Hello Affiliates!
As the holiday season approaches, and you regional Awards programs picking up, it’s helpful to remember why we do this great work at the heart of the Scholastic Awards. We’re here for our amazing, special, unique, talented and gifted students!
Thanks to everyone that has taken time to send me a welcome. Also, thank you to everyone that has emailed or called with questions. You are making my training extraordinary, and I am glad that I have been able to assist some of you on week two.
Updated Contact Information
My office phone number was listed incorrectly, but the problem has been corrected, and the number is 212-343-6881.
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Notifications
- Please review your Affiliate webpages to make sure all information on your websites is up-to-date.
- The second most frequently asked question we receive is “when will I know if I’ve won?”
- Having information up-to-date and making this information as public as possible will cut down will cut down on you receiving these types of questions.
Even More DAJ Webinars!
In order to ensure that everyone has the information that they need and feel comfortable using the DAJ system we are going to offer another round of DAJ Training Webinars.
Art DAJ Training 1
Wednesday, November 28, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
1. Please join my meeting.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/453591389
2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.
United States: +1 (213) 493-0014
Access Code: 453-591-389
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 453-591-389
GoToMeeting®
Online-Meetings made easy®
Art DAJ Training 2
Wednesday, November 28, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
1. Please join my meeting.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/468581117
2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.
United States: +1 (626) 521-0015
Access Code: 468-581-117
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 468-581-117
GoToMeeting®
Online-Meetings made easy®
Writing DAJ Training 1
Thursday, November 29, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
1. Please join my meeting.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/266855181
2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.
United States: +1 (213) 493-0014
Access Code: 266-855-181
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 266-855-181
GoToMeeting®
Online-Meetings made easy®
Writing DAJ Training 2
Thursday, November 29, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
1. Please join my meeting.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/135514077
2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.
United States: +1 (213) 493-0014
Access Code: 135-514-077
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 135-514-077
GoToMeeting®
Online-Meetings made easy®
Mock Art Panels
We will also be offering those art affiliates who are using the online DAJ system for the first time (or those who just want a refresher) an opportunity to take place in a mock art panel. Scott will act as the panel moderator and you will join him as art jurors. This is a great opportunity to see how a moderator runs the panel, what an art judges’ responsibilities are, and most importantly, how to use the DAJ system to go from a stack of submission forms to a list of Gold Key recipients.
These mock panels will be available the week of December 10. So that we can gauge interest, and determine how many sessions to offer, please email me if you are interested. Include with date you would like to attend and times that you are available in your response.
Monthly Affiliate Conference Call Schedule
- Monthly conference calls to check in about Strategic Plan and to check-in generally.
- This is the opportunity for you to speak with Virginia, Kat, Scott and me about any concerns related to strategic plan and program.
- We encourage you to attend at least one of these meetings so that we may have a chance to speak with you and hear your needs.
- All calls are scheduled from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST and the dates are listed below:
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The specific dial-in information needed to join the phone conference will be sent out via our standard Monday Newsletter the Monday before the scheduled meeting. (Example: The dial-in info for the calls of December 4th and 6th will be sent out Monday, November 26th.)
Affiliate Fees
Invoices for Affiliate Fees for the 2013 Scholastic Awards Program year will be sent out by the end of November. You will receive the invoices via both, email and postal mail. The Affiliate fee is $1000.00 due by January 4, 2013. If payment is late there is a possibility of late fees and/or penalties.
Affiliate Issues
We have received a number of emails about a few issues and wanted to share them with you all. Some affiliates and their teachers are having problems uploading photos in the ORS. I’ve had Dominic check our site, and all seems to be working. Some general troubleshooting advice would be: try using a different web browser, or a different computer; and if those two options don’t work, perhaps trying from home. What may have happened is the school may have changed some of their network features, so downloads may not be available from school accounts.
Another is adding OOS programs. This can be done through your affiliate page in the ORS, under the “REGISTRATION” tab (located on the left side of the page), then clicking “O-o-S Programs.” I would recommend doing a search first to make sure the OOS program doesn’t already exist. Once you add an OOS program, the request will come to the National office where it will get final approval.
Robbie’s Room
I have made a few really exciting changes to Robbie’s Room. We now have Chat! I will be logged on and available to chat, answer questions and provide any immediate assistance through this Robbie’s Room chat function. Also, I had added a groups option! This was suggested by an Affiliate, and will provide local affiliates to post specific regional issues, and opportunities for people to collaborate. Plus, there is a new tab for the AYAW Times.
Best Teen Writing and Spark publications
The order has been placed! You all should receive your boxes soon!
Affiliate Spotlight!
- It will be a monthly mailing that will highlight an Affiliate region.
- I’ll invite the affiliate to write outlining their region, their best practices and a general overview of how they do things. (This will be posted in Robbie’s Room after the initial email blast.)
- In addition to this, the spotlight Affiliate will have a student spotlight. The student will then be invited to submit works that were not included in the program year submission, and write an artistic statement to be featured on the AYAW blog and Robbie’s Room. (The spotlight affiliate will choose their student spotlight.)
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I hope all of you have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday. I, personally, am thankful for lots of things, and you are one of them. Your passion inspires me, thank you.
A little Thanksgiving humor:
"Thanksgiving is a magical time of year when families across the country join together to raise America's obesity statistics. Personally, I love Thanksgiving traditions: watching football, making pumpkin pie, and saying the magic phrase that sends your aunt storming out of the dining room to sit in her car." –Stephen Colbert
"An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day." -Irv Kupcinet
“Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” - Johnny Carson
Many thanks,
Jermaine Harmon
Manager, Affiliate Services
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Tel: 212-343-6881
Fax: 212-389-3939
