MASA Fall Conference
October 6 – 8, 2019
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth, MN
One great challenge for our members at MASA is to bridge the space between our visions for the future of Minnesota’s schools and the realities of today. We live in times of rapid, pervasive change—not just in the technology that affects every part of our lives, but in the fabric of our communities, the expectations of public organizations, the impacts of economic shift, and the interaction of diverse communities locally and globally. As school leaders, we are tasked with preparing students for futures that we cannot dream of. But leaders are learners, and we learn best from one another. It is that collegial support that provides a framework of best practice, demonstrating that “Minnesota Grown means Minnesota Strong.” Join your colleagues this fall and explore the best of leadership practice here in Minnesota!
Register for the conference as a participant at https://events.resultsathand.com/masa/1004
Lodging Info
The fee for participating does NOT include lodging. Please contact any of the hotels listed below and receive conference rates on your lodging.
Canal Park Lodge (MASA Headquarters) • (800) 777-8560 • $152.00 per night
The Inn on Lake Superior • (888) 668-4352 • $169.99 per night
Pier B Resort • (218) 481-8888 • $179.00 per night
Registration Rates
Register on or before Friday, September 20 for a reduced rate!
MASA Member Rate before September 20: $299.00
MASA Member Rate beginning September 20: $349.00
MASA Retiree Rate: $99.00
Partner/Spouse Attending (non member): $99.00
Cancellation Fee through September 20 = $50 – after September 20 you will not receive a refund. No-shows will be billed.
Conference Highlights
On Sunday afternoon, golfers will enjoy the Dale G. Jensen Golf Tournament, benefiting the MASA Foundation. All conference participants are invited to play, no matter your skill level! The tournament will be held at the Black Bear Golf Course in Carlton prior to the MASA Fall Conference. Register to play at: https://www.regonline.com/MASAgolf2019
What better way to kick off the conference—and the new school year—than by greeting old friends and meeting our new members? Sunday evening we’ll gather for a casual Welcome Reception. Join us from 6-8 pm at Grandma’s Sports Garden for food and fun. Our menu includes all-you-can-eat Pizza, Bonotta, Caesar Salad, and Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce. Soft drinks are on the house and we will have a cash bar. We will announce the Golf Tournament prizes so the bragging rights can start early.
Throughout the conference, we will celebrate the service of our honored colleagues. In addition to celebrating our members’ years of service with recognition marking their milestone years, we will present the 2019 Richard Green scholarship to recipient Michelle Mortensen, Superintendent, Renville County West Schools, and the Polaris Award to recipient Gerald (Jerry) Ness, Retired Superintendent, Fergus Falls Public Schools. We will also recognize our service pin and certificate recipients.
Members who have completed 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 years of administrative service and five years as MASA members may receive service pins. Eligibility years are counted as school fiscal years. If you qualify for both a superintendent pin and an administrator pin in the same year, you may get both. To receive a service pin or certificate please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MASAservice19 to complete the form by Friday, September 20. Congratulations!
Our Monday morning keynote speaker Manley Feinberg leverages more than 20 years of professional speaking and business leadership experience to work with organizations like ours; and he will help us develop more engaged teams that step up with more focus, commitment, and momentum.
The Exhibit Fair is a convenient way to visit with representatives of companies offering the latest products and services of value to school leaders. Our exhibitors’ participation also helps us reduce conference tuition for our members, so let’s thank them for being with us by being with them!
Our Executive Development leaders have chosen four sets of compelling concurrent sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
Our Monday afternoon program features the work of our 2019 Richard Green Scholar Michelle Mortensen, Superintendent, Renville County West Schools. Join Michelle and hear the findings of this important work on “Female Superintendent Perceptions of Challenges in Seeking and Serving in the Position of Superintendent of Schools.”
16% of Minnesota’s superintendents are women. MASA’s strategic pan includes an initiative to increase the number of superintendents who are women to 30% by 2024. Come and celebrate the “Women’s Leadership Initiative” on Monday afternoon at 3:45. It will be a great chance to hear briefly about this work, but also to relax and enjoy refreshments with colleagues at the end of the conference day. This event is for ALL of our participants regardless of gender!
When is the last time something amazing happened in your school? How many people knew about it. The work done in schools all across the globe is spectacular! Join our closing keynote speaker Joe Sanfelippo for Hacking Leadership: Telling Your District’s Story. School perception is often based on the narrative of those who attended years ago. Telling the real story of schools helps create a narrative that builds culture and gives everyone in your community an identity. Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education.
We look forward to seeing you in Duluth!
