​Hello everyone!
I hope that this note finds you happy and healthy.  As usual, my first task at the beginning of the year is to ask, “Am I talking to the right person?”  Are you the activities/leadership person?  If so, great.  If not, could you please forward to me contact info for the correct person?  And if you know someone in a neighboring school who should be getting this email but is not, I’d love some help with their contact info as well.  Thanks!
 
As you know, we had our WACA Fall Board Meeting on Sept 22-23 in Spokane.  And my goal was to report to you the following week.  Well, that week our computer system was down three times, so I never got it done.  And last week (Homecoming Week) was just a blur, followed by a full weekend trip to Pullman.  So here we are!  I’ll bet none of you can relate to this, huh!?  ;-)
 
We covered A LOT of material at the Board Meeting.  I won’t try to cover it all with you right now.  I’ll divide it into chunks, okay?  ;-)  Here goes:
 
1) The Board uses the Fall Meeting to check out possible sites for our conference.  Since there have been several changes in the Spokane area, we decided it was time to visit again.  We have to find a site that will accommodate our many break-out sessions, our big vendor area, our large-group sessions, and our housing needs (for about 350 people).  And we try to be fiscally responsible – so we know that if we book a certain number of rooms (room block) and order a certain volume of food (banquet minimums), we can get our conference areas at no/low cost.  Make sense so far?  Well, we found ourselves involved in a “Three Bears” story at our Fall Meeting.  Many places were “too small” – they didn’t have enough meeting space or vendor space.  Some places were “too big” – like the Davenport Grand Hotel, where we were staying; they had enough space, but we can’t meet  room blocks and banquet minimums that are large enough to offset the conference costs.  So the Spokane venues weren’t the answer at this time, and we continue to look for “just right”.  And right now, the Tri-Cities is “just right” for the size of our group.  ;-)
2)Don’t forget that WACA sponsors an Advisor Certification program.  Details may be found on our website wacaonline.org.  The application is being simplified for this year.  If you haven’t already applied, I would recommend it.  I use it on my TPEP evaluation each year.  And when people ask why I attend certain conferences/events, I reply, “I’m a Certified Advisor; that’s what we do.”  Deadline for applications for this cycle (certificates handed out at the March 2019 annual meeting) is February 1st.
3)By the way, one of those events is the AWSL Conference, held this weekend (October 12-14) in Kent.  Hope to see you there!  I’ll be presenting an advisor workshop on Saturday, for all those interested.  We’ll use webbing loops and some other “hands-on” items to highlight some teambuilding and Character Strong activities.
4)Back to the WACA Conference:  Each March at the conference, we present our Hall of Fame awards.  We need some input from you, so would you please consider going online at wacaonline.org, and nominating a colleague?  Details are on the website, and the deadline is December 1st of 2018.
 
Okay, that’s enough for now.  I’ll send another email note in about a month.  Until then, have a fantastic Fall season.  Hope to see you at AWSL.  Keep doing the amazing work that you do.  ;-)
 
Take care,
Jb

Hello everyone,
I hope that your year is off to a great start!  At RHS, we're already at the mid-term progress report time!  Time flies when you've got great work.  ;-)


Hey, I'm off to the WACA Fall Board Meeting this weekend.  We're meeting in Spokane this year.  As you know, one of our tasks at Fall Board Meeting is to check out possible conference sites.  I'll let you know what we find out.


In the meantime, I hope that you're getting ready for a great fall season.  Remember that the AWSL Conference for our student leaders is next month - Oct. 12 - 14, at Kent-Meridian High School.  I hope that I'll see some of you there.  (Psst!  As of last week, they were still looking for a few student presenters...)


All right, I'll contact you soon, with news from the Fall Board Meeting.  Until then, have a great weekend!
jb

Hello all,
Well, we’re just a week away from the WACA conference.  The schedule is in place, the speakers are ready, the entertainment has been arranged, and the class sessions are full.  I’m looking forward to seeing you all.  Area 8 will have about 40 people in attendance… yeah!
 
Some final details to your conference planning:
 
#1:  Attire -  The conference is very casual; jeans and a t-shirt usually work very well.  Since our theme is Tune in to Leadership, how about bringing a concert/music shirt to wear on Thursday (where is that Barry Manilow shirt from the 2005 concert at the fairgrounds?).  And Friday, we try to show off our school colors, so find some spirit gear from your school.  Some people like to dress a bit nicer for the Thursday evening awards banquet, but that is very optional.
 
