Education Director
As Educational Director your responsibilities are to (1) promote the personal and professional growth of your chapter's members and (2) promote the growth of ESA International within your own community. Both these goals can be accomplished with a well thought-out educational program that is both timely and relevant to today's member. In designing your chapter's educational program for the year, you must first assess:
To create a viable educational program, you must match educational curriculum to your chapter's needs. If your chapter members are all working mothers with grade school aged children, your educational programs will no doubt reflect a set of inherent common interests. However, if your chapter is diversified in age, martial status, occupation/income, and prior educational differences, your educational program will need to reflect these differences and establish a common bond or thread between them.
One of the most effective and easiest ways to evaluate your chapter's needs is a brief questionnaire - fortunately you don't have to do a Gallup to design one! Begin by talking to a few key members in your chapter. Discuss what they feel the overall needs and interest of the chapter are, writing down any and all topical ideas that they may suggest during the course of this informal (brainstorming) session.
Next categorize the topics on this list - plus any that you may have come up with on your own - according to subject area (i.e., leadership, career information, health issues, arts and crafts, etc.) and then develop a short questionnaire to be passed out to the membership at your next chapter meeting. Ask members to list skills, activities and/or topical issues they feel they have expertise in. List and have each member rate the subject areas on a scale of 1 to 10. (The most interesting subject area to them should be rated a 10, the least interesting a 1.) Now do the same for the specific topic ideas generated in your informal brainstorming session. Ask an open-ended question on what the members perceive to be the educational needs of the chapter and how much support they, individually, are willing to give to the program.
Assessing Local Resources and Designing the Educational Program
Once the questionnaires have been returned to you, select an educational committee consisting of 2-5 members (depending on the size of your chapter) to help design and determine the scope of your program.
The purpose of the committee is six fold:
Reporting on and Confirming Your Educational Program Outline
At the next chapter meeting the committee should be prepared to (1) report on the results of the questionnaire and (2) provide each member with a tentative calendar of educational events. The latter should outline topic, place, time, member responsible for program/publicity, etc.
Have the chapter discuss this calendar and make revisions as needed. Once the calendar is set, it is your responsibility to contact the member conducting each educational, perhaps two weeks before their presentation is due to see how they are coming, and to offer assistance in securing any needed special equipment.
A list of educational topics is included elsewhere in this writing and is also available through ESA Headquarters.
Chapter Educational Director's Guide
In the ten watchwords of Pallas Athene, the first pearl stands for wisdom. As wisdom is the power of forming a sound judgment in any matter, we must first have knowledge to gain Wisdom. Through your educationals this year, share your knowledge of a subject with your sisters or find something new and all learn together. We all grow by learning.
Your job as Educational Director is challenging, but can be fun and very enlightening. The following are some guidelines to get you started.
Start by Planning your Year Early. Remember to select topics that will be interesting to the members of your chapter. Possibly at a planning meeting you could ask them for their ideas on what they would like to learn about. Share with them your ideas, and ask for theirs.
Choose a Theme. Do you want all your programs to follow one theme for the entire year? Or, do you want a yearly theme, but vary the program interest? The following is an example of the same yearly theme that follows two entirely different program lines.
Women of the 80's
Women of the 90's
Nancy Reagan
Women & Investments
Elizabeth Dole
Women & Families
Tammy Fay Bakker
Women & Health
Elizabeth Taylor
Women & Fitness
Select Speakers. Who do you want to give the programs?
How will you handle each program and what are your responsibilities to the speaker?
IV. Develop a final course of action.
VII. Follow up:
IV. Develop a final course of action.
VII. Follow up:
- members' needs
- members' skills
- local resources
To create a viable educational program, you must match educational curriculum to your chapter's needs. If your chapter members are all working mothers with grade school aged children, your educational programs will no doubt reflect a set of inherent common interests. However, if your chapter is diversified in age, martial status, occupation/income, and prior educational differences, your educational program will need to reflect these differences and establish a common bond or thread between them.
