It's hard to believe but after months of planning MAME 37 is over. I again want to thank all of the conference committee and volunteers, we could not do MAME conferences without them. The hours of planning, meeting, e-mails and phone calls all paid off in a great conference. I also want to again thank MEEMIC Insurance Company for again generously supporting scholarships for some of our attendees. As chairperson the conference seems to go by like a blur but some personal highlights were:

-Mingling with vendors and attendees at the exhibit openings
-Socializing with members in the hospitality suite
-Being entertained by the South Redford Step Team at the Awards Ceremony
-Finding inspiration from our Award Winners,  Keynote Speakers, and Past President's Luncheon

And, as always my biggest highlight was time spent in dialogue with others in our profession. More and more of us are singlets in our building or district and it is so refreshing to talk to others who understand and always have great ideas to share. One of the things I most value about MAME is the powerful way we support one another. I think our new MAME4Ever group truly speaks to the special place that MAME holds in our hearts. From the quilt show and garage sale to all of the volunteer hours and advocacy ideas this group is a dynamic force and I truly appreciate their efforts to support the organization.

As I reflect back on my first MAME conference, I had no idea that I would one day be conference chairperson. I simply volunteered a couple of hours which led to more connections with colleagues which led to a surprising phone call last spring. I hope as you reflect upon the conference you will continue to think of how you can go forward and connect with others. Be sure to fill out the evaluation (which can be found on the MAME website) to let us know how we can continue to improve the conference and consider ways that you can get involved and further your MAME experience.

Thanks for this wonderful opportunity!
Rachel Markel, MAME 37 Conference Chairperson

MAME paid tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions at the Presidents' Gala and Awards Ceremony Thursday evening, Oct. 28. This year's honorees include:

Teri Terry, retired, Charlotte Public Schools
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
President's Citation for Leadership
in MAME and to the Profession

The President's Award is given at the discretion of the current president of MAME, and serves to honor outstanding individuals who have made truly unique contributions to our profession.
Teri Terry has been instrumental in rejuvenating professional learning for MAME members and advocating working across the curriculum and other organizations around the state to promote media centers and 21st century information literacy.  She is also the co-founder of MAME-4-Ever, a Special Interest Group (SIG) for retirees who want to stay active and involved in MAME.

Congratulations to Teri on this well-deserved prestigious award!!

Leslie Aulie, Walled Lake Public Schools
School Library Media Specialist of the Year

Pat Pulis, Warren-Fitzgerald Public Schools
Mary Ann Paulin Award for Reading Advocacy

Kristin Fontichiaro, Birmingham Public School and the U of M Information Science program
Margaret Grazier Award for Contribution to the Profession

Brian Sumner, Garden City Public Schools
Service Award for School Administrators
 

Promotion of School Library Media Programs Award

Best thing: emphasis on technology and how-to's  Patty Burnside

I always enjoy the Middle School Shoptalk.  This year SIG members discussed the following topics:  Fundraising, GLCEs, Survival Tips and Shining Moments.  We got some good advice on off-site book sales in cooperation with commercial enterprises in the area.  One member described a very successful fundraiser selling Slushies.  There was an active discussion on SL21 from those who have submitted the evaluation and those who had questions about the process. "Shining Moments" were shared by those who had received grants and a member who had turned her library into a "busy, noisy destination of choice".  It is so inspiring to hear these stories.  Meeting with peers is the best experience of all.  Karen Becknell

I really enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with retirees who had a large contingent at the conference.  The keynote speaker was also wonderful. Sharon Kubica

We had two new members attend MAME this year.  They are new to their positions as well.  Both were so pleased with the Newcomers Session after the first general session. They had not seen that at other conferences and thought it was very helpful-great!!! Also the range of topics covered in the sessions was terrific.  Good Job!!!!!  And thanks to the Retired MAMEsters for all their help and support-also a pretty unique feature!

Dawn Farley

Both keynote speakers were excellent.  Steven Layne touched my heart and Michael Stephens inspired me with a glimpse of the wider world of library and information sciences. I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with colleagues and share ideas.

Teen Booktalks for Boys ("Get Me Outta Here!") and Girls ("Measuring Up") presented by Sandy Fields and Jennifer Garmon and Cindy & Lynn's Best Books of 2010: Fiction presented by Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan were excellent sessions.

I especially appreciated Clarkston media specialists' "How We Did It!" Writing a K-12 Information Literacy Curriculum presented by Sharon Crain, Nancy Larson, Kristin Locke, Laura Cadreau, Arlinda Crossland, Sandy Gallivan, Lynn Gordon, Denise Lovse, Jennifer Palecek, and Tamara Riches.  They were very generous to sell their curriculum on a CD.  Appreciated New Release Books Your Students Will Love to Read presented by Leslie Bermel  of Junior Library Guild at lunch Friday.   Curriculum Makeover: Library Edition presented by Kristin Fontichiaro gave me lots to think about.

The Awards ceremony and special guest dance troupe were great.  Vendors were grateful for any attention!  Diane Falconer