Rhode Island AATG

In Attendance: Walter von Reinhart (President), Doris Kirchner (Chapter Testing Chair), Ruthann Baker (Membership Chair), Damon Rarick (Immediate Past President), Hannelore Crossgrove, Anne Duda, Katy Fraser, John Grandin, Penny Hall, Stephanie Hann, Norbert Hedderich.

Unable to attend: Merle Krueger (Treasurer), Jane Sokolosky

President Walter von Reinhart (WvR) called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm.

I. OLD BUSINESS:

Minutes: No changes or omissions. Anne Duda (AD) moved to accept minutes; Ruthann Baker (RAB) seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report: Tabled. Treasurer in Italy.

President’s Report:

• thanked RAB for her extraordinary work as new membership chair, noting that she had contacted most current and former members.
• commended Norbert Hedderich (NH) for procuring StaDaF funding from AATG for the April 1st Cultural Heritage Excursion to Boston, organizing transportation and ticketing, and advertising and coordinating the event.
• called for early submission of StaDaF application this year
• drew attention to upcoming events of interest to the membership, including:
  April 27: Deutsches Theaterfest at Mt. Holyoke College. Both North Kingstown HS and the Walldorfschule will be sending groups this year. RAB noted that new Deputy Consul General Dr. Bernd Rinnert from the German Consulate in Boston would make introductions at the event.
  May 3: RIFLA May Dinner in the University Club at the University of Rhode Island
  May 6: Stiftungsfest mit Alpenblumenmusik, German Club
  May 13: Deutscher Samstag at the Walldorf School, located on Route 138 near Hillsdale Avenue from 10 am – 12pm (children $15 / adults $5). A summer party for K-8 children. Contact AD for more information.
  June 25-August 4: Deutsche Sommerschule am Atlantik (DSSA). NH asked membership to advertise DSSA to students, teachers and professionals and passed out flyers and upper-level course descriptions. NH asked for suggestions on advertising the program, noting that enrollments appeared at this point to be down.
  September 30: RIFLA Fall Conference at CCRI in Warwick.
  October 28: Early bird postmark deadline for December testing; mail orders and fees to AATG
  November 11: Final postmark deadline for January testing; mail orders and fees to AATG
  November 16-19: 2006 AATG/ACTFL Conference at the Renaissance Hotel and Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Early-bird registration until August 25th.
  April 12-14, 2007: 2007 Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages at the Marriott Marquis in New York, NY.
• promoted opportunities for RI-AATG members, including:
  Kinder Lernen Deutsch stipends to attend AATG / ACTFL conference in Nashville, TN
  Goethe Institut study trips to Germany for social studies educators. Please share information, materials and applications with colleagues. No German required to travel!
  Summer Programs (Professional Development and Immersion)
  GOLDEN
  2006-2007 Poster Contest
  New Outstanding High School Senior in German Award
• AATG Level 1 test availability

II. NEW BUSINESS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Damon Rarick (DR) commended RAB for receiving an AESSIG scholarship to spend four weeks in Leipzig, Germany this summer.
• Penny Hall (PH) asked what could be done to establish a German program at South Kingstown High School.
  PH noted that the school feeds URI which has such a strong German program.
  John Grandin (JG) and NH had lobbied for a program in the past, even offering to teach courses for free, yet offer turned down in No Child Left Behind era.
  PH pointed out that perhaps another attempt should be made with new administrators in office.
  JG felt a delegation should comprise not only German instructors but also parents and representatives from government or industry.
  AD, NH, WvR volunteered to spearhead the delegation committee.
  WvR suggested including someone from the Rhode Island Development Corporation, DR suggested a retired executive from Siemens living in the area might be a good addition (JG was inviting him to speak to engineering students next week), and JG suggested involving parents to ensure that the delegation did not seem self-serving. WvR felt it was especially important to involve the Department of Education at the state level and would contact the department to find a contact.
  DR added that many advocacy materials were available in the ProDeutsch binder, while RAB circulated an excellent brochure with reasons for studying German.
  PH motioned to form the delegation to SKHS to decide best how to encourage the SKHS administration to establish a German program. Katy Fraser (KF) seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Initial delegation members: Anne Duda, Norbert Hedderich, Walter von Reinhart.
• Members discussed local summer programs in German around the state (e.g. at Central HS and Rogers in Newport)
• As the membership reported what a success the Boston excursion was, WvR asked membership to consider new projects / cultural excursions for next year (StaDaF deadline in fall). KF graciously offered her time and energy in organizing future events.
• AD informed the membership that the Walldorf School is moving to its new location in the fall.
• Chapter Testing Chair Doris Kirchner (DK) reminded membership of AATG tests; RAB has a good crop of students this year to take them.
• NH announced that the Gamm Theater in Pawtucket, Rhode Island would be opening its season in September 2006 with a production of Mutter Courage by Bertolt Brecht. Information available on Web.
• Membership chose September for next meeting. Details in August.

DK motioned to adjourn, KF seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Damon Rarick
Ad-hoc Recording Secretary
April 18, 2006

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