UPDATE OF CAP -

This year (2009) has been very busy for CAP. The Executive Board has made some very significant decisions for the organization. I ask that you please take a moment from your very busy schedule to read this letter in its entirety.

The 2009 Annual Conference for the Commission for Accelerated Programs in Higher Education was a great success. Although attendance was down from previous years, the attendees responded favorably to the theme and conference presentations. The Executive Board received many great suggestions for our next conference. For those who were unable to attend the conference, I want to bring you up to date on the status of CAP. For those who attended the conference, this might clarify any questions you may still have remaining.

These are difficult times for people, institutions, and organizations. We are concerned about the economy. Friends and colleagues have lost jobs. However, I must emphasize that the spirit at the conference was one of perseverance and resilience. There are many new books out about resilience. In The Resilience Factor by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte, resilience is defined as a mind-set that enables you to seek out new experiences and to view your life as a work in progress. I have always thought of accelerated programs as cutting edge, entrepreneurial, and resilient entities in higher education. We are explorers out in the new frontier.

Administrators, staff, and faculty who work in accelerated programs are the ones looking for new ways of offering programs, new partnerships, and exploring the unknown margins of higher education. We must maintain a positive attitude as we explore new ideas and withstand the pressures of opposition. We are always looking for new ways of serving our population and selling others at our institutions on this “outlandish idea” of offering courses one night a week for four hours. These attributes demonstrate resilience.

There are three categories of resilience that I want to address: community, commitment, and courage. Resilient people network and build communities. That is what CAP provides for those of us working in accelerated programs. I remember when I first started working with adults in accelerated programs. I needed to know what others with my job did at their institution. I was so excited when I heard that CAP was being formed. Finally, a forum where I could talk with others about how they worked with adjunct faculty and adult students. I know that many of you felt this way as well. So, my message here is to remember in these tough times that you have a support network called CAP. Here you will find colleagues who understand your frustrations. In this economic windstorm, you may feel alone as budgets are cut and excellent employees laid off. I encourage you to call or email those persons you met at a CAP conference or workshop, ask them how they are doing, share your frustrations, brainstorm solutions, but know you are not alone.

Resilient people are committed to their core purpose. This past year the Executive Board engaged in strategic planning activities to examine the core values of CAP. The vision of CAP is “to be recognized as the leading advocate of accelerated learning in higher education and as the premier membership organization for providers of accelerated education.” We kept coming back to the fact that this organization exists to serve its members. The programs are designed to give you new ideas and the opportunity to network. With every action and decision, we asked ourselves, “How does this serve our membership?”

Resilient people have courage to endure and lead change. We need the courage to think outside our own box of accelerated learning. We need to continue to explore new ways of embracing our mission and be risk takers.

The CAP Executive Board had to be resilient this past year. The big question was how to make this organization financially sustainable. CAP was originally funded through a Lumina grant and has partnered with Regis University and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) for the past six years. The membership fees and conference fees were set low, because CAP was supported by the grant funds. The grant from the Lumina Foundation officially concluded December 2008 and CAP had accumulated a small financial reserve. However, based on budget projections this reserve would be depleted in a year. From the beginning, Regis University has graciously provided office space, access to office equipment, and general administrative support in areas such as accounting, payroll, marketing materials development, copy & print services, mail and receiving, and general office supplies management. CAEL has assisted CAP with marketing of workshops and conferences as well as managing CAP’s membership fees. Both organizations have a representative on the Executive Board, and they have given incredible amounts of time, wisdom, and guidance as CAP as tried to gain the strength to stand on its own.

The efforts instituted in 2009 to increase income included sponsorships and consulting Through hard work and perseverance, the 2009 conference sponsorship income exceeded the goal set by the Executive Board, and CAP entered into its first ever affiliate corporate relationship with Flat World Knowledge, Inc. At the 2008 conference, CAP announced the new consulting service available to assist member institutions. An institution could contact Jeannie McCarron with their specific need and she would work with the Executive Board to match up professionals from within our organization who could produce an outstanding workshop to address the need. In 2009, CAP delivered one consulting workshop, and we already have two more consulting workshops planned in 2010.

The Executive Board also explored another grant. CAP contracted with CAEL’s grant writing staff and put together a proposal for another Lumina grant. We were hopeful that we would see some additional funds via this route. However, Lumina did not fund our proposal, indicating that we no longer aligned with their new mission. Finding a new source of grant income will continue to be a focus in 2010. Unfortunately, CAP does not have the funds to hire a part-time grant writer, again. However, CAP has a subcommittee for grants which is being run by interested persons within our membership. We are looking for additional members to assist with this endeavor. If you would like to give back to CAP in this way, please contact Jeannie McCarron.