One of the most effective and easiest ways to evaluate your chapter's needs is a brief questionnaire - fortunately you don't have to do a Gallup to design one! Begin by talking to a few key members in your chapter. Discuss what they feel the overall needs and interest of the chapter are, writing down any and all topical ideas that they may suggest during the course of this informal (brainstorming) session.
Next categorize the topics on this list - plus any that you may have come up with on your own - according to subject area (i.e., leadership, career information, health issues, arts and crafts, etc.) and then develop a short questionnaire to be passed out to the membership at your next chapter meeting. Ask members to list skills, activities and/or topical issues they feel they have expertise in. List and have each member rate the subject areas on a scale of 1 to 10. (The most interesting subject area to them should be rated a 10, the least interesting a 1.) Now do the same for the specific topic ideas generated in your informal brainstorming session. Ask an open-ended question on what the members perceive to be the educational needs of the chapter and how much support they, individually, are willing to give to the program.
Assessing Local Resources and Designing the Educational Program
Once the questionnaires have been returned to you, select an educational committee consisting of 2-5 members (depending on the size of your chapter) to help design and determine the scope of your program.
The purpose of the committee is six fold:
- match member skills with topics (i.e., Doris was a board member of the local shelter for abused women and thus knows a lot about the topic.)
- determine the format (lecture, seminar, full-day workshop, panel discussions, field trip, etc.)
- decide who can attend (chapter members only, other ESA chapters, other organizations, other members of community, etc.)
- conclude where program should be held (member's home, private facility, school, college, library, etc.)
- establish which local resources can be used for additional information/outside speakers (organizations, associations, universities, government agencies, etc.)
- stipulate when the program should be held - including time (7:30 p.m. chapter meeting, 12:00 p.m. luncheon meetings, etc.) and date.
Reporting on and Confirming Your Educational Program Outline
At the next chapter meeting the committee should be prepared to (1) report on the results of the questionnaire and (2) provide each member with a tentative calendar of educational events. The latter should outline topic, place, time, member responsible for program/publicity, etc.
Have the chapter discuss this calendar and make revisions as needed. Once the calendar is set, it is your responsibility to contact the member conducting each educational, perhaps two weeks before their presentation is due to see how they are coming, and to offer assistance in securing any needed special equipment.
A list of educational topics is included elsewhere in this writing and is also available through ESA Headquarters.
Chapter Educational Director's Guide
In the ten watchwords of Pallas Athene, the first pearl stands for wisdom. As wisdom is the power of forming a sound judgment in any matter, we must first have knowledge to gain Wisdom. Through your educationals this year, share your knowledge of a subject with your sisters or find something new and all learn together. We all grow by learning.
Your job as Educational Director is challenging, but can be fun and very enlightening. The following are some guidelines to get you started.
Start by Planning your Year Early. Remember to select topics that will be interesting to the members of your chapter. Possibly at a planning meeting you could ask them for their ideas on what they would like to learn about. Share with them your ideas, and ask for theirs.
Choose a Theme. Do you want all your programs to follow one theme for the entire year? Or, do you want a yearly theme, but vary the program interest? The following is an example of the same yearly theme that follows two entirely different program lines.
Women of the 80's
Women of the 90's
Nancy Reagan
Women & Investments
Elizabeth Dole
Women & Families
Tammy Fay Bakker
Women & Health
Elizabeth Taylor
Women & Fitness
Select Speakers. Who do you want to give the programs?
- Chapter Members - take advantage of the many hidden talents of your members. They not only grow educationally by researching a subject and presenting the program, but they earn 50 points for each program presented.
- Outside Speakers - this is a good opportunity to meet people in your community.
- How about a mixture of the two?
How will you handle each program and what are your responsibilities to the speaker?
- Before each program contact the person(s) in charge and let them know what you expect of them - the time, place, directions and transportation if needed.
- Decide when you want to have the program presented.
- Before or after the business meeting? If you have an outside speaker, they usually prefer to speak before the business part of the meeting to conserve time for them. Also, speaking before the meeting will ensure better attention from the group, especially if your meetings run long.