#2:  Area Give-Aways -  In the past few years, delegates have brought items for our give-away baskets.  You bring an item, and I give you a ticket.  In this way, we build a nice basket.  Then, at the final area meeting, we draw a ticket to choose a winner for each basket.  How’s that?  ;-)  This year, we have:

• Chocolate basket:  bring your favorite chocolate to donate to the basket.  This is a great drawing at the last area meeting.  (We usually provide security so that you can get the chocolate safely to your car!!)
• Movie basket:  bring a favorite DVD and/or your favorite movie treat to add to the basket.
• Since we live in wine country around here, we also do an informal grape beverage exchange (“bring a bottle, take a bottle”).  Bring a bottle of your favorite grape “juice” and set it on the table.  At the end of the conference, take a different bottle home.  (Note:  I always provide some sparkling cider, and Tim Turner always selects a high-quality boxed beverage.)

 
#3:  Clock Hours -  Recall that 10 clock hours are available at the close of the conference.  The sign-in will be quick, but please plan for a few minutes to complete that task.
 
#4:  Area Meeting #2 -  I’ve had three advisors from Area 8 ask if we could discuss components of our leadership classes, with particular emphasis on advanced or second year students.  Could you please come prepared to share some of your great ideas?  We’ll do that informally at our second area meeting (on Thursday morning).
 
#5:  Area 8 Social!! -  On Wednesday evening, after the conference day wraps up (around 8:30pm), we have reservations for a social at Proof GastroPub.  It’s a short walk (about 3 blocks) from the Convention Center.  I’ve worked with their staff and arranged for a variety of appetizers for us.  You’ll have to take care of your beverages, and we’ll all have some fun on the fourth floor cityscape overlook room  (I just made up that name).  Should be fun!
 
All right, that should do until we see each other next Wednesday.  Until then, have a great week!
Jb

​Hello Area 8!
 
How’s it going?  Great, I hope!  ;-)
 
I have two quick conference items for you:
First, Barnes and Noble is managing our Resource Room this year.  That means that they will provide the books and supplies for us.  One of the advantages of using them, is that they are available during the conference, and beyond.  They have set up a special code for us (bookfair ID is 12325999), that is active from March 15 – 20.  So if you don’t pick up an item during the conference, you can go to the local B & N store, or online, and get that item for the same price as during the conference (but only from March 15-20).  Pretty cool, huh?
Second, we still have a couple of spots to fill for our conference Meet the Pros session.  Meet the Pros is really nice, because it is just a 10 minute chat (actually less, when you consider discussion and questions!)  You have something cool at your school… so present it!  ;-)  For example, I’ve been using leadership camp cheers and positive songs during football and basketball games this year.  It really promotes spirit, and keeps the climate positive.  And we’ve had amazing success, and a lot of fun.  This is the kind of thing that is great for Meet the Pros.  So…

• Have you got a novel way to celebrate students (birthday calendar each month?  Their face in a cut-out star that is taped to the cafeteria wall?)
• Do you have a cool alternative to decorating with butcher paper?
• What cool technology are you using in class?  (I have a flip-phone still, so you’ll have to fill in the details here!)
• Do you hold a leadership retreat?
• Do you have a great MLK/Black History month assembly?

You’re probably saying, “Gee John, that’s old stuff!  At my school we do…”  Cool!  Present it!
Oh, by the way, the presenter application is really easy to find on the website (wacaonline.org).   ;-)
And no pressure, but Area 8 is basically hosting this conference, since it’s in Kennewick.  Let’s represent!!
Hey, have a great day everyone!  And Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow.  (Our choir goes around all day delivering “val-o-grams” and singing in the halls.  It’s really cool, creates a wonderful climate, and highlights the music program.  Hey… that could be a Meet the Pros topic!)
Best to you,
jb

Hello Area #8!
I hope that your Friday went well, and that you are looking forward to a great weekend.
Hey, our President, Laurel Robillard, just sent out the following update regarding our conference hotels.  Looks like there a some rooms left for reserving!  I’ve added the contact phone numbers, if that is how you want to contact them.  But you can also find them online.  Please note the address of the Red Lion; there are two of them in the Kennewick area.
Some information updates regarding rooming at our sites as of 4:45 p.m. today (January 25th)...February 9th is the reservation deadline...after that rooms not reserved (with names) will be released to the public...remind them that we are getting the group rate...
Springhill Suites        (509) 820-3026

