NASP Elections

NASP 2010 Elections

Treasurer Candidates' Response: "What are your qualifications, personal or professional experiences, and strengths that make you a strong candidate for Treasurer?"

Deborah Johnson -New York

Confidence, competence, and commitment are what I would bring to the position of Treasurer. Confidence. As a membership association, it is essential that we have confidence in both our staff and volunteer leadership to guide NASP in matters of fiscal management. As a candidate for treasurer, I bring 29 years of knowledge and expertise in the practice of school psychology, strategic planning at multiple levels (school, district, government, and association), volunteer leadership, organizational management and budgeting experience. I want members to have confidence that our budgeting process, even during these challenging times, will be mission-driven and designed to meet the goals established by the association. Competence. Over the past 16 years I have helped lead the management team of a nonprofit organization that has grown from a budget of less than one million to over six million dollars. We have strategically shifted our funding sources from having 95% of our resources coming from a single source of funds to having a diversified funding base of more than 40 sources. Throughout this change process I have consistently accomplished strategic tasks on time and within budgets. Having served as the NASP chair for strategic planning, I understand the importance of connecting strategic directions with our financial base to build our constituencies. I understand the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio of our investments, the importance of receiving a clean external audit, and key issues relating to sound fiscal management. Commitment. I am committed to NASP, having been a member for 30 years. I am committed to working for our members, and with the Executive Council, the Delegate Assembly, and staff to ensure that we continue to attract high quality volunteers and staff who support the organization and work tirelessly to promote children’s well-being, our profession and our mission.

Ron Benner- Connecticut

"What are your qualifications, personal or professional experiences, and strengths that make you a strong candidate for Treasurer?"

I bring a unique skills set to the position of NASP Treasurer, Executive Council, and Executive Board; first and foremost, I have the wisdom of experience from a 40 year career in the education profession. For the past ten years I have been treasurer of my state school psychology association; affording me the opportunity to manage the unique challenges the economy has presented and consequently our available funds and investments. I have held other leadership and fiduciary roles in both school psychology and national groups. I have held leadership roles in a variety of areas at NASP including Connecticut State Delegate, Coordinator of the special interest group CTASP, Co-Chair of Professional Development, and Listservs Moderator.

Professionally I have worked as a special education teacher for 16 ½ years followed by 22 years as a school psychologist, working with ages 3-21. In addition, I briefly served as a Coordinator of Special Education.

I started the NEA School Psychologists Caucus, in the NEA-Representative Assembly, so school psychologists would have an active voice reaching NEA leaders across the country. I also introduced and passed a new business item to compel the NEA to establish professional relationships with all related service providers’ national organizations. This was an important mission to accomplish; with the power of the NEA, other smaller organizations have the ear of the NEA and the ability to advance common issues.

My leadership skills, ability to see the big picture in education, and desire to work for the betterment of children and the school psychology profession are strengths that help me serve effectively now and as the future NASP Treasurer.

Jean Ramage -Hawaii

"What are your qualifications, personal or professional experiences, and strengths that make you a strong candidate for Treasurer?"

I am interested in being your Treasurer. I have recent experience with the NASP fiscal process as the Hawaii Delegate and as the Western Region Representative to the Executive Council. I also have extensive fiscal background.

As the administrator of the Hawaii mental health in the schools program, I administered a $29 million budget. The budget included program services and support for the continuing professional development of the 500+ staff members. As a legislative aide for the Hawaii Education Committee, I assisted the Senator in developing a proactive state budget for education. As university administrator, I developed, implemented and monitored program, department, and college budgets.

I believe in a fiscal process that involves the input of NASP leaders and staff members, and utilizes the NASP strategic plan as the guide. When I was president of NASP, we developed the first NASP strategic plan, which guided NASP for a number of years. For the last four years, I again have been involved in the development and monitoring of the NASP budget. I believe that an open budgeting process is essential, especially because we are in difficult fiscal times.

I believe that in difficult fiscal times we must make deliberate decisions about where our money will be spent. I believe we should support volunteer leadership, staff members, and core functions, including convention, publications, and advocacy at the state and national levels. I also believe this is an ideal time to plan for the future when funds will be more available.

The NASP Treasurer is the primary officer who works on fiscal issues with the assistance of excellent NASP staff. The Treasurer must lead on fiscal matters. I believe that my work and organizational background would be assets. Thank you for considering me for the NASP Treasurer officer position.

