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This
year MSAC will be ten years old. We want to thank you for
providing the vision, support and leadership has taken us
so far. As MSAC enters its second decade we want to let you
know of some changes that are taking place and ask for your
continued support. In just one decade, MSAC has succeeded
in many ways.
Today’s
out of school time world is very different than when we began
our work. There are excellent, vital, organizations, like
MAP, successfully leading the way in policy and advocacy.
The new Department of Early Education and Care is committed
to creating a workforce development system for school-age
care by February, 2007 – wonderful, long hoped for developments
for our field. Terrific organizations such as BOSTNet, Boston
Beyond, Get on BASE, and WestMOST are doing important work
all across the Commonwealth.
At
the same time, the funding climate for MSAC, as for many non-profits,
has become increasingly difficult and competitive. In the
last few years, MSAC has been engaged in a number of grant
funded projects that are coming to completion. We can no longer
sustain a full-time staffed office with our anticipated funding.
As a result, the Board has made a decision to change our focus
and return to our grassroots membership work. This organizational
structure, with its focus on strong partnerships and on its
members, will not require MSAC staff, so, Jude Goldman, Executive
Director, and Kristin Gallagher, Program Assistant will leave
as full time employees by the end of July. As of August 1st,
Jude will be the Executive Director for the Lenny Zakim Fund,
an organization whose mission is to identify, listen to, support
and connect grassroots community organizations and programs
operating "below the radar screen".
Like
all professions, afterschool needs a membership organization
to help define its identity. The next year will be a transitional
time for MSAC. We will work together to determine the best
role for MSAC – one that honors our success and accomplishments,
supports the excellent work of others, and most importantly,
is a grassroots organization run by the dedicated providers
it serves.
We
are very enthusiastic and hopeful about MSAC’s future
focused on its members. Your membership is important to you,
and it is important to the board – it is at the heart
and the core of MSAC’s mission. We want to assure you
that we will continue as your membership organization, communicate
regularly with you during this time, and to encourage your
participation as we make this transition. If you haven’t
renewed your membership recently, please consider renewing
now – we want and need everyone’s support to make
this transition as successful as possible. Your membership
continues and entitles you to:
- Membership
in the National AfterSchool Association and associated benefits
- Discounted
registration to the statewide conference
- Access
to health and dental insurance and other benefits through
Blaisdell Insurance
- Discounts
for Tout About Toys, Discount School Supplies, and Board
Games Express
- Working
Advantage for travel and entertainment discounts
We
are deeply grateful to all of you - and to our national organization
and partner NAA. NAA has graciously offered to house MSAC
within their offices, and we appreciate this strong show of
support very much. We hope to bring a part time coordinator
on board to help support our transition. MSAC's motto - Individually
We Are Leaders - Together We Are A Powerful Voice For Change
- really describes every affiliate and all affiliates together.
As
of August 1st, MSAC's new address is
c/o
The National AfterSchool Association
529
Main Street, Suite 214
Charlestown,
MA 02129
And
our direct line will be 617-412-4638
Over
the next few months the board and other volunteers will meet
and determine the details of this transition. And we will
keep you informed throughout the proccess.
MSAC's
Membership Office continues to be:
19
Harrison Street
Framingham,
MA 01702
and
you may email inquiries to
membership@mass-sac.org.
Please
call Donna Jasak, Board President at 1- 508-481-9353, dmj987@yahoo.com
if you have any questions or if you would like to be involved
in the transition.
Onward!
Donna
Jasak, Southborough Extended Day MSAC Board President
MSAC
-
· For Children and Youth
· For Providers
· For Families
· For Communities
· For YOU!
MSAC's
mission is to be a voice for positive change in the out-of-school-time
field. We seek to ensure a comprehensive system of out-of-school-time
opportunities for children, youth, and families that are diverse,
accessible, balanced, and of the highest quality. We work
to empower professionals in the field through advocacy, leadership
development, and career advancement.
The
Massachusetts School-Age Coalition (MSAC) is the Commonwealth's
statewide organization dedicated to systematically enhancing
the workforce and professional development of school-age workers
at all levels.
Quality,
accessible, OST opportunities depend on organizational infrastructure,
professional staff, and systematic, statewide standards. Professional
identity, career development, and involvement in shaping public
policy are all critical to the professional growth, success,
and future of today's school-age providers. MSAC plays a critical
role in creating the infrastructure for this important work
and in involving all stakeholders in this process.
MSAC
is one of 35 state affiliates with the National AfterSchool
Association (NAA, formerly NSACA). MSAC is a grassroots organization
governed by a dedicated board of providers and allies. Board
members are instrumental in guiding the production of MSAC's
highly successful annual conference. These school-age leaders
and allies from across Massachusetts have also been behind
MSAC's impressive growth from 300 members in 1997 to over
800 members today.
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