January 7, 2022
MEMBERSHIP EDITION, Vol. 6, #5
Hello friends,

Happy New Year! I hope your winter break was refreshing. I hope you slept in and stayed warm! We have a lot of exciting things happening around the Region but I think school board elections are at the top of everyone's list right now. Candidates were announced this week and we have a lot of pro-public education candidates running! Let's do the most we can to ensure we elect quality candidates. Be sure to check if there is a primary for your school board election so you can make a plan to get out the vote. Primaries, if they are happening, will be on Tuesday, February 15th.

In other news, the Region 3 Organizing Committee has created a new microgrant specifically for strengthening your union!
The grant can be used to host events that appeal to early career educators and introduce potential members to your local union! Your local union can request up to $500 to host an event, workshop, or anything else your leaders can dream up! Want to learn more? Contact your Region 3 Director. They would be excited to help you brainstorm potential uses for this new microgrant.

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:

January 13, Thursday, NBCT Session, 5PM
 
January 13, Thursday,
 
January 15, Saturday,
 
January 18, Tuesday,
 
January 19, Wednesday,
 
January 31, Monday,
 
February 8, Tuesday,

February 9, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 4:30PM

April 13, Wednesday, WEAC Pre-RA, 5PM

April 30, Saturday, WEAC RA, Marriott Madison Hotel

May 14, Saturday, Region 3 RA, 10AM
January 18 - Region 3 Roundtable
 
The next Region 3 Roundtable will focus on creating work life balance. Our one-hour meeting will consist of 15 minutes of Veteran leaders sharing best practices on how they have done this in their own life and updates from Local Unions who are tackling the workload issue with their members. The last 45 minutes of the agenda will be our How to Say No workshop.
 
Register HERE
The Ten Minute Meeting
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 during the pandemic? Now is probably the BEST time to reach out to your members! Facebook live, Google hangouts, Zoom...
The January 10-Minute Meeting topic:

School Board Primaries

Is your district having a school board primary election on Tuesday, February 15th? Now is an important time to figure out who the pro-public education candidates are and make sure they get through the primary! The 10-minute meeting is a perfect place to share information out about who the candidates are and which ones union members should be voting for.

Not sure who is running for school board or how your union can be involved? Your Region 3 Director is happy to help your local create a plan to elect quality school board candidates. Your director can help you with the recommendation process and create a plan to get out the vote. Don't hesitate to reach out to the Region for help!
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS IN DECEMBER

8!

We're stronger
every day!

Be part of a special members only opportunity on SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 from 10-11:15 a.m. where we'll get to know U.S. Senate candidates.
During our event, educators will have the chance to ask questions of candidates running for U.S. Senate in small group settings via Zoom. It’s our first event of the important 2022 election cycle, and I hope you’ll take part! Thanks for all you do for students!
 
This will be like "speed dating" the candidates, not your usual meet and greet and should be fun. Please consider attending.
 
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Notice of Important Upcoming Deadlines

JANUARY 15: Nominations are due by January 15 for WEAC President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, NEA Director, Seat #2, Alternate NEA Director, and Minority Guarantee Representative and Minority Guarantee Representative 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, 2022. 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.
Next Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Session - January 13
 
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).
 
 
Nominations are being accepted for several prestigious awards to honor union activists, humanitarian activities, education support professionals and teachers, union staff and friends of public education. Find the nomination criteria and online submission form at weac.org/awards. The deadline for all award nominations is February 1. 

Are you an education support professional looking to enhance your skills or further your career in the education field? WEAC offers two ESP scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2022.
WEAC Webinar Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 2, be sure to register for Advocacy and Collaboration with the Community. The resources in our communities are bountiful. You’ll learn strategies to tap into this trove of community assets to help engage in community problem solving and build your classroom resources. You’ll learn ways to increase connections to community agencies and services to better meet the needs of children and families.

 Registration HERE.
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. 
 
Debbie can be reached through email at ArmitageD@WEAC.org. 
 
Sue can be reached at ClaussS@weac.org.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members