September 16, 2021
Hello friends,

Congratulations to all our summer organizers across the state who worked diligently to bring in over 682 new members! Within Region 3 we recruited 37 new members from March through June with Early Enrollment and efforts like the Just One Campaign. From July through the beginning of the school year, Region 3 recruited 128 new members! The counts are still growing as educators are settling into the school year and completing their paperwork.  

As part of the Summer Organizing Program debrief with the Pulaski Team, I asked each of the organizers what their most challenging moment had been. Flashing back to my own personal history organizing new unions at packing houses, I was expecting to hear about someone being a real prickly pear. I have a ton of stories from my time as an organizer fresh out of college from being chased off lawns, getting lost in the boonies, and once on a campaign a group of men thought instead of asking for 1:1’s I was trying to take them all out on dates, chaos ensued. As I braced for something like that, Amy Gee, an organizer and communications chair from the team, paused for a moment and then said, “It was actually just pushing myself to get started.” Jess Rosenberg-Fredrickson and Emily Tewes, the other team members, quickly agreed. Amy went on to explain that once she started reaching out to talk to her coworkers, the conversations were fun and rewarding. Jess and Emily once again agreed. I was excited by how much the team enjoyed the work of organizing. In fact, the way we were talking, it didn’t feel like work at all. Within our team we built a warm atmosphere that focused on being vulnerable, which created a space where we could brainstorm without feeling competitive. The Pulaski organizers are keeping this positive momentum going by working with building reps to create relationship maps within each of the schools and share best practices. Organizing really is like riding a bike, the more we do it the better we become. Initially, the stories we tell ourselves can hold us back but if we lean on each other we’ll succeed!

Some locals are inviting new hires to their general membership meetings so they can see the types of issues the union is working on. Of course, we don’t talk about sensitive issues, share membership data or allow these individuals to vote, but this is a great way for new people to see us in action! It’s important to remember to include new hires and potentials at appropriate times so that door to union membership feels open to them. Congrats to Team Pulaski and all the other locals in Region 3 that participated in the summer organizing program: Marinette, Manitowoc, Appleton and Sheboygan! And another special shout out to locals bringing in new members like Southern Door, Luxemburg-Casco, and Kiel! This is exactly what we mean when we say, “we need to build an organizing culture.” As we navigate this year with everything the world is throwing at us, the union is going to be a valuable place for people to share their concerns and hopes. The stronger our memberships are, the more we can effectively advocate for our students and each other. 

In Solidarity,

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:


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

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

October 18, Monday, Zone A Meeting, 6PM

This summer, the Manitowoc Education Association participated in WEAC’s Ed Summer Program to work on membership recruitment and strategic planning ahead of the school year. One of the member organizers, Riley Garbe, (featured in this video) came up with the idea to create a video to help educate potential members on the benefits of union membership. With the help of WEAC’s Communications Director, Christina Brey, they were able to record this awesome video to publicize on social media! If you’re interested in creating a Facebook Page or a video like Manitowoc’s, get in touch with your Regional Director! 
WEAC
As you may have already heard, Ron Martin, an Eau Claire middle school teacher serving as president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, has been elected to the National Education Association Executive Committee. Marshfield Teacher’s Association member and WEAC Vice-President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen will complete Martin’s remaining term of office.

Kim Schroeder, who has been serving as WEAC Secretary-Treasurer, was named to the position of WEAC Vice President on September 11. The WEAC Board of Directors will hold a special election in November to fill the 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. 
For necessary paperwork and a list of the campaign rules governing this election, contact Ann Caruso at carusoa@weac.org or at 800-362-8034, ext. 219. 
In November, the WEAC Board will, by secret ballot with weighted vote, elect a member from among the nominees.
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. For locals that do no recertify we’ll have a conversation 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!
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.
Savers Club
Savers Club Mobile App
 
Did you know WEAC Savers' Club has a mobile app? Much easier for our on-the-go members! Here's a link with download instructions. 
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members