The Gifted Education Cooperative (GECO) serves Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge and Oak Brook.                                      

A hearty thank you and congratulations to this year's GECO planning group and the many, many GECO volunteers who made all of our events a reality. 

There are still some leadership volunteer opportunities available with GECO for next year.  Below is a list of positions, with the names of those volunteering for each.  Any position with a blank is currently available- we would love to have YOUR name on one of those slots.  It is a great way to get more involved with the great momentum for gifted services in this District, to get to know other parents, and to have your children get to know other students in the District.  Please let us know if you are interested in a position, or contact us at geco@arvamont.com if you have any questions or if you have a proposal for an additional event for the coming year.  The tasks are all very manageable, you need not have been involved before, and we are a fun group to hang out with!

Volunteer Positions: 2010-2011

Co-Presidents: Organize and run leadership meetings. Coordinate and facilitate group activities and represent GECO as appropriate. Ensure an orderly succession and transfer of responsibilities. Official liaison with District 181 Board, committees, and staff. Lisa McCarthy and Carrie Gromer

Summer Camp Fair Coordinator: Plan and execute annual camp fair with assistance of entire GECO planning committee. Coordinate with Secretary for PR to inform membership and the public. Susan Portland, Monique Thanos and Annette Phillips

November Forum: Coordinate with speaker to set date, time, location, and subject of talk. Coordinate with Secretary for PR to inform membership and the public. What to Expect in High School. Carrie Gromer, Jennifer Trainer and Susan Portland

October Speaker: Identify discussion we would like to have and set date, time, location, and forum participants. Coordinate with Secretary for PR to inform membership and the public. Denise Hanks

Spring Speaker: Identify speaker we would like to invite and set date, time, location, and subject of talk. Coordinate with Secretary for PR to inform membership and the public. Anxiety: Cherie McElroy/Newenka

Treasurer/Membership: Handle bank accounts and orderly disbursement of funds. Maintain updated list of members, organize membership renewals in January, and collect dues. Send/deliver welcome packets to new members. Handle our affiliate membership in the IAGC. Lynne Bloomfield

Web Site Coordinator: Maintain and update GECO web site. Work on hosting issues. Solicit information to add to web site. Patrick Lavelle

Secretary/P.R.: Publish meeting and other notices at schools and with newspapers, using a network of school representatives and GRC room parents. Organize coverage of special events by local papers. Create and distribute P.R. materials. Carrie Gromer

“It’s About the Kids” Activity Chairs: Arrange several special activities for gifted/bright/talented students. Identify other resources of interest to gifted children and publicize to parents, including summer and after-school activities. Chair: Michelle/ Young Kids: Julia

Activity 1: Peak of South America: Monique /Lisa

Activity 2: Federal Reserve: Roseann/Lisa

Activity 3: Being Smart is not Enough Jan/Feb Jennifer Trainer

Activity 4: IIT/Technology Demo: Older Kids Michelle

Activity 5: Young Kids: ComEd /Technology Demo Amy Weaver/Julia M.

Board of Education Liaison: Attend BOE meetings and report to group on issues of interest to those with gifted children. Reports are in the form of brief notes in newsletters or at regular meetings. Organize attendance at important board meetings. Carrie Gromer

Advocacy Chair: Plan and lead annual outing to Springfield. _____________________________

New Parent Education Chair: Help parents new to the field of gifted education come up to speed on the issues. Organize small book discussion groups, distribute articles of interest, answer telephone and email inquiries. Newenka DuMont

IAGC Liaison: Follow federal and state legislation and funding for gifted programming through IAGC and NAGC. Rally District 181 parents on the national and state level when necessary. Assist those interested in IAGC or NACG membership. Amy Weaver

Book Club Coordinator (Parenting Books): Organize monthly daytime book discussions or other activities of interest to members. Denise Hanks

Book Club Coordinator (Literature Books): Organize monthly daytime book discussions or other activities of interest to members. Tammy

D181 Morning Coffees/Evening Discussions

Dr. Schuster: January: Roseann

Sept. “Welcome Back” All

Oct. “Gifted 101” Newenka

Feb ?????

May “Planning for 2011/12” All