2019 Conference Material

Regent Bob Whitehouse ELO Policy Champion Award

Former Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler

Chris Beutler grew up in Omaha. He attended Yale, was inspired by President John F. Kennedy to serve in the Peace Corps, then got drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He attended law school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he eventually settled back in Lincoln. He always wanted a career in public service, so when a legislative seat opened up in the district where he lived, he ran and won in 1978. Chris served in the legislature until 2007. That’s the same year he was elected mayor of Lincoln. In his twelve year service as mayor, Chris placed a heavy emphasis on partnerships with companies, nonprofits and other governmental entities, which were key to many of the major positive changes to Lincoln in the past 12 years, including the construction of Pinnacle Bank Arena. His championing of afterschool education, arts infrastructure and parks and recreation helped lead Lincoln to its vibrancy today. Chris is married to wife Judy Beutler and five grown children plus grandchildren that keep him busy in this next chapter of his life.

Business Champion Award

NextEra Wind Energy
INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S LEADERS
We’re working with the communities we serve to make them even better places to work and raise families. One of the ways we do this is by supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives that prepare students for good-paying jobs and provide the technical skills that are highly valued in our business. We support programs for students and teachers at all grade levels. To view NextEra Energy locations click here.

Anna Wishart, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
Kimberly Dickey, NextEra Energy
Tim Gay, Catalyst Public Affairs

Making a Difference Awards

The Making a Difference Awards were presented to afterschool program leaders by Jennifer Jones, Beyond School Bells. Awardees have led Nebraska afterschool programs for five years or more.  Congratulations to all!

Pictured left to right, Front Row: Michelle Arehart (Kearney), Marcia Fritz (Cozad), Carrie Hoagland (Garden County, Oshkosh), Nicole Everingham (Collective for Youth, Omaha), Amy Vernon (York). Back Row: Lorna Eliason (Chadron), Patricia Sanchez-Stewart (Lexington), Megan Addison (Collective for Youth, Omaha), Carrie Lienemann (North Platte), Gwyn Williams (Collective for Youth, Omaha), Stacey Whiting (Columbus). Not pictured: Leah Hladik (Fremont) and Barb Ross (Minatare).

Explore My Community

Contest for Nebraska Afterschool Students

We wanted young people to tell us why visitors should come explore their community. For this reason, Beyond School Bells sponsored the “Explore My Community” brochure contest, an innovative and exciting contest for afterschool students to participate in during the fall of 2019. The project-based activity was an opportunity for students attending afterschool programs to highlight their communities in a digital brochure and showcase the unique, interesting and inviting aspects of their communities. All participating student groups will receive a pizza party during their afterschool programs.

The 2019 winning entries were:
Elementary category: Crete and Albion
Secondary category: Broken Bow and Crete

Travel Scholarship

We are excited to announce that the following communities received a travel scholarship to attend the 2019 GetConnected conference:

Courteous Kids/Life Launch, Ashland
The DEN, Bancroft
Young Entrepreneurs of the Future, Ralston
Project Washkon, Walthill

This scholarship was available due to the generous contributions of T-Mobile and Beyond School Bells.

Registration fee:

Attendee – $60 if paid by November 10, 2019
Presenter – $30 if pay by November 10, 2019 (2 presenters per session)
Walk ‘N Talk Host – FREE registration for one table host

A late processing fee of $10 will be assessed if not paid by November 10, 2019

All registration fees include conference materials, luncheon, and refreshments.  Once the form is completed and submitted, Carolyn Koch ESU 7 will email the invoice for registration fees.  Checks should be made out to ESU 7 and mailed to:

Educational Service Unit #7
Attn: Carolyn Koch
2657 44th Avenue
Columbus, NE 68601-8537
Federal Tax I.D. #47-0499223
Phone: 402.564.5753, Extension 1039
Fax: 402.563.1121
Email: ckoch@esu7.org

Individual Registration

Group Registration Form
If registering more than one individual, complete the Group Registration form. If names are not known at the time the registration form is completed, insert a place holder name (e.g., Staff #1, Staff #2). Email completed Group Registration form to Sherri Landis, sherri.landis@nebraska.gov. Please email Sherri Landis with attendee names once they are known.

Name Changes
Name changes on registrations are allowed.  Email Sherri Landis, sherri.landis@nebraska.gov with the updated information.

On-site Registration
If space is available, registrations will be accepted the day of the conference.  All registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  Space is limited so register early!

Cancellations
Cancellations received by Monday, October 7, 2019 will be refunded.  No refunds are available for cancellations or no-shows after that date.

Please note:
Due to recent flooding in Kearney, you will not be able to contact the conference hotel to make your room reservations until mid-August.

We have reserved a block of rooms for the conference.  You may make reservations by calling the Fairfield Inn & Suites (510 Talmadge Rd) at 308-236-4200 and requesting the 2019 GetConnected Afterschool Conference block.

The discounted group room rate is $109.95 per night, plus taxes and will remain open until 9/30/2019.  After this date, any remaining guest rooms will be released back to the hotel to sell.

There are several other hotels within the vicinity.  Please feel free to use any of them.

Proposals are no longer being accepted for the 2019 GetConnected conference.

Request for Proposals (RFP)

NEW DEADLINE: Proposals accepted until June 27, 2019
Registration deadline for presenters is August 23, 2019

Proposals are no longer being accepted for the 2019 GetConnected conference.

Walk N Talk Proposals

Walk N Talk display tables are for organizations to informally connect with afterschool leaders and staff. Agencies and organizations that will be accepted to host a Walk ‘N Talk display table will be those who provide resources and support at no cost or minimal cost to afterschool and summer programs across Nebraska. There is no charge to host a Walk ‘N Talk table.

The majority of conference attendees will be afterschool program leaders and staff, representatives of community agencies and organizations, and school administrators and teachers. There will be approximately 400 in attendance the day of the conference.

Hours for the display are 7:45 AM until 12:00 PM. It is expected your agency or organization will have one representative available to provide information throughout this time period. This person will receive a complimentary conference registration and lunch.