Hello Everyone!
 
Welcome back to another school year, and another exciting year of activities.
 
I’m Jen Nelson, your WACA Area 9 Representative.  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 and let me know.  Then I can update my contact list.  Thanks!
 
We recently held our fall WACA Board meeting in Wenatchee.  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 want to pass on to you:
 
1.  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, please email Tim Turner at tim.turner@rsd.edu.
 
2.  The State Fall Student Leadership Conference (AWSL) is this weekend, October 13-15, in Yakima.  Wishing all of you a great weekend! 
 
3.  This year, NCSA (National Conference on Student Activities) is being held in Spokane December 1-3, 2017. It’s a great conference; where you have the chance to connect with our state advisors, but the greatest part is discovering how other states address activities.  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.  In fact, the registration is now open.  There’s information about the conference on our website.  Things to note:
·    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.   
·    There is conference hotel information available this month 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. 
·   Please note that we are always looking for good secretary/bookkeeper sessions.  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. 
 
I hope you’re having a great day and please contact me with concerns or questions.
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Jen Nelson
Area 9 Rep

Hello Area 9...

I hope that you all had an enjoyable time at the conference and were able to rest up before heading back to work last week.  If you haven't already done so, would you please take a moment and fill out the survey that was sent to you.  The Board uses this information when planning and developing the next conference.

Also, Christi Kershaw from Elma sent me the following email.  She wanted me to share with you all.
"Elma will be hosting a Leadership Summit with Houston Kraft. We have four dates in 2018 to propose to Area 9:

Jan. 30 or 31 or Feb. 6 or 7 in 2018

The event would be a fun filled, intense kindness workshop by Houston Kraft from 9 AM to 1 PM. The cost would be $15 per person for leaders from Southwest Washington. Costs would cover t-shirt, snacks, etc. Lunch not included.

Would you send this out to our area advisers and get input on what date would be best and if they would be interested? We would like to have schools bring 15 to 30 leaders to this event for an estimate of 800 students.

Thank you,
Christi Kershaw
360.470.3972"

Please contact Christi with any questions/comments.

Thanks and Happy Monday!!! =0)

Jen Nelson

​Happy Monday WACA Area 9 Folks - 
 
WACA is here and that means it’s time to GO FISHING FOR SOME GOOD IDEAS!
 
The conference begins Wednesday!  As promised, here are the details you need to know!
 
If you are staying at the Hilton 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. There are only 100 spots in the parking garage, so it is first come, first served. Please consider carpooling from your school or area. There is additional secure parking across the street for $8 per day; however, the lot is locked up at 10 pm nightly.
 
There will be coffee, tea and water available at the conference and a soda machine. Several people have already let me know about their specific food needs. You should have received an email from Dick Caldwell, WACA President, regarding food restrictions.  If you have food restrictions please let him know by noon today.  If you didn’t receive an email, let me know and I will pass along the information. 
 
If you are a presenter, THANK YOU for your time and talent. Please be aware you cannot hang anything on the walls. All presentation rooms will have a ledge that materials can be set on, perhaps on a tri-fold board. 
 
Make sure you bring contact information for vendors and a little extra cash for our WACA Store - there will be some resources and hard to find items that you will want to take home with you. 
 
Friday of the conference is school colors day.  Show your school pride on Friday.
 
If you would like to bring items for our area give-away baskets, this is how it works. For every item you bring in, you get a ticket for a random drawing to take the whole basket during our last meeting on Friday. In the past, we have had multiple baskets so we have plenty of opportunities for you to win!
 
Our give away baskets are:
CHOCOLATE
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
 
If you have any questions or comments please email me! 
 
I'm excited to see you on Wednesday!
 
Thanks,
Jen Nelson
Area 9 Rep

​Happy Friday!


I hope everyone has had a wonderful week.  

Again, I am sending out a request for presenters.  Please consider… 


PRESENTERS NEEDED
I know you are doing some incredible things at your school.   Please share with the rest of us.  Your presentations are what make this conference especially great.  

• Favorite lessons or activities.  Successful projects in your school. 
• Cool assembly ideas. 
• You can sign up for a short Meet the Pros session (10 min) or a longer Breakout Session (50 min).   You pick!  

Here is the link to the presentation form. 
http://www.wacaonline.org/presenters.html
 
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & ROOM AVAILABILITY AT THE HILTON
The registration for the conference is going great! If you haven’t registered, you still can.  I was asked to mention that there may be a few rooms opening up at the Hilton, but you need to contact them by today..sorry for the late notice. 


