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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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June 3, 2022
MEMBERSHIP EDITION, Vol. 6, #10
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Thoughts from the outgoing local President of Pulaski EA . .
As I sat down to think about what to say for my last General Membership Meeting as the President of PEA, I began to reflect on our union and how we have changed over the past decade. The biggest change is that as an educator we are no longer required to be a member of the local union when hired in a district. Instead, union representatives must explain and show why union membership is vital. I have had to reflect on my own union story and why I have continued to be a member. It is easy. I have witnessed repeatedly how union presence and our voice has impacted individuals, groups, and the entire potential membership.
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Upcoming Events:
June 8, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting (in person), 5PM
August 8, Monday, Zone C Meeting at The Bar on Lynndale & Northland, Appleton, 4PM
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As the PEA President, I have supported dozens and dozens of staff members in the past 10 years. Questions, resignation agreements, retirement letters, workplace safety issues, employee handbook concerns, contract language questions, etc. I have done it! I have helped members organize around workload issues at all levels, substitute teacher issues, school board elections, and more. I have worked with district administration to meet regularly.
On our last Certification election, we had over 70% of the potential PEA group vote YES that they wanted PEA to be the voice for the professional educators with the district. Our educators believe strongly in the work we are doing even those that are not a paying member. I have also worked closely with the leadership team to build our membership and we will continue that work even when I am not leading the PEA. I am proud of the strength we have as a local and the growth we are making with membership goals.
In the last several years, all levels of our union have evolved to include more organizing opportunities. We have learned how to bring members together around issues affecting staff and students and have had to work through the process of how we will share our concerns with those that make decisions regarding the issue at hand. We have had to create a ladder of escalating actions to hopefully make the changes necessary. This is work we continue to do!
My years as the President have been trying! I have had to dig deep at times to keep going but every time felt I was not doing all I could, I would either hear some positive words of encouragement or I would take a step back and think about all we have done, and it would keep me going! There have been many, many sleepless nights thinking about our next plan of action or what else we could do to help an individual through a difficult time in their career. While things do not always go our way, I definitely know without the union, our educators would not have the support they need, especially now with our current workload issues and the public education crisis and mass exodus of educators from the profession.
Stick in there! Remember we are stronger together. Let’s continue to have that collective voice when we have an issue we need to bring to the table! Member or not, we need to all work together, not against each other!
In Solidarity,
Jackie Baumann
WEAC Region 3 President
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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.
Get out there and BE VISIBLE!
How can we have 10-minute meetings? Facebook live, Google hangouts, Zoom, after-school ...
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The June 10-Minute Meeting topic:
Celebrating Your Wins and Each Other!
What did your local union accomplish this year? I'm sure there's a long list! We get caught up in putting out fires all year long. Take a moment at your last 10-minute meeting of the school year to acknowledge all the hard work you've done together.
Who went out of their way to emotionally support you?
Who helped out with an issue?
Who provided mentorship or a helpful tip?
This year was challenging, take the time to applaud each other...maybe over a beer.
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WEAC Region 3 Welcomes
Justin Delfosse
Hello WEAC Region 3. My name is Justin Delfosse, and I am excited to be starting as a Regional Director for WEAC Region 3 on June 9th! I wanted to take some time to introduce myself before I begin serving you in my new role.
I have been in public education for 20 years with 16 of those as a special education teacher at Green Bay West High School and 4 years serving as the president of the Green Bay Education Association. My wife has also been a public-school teacher for 17 years as an EL teacher in the Green Bay Area Public School District. We have 3 children that attend public schools in the Luxemburg-Casco School District.
I believe we must promote and continue to strengthen our locals to help attract and retain the most caring, qualified, and committed professionals to teach in our public schools. As a trusted professional with valuable organizing experience, I am equipped to serve you and to continue the great work that Dave Campshure, Kristin Lytie, and Erin Karsten have already done as Regional Directors.
In Solidarity,
Justin Delfosse
Incoming Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
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This year our team of Region 3 Organizers recruited 23 new members! That's three more than last year! The number of participants and local unions also increased from last year. Here are the winners of the drawing!
