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Networking Meetings

Tuesday Networking

The National Jewish Early Childhood Network will be hosting an open membership meeting and welcome reception. For more information contact Helaine Groeger, 301-354-3203, laineyg@aol.com, or www.njecn.org.
8:00–11:00 p.m.
Adolphus Hotel, Pat Morris Neff Room

Join the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) and Grounds for Play for a workshop that will help child care providers plan outdoor play and learning environments.  In addition to planning tips, participants will receive the S.A.F.E. Play Areas book, lunch, and a tour of three playgrounds. You must sign up for the workshop by October 31. Visit www.playgroundsafety.org or call 800-554-7529 for more information.
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Moreno A/B

Wednesday Networking

The Adventist Child Care Network will meet for its annual business and networking meeting. For more information, contact Christine Gillan Bryne at 805-490-6055, or christine@puconline.org.
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Moreno B

All OMEP members are invited to attend the OMEP-USNC Board of Directors meeting. There will be opportunities for statements from non-board members during the meeting. For more information, contact Edna Ranck at edna.ranck@verizon.net.
5:00–9:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, A110/111

Thursday Networking

All are welcome to attend the CEASE/Violence in the Lives of Children Interest Forum annual meeting. Join us to continue the discussion on growing young activists and plan CEASE's activities for the coming year. For more information about CEASE and the Interest Forum, please contact Lucy Stroock, lucystroock@comcast.net, or visit www.peaceeducators.org.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room D222

Please join friends, colleagues and Arizona AEYC members. Hear about the great progress of First Things First.  Friends of AzAEYC are welcome!   Please RSVP to Joanne Floth, jfloth@cox.net.
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Moreno B

Please join the Idaho AEYC at a Welcome Reception for Idaho members and friends. This will be a time of networking, sharing and making connections with old and new friends! For more information, contact Karen Mason at kmason@idahoaeyc.org.
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Cumberland A

Have you traveled to Dallas from Iowa?  Join others from home at this networking reception.  Meet colleagues from the Iowa AEYC.  Let’s compare conference plans and connect while in Texas! For more information, contact Barb Merrill at bmerrill@iowaaeyc.org.
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Cumberland E

Celebrate and acknowledge our diversity and the important work that we do with children and families at the Celebration of Diversity reception.  The event is sponsored by the Black Caucus Interest Forum; Diversity and Equity Interest Forum; Family Child Care Interest Forum; Latino Caucus Interest Forum; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interest Forum; Men in Education (M.E.N.) Interest Forum; Tribal Early Childhood Network Interest Forum; and the newly formed Asian Interest Forum.  For more information, please contact Bryan Nelson at 612-724-3430 or bgnelson@menteach.org.
8:00–10:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reunion A

The National Coalition for Campus Children’s Centers (NCCCC) will host a networking reception for early childhood educators who work on university and college campuses. For more information, contact Lisa Orsborn at 319-273-3113 or Lisa.orsborn@uni.ed.
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reverchon A/B

All current and future OMEP members are invited to take part in the OMEP-USNC Membership Meeting to review and plan for international early childhood care and education activities in 2009. For more information about innovative ideas for the coming year, please contact Edna Runnels Ranck at edna.ranck@verizon.net or Carol Darcy at crdarcy@tiac.net.
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A114/116

The Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) reception invites PITC graduates and other early childhood professionals interested in Infant/toddler topics to meet with PITC staff and faculty for food, drinks, and sparkling conversation. Information on PITC training and materials will be available. For additional information visit the PITC exhibit booth or contact Alicia Tuesta at 415-289-2319 or atuesta@wested.org
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Sanger A/B

The Tufts University Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development invites you to our reception to celebrate early childhood educators and hear about Eliot-Pearson’s early childhood education program and its new focus on equality in early childhood education. Meet Eliot- Pearson Department of Child Development faculty: Ellen Pinderhughes, Chair of the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development; Debbie Leekeenan, Director of the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School, and Moncrieff Cochran, Acting Director of Early Childhood Education.  Also come hear about our current graduate programs, new ideas, and developments in the early childhood field. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact Debbie Leekeenan 617-627-3355 or debbie.leekeenan@tufts.edu.
6:00–7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Cumberland H

Friday networking

Parent Cooperative Preschools International is a service organization that supports and encourages parent involvement, participation, and education in early childhood education programs. Our networking meeting serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas amongst teachers, directors, and parents in cooperative pre-schools. Anyone interested in early childhood education, the philosophy of learning through play, and the guiding principle that parents are their children's first teachers is welcome to attend. Contact Meg Kennedy Shaw at 734-665-2285 or megkennedyshaw@comcast.net.
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Moreno B