And don’t forget about the pre-con sessions..  Here is the link to the registration form. 
http://www.wacaonline.org/conference-2017.html
 
Some “nuts and bolts” about the Hilton Hotel if you are staying there:

• 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”.  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…which is great.  But, because it is secured, it is locked at 10pm each night.   

 
 
A final note for now: 
As we have done in the past, 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. 

• 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 (perhaps one that you show to teach a Leadership lesson) or favorite movie treat, and add it to the basket.  Collect a “movie basket” ticket.
• We’ve also done a school supply basket…one can never have enough post-it notes, right???
• Other ideas?

Which of the basket ideas sound like something you would want to participate in and have a chance at winning big?
 
In the coming weeks, expect another email with more detailed information regarding the conference – conference nuts and bolts, and other tips for enjoying the week.
 
I hope you’re looking forward to the conference!  It is such a great time for us to gather with colleagues in our field and learn new ideas.
 
If you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  I’m happy to help!


Have a great weekend!


Jen Nelson
Area 9 Rep

Greetings Area 9…
 
Hi there - this is the first of a few emails I'll be sending before the annual conference. I have lots of information to share, so please read this when you have time to sift through all of it. As always, please forward to anyone who might benefit from this.

We are just about two months until the WACA conference!  I hope you’ll be able to join me for a few days to focus on leadership and recharge your batteries, inspired by keynote speakers and awesome leaders around the state.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
Some of you have planned ahead and have already reserved a room in our block at the Vancouver Hilton! While this is fantastic, we also need you to register for the conference. Our block is filling up quickly, and if you have reserved a room but have NOT registered for the conference by February 1st, we will have to cancel your hotel reservation to make room for others who have already registered for the conference. If you have registered for the conference AND reserved a hotel room, you are all set and thank you!
 
If you are staying at the Vancouver Hilton, we have 100 reserved parking spots, but the will cost $6 a night (this is a reduced conference rate). We encourage you to carpool with others from your area! There is also parking near the Hilton (across the street) for $8.00 per day.

Remember that we also have rooms available at the Comfort Inn, which is just a 5 minute drive from the conference. The rooms at this newly remodeled hotel are priced at $107 per night and they provide a free continental breakfast. So you can have free first breakfast before you show up for second breakfast at the conference.
 
REGISTRATION AND THE WACA WEBSITE:
Remember that registration is all online at our WACA website: wacaonline.org. If you are going to pay with a credit card, please have it ready when you register. You WILL be asked to enter the card number when you register.

​Also, if you notice any technical issues on the WACA website, please let our technology expert, Ryan Healy know! There are links all over the website to request help. If you can’t find a link, you can reach Ryan at ryan_healy@ycs.wednet.edu
 
PRESENTERS:
Our area is full of Leadership talent! This year, I’m challenging you to step up and share some of your great ideas with your colleagues! We’re always looking for presenters and you even have the choice of a short meet the pro’s session (10 minute presentation repeated several times in a small group), or a longer 50-minute presentation (will present once). Think about the great things you do and what you might share with others, then sign up to present. The presenter application is on the WACA website (wacaonline.org).

PRE-CONFERENCE:
If you register to attend one of our 4 amazing pre-con sessions, we really need you to attend the one you sign up for! Our speakers plan for the registration numbers we provide them so please don’t switch sessions at the last minute.

DIETARY NEEDS:
If you are a vegetarian, gluten-free, or have a food allergy/restriction, please let me (your area representative) know. We will try to accommodate as best we can for those of you with specific needs. Please be patient, though, and understand that we might not be able to meet the individual needs of 350 people!

WACA BOOKSTORE:
Do you have books, tools, manipulatives, etc. that you find especially useful in your classroom? We’re always open to suggestions of what to stock in our WACA store and would love to stock up on items that have worked for you! Let your area representative know if you have any suggestions. Remember, we will have some pretty great Leadership swag available for purchase in the store as well.

Can't wait to see you all at WACA 2017!
 
Happy Monday!
 
Jen Nelson
Area 9 Rep

Hello Area 9…
 
I hope you are all off to a great start to your school year. The WACA board recently convened to work on planning the 2017 conference, and there are a few pieces of conference news that we’d love to share with you.
 
Details and Registration for WACA 2017:
 
If you haven’t heard the great news yet, WACA 2017 is being held in Vancouver, WA! I am so excited to go back to this awesome region and hope to have GREAT representation from Area 9!
 
Location: Vancouver Convention Center at the Hilton in downtown Vancouver
 
Registration: online at wacaonline.org and will be open on October 3rd
 
This year the registration form will include meal options for vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free. Please mark your selection accurately as you will be provided with the meals you selected at the conference.
 
