Calendar News:

WMAEYC participated in A.P.P.L.E.S. for Children annual conference in late September. Over 40 membership applications were distributed to participants. Following the conference membership rose from 76 to a current membership of 81.

WMAEYC fall meeting was cancelled due to schedule conflicts.

WMAEYC winter meeting is scheduled for the February 10th from 4:30 – 6:00 at Elgin Community Center, 40 Elgin Blvd, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. A conference call in number will be sent to Board Members when available.

News:

WMAEYC held elections for board members through June 2008. Nine officers were elected to fill all positions for WMAEYC Board.

The Newly Elected Board Consists of:
Benjamin Jakoby – President Katrina Coburn – Vice President Serecia Powers – Secretary Tammy Courtney – Treasurer Chuck Wainwright – Public Policy	Mary Beckman – Membership Chair Donna Crook – Special Events Chair Anne Dayhoff – Accreditation Chair Darlene Schmidt – Professional Development Chair

The newly elected board consists of individuals with a wide array of experience in the ECE field as well as provides each of the four Western Maryland Counties with equal representation.

On July 24th the WMAEYC Board held a kick off meeting to begin to set a strategic plan for its role within the ECE community. Western Maryland set the following goals to re-establish itself within the community: Increased Membership, Program Accreditation Recognition, and General WMAEYC Visibility.

Increased Membership - Plans were discussed to attend a minimum of six special events annually for recruiting and membership opportunities

Program Accreditation Recognition - Plans were discussed to begin efforts to recognize programs that achieve accreditation within the WMAEYC region. The following goals were set: 1. Upon receiving Accreditation WMAEYC would place an add within that areas local papers to recognize this accomplishment and send a letter of recognition to the program. 2. Each August (beginning of school year) and April (during the WOYC) the WMAEYC would run an advertisement in the area paper recognizing currently accredited programs.

Program Visibility – Each of the above events will promote program visibility. Additionally, the board will begin to work on acquiring promotional and marketing materials to allow for further visibility.

WMAEYC is considering co sponsoring A.P.P.L.E.S - 7th Annual Early Childhood Professional Day on September 20th, 2008.

The next WMAEYC Board meeting was set for Thursday, September 4th, 2008, at 6:00, in the Hancock, Maryland area. For information please email Ben Jakoby.

Western MD AEYC called a re-grouping meeting in July 2007, inviting all current and recent members from our four counties for whom we had contact information. The session was well attended, but primarily by Washington County members (the county in which the meeting was held). Almost everyone attending volunteered for at least one of three committees: By-laws update, nominations/elections, and membership/special events. We now have a bylaws update draft that needs member review and approval, and are making plans to elect new officers.

If you are an AEYC member living in Frederick, Washington, Allegany or Garrett County you will receive an election ballot by early December. Check your membership status and contact information to be sure it is up-to-date. We need you to vote! For more information, call or email Acting President Ben Jakoby at (301) 791-7333, x101 bjakoby@headstartwashco.org or Acting Secretary Fanny Crawford at (301) 7333-0000, x103 fcrawford@applesforchildren.org .