBT) - A high school junior from Henrico County placed first in the Virginia War Memorial's 2020 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest. The essay topic was "An American Who Served in World War II Who Inspires Me."
Read more
www.nbc12.com
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- Stop by the Recharging Station, sponsored by M.B. Kahn, and choose from one of four videos to take a moment to recharge in the virtual space. All of these activities are designed to help you reset so that you can come back to the programming recharged and refreshed.
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Exhibition of School Architecture- Before Thursday at 5pm, vote for your favorite design to be selected for the "People's Choice Award."
- View the Signs of Success which are displays showcasing a favorite success story in local school divisions from around the Commonwealth, will be on display in the Signs of Success section of the event platform. Visit at any time to see the great programs going on in Virginia’s public schools.
- View the winners from the 2020 VSBA Spring Regional Art Contest by visiting the Awards section of the event platform.
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- VSBA Board of Distinction
- VSBA Regional School Board Members of the Year
- VSBA School Board of the Year
- VSBA Quarter Century Award
- VSBA Green Schools Competition
- VSBA Exhibitors Scholarship Winners
- VSBA High School Student Video Contest
- VSBA Exhibition of School Architecture Competition
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200 Hansen Road, Suite 2, Charlottesville, VA 22911
Tel: 434-295-8722 Fax: 434-295-8785
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