West Central Division

The MTNA state presidents, board of directors, directors-elect,  officers and national office staff met for the MTNA Leadership Summit in Cincinnati September 21 through 23.   The national office staff organized this beneficial informative event giving guidance to new and experienced leadership alike.  Sessions were designed to give everyone attending the most up to date information regarding the strategic plan, competitions, certification, the website, basic leadership processes and procedures.  The States-by-Size meeting was especially invigorating.  The states were grouped in like size to discuss successful events and issues of concern.  Seven of the eight West Central Division states were represented.  The presidents of these states are equipped to lead their states effectively and efficiently.  Each state can take full advantage of the services MTNA has to offer through the leadership of their president.

A meeting of the West Central Division presidents is scheduled for Saturday afternoon on January 12, from 2 pm – 4 pm at the WCD auditions.  They are held in Lawrence, Kansas at the University of Kansas.  Go to the West Central Division portal on the MTNA website to see directions, hotel options and eating establishments.  

A meeting of the West Central Division presidents is scheduled for Saturday afternoon on January 12, from 2 pm – 4 pm at the WCD auditions.  They are held in Lawrence, Kansas at the University of Kansas.  Go to the West Central Division portal on the MTNA website to see directions, hotel options and eating establishments. 

 If you cannot attend, please send a representative, or attend by internet link.  I am practicing internet meetings on Google plus to see if we can connect effectively.  Please let me know by December 12 how you will be represented at this meeting.  .

 West Central Division Meeting

 Agenda:

·         Director, West Central Division Report (report from the Board of Directors and National Office)

·         Director-elect, West Central Division Report

·         State President Reports

·         State Presidents bring concerns or questions to the Board of Directors and National Office

·         Certification Commissioner Report

·         MTNA Foundation Report

West Central Division will benefit from scheduling a meeting between national conferences.  At the leadership summit you have expressed several ideas on how this meeting can come about.  One of the ways that seems most logical is to have a division meeting at the leadership summit.  That did not occur this year, yet I have suggested to Brian Shepard that we schedule it into the summit in the future. 

Your contribution to MTNA and the teachers in your state is valued greatly.  Thank you for the work you do for the music teaching profession.

 Sincerely,

Tim Shook 

Dear West Central Division MTNA members;

I hope the fall affords you events and relationships that nurture your love and dedication to music.  Teaching students and meeting colleagues inspire us to continue our activities in state and local affiliates of MTNA. 

The Board of Directors, board members and MTNA staff met in July to execute business that carries out and moves forward the mission of MTNA.  You have dedicated leaders who care for you and the music teaching world.  My purpose as West Central Division Director is to convey information from the board to you and from you to the board through meetings, email and phone conversations.  I will try to keep these emails short yet informative.

 Important information from the MTNA Board meeting. 

·         The board voted unanimously to extend a Vote of Confidence for Gary Ingle as the Executive Director and CEO of MTNA.  They extended their most profound appreciation and support for his strong leadership, particularly during the last year which was exceptionally difficult.  He has represented the board in a professional manner in every action.  The Board of Directors and the national office are on the same page.

·         The board expressed their deepest appreciation and gratitude to Marge Bengal, Brian Shepard, and the national office staff.  MTNA would not function as smoothly as it does without their highly professional day-to-day dedicated guidance at all levels of business.

·         The organization is fiscally secure due to Gary Ingle’s astute financial management skills.  If you do not know, MTNA had to take extreme austerity measures.  The organization recovered much quicker than expected even in the current economy.

·          The MTNA Leadership Summit has been reinstated (as a result of the fiscal solvency).  I look forward to seeing you at what is the most informative and effective leadership event I have experienced in my years of leadership.

Items to do.

·         Remind your MTNA affiliated state and local associations to file a 990N return by November 15 if their fiscal year ends June 30 (15^th day of the 5^th month after the fiscal year ends).  This form is required to keep their 501 (c) (3) status.  Have the officers go to www.irs.gov to get the 990N form.  Be sure they know their federal id #.

·         West Central Division Meeting – January 12, 2013 on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, KS.  This meeting is held in conjunction with the WCD auditions.  Please mark your calendars and I will contact you a more definite meeting time and day.     

West Central Division Meeting 

Agenda:

My goals as West Central Division Director:

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.  wichitacreativekeyboard@gmail.com  I wish you the best in your year as an MTNA member.

Sincerely,

Tim