March23-24_2007

**Proposed Agenda**

I just called the conference center to reserve a room. Apparently they are full with the exception of the rooms that you blocked out and those appear to be moving along. With the State reps also coming, you might want to let folks know that this is happening. Neil Manders February 11, 2007


 * Accommodations for March 23-24 Meeting**

The best rates for our meeting are at the Worcester Hotel and Conference Center [|http://www.worcesterhotelconferencecenter.com.] They are holding a block of 25 rooms. Everyone attending should call (508) 852-4000 to make their reservations. Please say you are with the New England ISTE Board when you make your reservation. The rooms are $78 plus tax. Each affiliate may cover/reimburse their attendees' room costs as they respectively arrange to do so.

Friday night will be a chicken, 3-course dinner and Saturday will include a continental breakfast, a deli buffet lunch; and a break with coffee/pastries, coffee/cold drinks/cookies for around $45 (that includes the 19% fee). I will use my MassCUE credit card to cover the cost up front and ask each affiliate to reimburse MassCUE one-sixth of the food total (should be @ $100 per affiliaite).

We will meet in the Cotillion Room. There is no charge for the meeting room and wireless Internet is available.


 * Directions:**

__From CT, VT, Western MA__: Take Route 290 East to Exit 22. Do NOT take the first Lincoln Street Exit. Wait for Exit 22. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (NOT toward Shrewsbury). You are now on Lincoln Street. Follow Lincoln St. through the set of lights at Plantation St. and up to the top of the hill where Lincoln bears left. Pass McDonald’s on your right. At the stoplight across from the Lincoln Plaza shopping center, turn right on Country Club Blvd. The Holiday Inn will be your first right.

__From ME, NH, RI, eastern MA__: Take Route 495 to exit 25B, Route 290 west to Worcester. As you approach Worcester, take the FIRST Worcester exit (Exit 22). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right. You are now on Lincoln Street. Follow Lincoln St. through the set of lights at Plantation St. and up to the top of the hill where Lincoln bears left. Pass McDonald’s on your right. At the stoplight across from the Lincoln Plaza shopping center, turn right on Country Club Blvd. The Holiday Inn will be your first right.

Please RSVP who will be attending from your state once you know. Thanks!

Walter McKenzie January 13, 2007

I have received word from Vince Vanier of ACTEM: //We are planning on sending representatives to this meeting. One of the representatives will be Jeff Mao, Coordinator of Educational Technology for the Maine Department of Education.// Still waiting to hear from NH and hear back from Lee re RI. Let us know! Walter McKenzie February 12, 2007

We have commitments from CT, MA and VT State Tech Directors to attend. Waiting to hear from ME, NH and RI. Let us know! Walter McKenzie February 11, 2007

Connie Louie our DOE tech director responded to my invitation and has put our next get-together on our calendar for March 23-24. Please let the group know once you hear back from your DOE-level tech liaison. Thanks! Walter McKenzie January 8, 2007

I think it is a good idea and will see that our state tech coord gets the info and an invitation.

John S. Lunt, Maine January 7, 2007

NHSTE also has a NHDOE Liaison position on our board, but our contact is not able to attend regularly as her schedule is way overbooked. She receives all board email, and will be sure to extend an invitation to her for the March meeting.

Cyndi Dunlap, New Hampshire January 6, 2007

Our state technology coordinator is on the CECA Board. I would be happy to ask him if he would be interested in joining us for a meeting with other state tech coordinators.

Pat Palmer, Connecticut January 6, 2007

Hi Walter, et al,

Worcester, either location, would be fine, and would be toll-free for most. The RISTE "gang" looks forward to the second meeting.

Norm Chapman, Rhode Island January 5, 2007

Hi Walter!

I'll be attending in March. I'm sure Katie will be coming as well. We're very interested in the Intel Leadership Forum and the ISTE Leadership Institute. I don't think the additional cost will be an impediment.

Lee Rabbitt, Rhode Island January 5, 2007

Walter,

I was trying to get other volunteers to join me at the March meeting and in so doing, I invited our State Educational Technology coordinator as I had mentioned this to him at a previous event and he was interested. His reply spiked an idea. He was curious if other's of similar position from New England might also be there. He stated that: I know all the other state directors and we are all looking for a forum to be able to work together more.

I wonder if we should extend an personalized invitation to these folks, perhaps offer them some topics or ideas, and provide them with some time/space to do their thing. We would also be sure to integrate them with our organization's business and plans. Seems like they would be a very good group to have in our camp. Just a thought.

Also, looking forward to agenda stuff. I think it might be an idea to include the new web site however I am hoping that most of that will be up, running, and fairly functional long before that. There may be so "how to's" that we can put out there.

Neil Manders, Vermont January 5, 2007

Our next meeting is March 23/24, 2007. Shall I look for accomodations at the Westborough Doubletree Hotel or the Worcester Conference Center?

Walter McKenzie December 8, 2006