Florida Association of Partners in Education Newsletter

Florida Association of Partners

in Education

February 2019 Newsletter

Visit our website @ www.flpie.net Become a FAPE Member!

Email us at : [email protected]

Calendar of Events and Programs

The 2018-2019 Golden and Silver School Awards application is now available. Nominations may be submitted online beginning March 22 through May 31. Certificates will be issued from submissions, so please ensure accuracy. The Golden and Silver School Awards recognize exemplary practices in parent and community engagement in education.

March 24-29 - Florida Children's Week This annual celebration filled with the voices of children, the "Hanging of Hands," and thousands of child advocates, captures Florida's commitment to children and youth.
April - Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month

Stay tuned! Outstanding School Volunteer Award winners will be announced soon. Thank you to all who submitted applications, and CONGRATULATIONS to all the district winners!

Parent Night Toolkits

PTA Diversity Toolkit

Florida Family Website

Volunteer Toolkit

Join FAPE we need your support

Membership

Urgent President's Message!

President's Message

Greetings Volunteer Coordinators an Business Partners Coordinators,

The Florida Association of Partners in Education is in a new phase in its leadership and we are reflecting about what we want to do better professionally and personally as a leading organization. This is a chance to start fresh, a time to set goals and to make significant changes. With that said, let me tell you about FAPE (Florida Association of Partners in Education) our goals for 2019/2020.

Who is FAPE?

The Florida Association of Partners in Education is a state professional organization. We are a non-profit established to support professional development, grants, advocate, statewide business partnerships and networking for Florida's public schools systems.

How does FAPE benefit you?

· L eadership opportunities at the state level as an officer on the board

· Networking with other professionals, sharing best practices, and developing nurturing relationships

· Access to webinars and resources

· Partnerships with businesses and other educational support organizations-PTA/PTO

· Support and participation of/with Department of Education

· Advocacy for our programs at the state level

· Flpie.net - Website Resources

· Adele Graham Award

· FAPE Community Engagement Award

· Partnership with Horace Mann and others

· Coordinator Networking

· FAPE Newsletters

FAPE Call to Action for 2019/20

We need help identifying new volunteer and business partnership professionals around the state to assist FAPE in assembling a balanced board and committee members that mixes bright, enthusiastic people with seasoned members interested in helping our professional organization into the future. We encourage members to self-nominate or recommend a colleague for one or more of the various leadership roles.

If interested in any of the following positions below please use the link to nominate: FAPE Nominations

Below are the open positions for the 2019-2021 FAPE Executive Board

PRESIDENT: The President serves as the Executive Officer of the Association, presides at all meetings, administers the affairs of the organization and supervises the Executive Director.

PRESIDENT-ELECT: The President-Elect shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and shall assume the presidency following completion of the term as President-Elect or upon resignation of the President. The President-Elect will be designated interim financial officer in an emergency.

VICE-PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS: The Vice-President of Business and Community Partnerships shall assist the Association in developing business resources and membership recruitment, and maintaining communication with other community involvement stakeholders.

SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Florida Association of PARTNERS IN EDUCATION Board. The Secretary shall serve as a member of the Conference Committee. The Secretary shall conduct the general correspondence of the Association and have custody of the same.

Current Positions Held:

President - Misa Mills, Seminole County

Secretary - Kelli Walker, Leon County

VP Business Partnerships - Robin Davis, Osceola County

Treasurer - Marilyn Seay

Past President - Michelle Roberge, Pinellas County

Sincerely,

Misa Mills


	Adele Graham

Adele Graham Award Nomination

The Adele Graham Award is presented annually to recognize an individual district volunteer coordinator or business partnership specialist who has given tirelessly to build the school volunteer program in their county and across the state. Winners will receive a $500 award and be recognized at DOE Fall Leadership.

The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2019. Please provide a typed copy of the completed nomination form with signatures emailed to [email protected] by 5:00 PM the the Florida Association of Partners in Education. Self-nominations will be accepted. Winners must be or become a FAPE member. Nomination Form

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(Article courtesy of the DOE Family & Community Engagement February Update)

Coordinator Spotlight! **NEW**

In our first "Coordinator Spotlight," we honor Debi Elfen who retires February 1 after 19 years as the Volunteer Program Coordinator for Palm Beach County. In finding this role, Debi says, "It was destiny!" While heading up her 20^th high school reunion, a former classmate took note of Debi's many talents and thought the Coordinator position would be a perfect fit.

Debi was surprised to find school districts have so many different components for schools to run effectively and is amazed by the diversity among her colleagues. Her proudest moment was winning the Adele Graham Award for the integrity of her program. Challenges include convincing some teachers of the benefit of having volunteers. Debi believes each teacher needs "an extra pair of hands or eyes" and students only benefit from extra attention. She most enjoys never missing an opportunity to recognize volunteers for all they do. "You cannot thank someone enough for their time and talents."

Last year, the School District of Palm Beach County had over 57,000 volunteers providing a variety of services. One of Debi's favorite programs is Foster Grandparents, in which the special connections seniors share with students, those intergenerational relationships, Debi describes as "priceless."

The mantra which shapes Debi's life and career comes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love." We agree, Debi, and wish you all the best as you continue to serve others in your retirement!

The FAPE Board will miss Debi Elfen dearly. She was always a ray of sunshine and a positive force for volunteer programs! We wish you a wonderful retirement, Debi!