• $139/night
• 8 rooms just opened up

Hilton Garden Inn    (509) 735-4600

• $129/night
• 11 rooms left

Red Lion        (509) 396-9979
602 N Young St

• $129/night
• 22 rooms left

A couple more quick items for you on this fine Friday afternoon:

• Clock Hours:  10 clock hours are available for attending the instructional sessions of the conference.  These are FREE (yep!), and they are available at the end of the conference AFTER THE CLOSING SESSION.  No, I’m not using all caps to “yell” at you.  I’m using them to emphasize when they are available – we have to maintain the integrity of our offerings, so they are not available before the closing of the conference.  So please, plan for this time.  We too are planning; we know that things were a bit slow last year, and we are planning on streamlining the process and offering MULTIPLE pick-up stations.
• WACA Board:  Everyone knows that I lead a glamorous life as a WACA Board member!  Seriously, I work with about 20 very creative, funny,  and warm people, and I get a lot of satisfaction from my work on the Board.   Do you want to be a part?  Well, we have elections this year for the following positions:  President-Elect, Middle-Level Rep, Secretary, and Even # Area Reps (Areas 2, 4, 6, and 8… yep, our area!).  We also have an appointed position up for selection this year:  the Partner Coordinator.  If you are interested in any of these positions, check out the info (and application) on the website.  Or drop a note to me; I’d be happy to chat with you.

Have a great weekend, everyone!
Jb

​Hi folks,
Hey, last year at WACA, our folks from area 8 met on the first evening of the conference (after all the sessions were complete) and had a social time.  Would you like to do that again this year?
 
I have a contact, a new restaurant in Kennewick.  They’re just opening up, and would love a chance to host us.  They have a small room on the fourth floor of the building (they have the third floor as well) where they can host us.  Food and drink.  Nice views of the area too.
 
What do you think?  Give me a quick “yes” or “no”, and I’ll follow up accordingly.
 
In the meantime, have a great day!
Jb

Hello everyone!
I hope you are all well on this fine Friday!  Ready to enjoy a nice weekend?
 
We had our Winter Board meeting last weekend at the Convention Center in Kennewick, and we’re gearing up for another great conference.  I have lots of items to share with you… too many to put into a single email.  So I’ll send just a few items at a time, hopefully all well-timed.  ;-)  Here goes!
 
If you haven’t yet registered for the conference, please do so!  We have a great line-up of speakers and events.  Of course, all that you need to know is outlined on our website:  wacaonline.org.  The conference registration is there.

• Note:  There is a spot on the registration form, to make special meal requests.  Be sure to fill out this section, and the banquet folks will try to help out as much as possible.

 
If you haven’t registered for a hotel room, that info is also on the website.  The rooms are filling up pretty quickly (we’re hearing reports), which means that we should have a big conference this year!  Yeah!

• Note:  If you have registered for a hotel room, but haven’t yet registered for the conference, please do that soon.  After February 1st, we need to have conference registrations matched with each room registration.  If not, they will start contacting people and releasing those rooms to other delegates who need them.  (This happened last year too.)
• Also note:  If your room was reserved by a bookkeeper or secretary or someone else who was reserving several rooms for a group, be sure that there is more than the just the bookkeeper’s name on each room.  For example, at RHS, Kari will reserve rooms for Tim, John, and Jim.  If “Kari” is the only name on the registration, that would be bad (see above note).  If she adds each of our names, that will verify that there are three people attending the conference, each with a conference registration and hotel registration.  Make sense?  Let me know if you need clarification.  ;-)

 
On the website, notice that there is an advisor certification menu.  Please consider applying.  We had 37 advisors apply last year, and have added more than a dozen this year so far.  You can apply anytime, but if you want your certification recognized at the conference, you’ll need to complete the application by February 1st.  The certification sure is nice when working with TPEP, National Board certification, or just being recognized for the amazing work that you do!
 
Our partner coordinator Jen Durham is always looking for conference partners.  If you have a local vendor that you really like, or a product that you use frequently, let me know and I’ll pass the info on to Jen.  She will contact that person/s, and see if they’re interested in being one of our Partners.
 
