Carefully crafted message highlighting the long and fruitful partnership between us and wishing him best going forward
Grading
In lieu of a cantor for this semester (potentially this year), who will be responsible for grading?
What criteria can we establish?
What about Oral Exams and Exit Exams?
Academic Affairs
Need to discuss clear guidelines on handling things like:
Missing Oral Exams
Failing a class (not submitting > 1 assignment)
Repeating a Semester (Spring vs Fall - what does Oral Exam look like if a student failed the Spring but passed the Fall? Does it make sense that they would be tested on Spring assignments and THEN repeat the Spring?)
Course Development
Follow up on Liturgics Course
Did Fr Victor start recording the next lectures?
Do we have assignment/exam for the course?
Suggestions from students
One student was looking for a resource for the service of the deacon - when to hold the censer and how, holding up the cross, etc. The things HE Metropolitan Youssef was mentioning during his lectures at convention. Is this something we can develop a course for?
Look into alternative LMS's
Canvas?
Admissions
We are now able to accept new admissions in the Spring. We can start to advertise for this, and collect $300 for the Spring semester (which will not include a convention)
Cantor
Discuss who we can get and pros/cons
Potentially reach out to a Moallem
Didymus
What does Didymus look like for us? What is the format, frequency, modes of contact, etc.
Is our program plan acceptable to Didymus Cairo?
Which Cantors can we recruit?
What will we pay them?
What will be the cost?
Do we maintain two programs side by side?
Share findings from ACTS Info Session
Advertising and Social Media
Needs a dedicated servant
That servant needs to understand the program, be able to answer questions, attend the meetings, etc.
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
What does Advertising look like with the Didymus Route
Committee Member Roles
Establish dedicated roles for each person (e.g. "Curriculum Development" - "Public Relations" or "Social Media" - "Admissions and Academic Affairs" - "Instructor Liaison") to help with separation of responsibility
Identify how many additional servants we need for Asaph
The Role of Asaph in the Diocese
Is HE interested in their being a central organization for deacons, hymns classes, hymns, etc. in the diocese (or in Florida)? Does Asaph want to attempt to fill that gap or play that role?
Deacons Coordinators group/conference/meeting
Similar to the one for Servants Coordinator... HG Anba Basil mentioned to me in 2022 that he would be interested in starting something like this for Deacons Coordinators
Standardization of hymns
Hymns Contests (versus what is coming out of the SMF Books which is so sad...)
Hymns Camps
Priest Hymns
Resolutions
We will not be accepting any new admissions for the Spring or Fall
We hope to announce Didymus plans by May/June 2024
Didymus
One program with an audit option
Auditors view Asaph material (Moallem Hany) and do not have any deadlines or assignments to submit. Auditors are welcome to submit hymns for review. Their hymns will be reviewed by committee members, not by moallems.
What transition incentives can we offer to students who have just finished Year 1 of Asaph?
Next step is to meet with Moallem Magdy again to discuss:
Format, frequency, modes of instruction, etc.
What is $25 per lesson? Is that per teaching lesson?
How can we make Asaph a resource for the diocese for learning specific seasons of hymns (using the Moallem Hany videos)? For example, offer individual classes for each season that are offered for deacons to learn the hymns needed to lead in their church or priests to send their deacons, etc.
Offering of Incense and Offertory; Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Faithful; Nayrouz and the Feasts of the Cross; Month of Kiahk; Nativity and Theophany; Jonah's Fast and Great Lent; Holy Week of Pascha; Holy 50 Days; Apostles Fast and Veneration; Annual Sunday Psalmody; Weekday Praises
Committee Member Roles
Admissions and Academic Affairs - Martina Sidhom
Responding to Emails about academic affairs (where am I, how can I graduate, can I repeat a course, etc.)
Handling Admissions, Priest Recommendations, etc.
Teaching Assistants
At least two for the four Cantors (may need to expand in time)
Communicate with the Moallems,
Public Relations
Social Media
Advertising
IT and Technology - Morcous Wahba + Michael Malak
Setting up the website
Editing and uploading videos
Actions
Morcous to carefully craft message about Moallem Hany's retirement and send in group for review
Nader to grade submitted hymns assignments based on criteria:
Pronunciation
Tune
Rhythm
Tempo (Consistency)
Fr Matthew to reach out to Moallem Pola Magdy to ask if he can help with grading oral exams and exit exams over zoom this year (before we even start Didymos)
Fr Matthew to follow up with Fr Victor regarding the Liturgics Course
Morcous to look into alternative LMS's and hosting a Canvas instance
Martina to reach out to Maria Habib regarding dedicating to being the Public Relations, Social Media and Advertising person for Asaph.
Fr Matthew to reach out to Mareena Hanna if Maria is unable to, or would like to split the load.
