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Network
Member Newsletter of the Museum Education Roundtable Fall 2006 Notes from the Chair
New Leadership for MER Do you remember the Lily Tomlin character that spoke from a giant rocking chair? That image comes to mind when I think about writing this "Notes from the Chair" column. The responsibility of providing leadership for the MER board was placed on my shoulders at the August planning retreat. I willingly accept the role as President of your MER board. I have been listening and learning as I set my style of leadership. I wish to thank, past president Mychalene Giampaoli, for all of her efforts and especially for her willingness to remain active on the ExCom. Her appointment as the DC liaison provides the vehicle for her continued support as we transition from having a DC residency requirement for the president. Jill Sanderson accepted my recommendation to serve as Vice President this year. Georganne Sisco graciously accepted another term at the Secretary of the board, and David Ebitz is filling the Treasurers post. Your ExCom meets via conference call every other week or so, to discuss MER business and prepare for board meetings which occur in February, May (at the AAM annual meeting) and in August in Washington, DC. A big thank you goes to each of the board members who have served and are longer on our board. The most recent of these colleagues are: Bert Davis, Marcia Wolter-Britton, Teresa Esterlund and Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick and Susan Marcus. Susan Marcus was appointed to a 1-year board position created by Bert Davis' resignation. Susan's willingness to support MER related activities in conjunction with the annual AAM meeting in Chicago this spring is most welcome. In the fall 2005 Network you were introduced to the "Definitions Project" funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency through a grant to the Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) and National Association for Interpretation (NAI) (http://www.mer-online.org/publications/2005-fall-definitions.html). At that time Jim Hakala represented MER. When Jim's MER board term expired his commitment to Museum Education was recognized by his becoming Chair of the Standing Professional Committee on Education (EdCom) of American Association of Museums. Because of this change I was asked represent MER at the remaining meetings. The final meeting of this grant cycle is at the end of November, at which time we expect to agree on what the Definitions Project product may look like; how it will be delivered. I have found these meeting extremely engaging. As the materials developed by the Definitions Project become available, I believe you will find them useful. I hope you are enjoying the new format of the JME as much as I am. Erik Holland, Museum Education Roundtable Board President |
info@mer-online.org, tel: 202.547.8378, fax 202.547.8344
Date Last Modified: 11/25/2006