Main/News/Network 3.03

March 2003
KASBO
Network
Volume 12, Issue #3

In This Issue

Message from the President

2003 Convention Update

Needs Assessment Survey Results

2003 ASBO Leadership Conference

ASBO Notes from Executive Director

KASBO Board of Directors Highlights

 

Message from Our KASBO President:

 

How Do You View Success?

On April 23-25, 2003 KASBO members will gather together for the 2003 annual KASBO Convention in Hutchinson, KS. The theme for this year's convention is "Managing Success Through Challenging Times". We are fully aware that funding our schools is the biggest challenge that most of us will be facing in the coming year, but how are we going to perceive success through all of this?

An article I read in "Communication Briefings" helped me put this in perspective. How you perceive success can affect your well-being. If you see it as making lots of money, or gaining recognition or striving only for results, you may be setting yourself up for a fall. You can't base your well being on things that you might not be totally able to control because when they fail you will suffer. Even if you gain rewards, you might reach a point where you'll begin to question your achievements. I have also found that working for the public can make you feel unappreciated.

The article said to consider these suggestions:

*Let your internal guidance system tell you what really matters to you. Ask yourself questions like:

If I had only six months to live, what would my priorities be?

If I could write my own obituary, what would I want it to say?

*Emphasize how your work contributes to some greater good.

*Take pride in how well you do your job. Strive for excellence. Take the time to enjoy what you've accomplished.

*Find rewards in the process of doing your job.

*Avoid depending on others to tell how well you're doing, but never close your mind to suggestions from others or you'll become rigid.

*See yourself as a problem-solver. If not, you'll be constantly setting yourself up for failure whenever a roadblock appears.

*Don't be afraid to fail. Consider this question from Robert Schuller: "What one great thing would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

The article recommended the following books if you want to follow up on these ideas:
-Why Smart People Fail, by Carole Hyatt and Linda Gottlieb (Penguin Books).
-Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Harper Perennial).
-When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough, by Harold Kushner (Pocket Books).

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you at this year's annual convention. Details about the convention are inside this newsletter or you can e-mail me at mailto:blakesleyl@usd308.com.

I'd like to close with the "The Diffendoofer Song" from the book, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, by Dr. Suess with some help from Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith.

 

"The Diffendoofer Song"
We love you, Diffendoofer School,
We definitely do.
There surely is no other school
That's anything like you.
You're gribbulous, you're grobbulous,
Each day we love you more.
You are the school we treasure
And unceasingly adore.

Oh, finest school in Dinkerville-
The only one as well-
We love you, Diffendoofer School,
Much more than we can tell.
You are so diffendooferous
It gives us joy to say,
Three cheers for Diffendoofer School-
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

 

Lori Blakesley, President KASBO
USD 308 Hutchinson


2003 CONVENTION UPDATE

Hutchinson, Kansas is the place to be April 23-25, 2003 for a time of learning and networking. The KASBO Professional Development Committee has developed a program that will meet the needs of all segments of the KASBO membership.

The traditional Pre-Convention Workshops will be held on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 &endash; 4:00.

Thursday morning breakfast at 8:00 a.m. will be the official beginning of convention. Dale Dennis and Veryl Peter bringing news from Topeka and the legislature will follow Phil Coleman, keynote speaker.

Thursday sectionals include FMLA and Wage & Hour with Susan Lang. Technology presentations are on Power Point Uses, by Gary Diener, Olathe; and Excel with Tim Rooney, Shawnee Mission. Sara Barnes from KSDE will present on SO66 & 18-E and the new Budget form. In the area of Budget & Finance, Mark Bauer will present on Activity Funds and Fraud; Accounts Receivable by Mary Page, Blue Valley; and Federal Programs by Rick White, Haven. Operations will have presentations from KSDE Food Service and the Kansas Fire Marshall on School Safety.

Friday sectionals begin at 9:00 a.m. Payroll & Benefits track includes, HIPPA Health Insurance, John O'Byrne, CBIZ; KPERS, Alan Schuler; Early Retirement, USD 305 Salina staff; Purchasing & Accounts Payable sessions will include Sales Tax, Linda Bowles, KDOR; Purchasing by Fred Meier, Independence and Joe Draskovich Blue Valley. Operations will hear presentations on Air/Mold by Creg Crable, EPA; Energy Management, Bill Courtney, Olathe and Dave Burk, Wichita; and Work Comp, Alan Keeler. Hutchinson. Budget Team Building presentation from Gary Diener, Olathe. Melanie Terrill, Salina and Gary Carson, Hutchinson will do sessions on communications. Legal Issues will be addressed with Cindy Kelly on General School Law Issues and Norm Wilks on Board Ethics.

Revival of the "Round Tables" was requested by participants in the survey. The sessions will be twenty minutes in length and repeated twice during the Friday 11:00 &endash; 11:45 time slot. Topics to covered include: Bond Ratings, Current Climate; Annuities; 125 Plans; EPA/Lead Paint; Cell/LD/Calling Cards; Centralized Enrollment; Electronic Timekeeping; and E-Commerce/On-Line Purchasing.

A complete listing of the sectionals, presenters and presiders will be on the homepage soon. Pay a visit to the homepage and check on the program and also registration will be available on line thanks to our Webmaster Perry McCabe and Karl Ivers from USD 418 McPherson.

Wednesday activities includes the Golf Tournament at the Highlands Golf Club. Marvin Sisk promises hats and balls for all participants and a prize for each hole.

