All About NCSS Resolutions: A Crash Course in Writing, Crafting, and Submitting Resolutions to the HOD Cheryl Rehome-Dean, 2013 HOD Resolutions Chair

Acknowledgements Tina Haefner, 2008 HOD Chair Anton Schulzki, 2010 HOD Chair Brad Burenheide, 2011 Resolutions Chair NCSS Staff (Ana & Jordan among others) Model UN Resolution Writing Guidelines

Our Agenda For Today Define resolutions: What is their purpose? The process to follow in generatingresolutions Writing the resolution Resolutions Ideal Timeline Dates and times to know

What is the purpose of resolutions? Article IX. Resolutions Section 1. Resolutions represent the principles, beliefs, and actions that the general membership of the NCSS, as represented in the House of Delegates, recommends to the NCSS Board of Directors.

In other words… Provide a voice for the membership to guide the NCSS board in the following areas: – Social Studies Education – History and Social Science Inquiry – Relevant social and political issues – Improving the teaching of the social studies

Path of resolutions…. Written by communities, affiliated groups, and state councils. Submitted for consideration in the fall after they have been approved by the leadership of the authoring group. Voted on at the NCSS Annual Conference, HOD Business Session Discussed and considered by the Board of Directors in the following spring.

Proposed resolutions cannot… Change the structure of NCSS. Bind NCSS to spend money. Furthermore, the Board of Directors will consider each passed resolution, but may decide not to implement a resolution.

Why resolutions? It is the voice of your group in NCSS and social studies education. It is the opportunity to express local/state concerns to the larger membership of NCSS It is the appropriate means in which to model the democratic process in our organization.

Generating Resolutions – What are the issues concerning your councils that are significant at this time meaningful of NCSS’s attention? – What issues are impacting Social Studies educators at the local and/or state level? – What are the current and future goals of NCSS Reference NCSS Strategic Plan Reference NCSS Activities Overview Advocacy and VisibilityEducation & Knowledge MembershipEngaged Citizenry Social Studies Excellence

NCSS Strategic Plan Overview A. Education/Knowledge – NCSS will be the leading resource for professionals who seek social studies knowledge, collegiality, and learning opportunities throughout their careers. B. Advocacy/Visibility – Educators and public policy makers will regard NCSS and its members as shapers of educational policies impacting social studies.

Strategic Plan Continued… C. Membership – Unite professionals of all grade levels and social studies disciplines. D. Citizenry – Social Studies knowledge and skills will be central to sound decision-making and engagement in civic life. E. Social Studies Excellence – Social Studies, based on NCSS policies and standards, will be recognized as a core subject.

NCSS Activities Overview B. Advocacy and Visibility Goal Objective: Increase Effectiveness, influence and member knowledge OngoingIn Development As of July 2011, NCSS draws on the expertise of Linchpin Strategies LLC to help our members be more effective advocates.

More Questions To Consider What recommendations can be offered to support the organization/membership? How can the actions of NCSS improve the teaching and learning of social studies? Are there issues in my state or special interest group that are not represented? Are there issues that NCSS is not effectively addressing that need more or modified action? What do my constituents (state, committee members, affiliated group members, etc.) feel is important to social studies education?

Writing the Resolution: Title 1. Title – a concise and accurate description of the subject of your resolution. – A) What subject does your resolution deal with, this can be general or specific, i.e. Advocacy or ESEA reauthorization assessment recommendations – B) List resolution SPONSORS and CO-SPONSORS SPONSORS—groups that created the resolution (State Council, Associated Group, Community); CO-SPONSORS—groups that did not contribute to it but agree with it, ideally added over the summer.

Writing the Resolution: Preamble Creates a basis for the resolution, it gives a history of the subject dealt with by the resolution, possibly includes previous resolutions and serves to bring everyone up to speed on the issue. best to keep it no more than 5 or 6 phrases. positive or negative in tone, but should be factual and not just an opinion.

Useful Preambulatory openings: Affirming Reaffirming Deeply convinced Keeping in mind Approving Fully aware Recognizing Aware of Deeply regretting Guided by Having examined Confident Bearing in mind Deeply Concerned Fully alarmed Having received Alarmed Fully believing Recalling Deeply disturbed Further deploring Noting with Regret Declaring Having studied Having heard

Writing the Resolution: Body The working (main) part of a resolution. Where the purpose of your resolution should be stated. Words/wording should be chosen carefully to promote civil discussion rather than bitter discussion engendered by poor wording and/or political disagreement.

Useful Operative Clauses Accepts Confirms Endorses Regrets Affirms Considers Further requests Requests Approves Declares accordingly Have resolved Urges Solemnly affirms Further invites Calls upon Designates Reaffirms Takes note of Condemns Further reminds Recommends Encourages Further recommends Reminds

Consider all of the following when writing your resolutions: 1.In the preambulatory clauses, discuss the topic/issue’s history and other current issues regarding it 2.Reference previous NCSS actions and/or resolutions on the topic when possible 3.In the operative section include phrases that seek to solve the problem not just make statements 4.Do not use inflamatory language – you can get your group’s position through without criticizing opposing groups 5.Take into account the views of other groups whenever possible 6.Write the resolution from the social studies view, not just from its general view 7.Refer issues, if necessary to already existing bodies, i.e. DO NOT CREATE NEW BODIES 8.Do not duplicate existing NCSS resolutions, ongoing activities, etc. on an issue.

