(14-Aug-2005) ROBERT TWERDOCLIB, PRESIDENT: What a week! Parkland once again proved its mettle with a strong contingent of dedicated teachers. On the opening night it was indeed my pleasure to receive, along with Marie Gauthier, our Political Engagement Officer, the Associations' Award of Excellence in Public Relations. This is the second consecutive year that our Local has been awarded this coveted trophy and it was presented to the Local for our Provincial Election submission. Through public forums on education issues, newspaper advertisements and print materials, our Local was recognized for creating an awareness campaign aimed at increasing voter turnout for the 2004 provincial election. The judges applauded our submission for "the proactive approach in engaging community members and politicians in discussions about educational issues: This is a very impressive entry. Doing is better than saying! Well done!"

The week only became better and more enriching as our Local's contingent spent time in deliberations with each other and with colleagues from across the province. Reflections from our members follow — and their individual enthusiasm will indeed spawn a wonderful new school year with new initiatives, better communications, and enhanced benefits for all members of our Local. It's great to be a teacher!

LISA EVERITT, VICE-PRESIDENT: I was pleased to have been selected to attend ATA Summer Conference this year. I attended the conference in the capacity of Economic Consultant. Along with joint sessions for local and provincial issues, I attended sessions geared specifically for Economic Consultants. During these sessions we addressed issues such as legislation and bargaining, costing the grid, and the role of an economic consultant. Overall I found the conference rejuvenating and informative, and I am looking forward to bringing my training forward with local initiatives and projects. Here's to a new school year!

PAM STEIL, INTERIM SECRETARY: Summer Conference truly was an event to ignite a flame of professionalism and collegiality as we enter a new school year. The Local Program Course that I attended reminded me once again of the focus of teacher professionalism that needs to be present. This is professionalism in the sense that our ATA organization is more that a bargaining tool or union, but as representation of our common goals as a teacher professionals. Closely linked to professionalism is the feeling and conscious participation in collegiality. This conference included multiple opportunities for professional camaraderie. As I sat discussing, planning, and dining with members from around the province, I was taken by the commonalities, rather than the diversities, of the members who were present. Overall, Summer Conference reminded me of the active role the ATA has in my role as a professional member and how I, in turn, must take that active role as a professional in my ATA.

MARIE GAUTHIER, POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICER: Hi! After a scintillating four days at Summer Conference and as your newly minted political engagement officer (agent), I am looking forward to working with the executive and our Communications Officer in my role of raising the profile of teachers and communicating with officials at the local and provincial level.

KAREN McAMMOND, VICE-PRESIDENT: What is Summer Conference all about? It provides the leaders in our Local with instruction in a variety of areas. We learn about the issues facing teachers in Alberta, and in our discussions with teachers from other locals, we get great ideas about what we can do in Parkland. On the last day of the conference, we're given time to meet as a Local to develop priorities and goals for the following year. Most important of all, perhaps, is the opportunity to spend time together and get to know each other.

MARIANNE ROGERS, ASSOCIATION INSTRUCTOR CORPS: Rumour has it that this is my 12th visit to Summer Conference and my second representing the Association's Instructors. Each time the experience is enriching, inspiring and leads to many opportunities. The business side for this conference focused on experiencing an awareness of Aboriginal Culture and determining what critical information needs to be in workshops on Crystal Methamphetamine. Our four days featured the corps of 45-plus vibrant, knowledgeable and committed instructors reconnecting, learning and sharing as we prepared ourselves to present the Association's programs to fellow teachers. On the lighter side, as we filled our "bags of hope", laughter and witticisms abounded. Our camaraderie continued on the dance floor and at the Karaoke microphone. We even managed to share teaching ideas and inspire each other as we answered trivia questions and enjoyed a colouring party. The days are long, but the experience is bonding with colleagues and an opportunity for the most laugh-intensive professional development activity one could hope for.

RHONDA GAUTHIER, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIRPERSON: Gosh, I never believed you could real teach an "old dog" — no literal translation, puh-leeze — new tricks. Well, PD goes on and on, like that battery bunny, teaching me more and more about a field I thought I already knew a little more about, after a year of grad studies. What the heck! Roll over, sit up and speak! Summer Conference 2005 was again, a "Dent-u-bone" for my Brain! Chew on, ya' old mutt...

KATHERINE FLEMING, TOMAHAWK SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE: It's been a privilege and a fascinating experience being here on behalf of Parkland Teachers' Local 10. I've been participating in the Bargaining for Beginners' Workshop. For someone like myself, who has absolutely no experience with, (and only a rudimentary understand of) the bargaining process, the week has been very constructive. I've learned that in order to have a strong, collective voice, the individual teachers in the division really must make more of an effort to understand the "documents" under which we serve the young people with whom we interact every day. These would include the Alberta School Act, the Teaching Profession Act, the Charter of Rights, our own ATA Code of Professional Conduct and of course our Collective Agreement. In NOT being familiar with these, we lose strength and power both as individuals and as a group. I guess I've learned that I still have lots to learn!

IONA ROBERTSON, ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY DELEGATE: Summer Conference confirmed for me, once again, what an energetic, knowledgeable, forward-looking organization our association is. Those in leadership roles are friendly and encourage participation at every level. As a first-time participant, I felt comfortable and my course in Leadership Initiatives was well prepared and very applicable to my personal goals as a member of our Local and provincial group. Thanks to the Local for this great opportunity and their continued influential involvement in the ATA.