ASCD needs you. Through our new mission statement, ASCD has strengthened its commitment to excellence in teaching and learning for all children. But such a mission can be achieved only with the active participation of our members. Your participation is essential to the Association's growth and vitality at every level.
With a membership of 175,000, ASCD is one of the largest education organizations in the world. But only one-fourth of our total membership join their local affiliate. Because affiliate leaders have traditionally played a key role in ASCD governance, your participation at the local level will strengthen our ability to attract diverse, talented individuals to leadership positions. In addition, ASCD members presently indicate a stronger desire to take advantage of ASCD products than to participate actively in the Association's affairs. For example, a recent survey of member interests (which had a 26 percent response rate) revealed that 93 percent of members are primarily interested in publications, while only 21 percent expressed interest in ASCD activities. And even fewer—2 percent—seem interested in governance.
An organization's strength cannot be measured solely by the size of its membership, nor by its products and services. Its strength is also based upon the influence it exerts, and I believe that the affiliates and members at large must now direct their energies at broadening ASCD's influence.
There is no denying that reading ASCD publications will keep one current in the field, and that implementing the instructional strategies shared by experts and practitioners can generate untold benefits for many children. Oftentimes, however, attempts to bring about change are random and lack the impact of unified, systematic, and sustained efforts supported by a strong, influential body.
I believe ASCD can bring focus and lend direction to these random efforts—but only with our collective and active participation in the affairs of ASCD. The Association's influence is predicated upon our combined will demanding sound choices in education for all children.
Setting a New Course
Recently, ASCD engaged in two major activities that should alter significantly the course of this Association over the next decade. Our Governance and Member Participation Panel Report, adopted at ASCD's 48th Annual Conference in March 1993, called for greater participation from the membership; stronger alliances between ASCD and its affiliates; and broader representation of the members in the governance of the organization.
In addition, the Executive Council recently approved a new Strategic Plan that will firmly position ASCD as a world-class organization into the 21st century. For the first time, this plan was developed with the involvement of a broad base of internal and external stakeholders. Also for the first time, ASCD addressed the internal operations of its headquarters as well as those issues affecting our members and clients. We believe these efforts will prove fruitful, and there will be visible evidence that a paradigm shift has occurred within the Association.
- Increased affiliate membership;
- More diversity throughout the organization;
- More participation in governance among non-affiliate members;
- More collaboration among ASCD members and affiliate members; and
- Greater influence resulting from ASCD's education and policy plans.
- Join your local affiliate
- Write articles for publication
- Serve on a committee
- Run for office
- Vote in elections
- Recruit new members
Our new mission statement is: ASCD, a diverse, international community of educators, forging covenants in teaching and learning for the success of all learners. To succeed in our mission, the Association must begin to explore opportunities for coalescing around universal education concerns; while at the same time there must be concerted efforts to address the pressing domestic issues in education, such as urban education, multiculturalism, and equity.
As your president, I invite you to join me and the other members of the governance body in making our vision for education a reality by the year 2001.