KASBO Network Volume 12, Issue #2 |
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Dr. Rob Balsters, Deputy Superintendent for Business in the Seaman School District, was recently elected to the position of director on the board of The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). The election took place at the national convention held in Phoenix, October 25-29. His term will officially begin January 1, 2003.
Dr. Balsters has been a member of ASBO for 14 years. During this time he has served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the School Finance Committee and is a Meritorious Budget Award Reviewer. Dr. Balsters will represent Kansas and bring a midwest perspective to the ASBO Board discussions.
As a result of this success, Dr. Balsters is eligible to run for the office of Vice President in 2005. The vice president moves through the president-elect position to eventually become president. Dr. Balsters is planning to seek the position of vice president in 2005. That convention will be held in Boston. It is critical for all KASBO members to understand the importance of having our state represented at this level. We will be working diligently to inform all members of the events leading up to this next level. It would be most encouraging to have a large contingency of Kansas School Business Officials in Boston in 2005. We hope to see you there.
Dr. Sharon Zoellner, Chairman
Balsters Campaign Committee
During the last week of October, eleven school business officials from Kansas headed to Phoenix, Arizona, for a few days of inservice training, networking, professional growth, fun and relaxation. While a good share of time is spent on getting to know your counterparts from other districts and sharing information on how to accomplish critical and difficult tasks associated with our jobs; the backdrop is a world of available information offered through three days of seminars, workshops and presentations geared to our profession.
The seminars follow various professional tracks aligned with: Accounting & Budgeting, Business Operations, Legal Aspects, Human Resources, School Finance and Technology. Plenty of opportunities for professional growth are taking place simultaneously as you intermix with over 2000 business officials from the United States, Canada and around the world. Highlights of the convention come during the days of general sessions where nationally acclaimed speakers captivate the audience with personal & professional challenges combined with humor and inspiration. While the general theme is personal and professional motivation, Joel Barker challenged us this year with his thoughts on Complex Systems and Unintended Consequences.
One of our own Kansas delegates was a presenter this year. Dr. Rob Balsters was a co-presenter at a session called "School Finance Litigation: A National Update". He provided a detailed look at the history and current status of a Kansas school finance case being pushed by the Schools for Fair Funding.
During the evening ample is available for a more relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a vacation like atmosphere of social events, sight seeing, and putting on the dancin' shoes. This year the Kansas delegation outfitted themselves in western attire and played host to over 500 delegates from other states in an evening activity of desserts and drawings.
Caution: Do not plan to attend the next ASBO Convention, October 31 &endash; November 4, 2003, in Charlotte, North Carolina, unless you plan to get hooked on this annual professionally high-spirited activity.
It's addictive!
Gary Diener, Chairman
National Convention Promotion & Membership
Chairman
You wanted it!
You asked for it!
Now you've got it!
Newly developed with you in mind, the 2003 KASBO Convention will be all you ever hoped for…and MORE!
The 2003 KASBO Convention Committee is finalizing plans for the 2003 convention. This year, not only will you find great educational presentations related to school business, gaining of experiential knowledge from your professional peers but more fun than you can shake a stick at.
Here's a sneak peak of all the exciting, informative and fun filled activities just around the corner.
Bright and early Wednesday morning, join your peers on the links for the Golf Tournament.
Wednesday afternoon & evening will feature a Vendor Trade Show with prizes and give-aways galore! Lots of food, fun and information from all of those educational products and services you were interested in….but just afraid to ask!
After the Trade Show/Buffet, join your fellow KASBO'ians in dancing, fellowship, fun…somewhat like a cruise ship without the ocean.
Thursday morning's general session speaker will be none other than Salina's own, Phil Coleman, the man with the "ATTITUDE." After a day of more information than you thought humanly possible (all brought to you by the likes of Dale Dennis, Veryl Peter and sectionals from the KASBO Inservice Committee to be announced at a later date), you will become part of "Murder Ahoy" MYSTERY DINNER THEATER presented by Big Mike's Little Theater from Wichita. (You asked for something different… here it is!) After all that excitement, use up what energy you have left dancing your socks off (on second thought, leave your socks and shoes on please) or just schmoozing with educational professionals from all over the great state of Kansas.
