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Over the past 12 months, the Affiliate Network Professional Council organized numerous big and small events. While access to information is much easier than ever before, live events always bring us together in a way that generates greater energy, ideas, and connections. After each event, many of us have become better acquainted with one another and feel more comfortable to connect on social media or reach out to others when needed.
We kicked off 2021 with a social event on February 6 when Affiliates and Affiliate Leaders shared their challenges, solutions, and suggestions for collaboration. The beginning-of-the-year commitment and wishlist from affiliates includes continuing virtual events and webinars, diversifying committee members, launching a mentoring committee, starting new initiatives (e.g. Zoom for Professional Development), and collaborating regionally and internationally, to name a few. Affiliates all shared a resolution to continue to do good work despite various challenges.
Also in February, the ANPC had the pleasure of hosting Michael Galli to share the work from the TEAL Charitable Foundation as a model for philanthropy for TESOL/TEAL associations. In the Webinar, Michael Galli walked us through the history of the foundation, fundraising efforts, awards for teachers and students, and inspiring stories from award recipients. Although not all affiliates may set up a charitable foundation and rules and regulations from different countries are different, it's a worthwhile charitable cause to support English learners and teachers in need.
The highlight of the year for the Affiliate Network was the three-day Affiliate Events organized by the Convention Committee from the ANPC where Affiliate Leaders, Interest Section Leaders, and Chairs of different Professional Councils presented many helpful topics, including Open Educational Resources (OER), open journals, newsletters, leadership, and many others. Social and networking events during the three days brought everyone together in a more relaxing manner. Although nothing can trump a lunch or dinner out, Jeopardy games and Pechu Kachus during these social times were also refreshing.
The Affiliate Network May event brought the topic of content-based instruction to Affiliates with the focus on mathematical concepts. In June, the ANPC and various Affiliates participated in the TESOL Policy and Advocacy Summit to discuss the topic of global advocacy. The presentation was a success, and panelists from TESOL-SPAIN, BC TEAL, Northern New England TESOL, GATESL, and MEXTESOL were generous enough to offer a recap in July. Participants were truly inspired by many advocacy initiatives from these affiliates including advocating for English learners duing the pandemic, taking a stand against anti-AAPI hate in the US or discrimination againts NNESTs, and fair representation within affiliate leadership.
Taking a short break over the summer, the ANPC circled back to the topic of collaboration among affiliates in our October event. It was a pleasure to have the participation from affiliate leaders from Yakut TESOL, TEXTESOL V, Puerto Rico TESOL, and JALT on many partnerships and programs to facilitate collaboration within and across affiliates. Finally, the December event on generating income to fund a TESOL association presented by Ivonne Gonzalez from TESOL Colombia helps affiliate leaders to be more strategic and organized in their internal and external funding plan. It was an insightful conclusion of a year of virtual events.
Looking ahead into 2022, we hope to continue to organize these webinars and serve as a meeting place for many Affiliate Leaders and colleagues to exchange ideas and connect. |
