Chapter Leaders

Hi all,

Our CO chapter would like to organize a series of regional social meet-ups of some kind to facilitate networking opportunities. In the past few years since the pandemic, we've seen a decline in member engagement and are hoping to get folks back on board. We think the root of our issues is that we've gone more virtual with our chapter meetings...

Has anyone had success with events such as these? Would love to hear ideas and strategies....

Thanks,

Anna

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Anna Otto
Computer Science & Online Learning Coordinator
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
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This discussion is a common refrain at CLS's and conferences. I'm of the opinion that there's no magic bullet solution, and involves being specifically responsive to peoples' needs in each region.

We in Ohio have divided the state into three major regions - Northeast (Cleveland), Central (Columbus) and Southwest (Cincinnati). By definition, this leaves the other corners out, which is a separate problem for another day.

With these three regions, we have organized a couple local meetups, partnering with institutions to provide a nice space and refreshments (maybe we'd get more at bars?). This last time, we put out a survey before the meetup for folks to pre-register with their preference for location and/or time on the specified date. This helped to capture the highest number of attendees once we announced the times and locations. Also, each region had a quick presentation from a local partner with a loose agenda for PD to be delivered. One region just had an incredibly meaningful conversation about equity in CS!

We organized a state virtual meetup between the in person meetups, but that fell through once the times of the regional meetups diverged. 

Even so, we had only about 20 total participants ... but that's also significantly more than we've gotten in the past! 

In my experience, CS teachers are rarely only CS teachers. And teachers have busy lives. I like to think about what if I weren't an officer, what would get me to a meetup? If one of my teacher friends invited me; so, we also try to emphasize "bring a friend!"

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John Dutton
Shaker Heights OH
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We do something similar to what John said Ohio does.  We've broken our state into 4 sections, which covers the whole state, and typically our May general meeting is an in-person meetup.  We have regional liaisons who, along with other members from the area, plan the morning.  It's a 3 hour event on a Saturday morning, either at a university, Maker Space, or even a local library.  We publicize the locations and the PD topics well ahead of time.  Typically have a better turnout in the more metropolitan areas, but the more rural areas are gaining attendance each year!  Also, most regions offer different PD, and members are welcome to attend a region that isn't their "home" region.  We've offered PD topics on AI, drones, Micro.bit, robotics, and some other items that members have expressed an interest in learning more about.  I think if you gather ideas on PD from general members, you tend to get more interest and attendance.  Not going to lie, it's months of planning, but the payout is so worth it!  After doing it for the last 3 years, it's definitely getting easier, and we have a better plan to get things going.  If you would like to chat more, please don't hesitate to reach out!

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Stephanie Krisulevicz
CSTA-MD Vice President
Grades 5-8, HS Teacher
The Salisbury School
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I'm glad you started this conversation since I've noticed this in CSTA chapters I've been part of before.  I'm in a new region of PA and am excited to see how people in this chapter participate.  One organization we have in PA, PAECT, has regional chapters like CSTA.  They have alot of success getting teachers involved in their events by offering fun events where teacher get something for free.  In the past few months I've seen them host events like Lego Building (teachers got free lego botanicals), Back to School Meetup at Panera (with free food), and company hosted events where the company rep offers something for free like a raffle for a kit or subscription.

How are virtual meetups for your chapters?  Do you do anything special to engage educators in virtual meetups?

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Amanda Jeane Strode k12teacher
West Homestead PA
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