Virtually not Kidding! We’re having Convention 2021 – Virtually!!

Greetings from Northwest Illinois where the snow and cold are in plenty of supply! I hope you are all staying warm and safe. I also hope you are finding more comfort in the COVID routine we have all had to endure as you become more and more familiar with how to navigate its challenges.

At the January meeting of the IAJHSC Executive Board, a unanimous decision was made to hold the 62nd Annual IAJHSC State Convention as a virtual event. No one wanted to see another year go by without having this pinnacle IAJHSC event in some form. Therefore, the board has enlisted the professional services of Dynamx Digital to set up and coordinate this event for us. The board decided to make the event as close to the real thing as possible but felt it should be condensed into just one day instead of two as no travel, meals, and overnight stays were involved.

The convention will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021, the same weekend as was scheduled for the in-person event. It will be held as a Zoom meeting beginning at 9:00am and lasting until approximately 2:30 – 3:00pm that afternoon. A lunchtime allowing for lunch, election voting, and visiting the IAJHSC Hall of Ideas FlipGrid divides the morning and afternoon sessions. Two nationally know speakers will highlight the event. The morning session will feature Mrs. Shari Murphy, a strong supporter of the IAJHSC. She has spoken to advisors at our Advisors’ Leadership Workshop several years ago and has also been closely associated with our Summer Leadership Camp program in previous years. The afternoon session will feature a longtime, close friend of the IAJHSC. Mr. Carl “Energizer” Olson will keynote that session with his keen leadership insight laced with attention getting magic to strengthen his ideas.

The cost of the event is $150 per member school delegation with an unlimited amount of student and adult delegates allowed. The convention will feature awards recognition and most importantly, the opportunity for candidates who are running for District Representative in their districts to present campaign speeches to district delegates in the hopes of earning votes for their election to the position.

All forms and information are now posted online here in the website. They can be found in the Members’ Area under the State Convention tab. Please remember all deadlines are received by deadlines for anything that needs to be mailed, emailed, or submitted in any form. You are invited to participate in our new IAJHSC Webstore to purchase your convention shirts. You are also strongly encouraged to share your projects, events, and ideas on the IAJHSC Hall of Ideas FlipGrid whether you are attending convention or not!

Please contact your district’s Adult Director or any member of the Executive Board if you have any questions or concerns. We hope to see all of you at the virtual convention. Even though it will never be the same as being in person, it will still be a memorable experience for those who attend. Remember … Your attitude determines your direction, and our direction is – ONWARD!!

Thank you for all you do to further middle level student leadership in the State of Illinois.

Take Care – Be Safe and Healthy!