NASC UPDATE

VERY IMPORTANT Update for all Executive Directors:
Please READ!  PLEASE TAKE ACTION!  PLEASE RESPOND!
 
Report of the NASC Executive Board Steering Committee Meeting, September 16-17
 
As liaison to the NASC Executive Board, I attended the NASC Executive Board steering committee meeting in Overland Park on September 16-17.  After hearing from many state directors regarding their disagreement with the changes proposed for the NASC Conference [ProposedChangesMemo.pdf] I made my report to the steering committee (emailed to all of you on September 15, additional copy attached – ReportToBoard_09-16.pdf).
 
At the meeting, a more disheartening pronouncement was revealed regarding the complete “re-invention” of the National Association of Student Councils.  Attached is a copy of the slides of a PowerPoint presentation [Re-inventing NASC.pdf] that was presented to the NASC Board members who were present (only half of the board members were present).  Please take time to look at this as I do believe it will affect all of us as state student council directors, but more importantly, it will certainly affect the advisors and students involved in NASC across the nation.
 
The timeline that changes will be made to the organization are urgently in need of our attention.  These changes are being decided at the NASSP Executive Board Meeting, November 1-4.  Based on the number of phone calls and emails I’ve received, it’s important that we stand together to voice our frustration and disillusionment with the movement of the organization as indicated by NASSP.  Principals across the nation need to be made aware of what is happening to this organization that just celebrated 75 years.  Principals need to help us notify the NASSP Board members to make them aware that these changes are being introduced, made and implemented without the input from the NASC Executive Board or NASC member from across the nation.  (Also attached is the email sent to NASC Board members regarding the timeline, Timeline.pdf).
 
A few points of emphasis:
v     Despite the fact that Section 2 of the NASC Constitution identifies the purpose of the NASC Executive Boards to a) advise the NASSP board of directors concerning activities, projects, proposals and needs of NASC; b) stimulate the study of issues and concerns of student council programs; c) serve as a discussion group for problems affecting the NASC, its regions and state association, the full NASC Executive Board was never presented with these changes – only those present at the steering committee meeting were given the presentation (the rest of the board members were notified by email).  The changes to NASC and the NASC Conference format changes were NEVER presented as a discussion item to the NASC Board, despite the fact that the full board met in January of 2006 and June of 2006.  Decisions regarding the status of NASC and the NASC Conference format were decided on and then disclosed to the NASC Board.
v     Over history, student councils have been based on fundamental concept of student democracy and yes, civic education.  The entire process by which these changes were introduced and process outlined for implementation negates any student democracy, student voice and in fact, appears more of a dictatorship.
v     Article I of the NASC Constitution identifies that the name of the organization shall be “The National Association of Student Councils.”  In order to change the name, a vote of the full membership needs to occur – ALL member schools across the nation need to have the opportunity to vote on the proposed change.  According to the presentation and the timeline, these changes will be voted on by the NASSP Board and decisions will be made without notifying the current NASC members.  Additionally, when this point was brought up by the steering committee, a reference to a “coup” was indicated from NASSP staff.  [A follow up note, since September 16, the NASC e-newsletter has been delivered to all NASC members and there was absolutely no mention of these possible changes!]
v     In talking with many NASC members, the greatest benefit of membership in NASC is Leadership Magazine.  However, the benefits of the new SCA indicate only a “quarterly periodical” – periodical was never defined as a magazine and it could possible mean only a quarterly newsletter.
v     The NASC website advertises the following statement, “The operation and administration of NASC is done at the national office in Reston, Virginia. The NASC Executive Board members determine policy, evaluate procedures and programs, are resources for the membership and staff, and are national advocates for the association. The policies they set are the essence of NASC and what it believes, what it stands for, what and how it values and believes.”  Despite the fact that this was not introduced to the NASC Board, the concept of civic education and the RSVP program are proponents for student voice and student democracy.  The fact that the “new” SCA is being pushed through without any student voice is truly disturbing.
 
Change is good if there are sound reasons for change.  Some changes identified would truly be beneficial.  HOWEVER, the method of pushing through these changes without student voice, without input from the NASC Executive Board or Student Council Directors from across the nation and most especially, without input from the current NASC general membership is WRONG!  If we, as student leadership sponsors, are teaching student democracy then we are hypocrites if we don’t support and practice what we stand for.
 
What can you do?  Contact the people in your state who are members of your association and/or NASC.  We need principals to contact NASSP Board members (attached list of addresses, NASSP Board Members.pdf) to help ensure the values and ideals student democratic leadership, and yes, the very definition of student council is secure.  Attached is a list of NASSP Executive Board Members.

To voice your opinion, please have your principal call the national office at 1-800-253-7746 and ask to speak with Dr. Trivazi.