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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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Hello friends,
This Friday we kick off the Count Me In program. Count Me In rewards our union members for having one on one conversations with potential members. The campaign will last October 1st through November 30th. We're hoping members will use this as an opportunity to talk to potential members about the importance of voting in recertification elections and union membership as a whole.
Region 3 is asking members to log the conversations they have with potential members in our google form. Once you have five conversations you'll be entered to win a weekend in Chicago to attend Labor Notes in March! For our overachievers, each conversation you have above the required five will count as an additional entry.
Region 3 will cover lodging, meals, mileage and your registration! And you get to bring the union member of your choice!
Labor Notes is my favorite conference. You get to meet union members from all over the world and hear what they've been working on. A few years back I was especially moved by a panel of educators from all over the country who had been on strike that year. Listening to their stories and hearing their courage was an event I will remember forever. Let's go make some new memories and learn from educators from all over the country! (More info on Count Me In below!)
In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
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To encourage outreach to potential members across Region 3, we are launching the Count Me In Program! The goal of this program is three-pronged: to get out the vote for recertification elections (if applicable), recruit more members into our Union, and educate potential members on the benefits of joining their Local Education Association.
Step 1: Sign-up as a participant here.
Step 2: Review the conversation report form here.
Step 3: Sign-up for the Count Me In Program overview and training on October 6 th at 5:30pm (the training is optional but highly recommended). The training will follow our Region 3 Round Table Meeting. Register here.
Step 4: Begin scheduling 1-on-1 conversations with potential members. You will need to ask potential members for their contact info, encourage them to vote in a recertification election (if applicable), and ask them to join your Local Education Association! If you are unsure of where to start, Region 3 can provide any needed training and help you identify potential members.
Step 5: Record your 1-on-1 conversations using the report form. Be sure to complete the form in its entirety.
Once you complete and report 5 conversations with potential members, you will be entered to win a trip to the March 25-27 Labor Notes Conference in Chicago. Lodging, meals, and travel will be covered.
The winner can choose 1 additional WEAC Region 3 member to bring along for the trip.
Learn more about Labor Notes here!
The winner will be chosen at the end of the Program on December 1st. Participants can earn additional entries by having additional conversations. Each reported conversation beyond the required 5 will result in 1 additional entry!
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Read Across America Sweepstakes!
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Every year, Read Across America brings the nation’s largest celebration of reading into our classrooms.
The sweepstakes closes on October 7. Only one entry is allowed per person—but the more people that submit from your school, the more likely you are to win!
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Upcoming Early Career Network Events |
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These events are hosted by the Region 3’s Early Career Network -- if you are not an Early Career Educator (within your first 10 years of teaching), you are more than welcome to join us; however, we ask that you bring along a new hire or an early career educator from your district. Paraprofessionals and support staff new to their careers are also welcome to attend.
If you are interested in joining the Early Career Network, please email Erin Karsten at karstene@weac.org.
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Region 3’s Early Career Network will be hiking the Hemlock Trail at Potawatomi State Park for a total of 2.6 miles. Following the hike, we will drive about 10 minutes to Scaturo's Baking Co. & Cafe in Sturgeon Bay for coffee, tea and/or a bite to eat. RSVP Here!
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Region 3’s Early Career Network will be participating in 2 haunted events at Burial Chamber for a total of $30 per person. Please do NOT purchase your tickets in advance as we are trying to get a $5/ticket group discount. Afterwards, we will head to Greene's Pour House in Neenah for drinks!
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The Region 3 Roundtable is an opportunity to brainstorm with your fellow union leaders throughout the Region. On October 6th, at 4:30, we will be discussing Recertification and Meet & Confer. We’ll discuss how to create a strong turnout plan for your vote and why it’s important. The second half of the conversation will be about using Meet and Confer to your advantage.
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October is Higher Ed Month! |
Join us in celebrating #HigherEdMonth and the faculty and staff who overcame unprecedented challenges on their campuses this past year.