Presenters!  Hey, Area 8, how about presenting a session at the conference?  Could you present an idea at our Meet the Pros session (a short/10-minute presentation that you repeat several times as delegates “rotate” to you)?  Do you have a longer presentation that could occupy a 50 minute session?  Please, please consider presenting.  We are always looking for presenters for ASB Law and sessions focused on our bookkeepers.  But delegates have been asking about topics like:  how to transition from summer leadership camp to home school; how to partner with administrators to promote school culture, how to creatively repeat programs like Character Strong.  One of our area delegates is looking for a session on curriculum instruction/leadership lessons.  Can you help?  And remember:  we all take ideas, and “tweak” them.  We don’t think much of it, but those tweaks are what make them so valuable, and so important to share with others.  And hey, that application to present will be found on… yep, you guessed it, wacaonline.org!  ;-)
 
Okay, that’s enough for now!  Read this email, complete a couple of the tasks, then relax and have a great weekend!
 
See you soon!
Jb

ello Everybody!
Welcome back to another school year, and another exciting year of activities.
 
First things first… I’m John Bittinger, your WACA Area #8 Representative and Richland High School Science teacher.  Am I talking to the right person?  ;-)  If so, great.  If you’re not the activities person at your school, or if someone else should be added to my list, would you please reply to this email right away?  Then I can update my contact list.  Thanks!
 
We just held our fall WACA Board meeting in Wenatchee last weekend.  We went to Wenatchee to check out their convention center and hotels.  We’re always keeping our eyes open for possible venues for our conference.
 
There were several items from the board meeting that I thought I should pass on to you:
#1.  Don’t forget that you can apply for Washington State Advisor Certification.  We started the program earlier this year, and have thirty or so certified advisors at this time.  If you’re interested, please refer to the application on line at wacaonline.org (it’s the third menu tab on the left side of the home page).  Application deadline is February 1, 2018.  If you have questions, feel free to shoot me an email.
 
#2.  The state student leadership conference (AWSL) is coming fast, October 13-15, in Yakima.  Registration deadline is this week.  Check out the latest “In the Loop” if you receive that, or google “AWSL” for info and forms.
 
#3.  Speaking of conferences, the NCSA (National Conference on Student Activities) is being held in Spokane this year!  It’s a great conference; when I last attended, I was repeatedly amazed at the amazing opportunities we offer in Washington State.  And it was so much fun to discover how other states address activities.  The conference convenes on December 1-3, 2017, and there is a link to the conference site at the bottom of our homepage (wacaonline.org).  Check it out!
 
#4.  WACA Hall of Fame:  If you would like to nominate someone for the WACA Hall of Fame, the deadline is December 1, 2017.  Again, check the menu bar on the left hand side of our homepage to access the Hall of Fame info and application.
 
#5.  And finally, it’s not too early to think about the WACA Conference, March 14-16, 2018, at the Tri-Cities Convention Center in Kennewick.  And yep, you guessed it!  There’s information about the conference on our website.  Things that I’d like to highlight:

• The Pre-Conference session topics and the Speakers Showcase speakers are listed on the website, if you’d like a little advance peak at some highlights of the first day of the conference.  The rough outline for the entire conference is online as well.
• Registration will open during the first week of October, online via the website.
• There will be conference hotel information available in early October as well.
• When you register, look carefully at the section for menu options/concerns.  We’re trying to serve our delegates as best we can, and trying to be sensitive to dietary needs.
• It’s not too early to think about sharing your expertise and creativity, by presenting a session at the conference.  And note that we are always looking for good secretary/bookkeeper sessions.  And last year, on our post-conference survey, our delegates mentioned a need for more sessions/discussion about ASB Law.  Think about presenting (on any item of interest)… and check out the session presenter application on the website… and email me with ideas or questions.  This conference is being held in “our backyard”; we need to show our stuff!  ;-)

 
Okay, this email is long enough.  So that’ enough info for now.  Please do contact me with concerns or questions.  And please do contact me to help me update this mailing list for our area.
 
Thanks so much!  Have a good evening,
Jb

​Hello everyone!
 
