BOARD MEETING OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REGGIO EMILIA ALLIANCE
JUNE 23, 2010
2:00 – 7:00 p.m.
HILTON HOTEL CHICAGO
Welcome New Board Members – Jennifer Azzariti, Brenda Fyfe, and Carol Anne Wien
Board Updates – (see separate report)
Call to Order – 3:15 p.m.
Present: Margie Cooper and Jennifer Strange, Co Chairs
Teresa Acevedo, Barb Acton, Jennifer Azzariti, Simonetta Cittadini-Medina, David Fernie,
Brenda Fyfe, Ellen Hall, Sheri Hunt, Jennifer Kesselring, Beth MacDonald, Susan Redmond,
Carol Anne Wien, Amelia Gambetti—Reggio Children Liaison
Absent: Susan Lyon and Pat Tarr
Angela Ferrario and Jeanne Goldhaber unable to attend because of flight delays and cancellations
Guests: Mauro Bonaretti, General Director of Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Graziano Delrio, Mayor of
Reggio Emilia, and Carla Rinaldi, President of Reggio Children joining at 5:30 p.m.
Staff:
Judith Kaminsky and Julie Sewell
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve minutes from the last board meeting held on February 4 and 5, 2010 in Boston, MA was
made by Ellen Hall. Seconded by Teresa Acevedo. No discussion. Minutes were approved unanimously.
Reports of Standing Committees
Professional Development – no written report
Membership – no written report
Jennifer Kesselring reported that a theme needs to be chosen for the next DVD.
Jennifer K. and Sheri H. will head committee to create the next DVD.
Simonetta, Jennifer A., Beth M. and Amelia offered to help.
Some suggestions:
 Photo stories—3 to 8 photos with text where the photos tell the story
 Professional development about the exhibit—dialogues with professionals
 Parent involvement
 Using the Chicago experience as a celebration of the Summer Conference with the focus on
parent participation
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Chicago and visibility of the work (making learning visible)
Different interpretations of different housekeeping areas—or other areas of the environment
How schools in Canada/US/Mexico differ—how they have their own identity
Questions and reflections for discussion that would be included with the DVD
Finance – see report
Financial report of June 13, 2010 is misleading as it shows all of the revenue of the summer conference but
none of the expenses. The November statement will be a better indicator; however, the financial results of
the 2010 summer conference are in good shape. The schools on tour each donated lunches on Wednesday
and The City of Chicago and their sponsors donated the Thursday evening reception.
Reports of Special Committees
Boston Initiative –
Profit and loss statement shows revenue of $17,595 and expenses of $20,485 for a loss of $2,890.
The winter initiative was popular, but the $100 fee was probably too low. Expenses were well-managed.
Angela and Susan MacDonald writing article on initiative for summer 2010 NAREA Column.
Exhibit – see report
Exhibit host Monterey County (June - November 2011) also wishes to host summer conference.
A sub-committee composed of Angela, Margie, Judy, and Jennifer S. formed to consider options for winter
and summer conference and make recommendations to board with Simonetta, Lella, and Amelia available to
offer their help.
The exhibit hosted in Indianapolis influenced local politicians. A CD was made of images of exhibit and the
September initiative. The exhibit report includes specifics for understanding the impact on the community.
In Santa Monica there was collaboration between the exhibit hosts, therefore setting a great precedent.
There were three high-quality initiatives presented in January, March, and April. Problems with storage and
shipping motivating exhibit committee to ensure venues to use climate-controlled storage facilities and
representatives present when exhibit moved.
From Ohio, Julie Biddle will join the committee in July.
In Monterey County there will be a Spanish translation of the exhibit available orally.
Amelia asked for more collaboration of the NAREA Exhibit Committee on the venues' professional
development plan before being sent to Reggio for approval. Process developed for exhibit committee
member review and comments prior to sending to Reggio Children.
The Wonder of Learning website from Reggio has gone live.
