In Volume 20, Issue 1- 2018 Montessori Leadership, we outlined a process for beginning this important work at the state level. Starting with common characteristics of active state organizations, we offered suggestions for determining the greatest need for the Montessori community in your state, the importance of narrowing goals with a clear, well-defined Action Plan and the necessary step of thoroughly researching the issue before beginning that plan.
We know from experience the need, to begin with, a state organization that speaks with one voice. With our already overly busy lives as school and classroom leaders, teacher preparation program instructors, and the multiple hats that many of us wear, how do we add the development of a robust state group to the list?
A core group of two to three committed people can begin the process, but if one of the goals is advocacy, it takes a community. Choose a name for your group and agree on an overall sense of mission and goals. A great starting place to begin to build that community is the completion of a census of the Montessori schools in your state. The most successful state groups are those that take their mission of inclusion seriously. As we say in the south, all y’all are invited to participate. Don’t forget your public and charter Montessori schools. You can begin your census with online resources. Check your state child care services (they do go by a variety of names) to find “centers” with Montessori in their name. Search Montessori schools by city, county, or region. Sometimes social media platforms can be a good place to look.
As you create your spreadsheet you’ll want to include location and contact information (email, phone number, web address). If you can find it, include levels the school serves, number of classrooms, number of staff (if you can find it, a separate column for Montessori credentialed teachers).
The next step is to email the schools explaining who you are, your reasons and goals for starting a state organization, and asking them to share with you their goals, their concerns, and what they would like to see in a state group. Ask them if they want to join. This should give you an initial sense of those schools and individuals who have some interest, those whose addresses aren’t active, and (one would hope) a sense of the school’s concerns.
Next, divide your list so each school can be called by a member of the core group. This personal contact is an important step in sharing your enthusiasm, listening to the needs of the community, and serves as a concrete example of the organization’s commitment to bringing the community together. As with any phone call, it might take three to four times before you can speak with the right person, but adding information to your spreadsheet is the data you are going to need and, more importantly, beginning to form those personal relationships with your community is going to be crucial to your growth, sustainability, and any efforts you want to make in support of Montessori education in your state.
Ideally, at the same time, you are completing your census, you are creating a simple website to share your mission and goals—even just a homepage to start is important. Share the URL in your email and on your phone calls. Of course, you will want, at least, a Facebook page. Start small; “baby steps” will get you there without becoming overwhelmed. If you need examples, there are several organizations doing great things with websites and FB.
Now you have the beginnings of a website and social media and a list of schools and their concerns. You’re ready to think about the structure of your new organization. To become a small non-profit, you will need to file Articles of Incorporation. Find your Secretary of State website and search Articles of Incorporation. It is usually a simple, less-than-one-page form to complete online with a fee that varies from state to state. This will register your name, a “corporate” address (which is easy to change when needed), and usually your initial Board of Directors (typically a chair, vice chair, and a treasurer).
Ideally, you want to apply for non-profit status. The IRS has made this a much easier process than it used to be (really!). The EZ 501 (c) 3 Application form is completed online, it is one page, and uses language we all understand. The fee is down to $400. A 501(c)3 is the structure most every state Montessori organization has used. It allows you to engage in advocacy efforts if you are not officially a lobbying organization.
By now you may be asking, “Where is this money coming from?” Each board member can contribute, you can ask for donations (which will be tax deductible, retroactively, once you apply for non-profit status), or you can suggest that a school donate in return for a service from the organization. When “4 Us” founded the Colorado Montessori Association, we invited schools to become “founding members” of CMA for a minimum of $250. The schools’ logos were then added to our home page. We were able to raise all our start-up costs (articles, non-profit application, website costs) and had enough to hire a graphic designer for logo ideas.
One Last Idea For This Phase Of Your Organization
Again, so much of this work is about relationships. One fun and easy way to bring Montessorians together is some sort of gathering. Some examples include: a meet-and-greet at a brewery; a Make and Take with a focused project or two with the materials needed; a volunteer from your community who would like to share a topic of interest, or special skill—I once attended a gathering like this held in a local coffee shop, with a retired school director who shares storytelling. She had an entire group of Montessori educators mesmerized as she told us stories that would guide us on our journey. There are many venues that are happy to share their space when refreshments are purchased.
In a large (or long ) state, think about holding regional gatherings. Ideally, from your census, you have found at least one person in each area of your state who would be willing to plan and host an event in their city (with support from the “board.”) This is a great way to bring people together without a huge commitment of driving and time. A recent gathering of members of the Montessori Alliance of Tennessee was held in Knoxville. A local restaurant made space for heads and educators from almost every school in the eastern region of the state! Think fun, relaxing, and a chance to share conversation with Montessori colleagues.
You are on your way! Our next Montessori and Advocacy article will look at organization structure and models that work for sustainability, creating community, and beginning to engage in real work on behalf of Montessori education in our state.
Christine Lowry, M.Ed. has worked on advocacy and policy efforts for the Montessori community with national organizations and guided and supported the work of a number of Montessori state organizations, including the development and implementation of state Validation Projects, and recognition of the Montessori credential. She is a co-founder of the first regional Montessori organization: South East Montessori Collective.
Christine’s website Montessori-Now.com is a resource of information, templates, and guidance for those committed to Advocacy for Equity in the Montessori community. You may reach her at christine@montessori-now.com.
ML / September 2018 / pg 15