Review your work and consider: How effective is the purpose of the resolution articulated? Is the resolution clearly and concisely worded? Does the resolution follow the appropriate format? – Rationale & Statement of Action – Statement relating to goals & purposes of NCSS – Statement relating to professional interests of NCSS Does the resolution contain actions that are prohibited? – Change the structure of NCSS – Bind NCSS to spend money? Is the resolution thoughtful and purposeful? Does the resolution connect and extend the current goals of NCSS as outlined in the strategic plan? If so, how? Has this or a similar resolution been considered before? Does the resolution represent the interests of my state or special interest group?

RESOLUTION # NCSS TO CREATE CLEARINGHOUSE OF SOCIAL STUDIES PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT EXAMPLES, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATIONAL POLICIES TO INFORM POLICY AND PRACTICE SPONSORS: California Council for the Social Studies, Southern California Social Science Association, NCSS Citizenship Community, Nisan Chavkin (CRFChicago), and Maria Gallo, (Center for Civic Education), Oregon CSS. WHEREAS, NCSS defines social studies as “the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence”; WHEREAS, NCSS believes that civic efficacy can best be achieved through powerful, rigorous social studies curriculum and effective teaching that allows students to connect what they are learning to their prior knowledge and to current issues, to think critically and creatively about what they are learning, and to apply that learning to authentic situations to address the challenges facing our diverse nation in an increasingly interdependent world; WHEREAS, assessing students’ knowledge and skills for civic competence in authentic ways is critical to informing effective instruction to meet the needs of all students to become effective citizens; WHEREAS, research conducted by Bruce King, Fred Newmann, and Dana Carmichael at the Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools, and the Research Institute on Secondary Reform for Youth with Disabilities, , confirms that students engaged in “authentic intellectual instruction and assessment” allows students to construct knowledge, engage in disciplined inquiry, and see value beyond school, results in higher achievement than students who experienced lower levels of authentic instruction and assessment, consistently for grades 3 through 12, across different subject areas, and for different students regardless of race, gender, disability status, or socioeconomic status; WHEREAS, social studies performance-based assessment models in Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington have shown to be powerful tools in assessing students’ knowledge and skills in authentic settings and provides teachers opportunities to engage in dialogue to understand what students need to know and be able to do and what teachers need to know and be able to do to prepare all students for effective citizenship in the 21 st century. BE IT RESOLVED, that NCSS explore the possibility of developing and publishing a clearinghouse of resources that includes: examples of social studies performance-based assessment measures conducted at local and state levels that enable students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed for effective citizenship in authentic settings. research findings that support the use of performance-based assessment to inform instruction. existing educational policies that can inform advocacy efforts for the inclusion of social studies performance-based assessment at the local, state, and national level. HOD Passed by Ayes BOD Passed *NCSS BOD Officers and staff are working with the Assessment and other communities to identify materials for this effort. We are optimistic that there will soon be a website that will enable members to suggest and access these and other materials.

Let me condense this for you… Be clear!!!!!!!!! Be concise!!!!! Be economical in your words!!!!!! Build a logical argument that abides with NCSS HOD rules!!!!!!!

A Well Written Example: Why? NCSS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LEGISLATIVE LIAISONS AT THE AFFILIATE LEVELS BY PROVIDING TRAINING AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE Supported by: Colorado, California, Maryland, Oklahoma, Prince George’s County Co-Sponsors: Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Texas RATIONALE: The current National Council for the Social Studies body is in need of legislative liaisons who identify and monitor critical issues and engage in pro-active media and public relations in a timely manner as they relate to educational policy and programs that impact social studies education on the local, state and national levels. WHEREAS: It is essential to have communication between NCSS and the state and local affiliates on critical issues to support the advancement of social studies as they relate to educational policies and; WHEREAS: Training is essential to the creation of effective legislative liaisons; BE IT RESOLVED, NCSS should encourage and support the establishment of legislative liaisons at the affiliate levels who will monitor critical issues and engage in pro-active media and public relations in a timely manner as they relate to educational policy and programs that impact social studies education by providing training sessions for legislative liaisons at the annual conference facilitated by NCSS staff.

KEEP IN MIND All resolutions will be reviewed, edited, and numbered by the NCSS House of Delegates Resolutions Committee. – OUR JOB IS TO CLEAN IT, NOT CHANGE IT!!!!! Finalized resolutions will be introduced before the House of Delegates at the NCSS Annual Conference Resolutions passed by the house will be reviewed by the NCSS Board of Directors in the Spring. Feasibility of implementation will be determined at that time.

The Ideal Resolutions Timeline

Ideal Resolutions Timeline (continued)

DATES AND TIMES TO KNOW When is the resolutions hearing? This year, November 22, 2013 usually from 9- 10:30am When is HOD? Friday, Nov. 22 in the afternoon and Saturday Nov. 23 in the morning

Contact Us!!!! Cheryl Rehome-Dean – Jordan Grote –