May 27, 2022
The Region 3 office will be closed
Monday, May 30 in observance.
Hello friends,

I've been dreading writing this week's introduction. I'm someone that approaches conflict with humor and that is not possible this week.

Since 1999, we have lost 169 people to school shootings. The shootings have also created a new culture for us. One of active shooter drills, automatically locking doors and windowless rooms. I have built a life around the love of bringing people together to create change and nothing feels more terrible than scrutinizing anyone with a large bag when I'm trying to lead a training or event.

In response to the latest shooting at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, some people are saying they're pulling their kids out of public schools, some are saying we need more police and metal detectors. I'm not here to police anyone's grief or claim to have THE solution. I do know that so many of our school counselors service multiple schools when we should have multiple counselors PER school. I realize that's just one piece of the puzzle but I think it's an important one.

So many of our educators are forced to teach to the test or keep up with the never ending parade of new initiatives, when all they want is to just get to know their students and co-educators. I don't know THE answer but I know educators MUST be part of that conversation. If this is something you're passionate about, concerned about, and want to see change, email WEAC Region 3 and let's get started.

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:

June 8, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting (in person), 5PM

June 22, Wednesday, Zone A Meeting, 4PM

August 2, Tuesday, Zone D North & South Meeting, 6PM

August 2, Tuesday, Zone E Meeting, 5:30PM

August 3, Wednesday, Zone B Meeting, 4PM

August 8, Monday, Zone C Meeting at The Bar on Lynndale & Northland, Appleton, 4PM
Check out the new shirts from the Chilton Education Association!

T-shirts are a fun way to let your fellow educators know about your union. They are also key to showing solidarity in our schools. The summer is a great time to have them made so you can give them to new members in the fall!

Want your local union to have t-shirts? You can always reach out to your director for help!
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
  • Discounts and savings through NEA Member Benefits (www.neamb.com).
  • 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 that provides for two free half-hour consultations with a participating attorney every year
Through the Just One campaign last year, we were able to quadruple the number of new members we normally recruit with Early Enrollment! Given it's success, we are continuing this program.
 
Members who successfully recruit new members through Early Enrollment will be entered to win up to ten $50 gift cards. Participants will receive weekly email updates containing wins and best practices from around the Region! The union members listed above have signed up as participants - those in green have successfully recruited at least one new member and have been entered to win one of several $50 gift cards!
 
Early Enrollment lets potential members join the union now and pay no dues until September. This of course excludes people seeking representation, but it does give people a great opportunity to attend union events, workshops and learn more about your unique union culture! 

Learn more HERE.
Political Action
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members

ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH KAUL
Green Bay Area Fundraiser
Sponsored by WEAC Region 3
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 .
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. 
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.
 
Register now for WEAC's Leadership Academy July 25-27 in De Pere. The WEAC Equity Ambassadors program will run during the same time frame at that location.
 
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.

Visit The WEA Academy’s full course catalog at this link: Shop - Wisconsin Education Association Council (weac.org) and a hub of teaching and learning resources at this link: Teaching & Learning Resources - Wisconsin Education Association Council (weac.org).
 
Finally, applications for breakout session facilitators are currently being accepted for the Professional Development Institute (PDI) at this link: WEAC - PDI Presenter Application - Wisconsin Education Association Council. PDI is happening in Stevens Point this year – October 14-16th. This is several weeks prior to the fall election to avoid final GOTV weekends.
ETF Learning Opportunity/Update - June 2022 Webinars

Annuity Options
When you get your retirement estimate, you’ll see that there are many options for receiving your retirement benefit. You can choose to receive the payment for your life or extend it beyond your life to your loved ones. The choice is yours. We’ll discuss how each option impacts the size of your payment and affects your loved ones.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
  • Define and explain annuity, annuitant, beneficiary and named survivor.
  • Compare the different annuity options.
  • Find resources with more information.
  • Identify the next steps for you to choose an annuity option.
Tue, June 7, 2022 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Wed, June 15, 2022 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Thu, June 30, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
 
Buying Service
You may increase your retirement benefit by buying service if you have worked for:
  • Other government employers.
  • The WRS and taken a separation benefit.
We will discuss:
  • The types of service you can buy.
  • How and when you can buy service.
  • An online tool that lets you see how much buying service can increase your retirement benefit.
Wed, June 8, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tue, June 14, 2022 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thu, June 30, 2022 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
 
Variable Fund
Does putting money in the Variable Fund make sense for you? You and your employer put money in to your WRS account to save for your future. The money in your account is then invested to increase your savings. By default, your money goes into the Core Fund, but you can choose to put half your money into the Variable Fund.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
  • Define Variable Trust Fund and explain how it works.
  • Analyze how the Variable Fund can affect your retirement benefit.
  • Elect to join or cancel the Variable Fund.
Wed, June 1, 2022, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mon, June 20, 2022 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Tue, June 28, 2022 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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