Board & Community Meeting Minutes for June 2, 2014

Mission: To provide an exceptional Montessori education to all children and their families, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and active participation in their communities and the world.
Vision: We create a more peaceful world by developing conscientious citizens who approach their world with confidence, creativity and collaboration.
Values: Diversity, Independence, Joy, Passion & Respect
 
The meeting opened at 6:37 p.m. with Mary Evelyn Bowling, Elaine Steinbeck, Trevor Eissler, Nancy Gribble-Tay, Kathy Anthony, Tonya Hiland and Karen Stapley.

Opening Thoughts
Kathy Anthony, in the wake of Maya Angelou’s recent death, shared some of her very inspirational thoughts.

Motion to approve May Minutes
Mary Evelyn Bowling asked a motion to approve the May minutes. Trevor Eissler moved and Elaine Steinbeck seconded. The minutes were approved. 

My Montessori Story
Trevor Eissler welcomed Nancy Gribble-Tay, Goodwater Montessori Head of School, and opened the floor to her. Nancy shared her excitement about her experience working on her elementary training and her master's degree in education. She shared that she is more “smitten” with the elementary curriculum than she anticipated she would be. Trevor began by remembering John Lyon’s (Associate Director of the Chasco YMCA) presentation about fundraising. He recalled that we did not share our story with John. Trevor mentioned how easy it is to NOT tell your story. Trevor recalled how John told us his story about volunteering on a YMCA camping trip. He was hooked on camping from that moment on. John noticed and loved how the children learned outside the classroom. Trevor mentioned that if we were telling our story, we should then talk to John about camping, because this is what he understands and loves. We need to use their story to connect with them about what our story. Trevor shared that we need to make our stories personal. We need to go beyond the Mission, Vision and Values. We should highlight aspects of our stories and we need to make the stories relevant to the listener. Trevor also mentioned that we should highlight a specific principle of what we are doing. Montessori classrooms are special. Relate a special incident, that reveals a principle, to the person you are talking to. Tonya Hiland mentioned that she has a friend who authored a book entitled Lead with the Story. There is something about stories that light us on fire. 

What is a "Founder?" Discussion
The group opened a discussion about founders of WilCo Montessori Partners. Some basic ideas were presented and discussed. What does being the founder get you? Does it get your child into the school? Does it get you a job? Do you get something for time? Do you get something for money? It might be incentive to get people to work. Trevor shared that Montessori for All in East Austin has no founders. A group member asked about the possibilities of us doing that. There was discussion about financial contribution and consensus that being a founder will not be tied to financial contribution. Nancy Gribble-Tay asked if this is something that other charter schools do. Kathy Anthony mentioned that, based on the Meridian School experience, maybe we as a group, cam come up with a list of tasks that need to be completed in the process. Elaine Steinbeck asked if the main task is the preparation of the charter application. Mary Evelyn Bowling mentioned that the writing is a significant portion of the work to be done, but there are many more tasks and much more work that needs to be completed in support of writing a viable application.