Committees NSPRA committees engage in research and also work to support the mission of the Association. Members interested in serving on committees or task forces can contact the chairs, staff liaisons, or Board liaisons. Information about each committee and task force, including contacts, can be found below.

Environmental Scanning Committee

Chairs:
Elise Shelton,, elise.shelton@cmcss.net 931-920-7921

Board Liaisons:
Stephanie Bateman stephanie.bateman@jefferson.kyschools.us 502-485-3622
Nicole Kirby, kirbyn@parkhill.k12.mo.us 816-359-6030

Staff Liaison: 
Rich Bagin, APR, ed@nspra.org 301-519-0496

Charge:

• Research emerging trends (societal/environmental/economical/health/educational, etc.) that have implications for or a direct impact on school systems. Explore and articulate how the trends may impact schools and write a lead article for Network.
• Identify significant breaking issues about which NSPRA members will benefit from timely notification. Collect tools (talking points, parent letters, case studies, etc.) developed by NSPRA members in response to breaking issues to turnkey out to the full membership. If time permits, develop tools and tip sheets for dissemination to members.
• Continue to use the e-Knowledge Portal "community of practice" forum for committee member communications.
• Present a "Trends to Watch" session panel at the 2010 Seminar in Charlotte, N.C., along with a follow-up special report publication to be released in August 2010.

Deadline:

Work is ongoing through the 2010 Seminar. Committee members will provide monthly reports to committee co-chairs through e-mail or other methods defined by the committee chair. If a committee member should be become aware of an urgent issue, he/she will immediately notify the committee co-chair. Committee chair will provide reports for NSPRA Executive Board Meetings to be held November 13-14, 2009, March 12-13, 2010 and July 8-9, 2010.

Executive Board Search Committee
(Standing Committee)

Chair: 
David Luther, david.luther@jcps.k12.mo.us 573-659-3018

Board Liaison:
Tim Hensley, APR hensley@floydboe.net 706-234-1031 ext. 7121 

Staff Liaison:
Karen Kleinz, APR, kkleinz@nspra.org 301-519-1227

Charge:

• To recruit and recommend a slate of one or more candidates for each NSPRA Executive Board office that will become vacant the following year. (President-Elect, Southwest VP, Mideast VP and Northeast VP).
• Present slate to the membership at the July 11, 2010 Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C.

Deadline: 

Slate of candidates submitted to NSPRA office no later than May 1, 2010.

Audit Committee
(Standing Committee)

Board Liaison:
Jim Cummings, APR jcummings@gesd40.org 623-237-4000

Staff Liaison:
Tommy Jones, tjones@nspra.org  310-519-1222

Charge:

• To review outside auditor's report and make a report to the Executive Board.

Deadline: 

Report made at November 13-14, 2009 Executive Board Meeting and to the membership at the July 11, 2010 Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C.

Teller Committee
(Standing Committee)

Board Liaison:
Jim Van Develde, jimvan@lakelandschools.org 914-245-1700 ext. 262 

Staff Liaison:
Tommy Jones, tjones@nspra.org  301-519-1222

Charge:

• To count votes, certify the election and contact all candidates about the election results.

Deadline: 

September 30, 2009

Accreditation Committee
(Standing Committee)

Chair:
Judi Willis, APR, jwillis@pvschools.net 602-449-2010

UAB Rep:
Ed Moore, APR, mooreeh@gmail.com 856-881-5870

Board Liaison:
Jim Cummings, APR, jcummings@peoriaud.k12.az.us 623-486-6040

Staff Liaison:
Karen Kleinz, APR, kkleinz@nspra.org 301-519-1227

Regional Committee Reps:
Judi Willis, APR, Chair (AZ) (Southwest), jwillis@pvschools.net 602-449-2010
Susan Brott, APR (MN) (North Central), susan.brott@isd197.org 651-403-7008
Andy Grunig, APR (VA) (Mideast), andy.grunig@fcps.ed 571-423-1212
Mary Waggoner, APR (WA) (Northwest), mwaggoner@everettsd.org 425-385-4040  
Sue Dieck, APR (NY) (Northeast), sdieck@ccsd.k12.ny.us 845-878-2094 ext. 202
Meredith Palmer, APR (NC) (Southeast), mpalmer@davidson.k12.nc.us 336-242-5548
Robyn Castleberry, APR (OK) (South Central), rcastleberry@mntechnology.com 405-364-5763                         

Charge:   

• Develop an accreditation liaison/chair for as many chapters as possible and appropriate.
• Identify and encourage potential APR candidates.
• Prepare and implement an annual marketing/public relations plan to market the Accreditation Examination to members (per UAB policies and procedures).
• Write two articles for NSPRA publications - one on the value of accreditation and a second on what superintendents need to know about the value of the APR process and accreditation.
• Serve as a resource to NSPRA chapters and provide advice and assistance in offering accreditation preparation opportunities for members.
• Assist in coordinating and presenting the APR Prep pre-seminar workshop.

Pertaining to Readiness Review Panels: 

• Monitor candidates' progress through the process and report to NSPRA on each step.
• Serve as the local/regional coordination arm for NSPRA in scheduling Readiness Review panels for member candidates for accreditation.
• Assist chapters in building capacity to host local/state Readiness Review panels for candidates.
• Develop relationships/assist chapters to develop relationships with PRSA chapters in states/locales that lack capacity for convening a full panel of NSPRA APRs in order to facilitate the involvement of at least one NSPRA APR on a member candidate's panel.
• Provide mentoring and support for Readiness Review candidates as outlined in the testing program.
• Maintain contact throughout the year with chapters running APR study groups to identify members who plan to become APR candidates and request Readiness Review panels at the Seminar.
• Work with NSPRA to coordinate and schedule a set number (to be determined) of Readiness Review panels at the 2010 NSPRA Seminar in Charlotte, N.C.
• Identify and recruit members with APRs to serve as Readiness Review panelists in their state/region and at the Seminar.
• Serve on Readiness Review panels at the Seminar and at the local/regional level when possible.
• Be able to explain the steps involved in becoming accredited to interested candidates.
• Thoroughly understand the Readiness Review Panel process and become familiar with the coaching guide.
• Follow NSPRA's guidelines for the Readiness Review panel process.

