September 23, 2021
Hello friends,

Wow, we have a lot of exciting things happening at Region 3! On October 1st, we are launching Count Me In, a campaign that rewards members for having one-on-one conversations with potential members. Not sure what a one-on-one is or not sure how to start the conversation? We're having a virtual training at 5:30 (directly after the Region 3 Roundtable) on Wednesday, October 6th. Speaking of the Roundtable, that's going to be a great opportunity to learn from your fellow union leaders about what works for turning out the vote for your recertification election and how to use Meet & Confer effectively.

Region 3 is also launching the Early Career Network! Our goal is to identify, recruit, support, and engage Early Career Educators and Staff in our Association and connect them with strategic and meaningful opportunities for professional learning, leadership, and advocacy. We aim to provide Early Career Members with networks and resources that will equip them to succeed and to provide a forum for building solidarity with fellow union members across the Region. More info below!

Lastly, we're encouraging members to pick the professional development workshop Region 3 will be offering on Tuesday, November 2nd. Topics to choose from and a link to vote are below!

In Solidarity,

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:


October 6, Wednesday, Count Me In Kickoff 30 Minute Training (Right after the Region 3 Roundtable), 5:30PM

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

October 19, Tuesday, Organizing Committee Meeting, 5PM

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

October 18, Monday, Zone A Meeting, 6PM

October 21, Thursday, NBCT Training, 5PM

October 27, Wednesday, Zone B Meeting, 6PM




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 6th 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!
Vote for the Professional Development Workshop You Want!

On Tuesday, November 2nd at 6pm, Region 3 will host a PD workshop of your choosing! We're encouraging members to vote for the workshop they want to attend.

Choices Include:
  1. Beating Back the Bully Principal- Using union visibility to change the culture of your school
  2. Truth In Teaching- A union created curriculum on teaching truth on tough topics
  3. How to Say No- Creating Work Life Balance

Vote HERE!
WEAC

The WEAC Board of Directors will hold a special election in November to fill the WEAC Secretary-Treasurer vacancy. That individual will serve through July 31, 2022. Any WEAC member interested in running to fill the position must submit his or her name by October 11, 2021.
Help for local presidents, treasurers and more.
WEAC has compiled resources to help new and experienced local leaders and building representatives.
 
Local President Toolkit
Local Treasurer Toolkit
Updates from the Department of Public Instruction
 

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.

Register HERE.
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:
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, inspired by Frederick Douglass's abolitionist call to action. REGISTER TODAY
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.
 
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.
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.
 
Registration 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!

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.
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
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.
Education Advocacy Update
WEAC is watching a number of bills in the State Legislature that would impact what - and how - we teach.
 
Bills requiring prescribed civic education, cursive writing and additional reading assessments in grades K-12 are all in motion, along with legislation to require schools to notify and provide opt-out for any programming related to sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression. Add to this mix a bill circulating to expand the ability for students to transfer between schools requiring face masks and those that do not, and you can see why educators must be involved in education advocacy at the state policy level.
 
Find all the bills we're watching at www.weac.org/bills. 
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. 
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members