PRE-CON:
Don’t forget to sign up for pre-con! For just a small additional registration cost ($45) you will have the opportunity to attend one of four amazing pre-con sessions. Lunch will also be provided.
 
Options are:
 
SESSION 1:
ASB Finance "Up Close," Presented by Marty Fortin, AWSP
Marty Fortin is considered one of the foremost experts on ASB law at best practices for schools in the State of Washington. He will bring his extensive knowledge and experience to this pre-conference offering. Click on the link on the WACA website for a brief synopsis of the topics to be covered.
 
SESSION 2:
Leadership Class Lessons & Resources, Presented by Susan Fortin, AWSP & Joe Fenbert, AWSP
Participate in hands-on activities and lessons that focus on leadership skills for life. Add these lessons to your leadership toolkit to use in class, retreats, after-school programs, advisory programs and more.
 
SESSION 3:
Character Strong, Presented By John Norlin - Director of Student Leadership and Community Involvement K-12 Sumner School District
This session will take you through an example yearlong plan to intentionally build character and a positive climate throughout your student body, staff, and community! Learn about instructional content, resources, activities, and strategies to make this happen. Bring your calendars, computers, and ideas of what you are doing at your school!
 
SESSION 4:
ENGAGE: Creating Culture that Works, Presented By Scott Bachovich - Youth Motivational Speaker.
“What if I told you that school spirit doesn’t have to be loud or crazy? What if the purpose of dances, rallies, and assemblies wasn’t to gain massive attendance, but to establish something even greater? Most importantly, what if I told you that the entire process of building a positive and inclusive community in your school could be boiled down to ONE system?”
Get in fast! In this session, we will cover student engagement as a hands-on model, backed by data and proven in schools all across the country. Want to know how the best schools in America are formed? Come in and learn the model for yourself!
 
Presenters: We need you!
We are always looking for people to share their ideas! So many of you have great ideas; now I encourage you to share them through a 10-minute meet the pro’s session or a 50-minute presentation.
This year we are especially hoping to add presentations that might be of interest to administrators and secretaries. If you are interested in presenting, but aren’t sure about a topic, please contact me!
 
Hall of Fame and Advisor of the Year Nominations:
Hall of Fame and Advisor of the Year nominations are available online now at wacaonline.org! Remember that we count on you for these nominations, so be sure to get yours in by December 1st.
 
Adviser Certification:
Adviser Certification application is up and ready to go! A number of people have already submitted their applications, and we will award certificates at the conference in March. Contact Tim Turner, the Certification Coordinator, with any questions you may have.
 
If you are no longer working with leadership please let me know whom I should be sending these emails to. Or, if there is someone who should be added to my email contacts, please let me know.
 
Thanks for sticking with me through this long email and have a wonderful day!
 
 
Jen Nelson

Yelm Middle School
WACA Board
Area 9 Rep

Hello Area 9!
The time is now...let the countdown begin! A few short days before the official start to WACA 2016. I am excited to see those of you who are able to attend, and I am that I won't get to see the rest of you. Hopefully we will see you next year when we bring it back to the west side. I forgot to attach the book store catalog in the previous email, and I want you to have a chance to look it over before heading to the conference. Personally, I can never have too many reminders, so I've left those in from the previous email...

Here are a few last minute reminders for you:
What to Wear:
Something I need to pack?  Yes, but only for fun! During the conference, we often try and dress to the theme (Our own version of WACA spirit)

Wednesday: Come in whatever you would like.

Thursday: Because it is Sports themed, feel free to wear a team jersey or any sort of sports attire. Thursday evening, we have a banquet, so feel free to wear your spiffed up sports attire, or the same thing you wore that day!  We aren't picky!

Friday: Usually a day where we all get to represent our own school spirit. Pick a cool shirt that your school has designed to wear around and show off.

To complement the theme we are doing a fun “Throwback Thursday” activity. Feel free to bring any old sports pics (yes, of yourself!) from your younger years as an athlete or fan that we can put on display. We will have cardstock templates to attach your photos to and a place to write a little something for other delegates to enjoy. If you would rather, you can also bring a digital copy that we can post on our digital tag board during the conference.
 
Baskets/Give-a-ways: One fun part of the conference is the chance to take a prize home.  In addition to the conference give-a-ways, we will have some Area 9 items too.  If you would like to participate, we will do a school supply basket.  If you are interested, please bring an item or two for this giveaway and you will be entered to win it!
 
See you all in a few days!
 
Your WACA Area 9 Rep,
Jen

Hello Area 9!
 