Friday's agenda continues with more outstanding sectionals from the Inservice Committee. Our featured luncheon speaker, the reknowned Kansan, Jae Pierce-Baba, humorist extraordinaire! Jae's mission in life is to spread the word of the power of therapeutic humor in both our professional and private lives
Michele Martens, USD 313 Buhler
Convention Committee Reporter
The nominating committee is seeking persons who are willing to serve in leadership positions in KASBO. The officers of KASBO are the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, Secretary and six Directors. All terms are for one year except for Directors who serve for three (3) years with two (2) directors being elected each year. The Vice-President automatically succeeds through the office of President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President. The KASBO bylaws state that the "officers and directors will be nominated by the Nominating Committee or by the written request signed by ten (10) members….Election will be held at the annual meeting and the newly elected officers will assume the duties of office on the first (1st) day of July following the annual meeting."
If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in serving in a position of leadership, please email Gary Jantz at gjantz@newton.k12.ks.us or call 316-284-6200 no later than February 28, 2003.
Nineteen Kansans, including eleven practicing Business Officials, found Phoenix, AZ, to be a great convention city. The unusual/rare afternoon hailstorm was taken in stride by the folks from Kansas. The successful election of Dr. Balsters to the ASBO Board of Directors was due in part to the dedication of the Kansas delegation sharing the Kansas hospitality with colleagues across the nation. Convention activities were complete with American Fidelity hosting the traditional breakfast for the Kansans
The needs assessment survey distributed on-line by the KASBO leadership has been a useful tool in designing future workshops and the convention. A note of thanks to all that responded.
The Nominating Committee is working to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Vice-President Don Adkisson. The name of the replacement will appear on the website when the appointment is official.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual annually in recognition of outstanding service to the organization and/or to education in Kansas. Please submit your nomination on the form below by February 28 to Gary Jantz, 308 East First Street, Newton, KS 67114.
Nomination Form for the KASBO Distinguished Service Award
Name of Nominee:
Address:
Current Job of Nominee:
Please list the accomplishments of the Nominee on a separate sheet of paper
Name and Address of Person Submitting Nomination:
The KASBO Board of Directors met October 1, 2002. at the Salina Holiday Inn with President Lori Blakesley presiding.
Kansas Learning First Alliance participation by KASBO was approved. Dr. Rob Balsters agreed to represent KASBO at the meetings.
KASBO membership is at 396 participating business professionals. Susan Brown, USD 234 Fort Scott, is a member of the Membership Committee. Her name was not included in the August Newsletter.
A travel policy for KASBO officers was established by the board.
The recommendation to seek input in how KASBO can better serve the membership will be done through an online survey prepared by the Executive Committee. The responses will be used to develop programs for workshops and conventions.
Plans for the ASBO Convention in Phoenix, October 25-29, 2002, were discussed. The reception for Dr. Rob Balsters, candidate for the ASBO Board of Directors, is planned at the Hyatt. Gifts for the drawings during the reception are an assortment of Kansas products and cash. Tee shirts from past KASBO conventions will be given to reception attendees. The six state coalition meeting will be held in the Kansas Hospitality Room.
Next meeting will be at the Winter Workshop in Salina.
February 20, 2003 is the date for the KASBO Winter Workshop. Please note the change.
The Professional Development Committee developed the upcoming workshop on the results of the online survey. The one day workshop with a central focus on Budget and Finance will be a first for KASBO.
The registration fee is $40 for KASBO members and $65 for non-members.
Review the program schedule, complete the registration form and mail to KASBO, RR 1 Box 17, Alexander, KS 67513 or FAX to 620.525.6368. E-mailing KASBO at kschadel@gbta.net can also be used to register for the workshop. Respond by February 14, 2003. Payment may accompany the registration or paid at the workshop.
KASBO has reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn. Mention KASBO while making your reservation at 785.823.1739 to get the KASBO discounted rate. Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 12:00 p.m.
Cancellation notices received on or before February 17, 2003, will be recognized by KASBO.
All others will be charged the full registration fee.