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What is Your VCGE Membership Worth? |
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How Much Is Your
Membership in VCGE Worth?* By Nancy King Mildrum I was recently asked, “What do I get for being a member of the Vermont Council of Gifted Education?” I paused, averted my eyes and drifted away…. I hope you’re not looking for a tote bag or a bumper sticker that might read, “Many people are annoyed by gifted kids, and some don’t even know they exist, but VCGE members love them!” Definitely too long for a bumper sticker, but if you haven’t figured it out by now, the world of gifted never fits anywhere very easily. Except in organizations like VCGE. The tangibles of membership are monthly board meetings to discuss the annual conference, scholarship opportunities, endorsement for teachers of the gifted, legislative efforts, opportunities for gifted children, and the newsletter. For the next year the board will be especially busy with plans for hosting the New England Conference in 2005. Not bad for a group of people who manage careers and families and give up precious personal time to keep the movement afloat. The tangibles though limited are of extremely high quality. Pat Schular the speaker for the spring conference in 2004 is a highly regarded expert in many areas related to gifted children and dual exceptionalities. And the faithful who continue to work for the council are truly extraordinary individuals. I contend it’s the intangibles that have limitless value. Isn’t it gratifying knowing you are among a brave and enlightened few who want to make Vermont a better place for gifted children? What about knowing that you are an individual who takes the time to go to the VCGE website to stay current on the consistently impressive publications generated in gifted education? Your membership provides crucial support to the VCGE board and active members who work to maintain a professional status for gifted education in the state of Vermont. Vermont is a wonderful place to live. I just skied for two hours in my neighbor’s woods. Just Mother Nature in all her frozen glory and me; it was great. But the climate for gifted kids is not hospitable. In fact, as we all know, it can be hostile. Vermont’s dubious honor of being the last state in the union to adopt a definition for gifted children says it all, and if you call the Vermont State Department of Education for resources for a gifted child your call is awkwardly directed to the council. VCGE is one of the few voices these kids have in our state and it is your membership that gives their voice a modest yet stalwart presence. So I urge you to pay your dues, be patient about receiving this newsletter, read the website and other professional publications, get involved if you have the time, and when you’re looking for what you can get from your membership remind yourself your membership is giving respect and validation to a disenfranchised population in our state. Oddly, it’s a population only a few of us take the time to understand, admire and nurture. And yes indeed, we do love them! *This article was originally published in the VCGE Newsletter in 2004. Though the 2005 New England Conference is past, and it may not be winter, the thoughts expressed here are still valid. Please consider joining VCGE helping us with our on-going work.
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suggestions for improvement to vcgeweb at vcge dot org |
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