Come Network with other early care and education professionals from Florida at ECA of Florida’s reception.  Door prizes will be given out!
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Cumberland H

Ohio AEYC invites attendees from Ohio to join us for a networking reception. For more information, please contact Kim Tice at exedirector@oaeyc.org.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Cumberland A

Western States Leadership Network (WSLN) will hold its annual reception.  WSLN brings together Affiliate Leaders from the 13 western states for a wonderful opportunity that provides a unique blend of training, rejuvenation, and playfulness for new and experienced leaders. Hosted by California AEYC, the next WSLN will be held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, Ca. located on the Monterey Bay Peninsula, June 24-28, 2009.  For more information contact Heidi Thumlert @ 209-462-2536 or visit www.orgsites.com/ca/wsln.
6:00–7:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reverchon A/B

The Adventist Child Care Network is assembling Adventist early childhood professionals for a sundown worship service.  For more information, contact Christine Gillan Byrne at 805-490-6055 or Christine@puconline.org.  
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Cumberland E

The National Jewish Early Childhood Network will host a Kosher Shabbat dinner; attendance isby reservation only.  For more information, please contact Helaine Groeger at 301-354-3203, laineyg@aol.com or www.njecn.org.
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Adolphus Hotel, Century Ballroom AB

All Conference attendees are invited to attend the OMEP-USNC International Reception and Poster Session. OMEP-USNC, Pyramid USA, and other international early childhood organizations will share information about current early education programs operating in the United States. Dr. Jef van Kuyk, CITO, The Netherlands, will describe the Pyramid Principles and other leaders will speak about early education projects. International early educators and organizations are invited to present poster sessions about "Children and the Environment" during the reception. Please contact Edna Runnels Ranck, president, OMEP-USNC, for submission information: edna.ranck@verizon.net. 
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Reunion E

Saturday Networking

The Adventist Child Care Network will assemble on Saturday morning for Sabbath morning worship and lunch.  For more information, contact Christine Gillan Byrne at 805-490-6055 or Christine@puconline.org.  
10:30 a.m.–12:00 noon
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Moreno B

The National Jewish Early Childhood Network will host a closing meeting and Havdalah Service.  For more information, please contact Helaine Groeger at 301-354-3203, laineyg@aol.com or www.njecn.org.
6:00–7:30 p.m.
Adolphus Hotel, John Neely Bryan Room

Interest Forums Meetings – Friday, November 7

Interest forums are groups of NAEYC members who share a common interest that is related to the NAEYC mission.  They provide members with networking opportunities and the chance to learn and grow together.  Yhe following interest forums will hold annual meetings during the NAEYC Annual Conference; al members are invited to attend.
           
Meetings are scheduled at the Dallas Convention Center from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be served from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center, Room A130/131.

Men in Education Network (M.E.N.) Interest Forum for both men and women - Men and women are invited to find out about the new activities that our interest forum has coordinated this year. Find out more about the first historic gathering of the World Forum about men in early childhood education where over 200 men and women from all over the world met to exchange ideas about recruiting and retaining male teachers. You'll also have the opportunity to hear about what others are doing in each state and region as well as find out about the video projects happening all over the world.

Please join us to also discuss our next steps for developing a NAEYC position statement about men and children and other activities for each  state. Join us for fun and friendship. Afterwards, you can join us for a dinner at a nearby restaurant. For additional information about our work, see: www.MenTeach.org or contact Bryan Nelson at (612) 724-3430.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A118/119

Interested in issues related to working with young children with special education needs and their families?  This year At-Risk and Special Needs Interest Forum sponsored the Stop By & Ask in the Interest Forum Café Lounge, next year ….. the possibilities are endless. Recommend strategies for community building and leadership sharing of responsibilities. Suggest topics for ’09 pre conference session. Come for the opportunity to share information and experiences of your local affiliate efforts and brainstorm on how we can work together through NAEYC.  Contact Mary N. Wonderlick, 312-492-9819 or wonderlick.ecsepro@sbcglobal.net. Click here for our schedule of topics at the Lounge.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A120/121

When communities work together on behalf of young children and families, much can be accomplished.  Are you currently involved in a community collaboration effort?  Are you interested in starting one? Come and share your experiences in the Community Collaboration Interest Forum with other community collaboration efforts.  Let’s learn from one another.  Join us at the second Community Collaboration Interest Forum annual meeting. Please contact Blakely Bundy at blakelybundy@comcast.net for more information.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room C148

