It's summer! What will you and your local association be doing?

People can be divided into three groups: Those who make things happen, Those who watch things happen, and Those who wonder what happened.

--John Newborn 

This quote easily can be applied to our local associations. Which group do you want to be in? Let's work for the first one this summer and use these wonderful three months to organize, educate and energize.

Set immediate, short-term and long-term goals for your local association. Discover what you and your members have accomplished. Be creative and innovative; don't be afraid to go beyond your own resources. Research what your state association and MTNA have available. Check websites and ask members who have attended conferences for resources. Peggy Lewis, NCTM, presented a wealth of ideas during the Local Associations Forum at the 2004 MTNA National Conference ([e-mail]). There are countless incentives and programs available, such as matching grants, association of the year awards, student achievement programs and New Local Association Start-up Grants for any newly established (since July 2002) or currently forming MTNA-affiliated local association. Take the time and effort to learn about opportunities and include them in your activities.

Immediate goals could be for the summer months. Have meetings to plan the year. Make the meeting fun by including something all will enjoy. A positive environment will produce exciting results. Be sure to select projects and events for teachers and students that meet your goals, as well as form bonds and relationships. This will strengthen and improve the quality of your association.

All work and no play sound boring for summer? Hold a social function for members and their guests. Plan a music shopping trip to a local store, watch a video or attend a summer workshop, computer class or convention together. Have a "brainstorming" meeting to evaluate your previous programs and begin new ones. Try holding an association summer camp or one-day workshop for students. Some project ideas that will add zip to your summer include a summer jazz festival, composition or music history week, zoo day or mall performance, theory day with games, testing and pizza, a practice-athon or other project.

Involve the community with your projects. Present a recital at the library to promote literacy by performing pieces or wearing costumes from books. Retirement communities welcome visitations, recitals, dinner music or other activities. Plan a patriotic event for July that includes scouts and military from the community. Recognize individuals or businesses who have aided your association. Create an association website or enhance the one you have. Plan to join the chamber of commerce or even post a sign or banner in your local music store announcing your contact information or perhaps discounts for association members.

Do you feel it's too late to get any of this done? Choose one activity that appeals to you and complete it. Then, as you plan the future during your meetings this summer, incorporate what you wish to achieve in your short-term goals for the time frame between now and the fall of 2005. Other short-term goals could be to inform your membership about retirement, insurance, pedagogy, the business of running a studio, festivals or perhaps setting up a new project.

A local association has the power to affect other people. Use it wisely. Train, educate and support new teachers. Decide how to involve collegiate students and staff in your association. Work on certification; begin or increase your mentoring program. Invite nonmembers to participate in your activities; have specified open meetings or guest days. You might even gain new members!

Long-term goals will give your association direction and purpose. Form a plan of what to accomplish within the next five years. Do you wish to have growth in membership, increased participation, simplified forms, more volunteers and receive grants, hold major events or workshops, present scholarships or receive state and national recognition? Determine what you and your peers wish to achieve and pursue it.

Whatever you do this summer, please don't watch or wonder what happened. Get involved, excited and make things happen for you, your students and your local association!

Sherry Frush, NCTM, is an independent music teacher, adjudicator and collaborative pianist. She has been an active MTNA member since 1969, certified since 1975 and will become president of Texas Music Teachers Association in July.