September 9, 2021
Hello friends,

Our next Region 3 Roundtable is Wednesday, October 6th. It's a great opportunity to learn best practices from leaders around the region. And since it's on Zoom, you can do it from the comfort of your couch! We'll be focusing on Recertification Elections and Meet & Confer.

Recertification and Certification elections are the only time your administrators get black and white data on how many employees support the union.

A strong YES vote is crucial.

A strong YES vote depends on your plan to turn out the vote. On October 6th we'll hear from union leaders who have led successful campaigns to get out the vote and the tactics they've used to make sure everyone votes!

We'll also be discussing how to use Meet & Confer sessions to your union's advantage. You can request Meet & Confer sessions whether your union certifies or not. Come hear how local unions have requested sessions, the topics they discuss and who on their teams have these conversations.
See you there!

In Solidarity,

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:

September 22, Wednesday, Zone B Meeting, 6PM


October 6, Wednesday, The Balanced Life Webinar, 6PM

October 13, Wednesday, Region 3 Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM

October 18, Monday, Zone A Meeting, 6PM

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.
Why is it important to check your paycheck stubs?

The beginning of a new school year is a good time to look at your payroll stub to verify that your pay rate, paid time off balance, and other information is correct. Ensuring all the information is accurate, and correcting any errors at the beginning of the year, can avoid larger headaches later on.
For those of you who are dues-paying members, but do not wish to contribute a small portion of those dues to the political action efforts of our union, this notice (required by Federal Law) is for you:
 
A Political Action Committee (PAC) contribution of $5.00 has been added to your WEAC Region 3 dues for 2021-22.
 
The Region 3 PAC utilizes these funds to make contributions to:

  • the political campaigns of candidates for local or state office who have been recommended by WEAC members for election because they are friends of public education and workers’ rights;
  • Local Education Associations (LEAs) to support the election of LEA recommended candidates for school boards;
  • community committees that advocate for passage of school referenda which have been endorsed by LEAs affiliated with Region 3;
  • the PACs of other labor and progressive organizations that support public education issues.
 
The Region 3 PAC cannot make contributions to the political campaigns of candidates for any federal office. 
 
Any member wishing a rebate of the contribution must request such in writing between September 1 and October 30, or within 60 days of becoming a member. Each request must be a separate letter including your name, address and local association name. All requests must be postmarked by October 30, 2021. Once a member requests a PAC rebate, no PAC dues will be drawn in future membership years unless the member specifically requests in writing to reinstate PAC dues participation.
 
For a refund of your WEAC Region 3 PAC contribution, write to: WEAC Region 3 PAC, 1136 North Military Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54303. Telephone requests, multiple requests in the same letter, letters postmarked after October 30, email requests, and letters missing any of the required information (name, address and local association) will not be honored.
Taking a Strong Stand for Safe, Healthy Schools

WEAC's plan for safe and healthy schools is gaining traction, with coverage from several statewide media outlets. Educators want everyone to be masked, vaccinated and following science. Educators must be at the table on these decisions in every single Wisconsin public school.
 
  • All school safety decisions related to the pandemic should be driven by science and include input from educators.
  • All students, educators and adults in school should be required to wear a mask.
  • All teachers, education support professionals and other adults in school should be vaccinated. And those with rare exception who aren't must be tested regularly.
The Region 3 Roundtable is an opportunity to brainstorm with your fellow union leaders throughout the Region. On October 6th 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. For locals that do no recertify we’ll have a conversation about using Meet and Confer to your advantage. Register HERE.
ENHANCE YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGNS WITH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

As we gear up for the 2021-22 school year please, 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:
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. Inspired by Frederick Douglass's abolitionist call to action Mr. Kay has written, Not Light, but Fire. Look for registration to open soon.
NEA Blended Learning Course offering: Social Emotional Learning: Self-Awareness
 
This FREE NEA course is open to ANY and ALL in the education profession and knows that working with students involves more than just subject matter and teaching methods. With the current pandemic, we are reminded that educators need care and reflection time, too. This class offers tools for any educator to take time for self-awareness, tools for reflections, relevant articles and the opportunity to connect with other educators. With the addition of Advisory time in many buildings, the strategies that you learn for yourself can also be used with students as you teach social emotional learning.   
 
The Green Bay Education Association (GBEA) will be starting the course the week of September 27th, 2021, and has invited Region 3 education professionals to attend. To register, click here by September 24th, 2021. The course is both synchronous and asynchronous to accommodate the busy lives of educators. Virtual meetings facilitated by Heather Strayer hestrayer@gbaps.org. Course dates are September 29, 2021- November 17, 2021.
 
Please contact Rachael Poppe (rlpoppe@gbaps.org) with any questions about this NEA Blended Learning Course.  
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.
 
Wednesday Webinars. Back by popular demand. On the first Wednesday of each month a topic relevant to teaching and learning will be covered from 6-7 p.m. A few of the upcoming topics include Building and Maintaining a Humanized Classroom, Using Podcasts for Instructional Purposes, Multi-Sensory Learning Using Arts Integration, and Rethinking Grading. Click here for a full list of webinars and the registration link.
 
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.
 
The Balanced Life. Educators take care of a lot of people. This course takes care of educators. It includes resources, lessons, and monthly challenges to help our members keep an emotional, social, and physical balance in their lives. The registration link can be found here.
 
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!
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).
AVAILABLE AT THE REGION 3 OFFICE
1136 N. MILITARY AVENUE
GREEN BAY
7:30 - 4:30, M-F
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members