To view all the election information, go here.


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	NASP 2010 Elections Treasurer Candidates' Response: "What are your qualifications, personal or professional experiences, and strengths that make you a strong candidate for Treasurer?" Deborah Johnson -New York Confidence, competence, and commitment are what I would bring to the position of Treasurer. Confidence. As a membership association, it is essential that we have confidence in both our staff and volunteer leadership to guide NASP in matters of fiscal management. As a candidate for treasurer, I bring 29 years of knowledge and expertise in the practice of school psychology, strategic planning at multiple levels (school, district, government, and association), volunteer leadership, organizational management and budgeting experience. I want members to have confidence that our budgeting process, even during these challenging times, will be mission-driven and designed to meet the goals established by the association. Competence. Over the past 16 years I have helped lead the management team of a nonprofit organization that has grown from a budget of less than one million to over six million dollars. We have strategically shifted our funding sources from having 95% of our resources coming from a single source of funds to having a diversified funding base of more than 40 sources. Throughout this change process I have consistently accomplished strategic tasks on time and within budgets. Having served as the NASP chair for strategic planning, I understand the importance of connecting strategic directions with our financial base to build our constituencies. I understand the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio of our investments, the importance of receiving a clean external audit, and key issues relating to sound fiscal management. Commitment. I am committed to NASP, having been a member for 30 years. I am committed to working for our members, and with the Executive Council, the Delegate Assembly, and staff to ensure that we continue to attract high quality volunteers and staff who support the organization and work tirelessly to promote children’s well-being, our profession and our mission. Ron Benner- Connecticut "What are your qualifications, personal or professional experiences, and strengths that make you a strong candidate for Treasurer?" I bring a unique skills set to the position of NASP Treasurer, Executive Council, and Executive Board; first and foremost, I have the wisdom of experience from a 40 year career in the education profession. For the past ten years I have been treasurer of my state school psychology association; affording me the opportunity to manage the unique challenges the economy has presented and consequently our available funds and investments. I have held other leadership and fiduciary roles in both school psychology and national groups. I have held leadership roles in a variety of areas at NASP including Connecticut State Delegate, Coordinator of the special interest group CTASP, Co-Chair of Professional Development, and Listservs Moderator. Professionally I have worked as a special education teacher for 16 ½ years followed by 22 years as a school psychologist, working with ages 3-21. In addition, I briefly served as a Coordinator of Special Education. I started the NEA School Psychologists Caucus, in the NEA-Representative Assembly, so school psychologists would have an active voice reaching NEA leaders across the country. I also introduced and passed a new business item to compel the NEA to establish professional relationships with all related service providers’ national organizations. This was an important mission to accomplish; with the power of the NEA, other smaller organizations have the ear of the NEA and the ability to advance common issues. My leadership skills, ability to see the big picture in education, and desire to work for the betterment of children and the school psychology profession are strengths that help me serve effectively now and as the future NASP Treasurer. Jean Ramage -Hawaii "What are your qualifications, personal or professional experiences, and strengths that make you a strong candidate for Treasurer?" I am interested in being your Treasurer. I have recent experience with the NASP fiscal process as the Hawaii Delegate and as the Western Region Representative to the Executive Council. I also have extensive fiscal background. As the administrator of the Hawaii mental health in the schools program, I administered a $29 million budget. The budget included program services and support for the continuing professional development of the 500+ staff members. As a legislative aide for the Hawaii Education Committee, I assisted the Senator in developing a proactive state budget for education. As university administrator, I developed, implemented and monitored program, department, and college budgets. I believe in a fiscal process that involves the input of NASP leaders and staff members, and utilizes the NASP strategic plan as the guide. When I was president of NASP, we developed the first NASP strategic plan, which guided NASP for a number of years. For the last four years, I again have been involved in the development and monitoring of the NASP budget. I believe that an open budgeting process is essential, especially because we are in difficult fiscal times. I believe that in difficult fiscal times we must make deliberate decisions about where our money will be spent. I believe we should support volunteer leadership, staff members, and core functions, including convention, publications, and advocacy at the state and national levels. I also believe this is an ideal time to plan for the future when funds will be more available. The NASP Treasurer is the primary officer who works on fiscal issues with the assistance of excellent NASP staff. The Treasurer must lead on fiscal matters. I believe that my work and organizational background would be assets. Thank you for considering me for the NASP Treasurer officer position. To view all the election information, go here.