October 30, 2020
I assume you're like me -- grown numb to, and tired of, the constant ads on tv and social media, the non-stop phone calls and text messages, the neighbor's yards signs, and the Facebook friends we scroll past because of their unoriginal shared posts and memes. Such is the burden that comes with living in a swing state. The fact is, Wisconsin is one of only a handful of states that can change the path of our nation. The outcome, in either direction, will have ripple effects for generations.

So, I am asking one last time . . . what is your PLAN TO VOTE?

  • If you voted early in-person, Awesome!


  • If you requested an absentee ballot, but have not returned it, plan to deliver it in-person or vote at the poll. Don't trust the mail.

  • If you are voting Tuesday at the polls: where, when, and with who? Hey, it's 2020 -- you need to plan for any possibility -- unexpected illness, hours-long lines, inland hurricane, home/work issues, car breakdown, killer hornets, armed militia . . .

Take a deep breath. Hopefully, next week's newsletter will be filled with optimism for the future of public education, worker's rights, our state and our country.

"The only way to change is to vote. People are responsible." ~Paul Wellstone

See you on the other side of Tuesday . . .

Dave Campshure
Region 3 Director
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Recertification News!!!

Voting begins at noon on Wednesday, November 4
and ends at noon on Tuesday, November 24

The locals listed to the right have petitioned to recertify.

Voting online is quick and easy: www.aaaelections.org/WERC
(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."
  • 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
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.
  • 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.
NEW:
PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP FOR REGION 3 MEMBERS!

Region 3 now has a PRIVATE GROUP for members only. We are hoping this will serve as a space for members to check in across the region on what their districts are doing, get updates and get to know one another a bit more!
Please be sure to answer all the application questions and your membership will be approved!
Last Day to Register -
Today, October 30
2020 VIRTUAL Professional Development Institute
Saturday, November 7th
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
WEAC is pleased to announce that author and professor Dr. Anton Treuer will serve as the 2020 Professional Development Institute keynote speaker. Dr. Treuer is professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and the author of 19 books including Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask. His equity, education, and cultural work has put him on a path of service in the Midwest, the nation, and the world.

To register and view the agenda and breakout sessions, click HERE.
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.
WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
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.
WEAC
NEA
Region 3
Special Education Networking Meeting

When: November 16, 2020 @ 4:30 PM
 
Register in advance for this meeting HERE.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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, November 9 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.
You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Virtual Gathering

Wednesday, November 11
4:30 - 5:30 pm

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!
WEAC WEEKLY WEBINAR WEDNESDAY

Every Wednesday between 6-7 p.m. WEAC members have access to a webinar highlighting relevant teaching and learning topics. This Wednesday, November 4, take a deeper dive into the many features of Seesaw. Learn to create custom activities. Discover how Seesaw’s built-in features like folders, skills, and blogs can help streamline the assessment and feedback processes.
A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found HERE.
WEAC is sponsoring workshops for parents and families to help children stay well and keep learning. Our first webinar addresses social-emotional learning, regardless of whether children are learning in classrooms that are remote, in-person, or hybrid. Encourage the families you work with to tune in for tips to promote wellness, connection and achievement.

Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
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).
Find the schedule with registration links HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to join the meeting. Please save this email. 
Restorative Practices - Back by Popular Demand
This course focuses on the principles of restorative practices: restoration, voluntarism, neutrality, safety, accessibility and respect. Offered through the WEA Academy, it is designed to help educators and students build strong, lasting relationships and achieve social discipline through participatory learning and decision making. WEAC members receive a deep discount.
WEAC
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.
Region 3 has added a COVID-19 INFO tab on our webpage: https://region3.weac.org/

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.
Political Action
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.  
“Should the Wisconsin Legislature create a nonpartisan procedure for the preparation of legislative and congressional district plans and maps?” That question is on the November 3rd ballot for residents of Brown and Door Counties. It may appear on some municipal ballots as well. 
 
The resounding answer is YES! 
 
That referendum question is on the November 3rd ballot in eleven counties, including Brown and Door. To date, the referendum has passed in all 17 counties that have presented the question to voters. In addition, 55 of the 72 county boards across the state, as well as more than a dozen municipalities, have adopted resolutions in support of a nonpartisan redistricting process.
 
The fact is Wisconsin is one of, if not the most, gerrymandered state in the country. For example, in 2018 the Democrats won every state-side election, with Tony Evers beating Scott Walker 51% - 49%. However, the Republicans won 63 of 99 (64%) of the state’s Assembly seats in that same election. That was a direct result of the last redistricting maps drawn in 2011 by the Republicans. WI needs a redistricting procedure conducted by a neutral body, rather than one created by attorneys and analysts of the party in control, to ensure fair maps for all voters. For more information on the importance of redistricting and fair elections, please see these sources: League of Women Voters of Brown County message and JSOnline article. 
The election is just days away and we need your help! Join educators from across the state in calling WI voters. Sign up to phone bank here: www.weac.org/volunteer. We have four phone banks left from Sat, Oct 31 to Tues, Nov 3.
 
We will be calling voters across the state to ensure that they vote for a new president and have a plan to vote, especially through absentee ballot. In 2016, the election was decided by less than 23,000 votes. Educators are trusted messengers and can have a high impact on this year’s election. Join other WEAC Region 3 and WEAC members to help elect a pro-public education president!
 
You will need a computer with internet access and a phone to make calls. Please do not use any district devices.
Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, November 3, ELECTION DAY
Thursday, November 5, Zone A Meeting, 4:30PM
Monday, November 9, ESP Connection Call, 4:30PM
Tuesday, November 10, Zone C Meeting, 4:30PM
Wednesday, November 11, WR3 Virtual Gathering, 4:30PM
Wednesday, November 11, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
Wednesday, November 16, Special Ed Networking, 4:30PM
Tuesday, November 17, Zone B Meeting, 4:30PM
Thursday, November 19, National Board Support Session, 5PM
Saturday, January 30, Winter Recharge, All Day