Last Updated
02/21/2008
NYSAEOP’s 54th Annual Meeting and Conference opened with our First Timer’s Reception followed by our Professional Recognition Banquet honoring our 2006 Administrator of the Year, Carol Hay, Superintendent of Panama Central School District, our 2006 Office Professional of the Year, Connie Van Hoesen, CEOE, of Churchville-Chili Intermediate School, and the recipients of various Professional Standards Program certificates. Her dedication to the students of her district and recognition of the contributions made by all members of her staff, as well as her own past experience as a support professional, made Mrs. Hay an exemplary choice as recipient of our first Administrator of the Year award. Of course, Connie provides us all with a model of an office professional that we may all strive to replicate.
Friday morning’s general session, “Who Moved My Cheese?” although a little late in starting, was well received by the seventy-nine participants in attendance. The video was both fun and informative, the participation in the discussions was active and positive, and the observations shared were insightful. Friday’s breakout sessions were rewarding with special kudos going to our pair of State Police investigators Bill Griggs and Todd Grant of the State Police Computer Crisis Unit - Central for their presentation on adolescent computer crimes; to Tatia Kennedy for her positive outlook on how we can all get organized; to Wendy Heslink, CEOE, for her introduction to the ease of using PowerPoint; to Rosanna Moser for her tips on effective e-mail communication; and to Kim Vivian-Downs for her guidance in working with school accounts.
At Friday’s Membership Luncheon, Executive Board members reviewed the services and advantages of NYSAEOP membership, as well as acknowledged the attendance of members from the various regions across the State. After lunch, participants met in groups by their job areas to share experiences, as well as hints on how to handle various situations encountered in their offices. I send particular thanks to the following facilitators, who volunteered to their time and expertise to lead the discussion groups: “Administration/ Personnel” – Arlene Connelly, CEOE, Chautauqua Lake CS and Deborah Johnson, CEOE, Bemus Point CSD; “Business/ University” – Donna Ludwig, Erie 2 – Chautauqua – Cattaraugus BOCES and Sandy Shafer, Automotive Technology Department, Erie Community College; “Elementary/ Secondary” – Donna Snyder, Pine Valley Elementary School and Barbara Uthman, The School of Imaging & Information Technology @ Edison, Rochester CSD; and “Guidance/ Staff Development/ Health/ Athletics/ Special Education” – Rose Bain, Data Analysis Service WSWHE BOCES, Cathy Bruckman, Churchville-Chili CSD and Felicia Barretta, Churchville-Chili CSD. Thank you ladies for answering my call.
Following Advisory Council and the Retirees’ Meeting, everyone boarded the Adirondack Railways train for a rather long ride into the mountains for an enjoyable family-style dinner at the BuffaloHead Restaurant in Forestport. On the return trip, fun and mystery abounded, punctuated by a curious loss of lights on the train. Saturday morning, the mystery of the missing Van Hoesen heirloom ring was solved and all charges against the suspect were dropped as it was discovered that the ring was misplaced among pilfered rolls.
Saturday’s general sessions, “The Positive Power of Humor” and “Develop Powerful Thinking” presented by Yvonne Conte, was hands down the high point of the conference. Ms. Conte presented an uplifting, informative workshop, leaving everyone with much to think about, as well as a positive outlook on how to accomplish whatever they undertake. Ms. Conte’s warm, silly, relaxed, energetic, dynamite personality captured everyone in the audience. At Saturday’s Scholarship Luncheon, we were proud to award our Student Scholarship award to Lawrence Seivert of Orchard Park High School, whose application was submitted by Erie County AEOP. Larry will be continuing his business studies at Syracuse University and we are proud to have him represent us as our 2006 Student Scholarship recipient.
Since there was a bit more business for members to consider this year, the Annual Meeting, after lunch on Saturday, was somewhat longer than usual. Along with the regular business and election of officers and directors, the members approved amendments to the constitution, recognized milestones of continuous membership, and learned that the 2007 Annual Meeting and Conference will be held at the Queensbury Hotels in Glens Falls from October 25-28, 2007.
The conference concluded with the installation of officers and committee chairs at Saturday nights’ banquet. Mary Kucharek did a wonderful job illuminating the way for the Executive Board as they caught the light of NYSAEOP. Thank you for everything Mary. After thanking everyone for their continued support and wishing them a safe journey home, I asked my registrar, Tatia Kennedy, to read the closing resolution.
Again this year, I thank the NYSAEOP Executive Board for their untiring efforts to assure this conference was a success, my conference committee for their busy hands and minds, and the NYSAEOP members who have been so generous in their continued support of the association.
Have a great year as you “Catch the Light of NYSAEOP!”
Beverly J. O’Brian, CEOE
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