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Amelia suggested that there be a backup plan for the exhibit in case there are insurmountable problems
with the venue.
Goal for venues to sign contract for the exhibit 18 months in advance with first payment.
Amelia thinks that the exhibit will continue through 2015.
Staff Reports
Office – see report
NAREA membership of 1200 is at its highest point due to the popularity of the February initiative and the
Summer conference.
Website – see report
Phase 3 is almost completed. Articles page will include posting 10 articles/book chapters recommended by
Lella.
Phase 4 will be completed in fall:
 Improved navigability in already completed re-organization
 Adding a BUY NOW section
Future: more planning necessary for Dialogue page
Summer Conference – see report
Advance notice of conference location should be much greater in order to capture available funds allocated
by schools for professional development. Information about speakers, school tours, and the exhibit should
also be made available much earlier next year.
Old Business
Advertising Guidelines – no report
Consulting Program – no report
Mayor’s Conference Presentation – no written report
Attendance of 50 people.
Lella shared the story of Lara and showed pictures from Reggio. Lella sent reflections, which will be included
with minutes.
Jennifer S. had the story of Maplewood Richmond Heights which was illustrated with images that showed
families moving back into the community as a result of the success of the school.
Ellen would like board approval to post presentation including photographs on mayor's conference website.
Could also post on NAREA website. She requested mayors’ emails.
Fundamental Workshops – no report
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Documentary Proposal – no written report
Jennifer S. discussed the possibility of a producing a documentary about Reggio which had been proposed in
Boston. Susan Smiley has proposed she would need to raise as much as $1 million for this project. She
would like access to the schools in Reggio. NAREA would need final control about the end product. It would
require a letter of agreement/contract. Communication would be with Reggio. What is the response to
Susan? Amelia suggests she document work of schools of E. L.A. Collaborative first. Then NAREA could review
and consider expansion of project.
This idea led to a discussion for the need of another strong impact as the article about Reggio (in Newsweek
’91).
 Who could we contact to create another Newsweek
 What could be done to advance Reggio
 Start by forming a subcommittee of interested volunteers who will further investigate options and
bring back findings to the board. (Jennifer S. (chair), David F., Terry A., Barbara A., Simo C-M.,
Brenda F.) Consider a retreat for brainstorming. Communicate with Reggio Children and make
recommendation to board considering all factors.
Reports of Liaisons
Reggio Children Amelia listed study groups/international professional development initiatives in Reggio for 2009-2010 and
also plans for fall 2010. She reported on professional development initiatives around world in 2009-2010 as
well as plans for future initiatives in South America, South Africa, N. Europe and World Forum group in
Reggio. Reggio Children International Network has added Ireland and Israel, second group from some
countries; upcoming meeting in July. Amelia also reported on plans for completion of International Center.
Mayor Graziano Delrio, Carla Rinaldi & Mauro Bonaretti, joined meeting at 5:30 pm.
Mayor Delrio reported that the new International Center in Reggio Emilia will be opening in September.
It was built at a cost of 20 million Euros.
The mayor reported that national government is cutting municipal funds so choice for municipalities is to cut
services or reduce quality. Plans in process to establish foundation to support services. The Mayor requests
the support from different areas of the world to help establish:
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Reggio Children office in North America, which could evolve into a documentation center for
distribution of Reggio Children materials
Professional Development institute in North America to study and connect experience of Reggio
Emilia with International Center
Reggio Emilia Foundation in order to access global funds in support of education mission of Reggio
Emilia
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and asks the question “How can you help in this area?” We have strong history of collaboration with NAREA.
Board members shared possible ways that NAREA and Reggio Children could collaborate. Mayor requests
response by September. Interested group members to meet on Thursday to discuss further.
Mayor presented Reggio Emilia flag to NAREA as symbol of friendship and appreciation.
Report of Co-Chairs
Executive Session discussed NAREA personnel issues --
Meeting adjourned at 7:45
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