A recent membership survey reveals that new members lack knowledge about the ACSA structure and ways in which to get involved.
Respondents said they were unfamiliar with information as basic as identifying their local region or charter, let alone navigating the vast network and taking advantage of opportunities for involvement.
Erik Burmeister, principal in Union School District in Region 8 and the new chair of the state Member Services Committee, told EdCal about a time not so long ago when he could commiserate with the newbies, as he recalls attending his first ACSA event: “For those folks who are unfamiliar with or new to ACSA, the organization can seem a daunting maze of acronyms, committees and policies – hardly the welcoming and supportive network ACSA tries to create,” he said. “To say that I felt out of place would be an understatement.
“While there were dozens of attendees in my same situation, it certainly felt like I was the only one who didn’t know anyone or anything. I had no idea how ACSA could help support me or further my career.”
Like many, Burmeister’s involvement began with his local region’s need to find the perfect candidate to fill a leadership vacancy and a simple invitation to participate from a colleague. It was the first step to what would become the start of his professional development journey.
“I wasn’t prepared for the number of doors that would open and the number of opportunities that would present themselves,” he said. “Within months, I became the vice president of Member Services in Region 8 and participated at the state level on the Member Services Committee.”
In his role as VP of membership, Burmeister became the voice of state Member Services Committee. ACSA encourages other members to follow his lead – to take risks, get involved and help shape the future of ACSA.
To make the most of ACSA and become an active member is as easy as one, two, three:
1) Check out the map on this Web site and identify your region by finding your school district’s county.
2) Review online all the benefits of membership and opportunities to serve on job-alike councils or issue driven committees, task forces, and other advisory bodies.
3) Contact your region president. A list of regions presidents and e-mail information is provided below.
Still have questions? For more information, please contact Member Services at (800) 608-2272 and ACSA staff will be happy to assist you.
2008-09 Region Presidents
Region 1 – Keith Turner, assistant principal, Shasta UHSD, kturner@suhsd.net.
Region 2 – Judy Rossi, superintendent, Williams USD, jrossi@williams.k12.ca.us.
Region 3 – Jeff Kilty, principal, Rio Linda USD, jkilty@rlusd.org.
Region 4 – Korby Olson, superintendent, Middletown USD, kolson@musd.lake.k12.ca.us.
Region 5 – Modell Marlow Anderson, director of educational services, Hillsborough City SD, mma@hcsd.k12.ca.us.
Region 6 – Kale Alderson, principal, student programs, Contra Costa COE, kalderson@cccoe.k12.ca.us.
Region 7 – Denise Wickham, assistant superintendent of personnel, Ceres USD, dwickham@ceres.k12.ca.us.
Region 8 – Lisa Gonzales, vice president of education, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, lisa@SVEFoundation.org.
Region 9 – Ana Boyenga, director-ELD, Atwater ESD, aboyenga@aesd.edu.
Region 10 – Ann Kilty, director, Monterey Peninsula USD, akilty@mpusd.k12.ca.us.
Region 11 – Terri Rufert, superintendent, Sundale UESD, Terri.rufert@sundale.org.
Region 12 – Vincent Christakos, assistant superintendent, Redlands USD, Vincent_christakos@redlands.k12.ca.us.
Region 13 – Caroline Neuhaus-Wesley, principal, Rio ESD, Cneuhaus-wesley@rio.k12.ca.us.
Region 14 – Aaron Benton, director of special education, Torrance USD, abenton@tusd.org.
Region 15 – Mary Martinez, director, Charter Oak USD, mmartinez@cousd.k12.ca.us.
Region 16 – Kerry Kehrly, assistant principal, Los Angeles USD, kkehrley@lausd.net.
Region 17 – Julianne Hoefer, principal, Anaheim SD, jhoefer@acsd.k12.ca.us.
Region 18 – Steven Van Zant, superintendent, Dehesa SD, svanzant@sdcoe.net.
Region 19 – Jonathan Greenberg, superintendent, Perris Union HSD, jgreenberg@puhsd.org.