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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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We at Region 3 hope you will enjoy to rest your Thanksgiving break as a time to rest and reflect on the tremendous amount of work you've done so far this year. Personally I will be reflecting on how thankful I am to be a part of the Region 3 team and all the work we have done over the past few months to help our leaders advocate for the safety of their fellow educators.
The Region 3 Office will be closed November 26-27
and there will be no newsletter next week.
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Hello friends,
As you know, we have been organizing educators throughout the state for DHS to create a statewide metric that would determine when it is safe to move from virtual learning to face to face instruction and likewise when communities should move from face to face learning to virtual. Right now districts within the same counties have widely differing plans and it's not working. We all share the same community spaces and health care facilities so we can't pretend each district is their own island. To remain open for face to face instruction right now results in a rotation of closing classrooms and entire buildings.
We can't gamble with our health like that.
Tony Evers and Andrea Palm of DHS have received our report pointing out these dangerous flaws and have agreed to discuss the issue further but
WE NEED YOU!
Please take action now and virtually lobby with us by writing about your own experience and concerns HERE.
The more people that lobby with us the more likely we will be victorious. Please share it far and wide: share it with members, potential members, your friends and family. If your board has already done the right thing and made your safety a priority we still need you to help out your fellow educators to ensure that everyone has a safe workplace.
It's disheartening that a virus has been politicized but it's the role of the union to advocate for everyone's health and safety. This may be an unpopular opinion in some of our districts but right now we need to focus on getting through this public health crisis together.
In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
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Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, December 2, Organizing Committee Meeting, 5PM
Thursday, December 3, Pick Your Boss! A Training on Electing Pro-Education School Board Members , 6PM
Wednesday, December 9, Legislative Committee Meeting, 6PM
Monday, December 14, ESP Check-In, 4:30PM
Tuesday, December 15, Zone B Meeting, 5:30PM
Saturday, January 30, Winter Recharge, All Day
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Recertification News!!!
Voting began at noon on Wednesday, November 4
and ends at noon on Tuesday, November 24
The locals listed to the right have petitioned to recertify.
(There is an option to vote by phone, but given past issues with that system, Region 3 recommends using the online voting process.)
As a reminder, certification with the WERC requires 51% or more of ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS to vote “YES” in favor of being represented by the Local Association & WEAC Region 3. This election is unique because all ballots not returned are counted as “NO” votes. Therefore, encourage ALL of your co-workers to vote "YES."
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- Appleton EA (teachers)
- Bonduel EA
- Cedar Grove-Belgium EA
- Chilton EA
- Coleman EA
- Crandon EA
- De Pere EA
- Florence EA
- Gillett EA
- Howards Grove EA
- Kiel EA
- Laona EA
- Little Chute EA
- Luxemburg-Casco EA
- Manitowoc EA
- Marinette EA
- New Holstein EA
- Niagara EA
- Niagara ESP
- Oconto EA
- Oostburg EA
- Pembine EA
- Peshtigo EA
- Plymouth EA
- Port Washington-Saukville EA
- Port Washington-Saukville ESP
- Random Lake EA
- Sevastopol EA
- Sheboygan EA
- Stockbridge EA
- Two Rivers EA
- Wabeno EA
- Wausaukee EA
- White Lake EA
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Additional Recert Voting Information:
- Your vote is secret.
- Voting "Yes" does not obligate anyone to become a member.
- All employees in a bargaining unit vote, not just union members.
- If you have problems voting, call 1-800-529-5218 during the hours of 10 am to 6 pm Monday-Friday.
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If that does not resolve the problem, report the issue to Region 3 at 920-496-2440, 800-472-5582 or email Region3@weac.org.
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No REST ‘til RECERT!
Wow! Some Locals are ahead of the game and already reached the 51% threshold. Let’s see how many votes they can get before Tuesday! For those with less than 51% of the vote, you’ve got some work to do. Don’t join the short list of Region 3 locals that have experienced the pain and frustration of failing to recertify by a mere 1 or 2 votes (it HAS happened); the rules prohibit rounding up…so 50.89% is not good enough. You have until this Tuesday, November 24 at noon to get out the vote. Remember – you can use district email to send out voting reminders (and you can do this more than once)! Also, be sure to reach out to both members and non-members, as every eligible person who does not vote is counted as a vote for NO representation.
