Leadership Connections

Leadership Connections is a conference especially Save the Date

designed for early childhood administrators, lead teachers and supervisors, trainers and consultants, technical assistance specialists, and family child care providers. It includes three energizing days of professional development that focuses on YOU, the early childhood leader. You are the key to creating exemplary early care and education programs. Leadership Connections will validate what you know and are already doing while challenging you to think about your work in new and innovative ways.

Be a part of Leadership Connections 2009 and... Conference Participants

Preconference Tours and Seminars (additional fee and pre-registration required)

Hamill Family Play Zoo Tour and Workshop ($70, limit 45)
The Hamill Family Play Zoo, a part of Brookfield Zoo, provides a unique adventure where children can play and interact with animals, plants, and people. After a tour of the Play Zoo, you will attend a workshop to learn how and why to bring nature-play materials to your classroom. Learn how to better utilize the outdoor environment available in your community to optimize learning for young children.

Field Museum's Crown Family PlayLab and Child Care Society Child and Family Development Center ($70, limit 30)
The Crown Family PlayLab at the Field Museum is a wonderful place to encourage a child's explorations and creative play. The PlayLab offers endless opportunities for young visitors to express themselves, thrill in their own discoveries, and be a scientist for a day with activities and challenges that grow along with a child's interests. After the PlayLab tour, you will visit the Child Care Society Child and Family Development Center (CFDC) in Hyde Park, a NAEYC accredited, Reggio-inspired center, which boasts a new, state-of-the-art playground installed this past year.

Creating Powerful Spreadsheets with Microsoft® Excel 2007 ($30, limit 20)
This hands-on session will explore the many ways Microsoft® Office Excel 2007 can help you manage everyday administrative tasks. Learn how to effectively select cells and navigate a workbook, enter data and edit cells, create formulas and use functions, format cells, protect a worksheet, and set up worksheets to print. Highlights include a variety of shortcuts for simplifying tasks to boost productivity. No previous spreadsheet experience required. Bring your questions and come ready to participate!

Getting Ready for the PAS ($15, limit 75)
This session provides an overview of the Program Administration Scale (PAS). The PAS is designed to measure the quality of leadership and management practices of center-based early childhood programs. After completing this training, providers will have a basic knowledge of the PAS, be able to use the tool for program improvement, and know how to prepare for a PAS assessment. This training is required to apply for star levels 3 and 4 of the Illinois Quality Counts-Quality Rating System.

Opening Luncheon and Keynote

As host and producer of the Channel 7 award-winning program, Chicagoing, and the station's director of community services, Bill Campbell has been bridging the gap between media and community his entire career. Join early childhood leaders from across the country as we explore the benefits of being Positive on Purpose.

Networking Reception

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, and the soft jazz sounds of the Jeff Bella Trio while you connect with colleagues, learn about new professional development opportunities, enjoy the expanded Marketplace hours, and view displays showcasing best practices.

Learn about an exciting new online director credential that is self-paced, utilizes engaging media, and covers the essentials of early childhood program administration. Aim4Excellence is the first national credential approved by NAEYC as an alternative pathway for director qualifications for program accreditation. For Illinois directors, the nine modules also count toward requirements for the Illinois Director Credential (IDC).

Just for You – Evening Activities

Pamper yourself with a hand or shoulder massage, a manicure or a session with a make-up consultant. Show your skills in the karaoke contest, have some fun in the game room, or try your hand at a game of bingo.

New expanded hours to shop for your program and win great prizes...Thursday evening AND Friday!

Networking Dinners (additional fee and pre-registration required)

Dinner with an Expert ($40)
Dine with a guest presenter and eight other conference attendees. This is your opportunity to tap their expertise and extend the conversation.

Champions for Change ($40)
Join Paula Jorde Bloom and other consultants, trainers, and technical assistance specialists from across the country for dinner and an informal discussion about various state initiatives that promote early childhood leadership development.

Closing Luncheon and Keynote

Join Ben Glenn, the "Chalk Guy" for an awesome lesson about overcoming obstacles, reshaping attitudes, increasing awareness, and pursuing excellence. An inspiring story!

Total Conference Package

The early bird rate for the total conference package is $375 before February 1, 2009. Special group rates available for parties of 10 or more. This includes:

Thursday: Opening Luncheon and Keynote • Public Policy Forum • Networking Reception • Marketplace • Spotlight on Best Practices • Pamper Yourself Activities

Friday: Continental Breakfast • Skill-Building Clinics • Box Lunch • Marketplace • Meet the Authors • Afternoon Ice Cream Treat

Saturday: Continental Breakfast • Seminars • Closing Luncheon and Keynote

Plus: Executive Portfolio • Yellow Pages of Professional Resources • LOTS of Raffle Prizes and Gifts

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities for future conferences download the brochure or contact Donna Jonas at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5058 or donna.jonas@nl.edu.

Hotel Information

Leadership Connections will be held at the beautiful Westin Chicago North Shore, located a short drive from O'Hare International Airport (map and directions). The special conference rate is $134/night (single or double occupancy). To secure this rate, please make your hotel reservations prior to April 15, 2009. Call (800) 228-3000 or (847) 777-6588 and ask for group name Leadership Connections 2009. Rates and rooms are subject availability and local taxes.

Receive College Credit

Build your professional portfolio and achieve the competencies for the Illinois Director Credential by attending Leadership Connections. For an additional $602, participants may register for two semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit. For more information, please contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.

Scholarship Opportunities

CCR&R
Contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency about professional development funds that may be available for conference attendance. To locate your nearest CCR&R, call the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) at (703) 341-4100. For Illinois residents, contact INCCRRA (800) 649-1884 to receive an application and guidelines for professional development funds.

Corporate Champions for Change Scholarships
You may be eligible for a conference scholarship donated by one of our generous sponsors. To apply, download an application form and submit for consideration.