04/21/2011

ECA - Community College Interest Group - Convention Recap

Dear Colleagues,

We had a wonderful convention in Arlington!  Over 48 people attended our 6 panels (not including GIFTS!).  New members and returning members collaborated, networked, and generated good energy all around. 

Attached are the minutes for the 2011 Community College Interest Group (CCIG) Business Meeting. Danamarie Every was gracious to take notes.  I imagine we’d vote on these at the 2012 business meeting. 

We now have with a clear leadership path until 2014:   

• Jessica Papajcik (JPapajcik@starkstate.edu) is the CCIG planner for the 2012 conference in Cambridge, MA (also serving as the CCIG representative to the Nominating Committee).  The list of volunteer paper/panel reviewers is attached to the minutes. 
• Nadine Cichy  (nadine.cichy@sinclair.edu) was elected as GIFTS planner for 2012,
• Recalling from 2010, Susan Ward (SWard@dccc.edu) had been elected for CCIG conference planner for 2013.  
• Danamarie Every (DEvery@dccc.edu) was elected as GIFTS planner for 2013 (and will then move to Interest Group planner for the 2014 convention).
• Michelle Simpson (MSimpson@csmd.edu) was elected as the Executive Council Representative for a 2-year term.  

Other key results from the meeting: To organize ourselves further, there will be a small committee to investigate our bylaws and recommend the creation of a “secretary” position who would send minutes to members immediately following the convention.  Should anyone wish to serve on this committee, please send me an email (RTownsend@mcc.commnet.edu) by 4/30. We will also be instituting a “top paper” award for the top 3 papers in our group.  

Nancy Willets, primary convention planner for next year, indicated that she will encourage a wide participation from members, with only one spot on a panel per  person.  So, new members, be sure to let Jessica Papajcik know of your interest in serving as a chair or respondent! 

Lastly, although this did not get mentioned in our business meeting, I have to note the success of the first-ever Undergraduate Student Conference.  The panel I chaired had two really impressive students from CCIG member Gary Eckles.  The papers they presented were of publishable quality, according to respondent (and former ECA President) Don Boileau of George Mason.  Let’s encourage our students who create excellent projects to submit them for next year. 

Thanks again for your participation in the 2011 Convention!  I look forward to seeing you in Cambridge!   Can’t wait to meet colleagues?  Join the CCIG on Facebook and Linkedin (or http://lnkd.in/r6_-6j ), or use the #CCIG hashtag on Twitter. 

Sincerely,

Rebecca 

Rebecca M. Townsend, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communication, Manchester Community College
Office: Lowe 218G * Phone: 860-512-2685
Email: RTownsend@mcc.commnet.edu
Great Path M.S. #19, P.O. Box 1046
Manchester, CT 06045-1046