August 6, 2021
MEMBERSHIP EDITION, Vol. 5, #11
Hello friends,

There is such a wealth of knowledge within our local leadership teams. You have so much to learn from each other and that's the idea behind the Region 3 Roundtable next week Tuesday, August 10th. At this Roundtable we'll be discussing New Hire Orientation plans. It's the time of year when your union has the most potential to grow. It's also the period when you can set the tone and culture of your union that will last in people's minds. No pressure, right?

Luckily, you've got all of Region 3 to support you. Come learn (virtually) from people doing the work and making it work at the Roundtable!

Register HERE!

The Roundtables will be a space to brainstorm, share best practices and create action plans on topics that matter to you. They will take place every other month. Have a topic you want to discuss across the region? Let your director know!

In Solidarity,

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:

August 9, Monday, Zone C Meeting, 1:00PM

August 10, Tuesday, Region 3 Roundtable, 3:00PM

August 11, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 4:30PM

August 17, Tuesday, Zone E Meeting, 5:30PM

August 19, Thursday, Zone A Meeting, 3PM
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 August 10-Minute Meeting topic:

Recruiting for your Union:
The How and Why


When I ask locals why they don't do ten minute meetings or events the response I usually get is, "No one comes so we don't do them." Not having events or meetings where people can see the work of the union adds to the negative trend of declining membership. We have to be strategic about how and why we are asking potential and existing members to engage with our union.

HOW:
One tool to help you build a strategy around turnout is relationship mapping. It's a tool to show you the relationships in your school that will tell you exactly who should be inviting who. In the image above, members are in green, potentials in pink. The major influencers in your school are the larger names inside a circle. These are the people who others look to in meetings, go to for advice or their classroom is a gathering spot. Even though I am left handed and will smear everything, I love a white board for this mapping. It allows the group to give input and understand the network of the building. Once you have everyone mapped you know Lauren, Beth and Greg should invite Nick to the social and you can ask Brandy why people in her social circle haven't joined the union. What's Jess' story? She's obviously very pro-union and charismatic. Honestly I could fill this whole email with questions this map creates. Analyzing your buildings will reveal a deeper level of understanding and create a plan for turnout that shares the work.

WHY:
"Hey do you want to be president? No one else here does." How did you feel reading that? Does it feel like an organization you want to be a part of? It feels like you're doing them a favor by engaging with them and that never feels worthwhile.

So often when we want to mobilize we aren't thoughtful about how we are asking people to be part of something because we want NUMBERS. To get attendance at a meeting it seems logical to throw a wide net with a mass email to get the most turnout.....but what about the person that's reading that email? (if they read that email) Their thought process is probably something along the lines of, "Well if they just want anyone they don't NEED me specifically and I can stay home and watch Netflix."

Now imagine someone you like asks you over coffee to attend a meeting because you're someone who gets stuff done!

Feels a lot better, doesn't it? What is it about that person that makes you want them there? Tell them!

A union is an organization built on the shared values of fighting for our students and each other. The more we talk about these values the stronger our connections become and the stronger our unions become. Want help mapping and thinking about asks? Your Director would be thrilled to help!

For more details about how the 10-minute meeting works, click here. For previous 10-minute meeting topics:
WELCOME ALL
NEW MEMBERS IN JULY



We're stronger
every day!
Region 3 Roundtable

The Region 3 Roundtable will debut on Tuesday, August 10 at 3pm. One good thing to come out of last year is how convenient Zoom can make our union meetings! The Roundtable will be a place to learn best practices around New Hire Events.

We'll be featuring breakout rooms based on locals sizes so you can learn from locals similar to your own. The majority of our Roundtable will be time to collaborate, brainstorm and work as a team.

The Roundtable will be every other month and focus on the topics our leaders want to strategize around.

Future Roundtable Topics:

October
Recertification Elections and Meet & Confer

December
School Board Elections

Have a topic your local union wants to learn more about? Let your director know!

Start assembling your team and register today! Register HERE.
Federal COVID Funding For Schools: What Educators Need To Know
 
Congress has passed three rounds of funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Act (ESSER I, II and III). WEAC has compiled information regarding ESSER into a single webpage so educators and union leaders can educate themselves on the basics of ESSER funds, like how much is your district getting and what the funds can be used for. What Educators Need To Know about ESSER Funds.
 
Similar funding was provided to Wisconsin Technical Colleges through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Information on those rounds of funding can be found here: HEERF, HEERF II, HEERF III."
ETF
Live Webinars Scheduled for AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

ETF is offering a series of 30-minute, live, interactive webinars designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits. Individuals can also ask questions at the end of these sessions. Visit their webinar page to learn more. Here is what others have said about their webinars:

  • My participation in the webinar was a first for me, and I just want to compliment you on how easy it was to connect, follow along, and provide questions or requests. Excellent job!"
  • "Thanks for having these valuable webinars. The professional but conversational style helped me to understand the presentation as easily as an "in office" meeting. Really appreciate that the presenter fully understands the subject. Wonderful job."

 
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members