[CALIBK12] Your attendance at this year's conference

[Blanche Woolls]

Dear Calibers,

As a veteran of attending conferences, I can confirm that CSLA offers a 
wonderful experience for everyone, especially for those  "on the firing 
line." All of us need great the great suggstions and ideas from the 
sessions and networking is incomparable.

Especially right now we all need the information we will get at CSLA this 
year. Yes, it does cost money, but here are some suggestions for cutting 
cost.

1. Ask for financial assistance from your school. Explain the sessions you 
will attend, the information you will bring back, and how you will share 
this with you colleagues and parents, and how you will be able to make 
positive changes in your program. Ask for all your expenses, but list them 
individually so that they can pick one such as registration for the 
conference. Your asking demonstrates the importance of staff development 
for you. They can always say, "No," but they can't say, "yes," if you 
don't ask. Remember that you will be getting some concrete things from 
vendors (free database trials, books, posters) to share with your school.

2. Suggest that help here will be the best holiday gift your family can 
give you. That will help them because they won't be wondering what they 
can find for you.

2. Drive to the conference with friends. Ask the person with the biggest 
car that will hold the most of you and share the cost of the gasoline.

3. Plan to share your hotel room with three of those in the car.

4. You'll be driving so you can take instant oatmeal for breakfast, 
instant other things for inbetween meals and splurg on the conference 
meals rather than more expensive meals around the conference.

Other things that will help you gain consideration for next year, too.

1. Think about taking home a book from a conference author autographed to 
your pricipal's child or grandchild.

2. Write a report when you return home whether you are supported or not. 
Explain, succinctly, what you learned in every activity that applied 
directly to your job.

3. Think about the sessions at the conference and think about a session 
you might present next year. If it could be a program related to something 
you could share your presentation session with a teacher or your principal 
so that they will attend another year and write this idea into your report.

This is Friday afternoon. You have two days to "get your act together." If 
school librarians who regularly attend have suggestions for asking for 
funding and permission, they should share it to help those who haven't 
been confident enough to ask.

When you have gained permission to attend CSLA, tell CALIB how you did 
this.

See you in November.

Blanche