If you haven’t reached the 51% threshold (see below), we recommend sending out reminder emails using your district email, texting or calling your coworkers, if you have their phone numbers, emailing their personal emails, and reaching out to them on Facebook or other social media platforms! The more methods of communication you use, the more likely you are to get out the vote!
Please reach out to your Regional Director if you have questions, concerns, or need help with voter turnout!
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On Thursday, December 3, Region 3 will conduct a workshop on how we can help Pro-Education candidates get elected to school boards! The workshop will be on Zoom from 6-7:30.
You have the unique opportunity to pick your boss
so let's make the most of it!
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Winter Recharge,
a day of member-led professional development, is on the horizon!
Saturday, January 30th, we will host a day of workshops and we need you to teach! Have a topic you are passionate about? Know someone that has helped others with a skill? Fill out our application to present a workshop. Last year we had Yoga, Mindfulness in our Classrooms and so much more! Fill out the form HERE.
All facilitators will be given a stipend of $200.
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WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
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WEAC online member sign-up, Join Now, is now available to provide a convenient and fast way for educators to become members of our union.
In a series of simple screens, educators can enter their information to become a member. This feature is especially useful during one-on-one membership conversations. While the process is entirely online, it is recommended that organizers and leaders stay with educators through the sign-up process to answer any questions that might arise.
For an overview of the Join Now experience, click here.
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EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL CONNECTION CALL FOR ALL ESP'S
WEAC Region 3 would now like to invite members and potential members to these meetings. This is your opportunity, Region 3 members, to bring a non-member friend. Let's show them the value of union membership!
Region 3 created an ESP Connection Call to check in with one another, keep each other in the loop and plan our next steps. It was discovered that now more than ever ESP staff need to be in contact with each other to discuss what their districts are doing, best practices and how to implement them in their own district. The global pandemic has revealed that schools are the social safety nets for many of our communities and that those safety nets work because you do.
Please join us on Monday, December 14 at 4:30 pm via zoom to participate in this important conversation.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, December 9
4:30 - 5:30 pm
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Please note that you need to PRE-Register for the meeting by clicking on the link above. Then an email will be sent to you with the login link.
We look forward to SEEING you!
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NO WEBINAR ON NOVEMBER 25
On Wednesday, December 2, be sure to register for, A Web Whiteboard: Real Time Learning, a quick, no fuss, join and go interactive whiteboard tool with unlimited potential.
A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found HERE.
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Teaching Is Tough
Headspace for Educators has free programs for teachers and support staff.
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WEAC Webinars for Parents
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Have parents looking for resources about making the most of virtual learning? Want to connect with parents?
WEAC has put together some great webinars! Topics include academic supports & resources and special education needs.
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Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
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WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2020-2021 cycle. Sessions will be held virtually until further notice and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette).
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Using Restorative Practices in Schools
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Gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to operate from a restorative lens and how the practices can be used in schools. This WEA Academy six-week, three-credit course, features group chats, reflective group discussions and personal writing.
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Important Deadlines
JANUARY 15: Nominations are due by January 15 for WEAC Secretary-Treasurer, NEA Director, Seat #1, Alternate NEA Director, and MGR Alternate to the WEAC Board of Directors to be decided at the Representative Assembly in April. All persons desiring to be candidates for these positions shall file their intention in the office of the Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708-8003. Such notice must be given no later than January 15, 2021. Please contact Ann Caruso for paperwork for filing for these positions. She can be reached at CarusoA@weac.org or 800-362-8034, extension 219.
JANUARY 15: The deadline for submitting proposed changes to WEAC Bylaws, Constitution, Standing Rules or Resolutions is January 15. Changes should be submitted to the Office of the WEAC Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708.
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Clicking on that tab gives you access to a Google Drive with all kinds of updated information. We have posted a document with links and resources, recordings of virtual gatherings, an Excel version of our survey data, and more.
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The Wisconsin Labor History Society announces its Essay Contest for the 2020-2021 School Year for Wisconsin high school students (Grades 9-12). Win cash prizes up to $500. Write essays of about 750 words on the topic:
"Unions have been important to my family and my community because. . ."
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Pay Attention to Year-End Deadlines
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If you’re considering making any of the following decisions related to your WRS benefits, be aware of important deadlines and take action soon:
- Making additional contributions to your WRS account
- Withdrawing a health insurance application/change
- Buying creditable service
- Electing or cancelling Variable Trust Fund participation
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
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