We grew 101 members this summer!

September 1, 2017
Vol. 2, #1

Welcome back

WEAC Region 3 members!

I hope you have had a chance to recharge the batteries over the summer. I know many of you have spent many hours preparing for the new school year -- taking classes, going to workshops, and working on curriculum. Whoever said teachers have off all summer was a liar.

Soon the students will be pouring through the doors and sitting in our classrooms eagerly ready to learn. Some will come to school with all the tools and supports they need to make the best of their education. Unfortunately, others will not. But we, the public schools, will welcome them, encourage them, support them, and do everything we can to help them reach their full potential. That is why I am proud to be a PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.

Public schools are the cornerstone of our democratic society. Public schools are the great equalizer, making it possible for upward mobility. Public schools are the driver of our economy. That is why I am a WEAC member. We are the biggest organization in our state that is fighting to protect and improve our public education system.

When we stand together, we can improve our schools. When we stand together, we can improve our working and teaching conditions. When we stand together, we can improve our communities. And, when we stand together, we can improve the lives of our students.

Think about it: if not us, then who? Who else will fight for reasonable class sizes? Who else will fight for resources so you have what you need to do your job? Who else will fight those who want to steal money from public schools for unaccountable voucher schools? Who else will fight to make sure our pay is adequate and protect the WRS? That's right, all of us, together.

We are here, and we are getting stronger. I hope you have a fantastic year.

Dean DeBroux

WEAC Region 3 President

"The Connection: Membership Edition" is the brainchild of Region 3's Membership and PR Committee: Greg Ubbelohde (New Holstein EA) & Kandace Larsen (Marinette EA) are the co-chairs and welcome new committee members at any time! We all hope you find this once-a-month publication inspiring and helpful!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebrate Success!

WEAC Region 3 welcomes 101 new members this summer!

ELEVEN new members in June

FOURTEEN new members in July

and

SEVENTY-SIX new members in August!

Woo-Hoo!

Ashwaubenon EA sponsored a back-to-school event for members & new teachers at Anduzzi's on August 29:

Got some news to share from YOUR Local? Send it our way!

Tip of the Month

The Ten-Minute Meeting

All too often we hear, "there's no reason to hold a meeting if there's nothing to report/decide/vote on." Or, we hear, "I'm not sure we have a union because there are never any meetings." But mostly, we hear, "I don't have TIME to go to ANOTHER meeting."

You have an opportunity to keep members in the loop AND respect their time by holding 10-minute meetings! It's also a great time to get feedback from people in the building.

If you feel like you're in a rut, why not try the 10-minute meeting?

For more details about how the 10-minute meeting works, click here.

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in Texas as a Category 4 hurricane on Aug. 25, has destroyed many towns along the Gulf Coast, dumping massive amounts of rain over Texas and Louisiana. While the storm may have left, flooding continues-and thousands of lives have been devastated, including the many members of the National Education Association union family.

Estimates show that in Texas, as many as 30 percent of NEA members may be impacted.

To help these and many more educators, the NEA has launched the NEA Foundation Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund, and is now accepting donations to support members and their families affected by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. NEA is also working with its state affiliate, the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA), to coordinate a response.