Convention+Structure

=Convention Structure= Contributors: (click the T icon, 4th from the left, to change your font colour)
 * Some guiding questions are provided, but feel free to create new questions.
 * ** Peggy **

Key Problem Areas

 * Non-attendance
 * No (or too few) sessions that are useful & relevant to them
 * Personal costs when in Regina - hotel, travel.

Costs & Fees

 * Teachers now present at learning fair & don't receive payment. Also finder fees are not paid to locate presenters. Do we need to alter honararia? For some things?

Possible Ways to Change?? Big Changes

 * Scrap convention altogether - we get enough PD provided from the division. (I just hear this fairly often; not my own opinion)
 * Don't need 2 days for convention, or at least 2 days in a row - avoid overnight costs
 * Regional conventions so people don't have to drive, stay overnight - Weyburn did a great job (but overnight stay still needed for some)
 * Regional (or more central; e.g. Arcola Prairie Place for General sessions, could use several nearby schools for meeting) but break into more grade- or subject-specific. Half-day sharing sessions - could provide a focus rather than just a free-for-all-sharing. Requires a teacher to act as a group facilitator (as opposed to being a presenter).

Possible Ways to Change?? Little Changes

 * Principals introduce new STF members on their staffs

Traditional Convention

 * 2 back-to-back days
 * Often in Regina - Conexus Arts Centre or Delta (but Weyburn local hosting went well - mostly pros with few cons)
 * General Features
 * Professional sessions - Welcomes, new teacher induction, STF business, AGM
 * Keynotes - more at Conexus since fewer rooms for breakout sessions
 * Multiple concurrent one-hour sessions, with a few 2-hour (or longer) workshop type sessions