We are now down to just single digit days until the 2016 WACA Conference!  I can't wait!​​
 
I wanted to include our Throwback Thursday template for you in case you would like to come to the conference with your photo already done.  If not, we will have cardstock copies for you to put up your photo when you arrive.
 
Also, attached is a copy of the full book store catalog so you can plan your purchases ahead of time.
 
Here are a few last minute reminders for you:
 
What to Wear:
Something I need to pack?  Yes, but only for fun! During the conference, we often try and dress to the theme (Our own version of WACA spirit)


Wednesday: Come in whatever you would like.


Thursday: Because it is Sports themed, feel free to wear a team jersey or any sort of sports attire. Thursday evening, we have a banquet, so feel free to wear your spiffed up sports attire, or the same thing you wore that day!  We aren't picky!


Friday: Usually a day where we all get to represent our own school spirit. Pick a cool shirt that your school has designed to wear around and show off.


To complement the theme we are doing a fun “Throwback Thursday” activity. Feel free to bring any old sports pics (yes, of yourself!) from your younger years as an athlete or fan that we can put on display. We will have cardstock templates to attach your photos to and a place to write a little something for other delegates to enjoy. If you would rather, you can also bring a digital copy that we can post on our digital tag board during the conference.
 
Baskets/Give-a-ways: One fun part of the conference is the chance to take a prize home.  In addition to the conference give-a-ways, we will have some Area 9 items too.  If you would like to participate, we will do a school supply basket.  If you are interested, please bring an item or two for this giveaway and you will be entered to win it!
 
See you all next week!
 
Your WACA Area 9 Rep,
Jen
​

Greetings Area 9!
 
The WACA conference is a few weeks away.  It is not too late to register or present.  Here is a link to register. http://www.wacaonline.org/registration.html 
 
Presenting at WACA: If you need one final nudge to be a presenter, this is it.  We need YOU to present at Meet the Pros and Book the Pros.  These are a low-key 10 minute presentation to a small group sitting around a table together.  Here are some of the topics from last year's Meet the Pros: Twitter, Mom and Me Tea, Thank You Notes, Speeches, Spirit Assemblies, Food Drives, Backdrop Frames, Lock-ins, Mentoring, and more.  See how easy that is.  Click hereto view the presenter application.  We are also in need of presenters for Book the Pros.  This is a chance to share a book or a resource that you use with your leadership program.  Sign up using the same link for being a Meet the Pros presenter.
 
WACA Book Store: Speaking of books, come prepared to the conference to make a purchase at the WACA book store.  I’ve attached a flyer to this email that show just a few of the wonderful items that will be available for purchase.
 
Conference Details:  The conference schedule is on the WACA website (wacaonline.org).  Soon, the program will be complete and also uploaded to the website.  I like to pick my sessions early so I make sure to maximize my time at the conference. 
 
What to Wear: Something I need to pack?  Yes, but only for fun! During the conference, we often try and dress to the theme (Our own version of WACA spirit) Wednesday, come in whatever you would like. Thursday, because it is Sports themed, feel free to wear a team jersey or any sort of sports attire. Thursday evening, we have a banquet, so feel free to wear your spiffed up sports attire then as well! Friday is usually a day where we all get to represent our own school spirit. Pick a cool shirt that your school has designed to wear around and show off. ALSO! To complement the theme we are doing a fun “Throwback Thursday” activity. Feel free to bring any old sports pics (yes, of yourself!) from your younger years as an athlete or fan that we can put on display. We will have cardstock templates to attach your photos to and a place to write a little something for other delegates to enjoy. If you would rather, you can also bring a digital copy that we can post on our digital tagboard during the conference.
 
Baskets/Give-a-ways: One fun part of the conference is the chance to take a prize home.  In addition to the conference give-a-ways, we will have some Area 9 items too.  If you would like to participate, we will do a SCHOOL SUPPLY BASKET or two.  If you have been to the conference before when I've been the Area Rep, we usually do a chocolate basket and movie basket.  I'm changing things up this year.   If you are interested, please bring an item or two for the SCHOOL SUPPLY giveaway  and you will be entered to win!  Some examples may be...post-its (one can't have too many of those), pens, pencils, gum, mints, chocolate (again, one can't have too many of this either!).  Whatever you would like to bring that you find essential in your "office".  
 
Lodging for the conference: Here is a link to the conference lodging.  Book your hotel RIGHT away.http://www.wacaonline.org/lodging.html
 
Last but, not least
Remember, if you know someone that should be receiving this email, but is not, please let me know, I would love to add them. Or, if you no longer want to receive these emails, let me know that too!
 
Take care and enjoy the sunshine!
 
Your WACA Area 9 Rep,
Jen
​