The CAP Board had to make a very difficult decision this last year. CAP had to discontinue a staff position in order to keep itself viable financially. I am sure many of you remember Cindi Lombard, who was an asset to our organization for many years. She came to many conferences and you might remember her most at registration. We had to say goodbye to Cindi in February of this year. Just as you may have had to lay off personnel this year, we understand each other’s pain with these actions.

The 2009 summer workshop in Denver, Colorado was a success both programmatically and financially largely due to the volunteer time given by members of the Executive Board and the gift of free facilities. Chad Gruhl, a member of the 2009 Executive Board, obtained the facilities at Metropolitan State University of Denver for free. The attendance was small, but the workshop was interactive and beneficial to attendees.

As the year progressed, the Executive Board was constantly looking for new avenues to sustain this organization. We were given another opportunity, but it came at a heavy price. After months of debates and conversations with Bill Husson at Regis University and Pam Tate at CAEL, the Board made probably their most difficult decision. The Executive Board decided to alter the relationship with CAEL. CAEL has taken care of CAP’s membership and conference registrations since our formation. They have negotiated contracts at the conference venues and marketed the CAP conference along with the CAEL conference. In return, CAP paid CAEL 15% of the CAP conference registration fees.

The Executive Board decided CAP must take responsibility for its own membership fees and conference venue. As of January 1, 2010, CAP will take over the administrative responsibilities for membership and conference. To assist with this new responsibility, CAP also added the Events Officer position to the Executive Board. The Events Officer will be responsible for negotiating the facilities and catering contracts for the conference.

This administrative change also means that CAP membership is not contingent upon CAEL membership. The Executive Board strongly encourages CAEL membership and attendance at their conference and events. CAP and CAEL will continue a close relationship. The missions are still supportive of each other. CAP will market CAEL’s events and CAEL has offered to market CAP’s events. We are pleased to announce that Diana Bamford-Reese will still serve on the CAP Executive Board as our affiliate representative from CAEL. Diana’s wisdom and guidance are irreplaceable. CAP truly is indebted to her and CAEL for the many hours she gives to us. We believe there is great synergy between the two organizations. Many of you know that CAEL has an accelerated learning track at their conference; CAP has offered to assist with presenters for this track. We will be requesting presentations from our membership.

Because November is an extremely busy conference month, the annual conference will be moved to July and to Denver, Colorado. Denver was chosen because it is the home of CAP (with our offices at Regis University). CAP is known there and can negotiate locally and gain lower prices for services. Please mark your calendars for the 2010 Conference on July 22^nd and 23^rd.

As you know income must cover expenses, so just as institutions raise tuition rates, the Board raised the 2010 membership dues. First, if you have paid your membership dues already for 2009, there will be no immediate increase. The 2010 CAP membership dues are raised to $285.00. Currently, membership rate is $270.00, if you account for both the $150.00 CAP membership fee and the $120.00 CAEL individual membership fee. In addition, if you are a CAEL member, the CAP 2010 Executive Board voted last week to allow a 20% discount on your membership fee. This means anyone who is a CAEL member would only pay $228.00 for a CAP membership in 2010. We know that many of you would prefer an institutional membership system; however, for the 2010 year, CAP membership fees will remain on an individual basis. Because CAP now is responsible for membership, the CAP Executive Board can now explore an institutional membership fee structure for the 2011 year.

This has been a difficult year for all of us, but CAP is poised to embark on a new adventure. This adventure can grow our organization, make it self-sustainable and mark it as the leading voice for accelerated programs. Yes, there are risks, but together, with this community of members, commitment to our core values and courage to change, CAP has a bright future with you.

The 2010 initiatives include: our members, communication, sustainability – balanced budget, grants, sponsorships, and consulting. As chair of the 2010 Executive Committee, I will be blogging and announcing new research or information about accelerated programs. Bookmark this site: www.acceleratedprogram.blogspot.com. Mark your calendar for July 22^nd and 23^rd for the 2010 Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado.

If you have any questions or would like to more involved with CAP, please email Jeannie McCarron at jmmcarro@regis.edu or me at racollin@ksu.edu.

Sincerely,
Royce Ann Collins, Ph.D.
2010 Chair – Commission for Accelerated Program