As we come to the end of another year, we are often reminded of the year's happenings, whether through the multitude of best and worst lists or our own personal reflections.

2011 has not been the easiest year for those of us in education. Continued budget cuts have forced many of our colleagues into classrooms, early retirements, or unemployment. The ripples from these cuts have been felt by all of us and have impacted our organization as well. As we look the future, we have some important decisions to make about how we would like to go forward as an organization.

Later this month the board will be sending out some information for the membership to review and comment on. I would ask that each member read through the information and give feedback.

On a related note, many of you have probably seen the news that MACUL will no longer be charging dues. Instead, they are folding dues into their conference registration and charging separately for their journal. We know that financially MAME cannot replicate this. Instead, let's use this announcement to encourage colleagues who have previously had to choose between organizations to choose to become MAME members.

Looking forward, we know that we must advocate for libraries and librarians. As part of this effort, ALA and AASL are continuing to move forward with the SKILLS Act. ALA has asked the leadership of each state affiliated organization to organize a delegation to meet with Senators in their home offices while they are on holiday break. Our government relations chair Michael Pehote is working on setting up possible appointment times. If you know of parents or students that would be good additions for this delegation, please let me know ASAP.

Finally, I would like to wish each of you a happy and blessed holiday season. It has been an honor serving as President and I would like to thank each of you for your continued involvement and commitment to MAME.

Rachel Markel, MAME President   

As a result of MAME Elections earlier this year, Tom Stream, Julie Harris, and Jeanna Walker will be joining Sue Lay, Rachel Markel, and Bruce Popejoy as MAME Officers for 2012.

Thus, 2012 MAME Board Officers include:

Executive Director

Tim Staal

140 Rensen Street, Lansing, MI 48910 

Office: 517-394-2808

tstaal@gmail.com

President 

Sue Lay

Derby Middle School, Birmingham, MI

248-203-5052

suel@mimame.org

President-Elect

Tom Stream

15681 High Ridge Dr, Grand Haven, MI

616-842-3335

tom.stream@mimame.org

Rachel Markel 

Bangor Public Schools, Bangor, MI

269-427-6800x3028

rmarkel@bangorvikings.org

VP of Continuing Education

Julie Harris

Rochester High School, Rochester, MI

248-726-5405

jharris@mimame.org

VP of SIGS and Regions

Gwenn Marchesano

Pioneer Middle School, Plymouth, MI

734-416-7561

gmarchesano@mimame.org 

Secretary

Jeanna Walker

Portage Northern High School, Portage, MI

269-323-5489

jwalker@portageps.org 

Treasurer

Bruce Popejoy

Ann Arbor, MI 

booken02@gmail.com

Thank you to all of the officers for volunteering their time to lead the MAME organization!

If you would like to get more involved in MAME, there are some openings for SIG and Region Representatives, contact Gwenn Marchesano or one of the other MAME officers. 

MAME 17 had a great turn out for their event:

Google Translate

Free

Android, iPhone

This app by Google will translate words and phrases between 60+ languages. You can speak the word or phrase and listen to the translation or type in a word or phrase and see the translation. Google Translate is one of the good Google products that can be very helpful and useful. I can't vouch for it's accuracy but I've had a couple people tell me that it is accurate. Try it out and see for yourself if you would have a use for this app.

If you would like to suggest a app, please email your idea to: Judy Hauser, judy.hauser@oakland.k12.mi.us.

Any app will be considered whether it is for productivity, utility, or fun.  

Tom Stream writes: "In October,  I went from a Cheer for Michigan State beating Wisconsin on a last second Hail Mary pass to a Tear several hours later having to put my 4 year-old goldendoodle, Maisy, to sleep."