- Some chapters have their educational programs at a special meeting, or as part of the social.
- How about having several educational programs in one evening? Each could be 45 minutes long. If your chapter tends to have lengthy business meetings, you may want to try this.
- Present the programs in an interesting manner - short enough not to get boring, but long enough to cover the subject. Give the speaker a short introduction.
- Vary the type of presentation - encourage the speaker to use demonstrations, movies, skits, debates, displays, posters, and hands-on items.
IV. Develop a final course of action.
- Set a budget:
- Room fee (be sure to tell the building manager that your ESA chapter is a non-profit organization - the fee should be much lower).
- Speaker fee (if applicable)
- Cost of printed materials
- Others
- Decide on meeting place and personally check it out.
- Should be a place easily accessible to the public.
- Make final decision on educational(s), date(s), and time(s).
- Confirm speaker availability.
- Determine printed materials/handouts to be distributed.
- Registration form.
- Brochure (on educational subject, about ESA).
- Fact sheets (on local chapter and international projects).
- Others.
- Realize that your educational won't be well attended, no matter how good your program, unless you get the word out.
- Write press releases.
- Compose radio Public Service Announcements.
- Design posters/flyers.
- Make sure that all your promotional materials get to the proper people and place in time to generate the attendance you want.
- Double check with newspapers/radio stations to verify that articles are being published/announcements are being made.
- Call all promotional contacts back the day before your program:
- To remind them of educational date(s).
- To ask if they have any questions.
- Reconfirm meeting room.
VII. Follow up:
- Write thank-you notes to people/organizations who helped support, sponsor, or promote your educational program.
- Use registration forms to phone the women who attended your educational(s).
- Set date for organizational meeting.
- Charter new ESA chapter or add to present chapter.
- Ask for 3 referrals for membership from each new member. (Send to Headquarters on Recommend-A-Friend form).
- Report to State Educational Director on Education and Community Outreach Educational Report forms. (Must send in both forms to be counted!!) The forms are due the 10th of the month following the program. An ESA Community Outreach Educational will count as one of the six reports needed to qualify for the Gold Link Award if reported on time.
- Count hours spent on organizing educational and attendance time to Philanthropic Chairperson.
IV. Develop a final course of action.
- Set a budget:
- Room fee (be sure to tell the building manager that your ESA chapter is a non-profit organization - the fee should be much lower).
- Speaker fee (if applicable)
- Cost of printed materials
- Others
- Decide on meeting place and personally check it out.
- Should be a place easily accessible to the public.
- Make final decision on educational(s), date(s), and time(s).
- Confirm speaker availability.
- Determine printed materials/handouts to be distributed.
- Registration form.
- Brochure (on educational subject, about ESA).
- Fact sheets (on local chapter and international projects).
- Others.
- Realize that your educational won't be well attended, no matter how good your program, unless you get the word out.
- Write press releases.
- Compose radio Public Service Announcements.
- Design posters/flyers.
- Make sure that all your promotional materials get to the proper people and place in time to generate the attendance you want.
- Double check with newspapers/radio stations to verify that articles are being published/announcements are being made.
- Call all promotional contacts back the day before your program:
- To remind them of educational date(s).
- To ask if they have any questions.
- Reconfirm meeting room.
VII. Follow up:
- Write thank-you notes to people/organizations who helped support, sponsor, or promote your educational program.
- Use registration forms to phone the women who attended your educational(s).
- Set date for organizational meeting.
- Charter new ESA chapter or add to present chapter.
- Ask for 3 referrals for membership from each new member. (Send to Headquarters on Recommend-A-Friend form).
- Report to State Educational Director on Education and Community Outreach Educational Report forms. (Must send in both forms to be counted!!) The forms are due the 10th of the month following the program. An ESA Community Outreach Educational will count as one of the six reports needed to qualify for the Gold Link Award if reported on time.
- Count hours spent on organizing educational and attendance time to Philanthropic Chairperson.
