Brock University
May 2003

With the annual conference nearly upon us, it is time to fill you in on some of the plans for Halifax. David MacKinnon and Claire Lapointe have worked hard during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms to collect proposals, arrange for reviews, and generate the program. They have, of course, done a marvellous job. The program looks very interesting, with a fine balance of offerings from senior, mid-career, and new scholars. A draft version of the program is posted on the Annual Conference link of this website.

This year, David and Claire have included on the program a wide array of special sessions. The Book Launch on Day Two of the conference features six books from CASEA members, along with those from CASWE authors. Also on Day Two is the Greenfield Dissertation Award Presentation, which will be held immediately following the Annual General Conference. Day Three brings the international session, which includes two presenters from BELMAS: Nigel Bennett and Helen Johnson. This year, a new format called Conversations has been included in the program. This session will be held on Day Four and will focus on Contemporary Issues in the Principalship. Although the session will begin with presenters providing a brief overview of their ideas, the session is expected to be more conversational and informal in nature than the traditional paper presentations have been. Finally, the Annual CASEA Seminar, which will unfold as a double session on Day Four, features the work of three scholars who have dedicated most of their academic careers to exploring different aspects of Leadership for Social Justice. Cecilia Reynolds will present on gender equity, Carolyn Shields on social class and poverty, and Patrick Solomon on race and anti-racism. The seminar has been a highlight of the conference since its inception 5 years ago because it shines the spotlight on extensive and thoughtful programs of scholarship by members of the CASEA community who have made a strong contribution to the knowledge base on educational leadership both in Canada and abroad. The slate of presenters for this year's seminar indicates that the tradition of excellence is certainly in fine hands.

To start you on your way each day, CASEA will host a breakfast beginning at 7:30 each morning of the conference (including Day One and Day Four). In addition to feeding your body, we will begin to feed the CASEA discussion mill by taking some time to chat about issues related to membership and future directions for CASEA and CSSE. One item that will require some discussion is the question of turning over control of the CASEA website to CSSE, as opposed to retaining control in CASEA hands. The breakfast chats not only serve as a platform for the Annual General Meeting agenda, but they also give us another opportunity to join with members of our rather widespread community. Please also plan to attend the Annual General Meeting, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Day Two. The usual reports will bring you up to date on what has been happening in CASEA and in CSSE over the past year, and we will decide on some of the issues discussed during the breakfast chats.

In addition to the academic and information sessions, the program is full of enticing social activities including the Wine and Cheese Social that follows the book launch and the usual receptions hosted by University and CSSE dignitaries. On Day Three of the conference (Friday, May 30), the annual CASEA banquet will be held at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, 1181 Hollis Street. The cost for the banquet is $33.00 (tax and gratuity in, cash bar separate) and includes two menu options: Annapolis Valley Turkey Dinner with sage stuffing, apple turnip mashed potato cranberry sauce, and gravy, OR Vegetarian Strudel with tomato relish. Each of the entrees is accompanied by a Mediterranean salad with Romaine lettuce and toasted Arabic bread and, for dessert, an amaretto cheese cake. You should forward your choice of entrée and your cheque for $33.00 payable to David MacKinnon at the School of Education, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6.

The banquet gives us an opportunity to honour some of our members who have give long years of service to CASEA and CSSE, and this year we are happy to present a Distinguished Service Award to a truly deserving member, whose name will be kept secret until that evening. The banquet is also a time to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of other members of our community, and we hope that you will attend and recognize that CASEA is truly an organization where everyone is welcome. In good maritime tradition, we'll do our best to ensure that you have a fine time. The Westin is located near Halifax's waterfront, and, for the night-crawlers, the banquet could be followed by a visit to the many alehouses, lounges, and shops that dot this marvellous port city. David will be happy to lead the group . . . astray.

Please join us in Halifax for the Annual CASEA conference – and the annual CASEA banquet. They both are shaping up to be a highlight of the year!

Coral Mitchell, President

on behalf of

David MacKinnon, Vice-President and Program Co-Chair
Bob Macmillan, Secretary/Treasurer
Claire Lapointe, Program Co-Chair