PRESIDENT'S REPORT March 2011

At the COACTEA Annual General Meeting, Carolyn Broadbent thanked members for their ongoing support of the association and reported that although 2010 had been a relatively quiet year locally, work had continued at the national level. Sue Wilson (Vice President) and Carolyn Broadbent had represented COACTEA on the Australian Professional Teachers Association (APTA) Board through face to face meetings and teleconferences.    This is important for COACTEA as APTA has a direct link to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and is able to negotiate on behalf of all professional associations.  Being part of a national body ensures COACTEA members remain cognisant of national issues and debates.  We were fortunate to have Susan Gazis, APTA national president, speaking to COACTEA members about the ‘Promoting Professional Learning Project’ at the Australian Catholic University on Tuesday 2nd August at 4.30-6.30pm.  Susan’s presentation was stimulating and informative and generated considerable discussion. Light refreshments were served. 
In 2010, COACTEA supported two professional association conferences and an interactive workshop including:
The Canberra Mathematics Association (CMA) with their very successful Conference held at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Canberra.  For more details, please read the Conference report included in this newsletter.     
The Modern Language Teachers Association (MLTA) Conference titled Destressing Assessment in November. Thirty participants attended this stimulating Conference at ACU and another booking has been made for the 2011 MLTA Conference.  See report and details in this newsletter.
A Web 2 Tools – An Introduction workshop was offered as a COACTEA Initiative, in partnership with ACU, to teachers and students on Saturday 27 November 2010.  ACU staff member Frances Moore led the interactive workshop while Marie Fisher, Jill Burgess and Carolyn Broadbent assumed responsibility for the organisation and marketing of the workshop, which was well received by the participants.     
Funding
Searching for sources of funding is always challenging and remains an essential part of the work of professional associations to ensure their sustainability.  Although COACTEA did not receive any income in 2010 through Commonwealth grants from APTA, 2011 looks to be more promising – so stay tuned for notification of new initiatives.    
Contacts
COACTEA needs your help in establishing and maintaining an up-to-date list of member associations, including correct contact details.  This is essential if we are to continue to communicate effectively with our members and ensure that information reaches the appropriate person in your professional association.  It is also important that the information provided is disseminated more widely to build the COACTEA network and provide further support for members. 
Developing an accurate contact list throughout 2011 and 2012 is a priority for COACTEA.  An internet search of professional associations and their contact details will be conducted.  Please assist us by sending your current contact details to Jane Brown at bjbrown@bigpond.com
Other important tasks for 2011 include an updating of the COACTEA web site, the development of a calendar of COACTEA activities and the regular publication of the COACTEA newsletter. 
To learn more about COACTEA and how you can become involved, please contact either Jane Brown or myself.
Best wishes 
A/Prof Carolyn Broadbent
COACTEA President