MSAT Workshops for 08-'09 School Year

Tim McMullin, Chairman, Masonic Student Assistance Training Program (MSAT)

MSAT (Pronounced EM-sat) is a three-day workshop for educators sponsored by the Masonic fraternity in New York. An MSAT workshop unveils a multi-step system for helping young people who engage in behavior that puts them at risk, such as drug or alcohol abuse, gangs, or even suicide. Educators will deal with student issues that affect attendance, behavior, health (mental and physical) and academics. A school building should plan to send at least four to six educators who will form a core building team.

Educators leave an MSAT Workshop after three days, saying, "This is the best workshop I ever attended - and I mean, EVER!" Schools see a concrete model, compare it to what they do, make modifications, and better support their at risk population. The model can be implemented immediately.

All costs (estimated at $400 per teacher) are paid by the Masons, so there is no cost for a school to attend.
Since MSAT began in New York State in October 2001, there have been 30 MSAT Workshops offered in the state, and a total of 331 school based teams have attended, composed of 1753 New York Educators.

For this coming year 2008-2009, the dates for Utica, held on the campus of the Masonic Care Community are 10/21-23, 2008; 1/27-29, 2009; 3/31-4/2, 2009. At the Utica site, rooms and meals are provided for the participants. Rooms and meals are funded by the New York Masonic Fraternity.

Regional workshops:
For Western NY, on Nov 18, 19, and 20, 2008 site in Erie County
For the NY Metro area, including Long Island, during December 1-5, 2008.

For more information or to register a school team, call 1-888-694-0511 or e-mail msat@nymasons.org
Visit www.nymasons.org/cms/msat for the latest information.