It’s Friday, but I hope that you’ve already gone home to enjoy your weekend.  If not… go home and enjoy your weekend!  ;-)
 
Just some last minute notes, before I see a whole bunch of you next week at the WACA Conference in Vancouver.  Yes, a whole bunch!  We have 28 people from Area 8 attending the conference.  (YEAH!!)  Here are a few last-minute reminders:
 

•  Remember that parking will be pretty squeezy.  Just about 100 spots in the hotel garage (1st come, 1st served, $6 per night), and a parking garage across the street ($8 per night, secure, but closes at 10pm).  Try to carpool if at all possible?
• Attire is casual; come and be comfortable.  Friday is usually “school colors” day, so be ready to show your school spirit.
• We’ll have three area meetings.  The first is mostly for introduction/orientation.  During the second, we’d like to chat about the advisor certification program, so collect your thoughts and be ready to share your perspective.  The third is for elections and conference wrap-up.  At all meetings, we’ll do some nice give-aways.
• Speaking of give-aways, remember that if you wish to, you can bring some chocolate and be entered into our chocolate basket give-away.  Bring a favorite movie/movie treat to be entered in the movie basket give-away.  And we’ll do a bring a bottle/take a bottle exchange so that we can share our favorite wine/grape beverage from the area.  (I think that Tim Turner still has his box of 7-11 Zinfandel that he’s willing to trade!)
• If you’ve looked at wacaonline.org, you probably saw this year’s conference schedule, and noticed that Wednesday evening, we finish up with an ice-cream social/networking at 8:30pm.  Tim and I thought it might be nice to continue that social for our area 8 delegates.  So we’re arranging to extend our social and walk next door to a great restaurant (we ate there at the January board meeting).  It’s called the Warehouse, and they offer the usual beverages and SOME AWESOME APPETIZERS!!  So we’ll plan to head over there at about 9pm to continue our Area 8 social.  We hope you’ll be able to join us.
• If you look at the conference schedule, you’ll notice lots of great 50 minute sessions and Meet the Pros sessions, as well as a plethora of speakers.  Take a peek online, and come ready to pick up lots of ideas and resources.

 
See you soon!  And remember, enjoy your weekend!
Jb

Hello Area #8!
 
Had enough snow yet?  (As I’m writing this, it’s beginning to snow…)  But never fear, WACA is almost here!  And with it, we’ll go fishing… fishing for new ideas!  (This is my third note in as many weeks.)
 
It looks like we have about 20 of us attending the conference from Area 8.  That’s awesome!  If you haven’t registered, you still can.  I was asked to mention that there might be a slight delay in hotel reservations while the Hilton straightens out their reservations roster this weekend.  But you should be able to register both for the conference and the hotel on Monday, using the wacaonline.org site.  And don’t forget about the pre-con sessions!
 
Please consider presenting!  You can find the presenter application on the wacaonline.org website.  Remember, you can do a full 50 minute session, or a short (repeated) 10-minute Meet the Pros session.  And as I was saying last week, we could really benefit from some of our bookkeepers presenting (delegates are asking for your expertise).  Give it some thought.  Contact me if you have questions or want to discuss the possibility of presenting.
 
Some “nuts and bolts” about the hotel:
·         All rooms have complimentary basic internet.
·         If you want to stay an extra night (Friday night, after the conference ends), you can reserve the extra night at the same conference rate.  This is subject to availability.  ;-)
·         The hotel offers parking, at $6 per night.  But… there are only 100 spots in the parking garage, so it’s “first come, first served”.  And please consider carpooling to make the resources stretch further.
·         There is also a parking garage across the street ($8/day).  It is a secure lot; that’s good.  But because it is secured, it is locked at 10pm each night.
 
Last item for now:  As we have done for the last half-dozen years, we’ll do some give-away baskets in our area.  Here’s how it works – you bring an item with you and add it to the basket.  For your contribution, you get a ticket for that basket.  On the final day of the conference, we’ll draw from those tickets to give away the basket.  I’m thinking of:
·         Chocolate basket:  Bring a bar/package of your favorite chocolate, and add it to the basket.  Pick up a “chocolate basket” ticket.
·         Movie basket:  Bring a favorite DVD or favorite movie treat, and add it to the basket.  Collect a “movie basket” ticket.
·         I’m also thinking of a bottle exchange, since we live here in grape country.  Bring a bottle of your favorite (wine/cider/juice).  On the last day, take a different bottle home with you.
·         Other ideas?
 
Okay my friends, that’s enough for now.  I’ll have more info to share as the conference gets closer.  In the meantime, travel carefully.  And have a great week!
Jb
 
John M. Bittinger, NBCT
WACA Area 8 Representative
Richland High School