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

Hello everyone! The conference is ONE WEEK AWAY. How is that possible? How is it March? How excited am I for next week!?

Our theme this year is Ordinary Heroes!  Bust out your super hero capes and masks.  Put on your super powered bracelets.   Grab your Wonder Twin and activate...It’s never too late to register…Registration is still open on our website, http://www.wacaonline.org/.   REGISTER TODAY!  The online process is easy.  Point, click and type.  Then fax your PO to the number listed!  So simple it will only take you five minutes!  We are hoping to have a record breaking number of people from Area 9.  The Red Lion still has rooms available, and for our conference rate.

Since we have a "hero" theme this year, we would like to invite you all to wear your Superhero Swag (capes, etc.) on Thursday, March 12th.  As always, this is optional, but if you'd like to play, we'd love to play with you!

On Friday, March 13th, plan to wear YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT gear!

As usual, we will have a bit of fun at our area meetings.  We are mixing it up this year…adding a favorite beverage basket.  We will do a chocolate basket and a favorite drink basket giveaway.  If you would like to participate, bring your favorite chocolate for the chocolate basket and your favorite drink item for the favorite drink basket.  This could be a favorite mug, coffee, gift card, "liquid item", etc.  Of course, these are optional, but the more who play, the more fun it is!  Honestly…bring anything to share and we will make it a give-away!  If you forget…BONUS…Target is right around the corner from the convention center.  =0) 

Check out the conference program (the button is right there on the front page of the website): http://www.wacaonline.org/  Start planning your sessions now!

T-minus six days and counting!  I can’t wait to see you all arrive in Yakima for a great conference!  Please let me know if you have questions...

See you next week!

Jen Nelson
Area 9 Rep.