Diane Godlewski – Kohler EA
Paul Wilke – Menominee Teachers EA
JamieLynn Teska – Southern Door EA
Nicole Nevers – Kohler EA
Kim Luedtke – Reedsville EA
Julie Rohrer – Clintonville EA
Julia Oswald Tilton – Sheboygan EA
Great Work Everyone! Congrats to all the members that participated in the Just One campaign to grow and strengthen their local unions!
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WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS IN MAY
15!
We are stronger
every day!
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Join Early at No Extra Cost
WEAC EARLY ENROLLMENT
When you become a member of your local association, WEAC and NEA,
by completing an early enrollment membership form, you pay nothing
until September 1 and immediately receive:
- $1 million in coverage under the Educator Employment Liability (EEL) insurance to protect you if a student or parent sues you during the course of employment
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Discounts and savings through NEA Member Benefits (www.neamb.com)
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Savings through WEA Member Benefits (www.weabenefits.com)
At the start of the school year, you will enjoy the full benefits of membership
including:
- Representation through your local and region in employment disputes
- Eligibility for assistance through the WEAC Legal Services Program in matters related to your employment
- Access to the Attorney Referral Program designed to make sure that every NEA member in participating state affiliates has access to affordable legal advice
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Retiring or Thinking About Retiring?
Request an Official Estimate and Application. If you are within 12 months of your minimum retirement age, take the first step in the application process and request an official Retirement Benefit Estimates and Application (ET-4301). Complete one of the request forms below or call a benefits specialist at 1-877-533-5020.
Plan ahead: It may take up to 6 weeks for a Retirement Benefit Estimates and Application (ET-4301) to be processed.
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Reminder -
Wisconsin Lifetime License Background Check
Wis. Admin Code s. PI 34.041 requires educators who hold a valid Lifetime license to submit a request to the department to have a new background check conducted and to confirm employment status at least once every five years. The request shall be made between January 1 and June 30 of the fifth year since the individual's last background check. If your most recent background check was in 2017, you are due to submit an application to DPI in order to maintain your Lifetime license. You must submit this application to DPI by June 30, 2022, to maintain your Lifetime license.
Follow the Application Directions for Background Check to Maintain Lifetime License to submit your background check HERE .
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In partnership with the WEA Academy, WEAC’s Teaching and Learning program continues to develop new and innovative professional resources, workshops, and courses for members across the career continuum. Their programs are grounded in research and designed to be interactive and relevant for the moment.
HERE are several upcoming offerings.
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This summer is bringing a much needed opportunity to breathe, finally. With all that educators have endured over the past two years, this summer is the time to refill our cups and take steps to ensure they stay filled throughout this upcoming school year. During this four-hour retreat in New London, Wisconsin, you’ll get to choose from multiple activities to relax and restore in a beautiful nature sanctuary. You’ll also learn tips, tricks, and strategies to add to your toolbox to keep your well-being supported all year long. Finally, time will be taken to set meaningful intentions and strong plans to ensure you’re not finding yourself burned out this school year.
Join others for a special summer retreat to help you restore and prepare for your best year of teaching.
More information can be found here.
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Register now for WEAC's Leadership Academy July 25-27 in De Pere. The WEAC Equity Ambassadors program (see below) will run during the same time frame at that location.
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Educators who are passionate about the power of public education to transform lives are invited to attend our next training session, June 25-27 in De Pere running concurrently with the WEAC Leadership Academy.
This union-led training is focused on creating a more just and inclusive society. Equity Ambassadors gain access to mentorship and resources, including expert advice and reference materials.
We have three levels of training to meet educators where you are at, so you're encouraged to invite a group from your local association to take part. There is no cost to attend, thanks to a generous grant from the NEA.
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2022 NEA Representative Assembly
July 3 - July 6, 2022
The 2022 NEA RA will again be held the first week of July.
Please visit the NEA RA page on the WEAC website for the latest information specific to Wisconsin Delegates - click HERE.
The NEA RA website has a page dedicated to delegate resources - click HERE.
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If you have recently moved, gotten a new phone number or email address, changed schools or banking information, please contact Region 3 staff assistant Debbie Armitage or Sue Clauss. They will be able to make any changes to your records. This information helps us ensure that we are able to stay connected with you.
They can both be reached by phone at 920-496-2440.
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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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