In preparation for this seminar, both the ACTE Board and the state leadership completed a survey. The results of these surveys were shared during the seminar. Interestingly enough, there were only two questions on the survey, "Which of the seven measures could the organization address for quickest success?" and "Which measure will take the longest to implement?" Each of the state leaders were asked to go back and share survey results with their state leadership to implement those strategies that will lead to quickest success.

After the seminar concluded, I attended the National Executive Director Association (NEDA) Meeting. This was my final meeting as Treasurer; I was installed as President-elect and take office as President at the 2012 NPS. Jan Bray, ACTE executive director, gave an update on ACTE Activities. Jan shared that national elections will commence no later than the third day of the Annual Conference. Due to this change, the timetable for both national and regional officer nominations will need to be altered. She also shared that many of the current committees will be discontinued and Task Force groups will be established. In addition, a State Association Task Force has been established. The focus of this group is to provide information that will assist with states' desires to enhance member value. 

   
The following morning, Jamie Baxter from ACTE conducted a workshop, "Capitol Hill 101" for first-time attendees. It included an overview of the Congressional process and terminology, what to expect during NPS, and how to make the most out of visits to Capitol Hill. The opening General Session included Joel Packer, executive director of the Committee for Education Funding and Jim Hermes, Senior Legislative Associate for the American Association of Community Colleges. They presented on where CTE stands in the current political environment and its potential related to future policy activity.

The afternoon general session featured Elizabeth McNichol, senior fellow for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Patricia Brennan-Gac, counsel and senior policy adviser to the CEO, Learning Point Associates and Chief Lobbyist for LACOE. The focus of this session was to understand the current budget situation and look beyond traditional funding sources to support CTE programs. This session provided an in-depth look at a variety of funding sources that might be available to support CTE programs including federal appropriations, earmarks and grants. This session was followed by an ACTE Issues Briefing by Steve DeWitt, ACTE senior director of public policy, who presented on the key points we needed to focus on during our Capital Hill meetings. We divided up the meetings among the delegation and then discussed the main points we would discuss with congressional representatives.
            
This year's legislative priorities included:

1.  Increase the capacity of educational institutions to prepare a pipeline of skilled workers.

 
2.  Strengthen the alignment and coordination between education and workforce development systems.

3.  Increase training opportunities and support for low-income individuals.

4.  Build clear career pathways between secondary, postsecondary education and the workforce.

5.  Help students engage in educational opportunities through better integration of core academics and CTE.

On Tuesday, we met with the following representatives' staff members, Congress Members Calvert, McKeon, Lewis, B. Lee, and Senators Boxer and Feinstein. On Wednesday, March 10, we met with the following representatives' staff, Congress Members Davis, Farr, Honda, McClintock, Miller, Roybal-Allard, Pelosi, Napolitano, Sanchez, Schiff, and Watson. These congressional members were selected for meetings because they are members of the Education and Labor Committee or sit on the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Appropriations. California Congress Member George Miller was presented an award for being the ACTE Policymaker of the Year.