AATG Alabama Chapter Meeting
Embassy Suites Hotel
Montgomery, Alabama
February 2, 2008In the absence of president Trudy Clements, the meeting was called to order by Vice-President Dr. Rasma Lazda at 8:15 a.m. Members present were Dr. Andrew Seeger, Adam Martin, Dr. Rasma Lazda, Gunars Cazers, Muriel Hoequist, Serena Duncan, Karen Hyman, Nellie Tietz, Dr. David Witkoski.
I. Old Business
A. Secretary-Treasurer's Report:
The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Nellie Tietz. Correction to the minutes:
• The new Fachberater for the Goethe-Institut is Herr Höfig not Dr. Höfig.
• Tyssen-Krupp should be Thyssen-Krupp
The minutes were then approved by the membership and the Treasurer's report was read. The December balance was $1,722.41. Nellie informed the membership that some checks are still outstanding for expenses incurred in January and money due Trudy for her expenses. The financial report was approved as read.
The proposed budget was read by Nellie and approved by the membership.
B. The WILD weekend took place the first weekend of December 2007. For the first time German had the largest group with 24 students from various schools! The German program was represented by AATG members Nellie Tietz, Muriel Hoequist, Gunars Cazers, Andy Seeger, and Rasma Lazda. Everyone was asked to encourage their students to participate in 2008. The next Wild weekend will take place November 14-16, 2008.
C. The 13th annual German Day at the University of Alabama will be on February 20, 2008. The topic is German Music – From Hildegard von Bingen to Tokio Hotel. Applications are due ASAP!
II. New Business
A. Dr. Tom Fox from the University of Alabama sent a message expressing his regret at not attending the meeting. He also requested that the $150 worth of AATG products that are still due to our chapter for putting up a website be used as prizes for German Day. After some discussion his request was made into a motion, seconded and approved.
B. Serena Duncan suggested that it would be nice to recognize schools for their good work in teaching German. Her thought was that a different school could be recognized each month. Some members felt that might be too often, but liked the idea of recognizing the German programs. Members were asked to think about her suggestion.
C. The Deputy Consul General, Dr. Sönke Lorenz, has expressed the willingness to send letters of encouragement to schools and/or school boards. Most members thought this was a great idea. It was also suggested that Rasma draft a letter to parents which we could copy and send home with our students. Most felt that letters of this kind at least keep German in the forefront in a positive way.
D. Trudy Clement's report on the Chapter Presidents' Assembly was read and discussed. Her full report is attached to these minutes.
E. Goethe-Institut:
1. The University of Alabama is the official testing Center for the Goethe-Institut in Alabama: (ZD, B2, C1, Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf)
2. Herr Höfig, the new Fachberater, is looking for Netzwerkmitarbeiter for Alabama. Serena Duncan expressed interest in the position.
F. A thank-you note from the Phillips family for the flowers sent to Edith Phillips funeral was read to the membership by Nellie. Nellie Tietz also read the note that was sent to the Phillips family on behalf of our AATG Chapter from the American Cancer Society. A donation of $100 was made to the Cancer Society in memory of Edith Phillips.
G. Election of Officers:
Rasma announced that Adam Martin had accepted the nomination to the office of Vice-President, that Nellie Tietz would be willing to continue in her present capacity as Secretary Treasurer, if there were no other candidates, and that she (Rasma) was now the candidate for President. Rasma Lazda then asked if there were any nominations from the floor. As there were no other nominations she called for a vote and all candidates were elected unanimously.
IV. Adjournement
The business meeting was adjourned by new president Dr. Rasma Lazda at 8:50 a.m.
V. Guest speaker
Guest speaker Dr. Hajo Drees, Director, European Business Development, Alabama Development Office, Alabama Center for Commerce, was introduced.
Dr. Drees had been invited to repeat the presentation he had given in October, as so many members could not attend that meeting. He gladly agreed. He then gave approximately the same presentation as before, but added the latest information on the influence, direct and indirect, that German investment has had and is having on Alabama. He also spoke about the projected impact that the new Thyssen-Krupp plant and others will have on the economy and on the teaching of German in Alabama. A lively question and answer session followed. Dr. Lazda thanked Dr. Drees and presented him with a basket of goodies to thank him for coming.
The program ended at 9:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nellie Tietz
Secretary/Treasurer
Letter of Outgoing President, Trudy Clements
President’s Report:
Report from ACTFL / AATG Meeting in San Antonio
My notes from San Antonio
In San Antonio, I attended the AATG Annual Meeting as President of the Alabama Chapter.
Here are some highlights from the AATG Chapter Presidents' Assembly 2007.
1. New deadline for chapter project proposals is Feb. 29, 2008. Chapter project guidelines and forms are on line at aatg.org.
2. Anne Green, outgoing AATG President, announced that Helene Zimmer-Loew will continue as Executive Director until at least 2010.
3. In the future, the AATG Newsletter will be solely distributed online, this should save AATG considerable funds.
4. Executive Director's Report: Helene Zimmer-Loew reported on the new MLAReport which showed an increase in students studying German.
5. Kathleen Condray, of the Sustaining the Momentum Committee Report, updated the assembly on their work.
6. There was a short report on bills pending the U.S. Congress relating to foreign language programs. Updates on policy initiatives can be found on the JNCL-NCLIS website: languagepolicy.org.
7. Kai Schachtebeck, representing the German Embassy and the German Information Center highlighted electronic resources such as "Week in Germany", "Deutschland Nachrichten" and "Germany in Class".
8. There is a new program RISE Professional for undergraduates who are just completing their degrees in the Natural Sciences or Engineering or graduate students in programs in these fields. More information can be found at daad.org.
At this point of the meeting, we worked in groups and came up with a list of suggestions of Models and Dreams for Successful Articulation.
The 2008 AATG/ACFTL ANNUAL MEETING will take place in Orlando, Florida, Nov.21 - 23. Deadline for planned sessions: Dec. 21, 2007; deadline for open proposals: Jan. 11, 2008. Information and links on the AATG website.
February 29, 2008 is the deadline for submitting CHAPTER PROJECT applications online. Guidelines are at http://www.aatg.org/content/view/19/38/
Application form and sample budgets are at same website, except .../211/38/
March 17, 2008 is the deadline for NOMINATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL(NOBODY FROM OUR REGION IS NEEDED)
Models and Dreams for Successful Articulation
Notes from a Brainstorming Session AATG Chapter Presidents' Assembly 2007
• Host a German Day for area middle school and high school German programs at your college or university.
• Extend an offer to area German teachers to visit their classes.
• Offer retroactive credit for students with prior study of the language entering college and university programs.
• Publicize placement exams and placement policy.
• Invite area high school teachers to bring their two top student to campus to visit your classes, etc.
• Write letters to German teachers and their principals thanking them for sending such well prepared students to your program.
• Invite high school teachers to visit your campus.
• Create opportunities for college students to assist with immersion camps, serve as special guests in area classrooms, judge at German conventions.
• Encourage students to pursue a career in teaching German.
• Make contact with graduate students in Ph.D. granting German programs and invite them to attend and participate in chapter activities.