Dear US Math Recovery Council® Members:

The US Math Recovery Council® Board of Directors held its winter 2014 meeting February 14-16 in Apple Valley, MN. The Board attended meetings in our new office space which includes a kit supply and inventory room, a cozy meeting area and, of course, plenty of space for our new staff and CEO! For most Board members, it was the first time they met our new office staff and "mission keepers," all hired by our CEO, Carolyn Olijnek. To refresh your memory, our staff includes Math Recovery® specialists Carolyn Olijnek-CEO, Vicki Breneman-Training and Events Director and Christina Miller-Director of Programming and Development. These fine ladies are supported by our stellar office staff, which includes Erin Budin-Operations Director, Cindy Johnson-Office Manager and Lisa Jobin-Production Manager. Our wonderful website and easy on-line conference registration is maintained by our webmaster, Phil Koury. This team works long hours each day to provide, our membership and districts with the best possible service to support your efforts to advance student mathematical thinking and success through Math Recovery® principles.

The Board met for three days hearing presentations, reviewing data and grappling with governance issues to steward our mission. You have already learned about a few of the outcomes from our February 2014 meeting, which include approving the addition of 2 Instructional Coach full time positions and Tuition Assistance for US Math Recovery® Courses at an individual or building/district level. It is the Board?s goal to continue to provide stellar initial and follow up services to our membership to continue to "transform numeracy education."

As you know, our Annual Conference is being held in Austin, Texas, May 6- 8, with a pre-conference day on May 5. There are many NEW things happening at the conference this year that are mission driven and demonstrate our appreciation and dedication to our membership that include:

• Annual Membership Meeting: Thursday, May 8
• New Board Member Nominee Slate: You will be presented with a slate of nominees that will be open for a membership vote for the open Board of Director seats. Our membership can always nominate people within and outside the Math Recovery® community to serve on the board. The Board Development Committee?s main responsibility is to accept nominations to create the Slate. For more information you can contact Committee members, Dr. Cathy Briand, Mr. Fred Reynolds or Ms. Mollie Gabrielson.
• US Math Recovery® Pioneer Award Presentation: 2014 is the inaugural year for this award that will be given each year! The membership has the opportunity to nominate an outstanding math educator for this award. Dr. Cathy Briand is the chair of that committee. Please feel free to contact Dr. Briand for the nomination application or to learn more about the award. You can find information about the Pioneer Award at www.mathrecovery.org.
• Free 2015 Conference Registration: Prizes will be offered during our vendor fair, including one free registration to the 2015 Annual Meeting and Conference.

Together, we will unlock the many doors for our Math Recovery® educators to unleash the endless possibilities through your active and intentional participation to advance your mathematical expertise. The USMRC Board of Directors looks forward to seeing you at the Austin Conference, where the difference is YOU in transforming numeracy education!

Thank you.

Yvette Panasowich
US Math Recovery Council® Board Chair