The Maine Science Teachers Association has announced that the date of their annual conference has been changed to Friday, November 12.  Held at the Gardiner Area High School, the theme is Change for Sustainability featuring former Governor Angus King as keynote speaker.  Sessions will be held on Change for Sustainability, Earth and Space, Life and Physical Sciences.

If you are interested in presenting at the conference, please contact Robin Kennedy at rkennedy57@gmail.com.   To learn more about this event, please visit the MSTA website.

Please keep me posted on what your group is doing—the success of this blog is dependent on your participation!  And remember, I’m only a few keystrokes away at aodonnell@nsta.org.

As the dust settles from NSTA’s Annual Conference, my thoughts return to a conversation I had with a new NSTA member during the conference.  I was grateful to have the opportunity to say “thanks!” for being a member of NSTA and “thanks” for coming to the conference!

I want to thank all of you too.  Thank you for your continued membership.  Thank you for attending the conference.  Thanks for your great ideas and input.  And thank you for the time that you devote to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

Please keep the great ideas coming. Post a comment below or e-mail me at aodonnell@nsta.org and share with your fellow leaders. Remember, the success of this blog is dependent on your participation!

Thanks to everyone who posted a comment and e-mailed me directly. Boosting meeting attendance seems to be on everyone’s mind. While there is usually no one “quick fix,” here are some ideas to think about:

• Restructure the meeting to appeal to a wider audience. Of course, you want programming to appeal to your most active attendees, but think about other attendees’ needs and other audiences.
• Use a marketing mix. Promote the conference via e-mail, your website (if you have one), in your newsletter, with dues billings and prospective member packets, at local educational institute campuses, etc. Be sure to market your conference through “related” or “like-minded” groups.
• Take a look at your conference through your attendees eyes. Can you answer “what’s in it for me?” Is there enough content to make it worth attending? Are your marketing materials accurately conveying the value of the meeting?
• Provide a significant discount for early enrollment—NSTA has a significant registration spike for our early bird registration rate.
• Have a big name/recognizable presenter—this has been an attendance trigger for NSTA.
• Offer a guarantee. If the attendee isn’t fully satisfied, refund their money.

These are some ideas to get our conversation started. Do you have a great idea you can share? What has worked for your group and most importantly, what has not worked? Post a comment below or e-mail me at aodonnell@nsta.org and share with your fellow leaders. Remember, the success of this blog is dependent on your participation!

Welcome to the Chapter and Associated Groups (CAG) Blog!  Let me start by introducing myself.  I’m Anne O’Donnell, CAE.  I have been in association management for almost 20 years serving a wide variety of associations and professions.  I am pleased to be here at NSTA and hopefully will be able to meet many of you in Philly at the Annual Conference.

The Chapters and Associated Groups blog is dedicated to helping the past, current and future leadership of NSTA’s CAGs.  Highlighting helpful resources, providing leadership tips and association management solutions, this blog is designed to help keep our CAGs strong!

Your participation is critical to the success of this blog!  I encourage you to submit ideas, post, and guest blog!  As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know—I’m just an e-mail away: aodonnell@nsta.org.

See you in Philly!