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
​

Good afternoon WACA fans!

I just wanted to send out a reminder that registration is open for WACA 2016!  Check out the trailer online at wacaonline.org!  It’s going to be fun!
Also, we are still looking for presenters and would love for you to consider doing so.  We are in need of both 50-minute sessions and 10-minute Meet the Pros sessions.  I know how incredibly talented you all are, so please consider sharing your expertise with others!  If you’re interested, please go to http://www.wacaonline.org/presenter-application.html to submit a description of your workshop.
 
Have a wonderful holiday season...may your last weeks of school be jolly! *<()=0)
 
Jen Nelson
Yelm Middle School
WACA Area 9 Rep

Hello Area 9! 
Wow!  Can you believe it is November already!  Where has the time gone?  I’m sure you will soon all be gearing up for the holiday season, so I wanted to remind you that WACA 2016 will be here before you know it!

Registration is live on wacaonline.org. If I were you, I would take advantage of some professional development money and get your registration taken care of!

Both conference hotels, the Springhill Suites (newly opened and connected to the Convention Center) and Hilton Garden Inn, are accepting reservations. The rooms at the Springhill Suites are just as they sound, suites.  Several people will be able to share a room if that is of interest to you.  What a great way to save some money!

Please also remember that nominations for the Hall of Fame are open now as well and the nomination forms have been updated to make things quick and easy.  If you know someone who has given a great deal to leadership and students in our state, take a minute and fill out the application.  We have many worthy people who deserve to be recognized.  Nominations can be done at http://www.wacaonline.org/hall-of-fame-application.html

And, as always, we are looking for a few experts, in other words…YOU, to present at the conference.  If you have created an event, seen great success in a particular fundraising activity, or simply have a great classroom lesson, we want to see it!  We are in need of both 50-minute sessions and 10-minute Meet the Pros sessions.  I know how incredibly talented you all are, so please consider sharing your expertise with others!  If you’re interested, please go to http://www.wacaonline.org/presenter-application.html to submit a description of your workshop.
 
Here is a great video link you can find on the wacaonline.org Video Library: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVCBrkrFrBE.  The video is called “Leading with Lollipops.”  It really drives home the idea that one little action can make a huge difference. 

One last thing - if you know someone who should be receiving this email, please email me their address and I'll get them on the list.
I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday season!

Jen Nelson
WACA Area 9 Representative 

Hello everyone!
 
I just returned home from our Fall WACA Board Meeting in Vancouver.  Our March conference is looking better and better every day!  As a reminder, the conference will be held March 9-11, 2016 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA.  If you’re not certain what to expect, here is a link to the trailer for the conference: http://www.wacaonline.org/conference-2016.html
 
Registration is live for anyone planning on using a PO and for those using a credit card, registration will be available no later than Oct. 5th.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve already submitted my substitute request and travel documents.  I can’t wait! Last year Area 9 had 39 people at the conference.  Our goal is 44 this year.  So spread the word, get your team together and let’s have a huge showing from our area.
 
The official conference hotels are the Springhill Suites (newly opened and connected to the Convention Center) and Hilton Garden Inn.  Both are accepting reservations for the conference at this time.  The rooms at the Springhill Suites are just as they sound, suites.  Several people will be able to share a room if that is of interest to you.  What a great way to save some money!
 
Nominations for the Hall of Fame are open now as well and the nomination forms have been updated to make things quick and easy.  If you know someone who has given a great deal to leadership and students in our state, take a minute and fill out the application.  We have many worthy people who deserve to be recognized.  Nominations can be done at http://www.wacaonline.org/hall-of-fame-application.html
 
As always, we are looking for a few experts, in other words…YOU, to present at the conference.  If you have created an event, seen great success in a particular fundraising activity, or simply have a great classroom lesson, we want to see it!  We are in need of both 50-minute sessions and 10-minute Meet the Pros sessions.  I know how incredibly talented you all are, so please consider sharing your expertise with others!  If you’re interested, please go to http://www.wacaonline.org/presenter-application.html
to submit a description of your workshop.
 
If you are interested in being a part of the WACA Board, there are several positions open this year – Technology Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, President-Elect, Middle Level Representatives, and Areas 2, 4, 6, and 8.  Consider being a part of the board and sharing your knowledge!
 
Also, if you have a great Partner (vendor) you use in the area that you think might be interested in having a booth at the conference, please shoot me an email with their contact information.  We are always looking for new vendors and they get great exposure!
 
I know we are all desperately looking for new fundraisers to replace the many we lost as a result of the changes to nutrition guidelines.  I have two from another activities director in Central Washington:
 
Cutie Clause – instead of selling candy cane grams, last year students bought Cutie oranges, mini Santa hats, and google eyes and sent out fun little holiday cards to kids.
Cocoa Café – each February they transform their cafeteria into a “coffee shop” for the night and invite students and staff to share their talents.  It is not judged and they give out free hot cocoa to those who are in attendance.  They also sell pastries (outside of school hours).  The show is a hit and they make a good profit because there is very little overhead.
These are just a couple examples of what you can learn if you come to the conference.
 
Here is a link to a great video on the WACA video library.  It is called “Can We Auto-Correct Humanity.”  It can be used as a great way to show we all want to belong (as in the third tier of Maslow’s Hierarchy), but sometimes social media gives us a false sense of belonging.  In addition to having a great message, it’s a great example of a spoken-word poem for all of you English teachers!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRl8EIhrQjQ
 
I put out a message to my Facebook friends asking for some support for giveaways/door prizes.  I thought I would send the same message to all of you.  If you have a contact who you think may be interested in donating, please send me their name and I will contact them.
HEY…we are teachers…we like FREE things.  =0)
 
One last thing - if you know someone who should be receiving this email, please email me their address and I'll get them on the list.
 
I hope your September was great!
 
Thanks,
Jen Nelson
Area 9 Rep