2013 CMEA/ACME ELECTIONS Nominations for the CMEA/ACME Elected Board are now closed (deadline midnight Pacific December 10, 2012). The membership will elect members for the positions of Secretary and Members-at-Large (2). The voting period is from March 1to April 1, 2013. All members will have the opportunity to vote electronically. Details and candidates’ resumes will be posted on our website cmea.ca after February 1. Also, in February each CMEA/Acme member will receive an email with their new PIN and voting instructions. Make your voice heard - please vote!!

Candidates

Vice-President (2 year term July 1, 2013- June 30, 2015) We are pleased to announce that Kirsten MacLaine has been elected Vice-President by acclamation. Congratulations Kirsten!

Kirsten MacLaine New Glasgow, PEI Secretary (2 year term July 1, 2013- June 30, 2015) Rebecca Brown Donalda Westcott Members-at-Large (2) (4 year, 2013-2017) Krista Brown Helen Coker David Gueulette Kara Helms

Candidates’ Personal Statements

Secretary

Rebecca Brown Winnipeg, Manitoba I have a total of 8 years experience with the CMEA/ACME (6 of which I was a sitting and voting member of the full or elected board). I am completing my 4-year term as a member at large, in charge of the performance awards portfolio. I value my involvement in the national music community and would be an asset in the position of secretary for the upcoming term. Not only have I been involved in many ways with the CMEA/ACME and the MMEA, I started my involvement with the MMEA as the board secretary for 2 years. Thank you again for considering me for the position of secretary on your board.

Donalda Westcott Marion Bridge, Nova Scotia On Education: Education is more than the hours spent in a classroom. Much of what students learn results not from formal education, but from simple and meaningful interactions with their peers and the world around them. Given the opportunity, students never cease to be - we, as lifelong learners, only grow older and wiser. As a music educator I am challenged on a daily basis to meet the needs of my students where they are. I have taken this occupation very seriously and am passionate about the need for all students to receive the best quality musical experiences that exist. In the light of this statement it has become increasingly essential that I work beyond the classroom, through the Nova Scotia Music Educators Association and the Canadian Music Educators Association to make sure that those opportunities for teacher professional development and student growth exist. On the Canadian Music Educators Association: I firmly believe that, unless you are willing as an individual to make changes within your teaching and approach to education in Canada, you need not complain about the attempts that others are making to better their experiences. This is the passion and commitment that I would like to bring to the CMEA as their new secretary. I work extremely hard to ensure that students and teachers alike have equal opportunity of voices and access to quality educational experiences, and I believe that my contributions to the CMEA board could help to further their national voice and image with not only music educators, but other stakeholders within the education puzzle as well. From a practical perspective, I am an organized individual who is always looking to improve my knowledge base. My extensive union and professional association involvement has allowed me to increase my understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedure which is one of the keys to the smooth movement of meetings.

Members-at-Large (2 positions open)

Krista J. Brown St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out. Stephen Covey I believe in the Canadian Music Educators Association. I believe in its importance as a national voice for music educators and its function as a vehicle for bringing provinces and territories together in a collaborative network of professional learning, growth, and sharing in music education. The work of such an important organization requires skilled work from committed volunteers who have a vision for the growth and development of the organization and who are motivated to carry out its work. Should I be successful in my bid to join the CMEA board as a Member-at-Large, I will work collaboratively with the CMEA executive team to identify the focus and direct and work diligently to carry out its goals. I will be committed to my portfolio. I will apply my current understanding of the CMEA’s work, gleaned from the past four years as provincial representative of Newfoundland and Labrador at CMEA board meetings, and work to develop a deeper understanding in my new role as Member-at-Large. I will apply strong listening, organization, and communication skills to ensure appropriate priorities are set and take systematic action to achieve those goals, all while communicating regularly and effectively with other members of the executive. I will work to establish and nurture effective working relationships with other executive members. It is my hope that the leadership skills I bring to the CMEA, along with the discipline I will apply in my position, will strengthen the association and continue to advance the important and valuable work already being undertaken by the executive team.

Helen Coker Woodstock, Ontario I have enjoyed working with the CMEA/ACME for the past two years as the Ontario Music Educators' Association president and look forward to bringing my skills and experience to the organization. As a longtime member of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association board of directors I have the experience and the dedication to commit and follow through with the tasks and responsibilities that go with the role. I have strong organizational skills and am able to manage my time in order to fulfill my responsibilities. I am able to have the “big picture” in mind when I am working with a team and understand how each member of that team is an important part of that picture. This is evident from my work as a conference co-chair for two previous provincial conferences and from my work as president. As a teacher I have had a wide variety of experiences having taught students from Grade 3 to 13. I have also taught all types of music: strings, vocal, winds, guitar and Developmental Special Education. Having this experience has allowed me to see the challenges that each of these situations faces and how we, as music education advocates, support these teachers. I look forward to the new challenge of being a board member for the CMEA/ACME and am excited to work with a dynamic group of music educators from across the county.

David Gueulette Ottawa, Ontario I have been serving on the CMEA Elected Board since July of 2008 as a Member-at- Large in charge of the electronic newsletter and, more recently as the Membership Coordinator. During this time I feel that I have attended to all my duties in a timely and efficient manner and thus I have made a positive contribution to the CMEA Board and to the organization as a whole. As current president of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association, I continue to serve the cause of music education in many ways including regular contributions to our professional journal, curriculum development and resource writing, and presenting workshops at our annual conference. If re-elected, I will continue to serve to the best of my abilities.

Kara Helms Saskatoon, Saskatchewan I believe that my board experience, organizational skills, and leadership ability will make me an excellent candidate. Throughout my career, I have assumed a leadership position within the school learning community, division planning teams, and provincial cultural organizations. As a teacher with Saskatoon Public Schools, I direct Grade Six to Eight Band, and teach Arts Education to students in Grade One to Seven. At the provincial level, I have executive experience with Saskatchewan Music Educators’ Association (STF Special Subject Council), currently serving as Past President. In my nine years on their Board, I have served as Regional Director, Treasurer, and President. Furthermore, I have acted as Provincial Honour Band Coordinator, and member of the planning committee for Saskatchewan Junior Band.

In my executive role, I have been able to examine professional learning initiatives on a national scale with the Canadian Music Educators’ Association. I believe that I have demonstrated a keen understanding of the CMEA’s mission, goals, mission, and administrative operations. To this end, I have been a contributing member to the CMEA Strategic Planning Committee in the past year. I have attended the annual Full Board Meeting for the past four years and engaged in lively board discussions that ultimately shape music education in Canada. I am eager to expand my role with CMEA projects if elected.