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PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Take note of the wide selection of professional development opportunities available to members through WEAC and the WEA Academy. All offerings are grounded in best practice research and relevant to the day-to-day work of educators. In the spirit of craft unionism, all classes and workshops are practical and meant to compliment the professional learning designed at the local or regional level. Here is a list of some offerings:
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Professional Development Institute. The annual WEAC Professional Development Institute will be held at the Oshkosh Convention Center November 5-7. Our keynote speaker is author and educator Matthew Kay. Mr. Kay has written, Not Light, but Fire, i nspired by Frederick Douglass's abolitionist call to action. REGISTER TODAY
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Modern Strategies for Family Engagement. Family engagement is proven to increase student learning and decrease discipline issues. In a true blended model, educators will connect virtually four times and in person two times with options in Green Bay, Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee and LaCrosse. For more details click here. A light lunch and door prizes are included during the in-person sessions.
Restorative Practices. Restorative Practices is centered on creating a sustainable community of engaged learners through the implementation of classroom circles. This 6-week course held Wednesdays, October 13 through November 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. is interactive and reflective as evidenced in powerful group chats, didactic discussion, and reflective personal writing. Here’s the registration link.
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On Wednesday, October 6, be sure to register for The Balanced Life, self-care in these trying times is crucial to keeping our stress in check. Learn strategies for keeping balance in your life and get an overview of this WEA Academy course.
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Thank you for taking the time to review these offerings, but this is not all. Take a little time and peruse two spots on the WEAC website. First, the Teaching and Learning tab highlights other items such as supports for National Board candidates and Micro-Credentials. Second, the WEA Academy tab shows the entire course catalog. Other popular courses not noted above include FoRT Preparation, Spanish for Educators and Degrees Not Debt!
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NEA is offering 3,000 free tickets to members for the All For Equity virtual workshop from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 16. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis. This is a value of $50 as a benefit of membership.
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Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2021-2022 cycle. Sessions will be held in person at the WEAC Region 3 office but with a virtual option and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette) and Ellie Hinz-Radue (Green Bay).
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Register Now - Equity Ambassadors!
As part of the WEAC Professional Development Institute offerings November 5-7 in Oshkosh, there will be special track options offered with the WEAC Equity Ambassadors Program. Sign up to participate in two days dedicated to advancing equity in your school. REGISTER HERE
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Sign Up for Rural Locals United
Rural school educators and our local unions have unique experiences and needs. WEAC brings us together to keep our rural schools strong and be sure all students have the best teachers and resources. You can register for any or all of the monthly meetings. REGISTER NOW
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Wisconsin Needs Fair Maps and You Can Help!
New electoral maps will soon be drawn in Wisconsin based on the 2020 Census data. How our district lines are drawn will impact voters and representation for the next decade. That’s why we must stop partisan politicians from drawing rigged maps to further entrench those in power & silence the voice of voters.
In Wisconsin, our currently elected officials have abused their control of the redistricting process and have drawn gerrymandered maps. This is not how our democracy is supposed to work. Voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around.
Mapmakers need to hear loud and clear that We the People of Wisconsin will not be excluded from the redistricting process or silenced by gerrymandering.
Sign the petition to support non-partisan redistricting legislation HERE. Want to host an event in your district to help get the word out? Reach out to your Director at Region 3!
Photo above: Former State Senator, Dave Hansen, speaking on the importance of competitive districts at the Pack the Park for Fair Maps event on Saturday August 28.
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High School Labor History Essay Contest: Open to Wisconsin children in Grades 9 - 12, with cash prizes totaling $1,500 for essays of about 750 words on the topic: "Unions have been important to my family and my community because . . ."
Here's what you can do! Encourage any high schoolers you know to compete in the contest. Copy and distribute the announcement and rules here. Download flier here.
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This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members |
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303.
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