Please join the Diversity and Equity Interest Forum as we focus our attentions on the educational work we all do to promote equity and diversity with our children, their families, and their teachers. Faculty in teacher education programs, directors and education coordinators, professional development consultants, and everyone else who work with adults on equity and diversity matters are strongly encouraged to attend a session devoted to identifying issues in our work, sharing strategies, and promoting collegiality in our shared endeavors. For more information, contact Chris Amirault at camirault@brownfoxpoint.org.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A112/113

The Family Child Care Interest Forum strives to provide support, to encourage involvement and communication between family child care providers and their supporters, and to encourage members to participate in NAEYC and affiliate activities.  Come join the Family Child Care Interest Forum for an open discussion of issues impacting the availability, affordability and quality of family child care in this country, and how NAEYC can address family child care issues.  We’ll talk about state pre-K , QRIS, licensing, zoning, compensation, accreditation, unions, and ways to be an active participant in NAEYC state & local affiliates.  If you are a family child care provider or work with family child care providers or just care about quality family child care, this is the meeting for you. For more information, contact Debbie Moore at dmoore@nafcc.org.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A115/A117

If you are involved in working with infants and toddlers in any way this forum is for you!  Come and meet other professionals and share your experiences and resources in the Infant Toddler Interest Forum. ZERO TO THREE will have staff present to answer your questions around what’s happening in the Nation around caring for infants and toddlers. Please contact Linda Gillespie for more information at Lgillespie@zerotothree.org
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A124/A127

Join us for a Kindergarten Interest Forum dialogue session with other folks interested in the well-being of Kindergarten.  Plans include an opportunity to learn about NAEYC’s On-Line Community Support Mechanisms available now for kindergarten teachers and to have an opportunity to talk about Assessment in Kindergarten’s Today.  Come prepared to talk assessment … Are your assessment instruments aligned with your state standards?  Should they be?  What assessment mechanisms do you use that work (be prepared to share)?  What does your report card look like (bring a few samples to share)?  Join kindergarten teachers from the US and around the word for an interactive session to remember! For more information, contact Kim Hughes at kimhughes@nc.rr.com.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, Room A114/A116

The Latino Caucus Interest Forum invites conference participants to an open conversation on the challenges and opportunities of Latino professionals in ECE settings across the country. We will have an affirming and active exchange on current issues and topics that impact Latino children and families. For more information, contact Jorge Saenz De Viteri at saenzdeviteri@nycaeyc.org.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, C141

The mission of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interest Forum is to assure the provision of high quality early childhood education for all young children by: facilitating improvements in the professional practice of early childhood education by ending the discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender educators (LGBT); educating NAEYC members and others about the needs, rights, and well-being of the children of LGBT parents; and educating members and others about the need to develop self-esteem in all children, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.  This is the annual business meeting to review the past year’s accomplishments of the IF and its members and to plan for the upcoming year including conference presentations and online activities. For more information, contact Steve Shuman at graymaleps@gmail.com.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, A135/136

This “playful” business meeting is open to anyone interested in Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum. The 2009 Conference submissions will be finalized, as well as other business of the interest forum. The focus of discussion will be on starting state interest forums on play. For more information, contact Sandy Waite-Stupiansky at swaite@edinboro.edu.
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, A122/123

Come network with us at the Student Interest Forum meeting.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, A133/134

The Tribal and Indigenous Early Childhood Interest Forum will feature several early childhood professionals who will share their experiences and ideas for addressing the needs of Native American and other Indigenous children. Organizers will also facilitate discussions that will address some of the most critical needs related to the preparation of teachers that work in these communities or with students from these communities. Participants will have an opportunity to join in small group discussions on critical issues of interest at the national level. Organizers will also provide a resource sheet that will include literature and Web sites with useful information and materials. For more information, contact Dr. Cathy Gutierrez-Gomez at 505-277-9606 or cggomez@unm.edu.
6:30–9:30 p.m.
Dallas Convention Center, C155

NAEYC is pleased to feature a new networking opportunity at the Annual Conference! The NAEYC Interest Forums will feature a roped off area between the Registration area and the Exhibit Hall - called the Interest Forum Café Lounge. In the Lounge, there will be a number of café round tables available to the various Interest Forums for informal gatherings and networking. The Lounge will be available all day Thursday and Friday and will feature volunteers at the tables to answer questions and talk about the Interest Forums. This is a prime opportunity to reconnect and learn about the NAEYC Interest Forums, what they do, events, and their online communities.

The following Interest Forums will be present. Make sure to stop by the Interest Forum Café Lounge to learn about specific times:

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