This year the 'Trade Show' will open at 3:00 and close at 8:00. A food buffet will be a part of the show from 5:00 - 7:00. Thank our vendors for providing this service to the membership.

Creating a balance of learning and entertainment, the committee has a D.J. each night. The Mystery Dinner Theater "Murder Ahoy" is going to be a fun experience.

The Friday luncheon speaker Jae Pierce-Baba will have a humorous message to close out the 39th Annual KASBO Convention


Needs Assessment Survey

The Professional Development committee would like to thank all of you who participated in the needs assessment survey. We had 150 people respond to the survey. The information, comments and suggestions were very helpful.

Some of the results:

Yes

No

No Opinion

Are the professional development activities offered at KASBO helpful?

89%

1%

10%

Would it be helpful to have structured tracks ?

83%

7%

10%

Would you be interested in KASBO offering a type of mentoring program?

59%

34%

7%

Would you be interested in some type of certification program?

52%

40%

8%

Would you be interested in KASBO exploring video conferencing?

47%

48%

5%

Would you be supportive of Regional Meetings?

55%

31%

14%

Currently participating in Regional Meetings?

29%

68%

3%

Workshops- Would you be more likely to attend if 1 day vs. 2 days?

50%

42%

8%

Do you feel the membership fee of $20.00 is reasonable?

95%

1%

4%

Would you consider an increase in membership fees?

43%

43%

14%

How much? This ranged from $25.00 to $100.00 membership fee, but majority noted a $25.00 to $50.00 range.

The professional development committee and KASBO Board of Directors will use this information for planning in the future.

Kathy Johnson, Professional Development Chair
USD 497 Lawrence


2003 ASBO Leadership Conference

February 6th & 7th, Executive Director Karen Schadel, President-elect Kathy Johnson, Lawrence and Vice President Gary Diener, Olathe, had the opportunity to attend the ASBO Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with Rob Balsters, USD 345 Seaman, newly elected ASBO board member and Linda Jones, Wichita an ASBO Legislative committee member. The Leadership Conference provided excellent professional development on Leadership styles, organizing and planning meetings and management of affiliate organizations, as well as wonderful networking opportunities with leadership from other states.

In addition, the group's purpose was to do some preliminary planning and "scouting" for KASBO members who wish to attend the ASBO conference in the fall, October 30th &endash; November 4th. The program for the ASBO convention looks wonderful. It is chock-full of professional development activities for accounting and budgeting, business operations, legal aspects, human resources, school finance and technology, as well as networking opportunities throughout the conference. The convention hotel site will be shared between the Marriott and the Hilton with the actual convention taking place in the city's convention center.

Kansas will be hosting a small reception at the Marriott, for our newly elected ASBO board member Rob Balsters.

If you are looking for an excellent professional development opportunity or in just seeing a part of our nation's history, NASCAR, Michael Jordan's old stomping grounds, or maybe the Biltmore Mansion, Charlotte, North Carolina is the place for you. Hope to see you there this fall.

Kathy Johnson, President-elect
USD497 Lawrence


ASBO Notes from Executive Directors Meeting

 

The Executive Directors of the state affiliates meet during the conference and plan and schedule activities for the upcoming ASBO Intl. Convention.

ASBO has again provided us the opportunity to request a block of rooms for our attendees. Kansas has a room block of 10 rooms at the Marriott Hotel. Any Kansan that is planning to attend, please contact Karen Schadel at 620.525.6512 or kschadel@gbta.net for a room. This choice will benefit KASBO and ASBO.


KASBO Board of Directors Highlights

The KASBO Board of Directors met February 19, 2003, at the Salina Holiday Inn with President Lori Blakesley presiding.

Gary Diener, USD 233 Olathe Director of Business & Finance, and current member of the KASBO Board of Directors was appointed to serve as Vice-President following the resignation of Don Adkisson.

Norm Wilks, USD 490 ElDorado Director of Budget and Financial Planning, was appointed to fill the position held by Gary Diener.

The United School Administrators Service Agreement was approved by the Board of Directors.

Fees for the upcoming KASBO Convention were approved. Convention registration before April 16 is $155 and after that date $180. Membership dues remain at $20. The 'Trade Show' fee was increased to $250.

Kathy Johnson reported on the Needs Assessment Survey. The one-day workshop and some 'Round Table' sessions at convention are in response to the survey. Other issues under advisement are 'Regional Meetings' and a mentoring program.

Gwen Boone, By-Laws Chairman, asked the Board for further recommendations to create consistency in the By-Laws. These recommendations will be brought to the Board and then to the full membership at convention.

Jenni Newell and Gary Diener reported on the Registration/Certification Committee activities. Programs from several states have been reviewed and with some modifications would meet the needs as established by the committee for a certification program in Kansas. This is a work in progress.

The status of Dr. Rob Balsters campaign fund for ASBO Board was reviewed. The consensus of the Board will be passed along to Dr. Balsters.

A brochure is being developed to promote KASBO. The brochure will be available by convention.

The Mega Issue Questions were reviewed. Areas of concern were discussed. The Need Assessment Survey addressed some of the questions.

The next Board of Director meeting will be at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at the Hutchinson Plaza Hotel.


Additional hotels for lodging at Convention:

Microtel Hotel & Suites, 1420 N. Lorraine

(620.665.3700)

Holiday Inn Express, 1601 Super Plaza

(620.669.5200)


Visit http://www.kasbo.org/

to get the latest updates on convention programs.


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