GOLD SEAL MERIT AWARD: Ten (10) outstanding programs are recognized each year at International Convention. Chapter entries must be submitted to the International Council Educational Chairman. The number of entries shall be at the discretion of each individual state council. Chapters from states having no councils may submit their entries directly to the International Council Educational Chairman. Each of the top ten (10) finalists will receive a Gold Seal Merit Award from ESA Headquarters. Entries must be postmarked no later than June 1 or one week immediately following your state convention.
All entries are prejudged and must be submitted as stated in the requirements. The top twenty (20) programs will be on display at the IC Convention. Postage must be enclosed if you wish your entry returned.
All entries must be submitted on a Universal Educational Reporting Form distributed to the states by the IC Educational Chairman.
Judging will be based on neatness, arrangement of material, and originality.
To be eligible for this award, a chapter must have met all requirements of the State Council.
NOTEBOOK REQUIREMENTS
1. Appearance ................................................................................................................................................................... 25 points
Educational Awards
GOLD LINK AWARD: This award will be presented to all chapters that report at least six (6) or more programs ON TIME to the State Educational Director. The award will be presented at the State Convention to the chapters that turn in six reports by that time. You are still eligible to win this award later if the Chapter Educational Director sends in six (6) reports before the end of the year. The ESA year runs from June 1 to May 31, making 12 months you can report. These reports are to be sent to the State Educational Director and must be postmarked by the 10th of the month following the month which the program was held to be ON TIME. For example, an educational program held July 29 must be postmarked by August 10 to be considered as ON TIME.
OUTSTANDING CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: The top three (3) Outstanding Educational Programs and the Distinguished Athenian Service Award will be chosen from the chapters who have met the following requirements.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH EDUCATIONAL: The top three (3) outstanding Community Outreach Educational Awards will be presented at the State Convention. To be eligible for this award the chapter must have sponsored an educational program with at least six (6) NON-ESA MEMBERS in attendance. A Community Outreach Educational Report Form will count as one of the six (6) needed to earn your Gold Link Award if it is mailed ON TIME. An Educational Report Form and a Community Outreach Form must be mailed by the 10th of the month following the program date. The Community Outreach Educational can be used in attaining the Ionic Award and the 6th Degree Pallas Athene. Please check information on each for further details. The IDEALS has the information on the 6th Degree Pallas Athene.
DISTINGUISHED ATHENIAN SERVICE AWARD: One Athenian Award will be given at the State level each year. The State Educational Director selects, with the aid of judges, one Chapter Educational Director that has gone beyond the call of duty in her service to the ESA Educational field. The winner will be named at State Convention and will receive a special certificate from Headquarters.
To be eligible for this award, a Chapter Educational Director must have "rendered some important educational service: (1) to her chapter; (2) to her community, thus extending the chapter's interest in the value to the community; (3) to her State ESA council, contributing notable value to her state's educational expansion." Nominations from the chapter must be sent to the State Educational Director at least three (3) weeks before State Convention begins. These nominations must include a brief description of the special educational accomplishments which qualify the Chapter Educational Director for the award.
The Chapter Educational Director will be required to send an Educational Notebook to the State Educational Director at least three (3) weeks before State Convention begins. This will be used as an aid in selecting the Distinguished Athenian.
All entries are prejudged and must be submitted as stated in the requirements. The top twenty (20) programs will be on display at the IC Convention. Postage must be enclosed if you wish your entry returned.
All entries must be submitted on a Universal Educational Reporting Form distributed to the states by the IC Educational Chairman.
Judging will be based on neatness, arrangement of material, and originality.
To be eligible for this award, a chapter must have met all requirements of the State Council.
NOTEBOOK REQUIREMENTS
1. Appearance ................................................................................................................................................................... 25 points
- Each entry must be complete, including all individual programs which form the year's educational study. Educational Report Forms must be in chronological order. Be sure to include any Community Outreach Educational Programs your chapter sponsored along with the corresponding Educational Report Form.
