IdEEA Summit Summary

IdEEA hosted a two-day Idaho Environmental Education Summit on Friday and Saturday, March 2-3 in Salmon Idaho. Approximately 95 people from around the state participated in the conference that took place at Salmon City Hall and the Salmon Business and Innovation Center. Saturday afternoon field trips included tours of the Sacajawea Center, the University of Idaho Nancy Cummings Ranch, the Alternative School and the Outdoor Classroom operated by Idaho Fish and Game. Those enrolled in continuing education courses received education credits for the attending the conference and field trips.

Friday’s professional development, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, emphasized the real world of low-income families, the effects on students and how to find an educational starting point by identifying each student’s strongest asset. The presentation was given by Linda Anderson, a School Principal and Special Education Director from Worland, Wyoming.

Late Friday afternoon the spotlight was on the work of 15 students from Salmon’s elementary, middle school and high school classes. Their exhibits and presentations were a showcase of science and outdoor-related projects. The young people gave conference participants an opportunity to see some of the work being accomplished by local school students and to share ideas.

Later in the day City of Salmon Mayor Stan Davis gave the conference keynote address entitled “Prospering in Place” and IdEEA presented awards. Amy Luft, Environmental Education Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Quality, was named as the Professional Environmental Educator of the Year. The elementary school Environmental Educator of the Year award went to a team of 3rd and 4th grade teachers from the Pocatello Community Charter School; Diane Welch, Carri Thomason and Christenia Coast.

Saturday began with a bird walk on Island Park led by former IdEEA Executive Director, Donny Roush who is currently with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. The walk was followed by breakfast and a full schedule of ten presentations featuring participants from around the state exchanging project ideas as well as displays that shared program information and resources that are available for materials and project plans.

This was the 7th Annual Idaho Environmental Education Summit. The conference was made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: Idaho Forest Products Commission, the National Park Service, the National Wildlife Federation, Boise State University, Partners for Prosperity: New Beginnings for Eastern Idaho, Idaho Water Resource Institute, The Mountaineers Foundation, and the City of Salmon.

Expectations for IdEEA Board Members

The board of directors of the Idaho Environmental Educational Association is responsible for conducting the business and affairs of IdEEA. As corporate managers, board members have certain responsibilities. As a board member, you are expected to:

1. Support the statewide mission of the organization.

2. Make your best attempt to attend all scheduled meetings and arrive on time. (More than two unexcused absences will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and could be cause for immediate release from your duties.)

3. Be a current dues-paying member of IdEEA. (Organizational members may designate three employees as members.)

4. Participate in fundraising activities of the organization.

5. Consider an annual financial contribution to the organization, at a level you feel is personally significant.

6. Support the Idaho Environmental Education Summit and at least one other initiative, by volunteering your unique talents.

7. “Friend raise,” i.e., attract and help to recruit new IdEEA members, enhancing IdEEA’s diversity, especially in your home region.

8. Be a good-will ambassador on behalf of IdEEA, and use your best judgment when acting on behalf of the organization.

9. Communicate effectively and regularly within and beyond the organization.

10. Participate in setting long-term direction, goals, and objectives of the organization and developing the annual work plan and budget.

11. Excuse yourself from a vote whenever there is a conflict of interest.

12. Perform your Board functions prudently and ethically, while at the same time using the least amount of fossil fuels and other resources, using recycled materials whenever possible, carpooling, and practicing other principles of good earth stewardship.

13. Review and suggest revisions to these expectations as needed.

Board Nominations
The Idaho Environmental Education Association is currently seeking nominations for two-year positions on IdEEA’s Board of Directors.

To make a nomination, complete the Board Nomination Form (attached to this email) and submit it to amy@idahoee.org. Nominations will be accepted for positions throughout the state, but there are currently opening in regions 1 and 4. Region 1 consists of Boundary, Bonner, Benewah, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties. Region 4 is Blaine, Camas, Gooding, Lincoln, Cassia, Minidoka, Twin Falls, and Jerome counties. Nominations must be received by Monday, March 12th.

For additional information about serving on the IdEEA Board of Directors, please see the Expectations for IdEEA Board Members (below) or contact Amy Pike at amy@idahoee.org or 208-232-5674.

Committees
IdEEA is also seeking members who would be interested in working on two newly formed committees, 2008 Summit Planning Committee and Fundraising Committee.

IdEEA is looking for members to join the Summit Planning Committee who have experience in planning conferences, ideas and contacts for potential guest speakers, and/ or contacts for field trips in the Boise area. The Fundraising committee will be involved in identifying potential donation and grant sources.

If you are interested in joining one of IdEEA’s committees, please contact Amy Pike at amy@idahoee.org or 208-232-5674.