Deadline: Committee chair will provide reports for NSPRA Executive Board Meetings to be held November 13-14, 2009, March 12-13, 2010 and July 8-9, 2010.

Communications Accountability Program (CAP)
Task Force

Co-Chairs:

Dianne Litzenburger, litzd@charemisd.org 231-547-9947
David Voss, david@vossandassociates.net 941-366-4845

Board Liaisons:
Ron Koehler, APR, ronkoehler@kentisd.org 616-365-2292
Debra Marlow, debra_marlow@ccpsnet.net 804-748-1433

Staff Liaison:
Rich Bagin, APR, ed@nspra.org 301-519-0496

Goal:
To document the positive impact of effective communications on student achievement and schools.

Objectives:

1. Conduct quantitative and qualitative research that supports the positive impact of effective communications on student achievement and schools.
2. Develop resources that school communications professionals and school leaders can use to advance formal, planned communications programs.
3. Conduct public information and advocacy programs in cooperation with NSPRA staff and leaders to promote the positive impact of effective communications on student achievement and schools.

2009-10 Charge:

• Assess the results of the pilot financial survey completed in 2008-09. Refine the sruvey and conduct it in at least three states during the 2009-10 school year.
• Update and enhance the CAP PowerPoint presentation developed by the 2008-09 committee, adding additional items from CAP research completed over the past three years. Design should be web friendly. Prepare a supplementary Leader's Guide for the PowerPoint for use by chapters that highlights key message points about CAP. Submit the PowerPoint and Leader's Guide to NSPRA for approval.
• Develop and implement a national survey on school communication to be conducted and findings released in September 2010 and every two years thereafter.
• Work with NSPRA to develop a survey service that could be offered to members on a cost-effective basis. Districts must agree to share their survey results with NSPRA for the purpose of building a national database on communication research from the field. Districts and schools would be indentified by characteristics such as size, type (i.e. rural/urban/suburban), regiona of country, grade level of schools/district, etc.

Deadline: 

Committee chairs will provide reports and recommendations for NSPRA Executive Board Meetings to be held November 13-14, 2008, March 12-13, 2010 and July 8-9, 2010.

Membership/Professional Development Task Force

Co-Chairs:
Gerri Allen, gallen@wash.k12.mi.us 734-994-8100 ext. 1321
Annette Eyman, aeyman@paplv.esu3.org 402-537-6209

Board Liaison:
Mary Ellen Marnholtz, mmarnhol@wausau.k12.wi.us 715-261-0555

Staff Liaison:
Karen Kleinz, APR, kkleinz@nspra.org 301-519-1227

Charge:

• Appoint a coordinator or sub-committee to work with Regional VPs on collecting best practices from chapters to update and expand the NSPRA Chapter Leadership Guidebook on an ongoing basis. New material to be submitted with the Committee's report prior to each Executive Board meeting.
• Identify and submit 10 topics and possible "expert" participants for NSPRA's Take Ten feature on the NSPRA web site.
• Collect and submit 10 member responses to questions scheduled for NSPRA's Counselor Online feature on the NSPRA web site.
• Update the current How to Start a District PR Program resource on the NSPRA web site.
• Create a new How to Start a School PR Program resource for the building-level.
• Develop a How to Start a Social Network Guidebook for NSPRA members.

Deadline:

Committee chairs will provide reports for NSPRA Executive Board Meetings to be held November 13-14, 2009, March 12-13, 2010 and July 8-9, 2010.

Superintendent Services Task Force

Chairs: 
Bob Noyed, APR (MN), robert.noyed@wayzata.k12.mn.us 763-745-5068
Jim Rickabaugh (WI), Jim.Rickabaugh@wfbschools.com 414-963-3901

Board Liaison: 
Sandy Husk, Ph.D., husk_sandy@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Staff Liaison:
Rich Bagin, APR, ed@nspra.org 301-519-0496

Charge:

• Working closely with the NSPRA Executive Director, conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of superintendents to determine cost-effective strategies/services NSPRA can provide to meet their communications needs. The assessment should:

• Develop a survey to identify superintendents' needs and interests;
• Determine how NSPRA can best serve superintendents via the e-Knowledge Portal and web site;
• Determine interest in a "Superintendent's Only" section of the web site;
• Determine whether needs differ depending on district size;
• Identify whether the superintendent has a communications professional on staff or whether another staff member has communication responsibilities.

• Develop a strategic plan to meet the needs determined through the comprehensive assessment. Conduct audit of and compile all available NSPRA resources that can be used to serve superintendents seeking to enhance/expand/protect their communications program. Articulate strategies for and begin to develop missing resources.
• Identify and collect contact information for target superintendent markets including: 
  • Superintendents new to their districts;
  • State, local and university superintendent study group/council members;
  • Superintendents who are not currently receiving Communication Matters for Leading Superintendents to expand circulation.

Deadline:

Committee chair will provide reports for NSPRA Executive Board Meetings to be held November 13-14, 2009, March 12-13, 2010 and July 8-9, 2010.