- Be concise and to the point. Pictures and other extras are not necessary and will not receive additional points. Strive for simplicity. Each entry must state on the cover or title page; Chapter name; number; and Educational Chairman.
- The subject matter must be carefully thought out, with an idea thread relating each individual program to an overall theme, showing the continuity of the program. Include a brief summary of each program stating all major points emphasized.
- Entries must include the actual date and the method of presentation.
- A list of resources used must follow each individual program. For example: printed material, speakers, audiovisuals, etc.
- Evaluation by membership
Educational Awards
GOLD LINK AWARD: This award will be presented to all chapters that report at least six (6) or more programs ON TIME to the State Educational Director. The award will be presented at the State Convention to the chapters that turn in six reports by that time. You are still eligible to win this award later if the Chapter Educational Director sends in six (6) reports before the end of the year. The ESA year runs from June 1 to May 31, making 12 months you can report. These reports are to be sent to the State Educational Director and must be postmarked by the 10th of the month following the month which the program was held to be ON TIME. For example, an educational program held July 29 must be postmarked by August 10 to be considered as ON TIME.
OUTSTANDING CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: The top three (3) Outstanding Educational Programs and the Distinguished Athenian Service Award will be chosen from the chapters who have met the following requirements.
- Achieved the Gold Link Award.
- Presented programs throughout the year with an educational value.
- Their programs were linked together with an idea-thread, binding each section of their year's programs, including any Community Outreach Educational programs.
- Entered Educational Report Forms which were completed and contained a summary of points emphasized at each program.
- Submitted an Educational Notebook to the State Educational Director three (3) weeks prior to the State Convention.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH EDUCATIONAL: The top three (3) outstanding Community Outreach Educational Awards will be presented at the State Convention. To be eligible for this award the chapter must have sponsored an educational program with at least six (6) NON-ESA MEMBERS in attendance. A Community Outreach Educational Report Form will count as one of the six (6) needed to earn your Gold Link Award if it is mailed ON TIME. An Educational Report Form and a Community Outreach Form must be mailed by the 10th of the month following the program date. The Community Outreach Educational can be used in attaining the Ionic Award and the 6th Degree Pallas Athene. Please check information on each for further details. The IDEALS has the information on the 6th Degree Pallas Athene.
DISTINGUISHED ATHENIAN SERVICE AWARD: One Athenian Award will be given at the State level each year. The State Educational Director selects, with the aid of judges, one Chapter Educational Director that has gone beyond the call of duty in her service to the ESA Educational field. The winner will be named at State Convention and will receive a special certificate from Headquarters.
To be eligible for this award, a Chapter Educational Director must have "rendered some important educational service: (1) to her chapter; (2) to her community, thus extending the chapter's interest in the value to the community; (3) to her State ESA council, contributing notable value to her state's educational expansion." Nominations from the chapter must be sent to the State Educational Director at least three (3) weeks before State Convention begins. These nominations must include a brief description of the special educational accomplishments which qualify the Chapter Educational Director for the award.
The Chapter Educational Director will be required to send an Educational Notebook to the State Educational Director at least three (3) weeks before State Convention begins. This will be used as an aid in selecting the Distinguished Athenian.
The following is a partial listing. Contact the State Educational Director for more complete information.
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Possible Topics
Assertiveness Training Balancing School, Job and Family Battered Women Cancer Changing Jobs Child Abuse Day Care Program Dress for Success Dual Career Couples Estate Planning Exercise Programs for Office Workers Hospice Local Agencies -- Blind, Handicapped Money Management Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Nontraditional Jobs for Women Nutrition Programs For Office Workers Problems of Middle Management Women Respite Care United Way |
Sources of Speakers
Attorneys Doctors Government Agencies Health Club Local Business People Local Charities Personnel Companies Real Estate Agencies Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS) Social Services Universities Vo-Tech Centers Women’s Organizations |
Community Contacts
Banks Clothing Stores County Extension Office Employment Agencies Grocery Store Health Clubs Large Corporations Newspapers Radio Stations Restaurants Telephone Company University |