June 9, 2017   
Hi all,

The WEAC Region 3 annual Representative Assembly was held
Saturday, May 13, with 41 delegates in attendance.  President Dean DeBroux discussed the current political environment, the recent formation of local co-op groups, and the need for continued engagement. 

Changes to the Constitution & Bylaws were presented, then explained and justified, with the delegates voting to approve eliminating the WR3 Board of Directors; creating a new Zone (Zone F) for our technical college members; and reducing the timeline to submit delegates for the WR3 RA from 30 days to 10 days. 

The RA delegates elected Chuck Boland from the Little Chute EA its next secretary, Chris Heller from the Appleton EA its next treasurer, and Sue Smits from the DePere ESP its next ESP at-Large.  

Lastly, the delegates voted to increase the Region 3 annual dues $3, and maintain the Political Action Committee dues.

Peace,
--Kathy Rohde
Regional Director
What's YOUR Best Story?

I'm a member because . . .

"In Los Angeles, I walked the line in '89. My mother was MTEA until she passed away in 1991. I believe in the saying, 'If you don't have a seat at the table, chances are you're on the menu.'"


Tom Tyson
Sheboygan EA
Region 3 is Participating in
NEA's Early Enrollment Campaign

Now is a good time to have membership conversations with folks who haven't yet made the commitment to join our union. Early enrollment is available to any employee who has never been a member of WEAC/NEA. For those who fill out an early enrollment form, these are the benefits:
  • Membership for the 2017-18 school year (September 1, 2017, through August 31, 2018) begins as soon as we receive a signed form.
  • Payment of dues does not begin until September 10, 2017.
  • NEA liability insurance begins immediately.
  • Access to QEI Gold Membership, WEAC Saver's Club, and NEA Click and Save.
Please contact WEAC Region 3 at 800-472-5582 for more details about how to sign up your members using the Early Enrollment plan.



The August 7th Listening Project has a very important focus: a Fall Membership Drive for YOUR local. When a team from YOUR local attends this workshop, they will come away with a PLAN to increase membership. You can't afford to miss this one! Learn more and sign up today!

TEACHER CONTRACT RENEWAL DEADLINE


Individual teacher contracts must be signed and returned to the District on or before Thursday, June 15th. Where a district did not provide a notice of non-renewal or renewal by May 15 to teachers, those teachers must "self-renew" their contracts by the statutory deadline of June 15. A  letter stating the following is sufficient:
 
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. ยง 118.22(2), given that the District did not provide me with notice of renewal or refusal to renew my individual contract by May 15, my teaching contract now in force is to continue for the ensuing school year. I hereby accept the renewal of my 2016-17 individual contract for the 2017-18 school year.

Please call the WEAC Region 3 office at 800-472-5582 if you have any questions.


Professional Development
Career Learning Labs

Career Learning Labs are being offered in the near future by NEA & WEAC Region 3. 
 
Find here a short video that highlights and addresses the basics of the program. Please do not hesitate to contact Region 3 Learning Labs Coordinator Scott Jelinek-Zittel  with any questions you may still have.
 
Additionally, the local coordinator and virtual coach descriptions are here. We are looking for candidates to apply. Please share these descriptions with anyone you know that may be interested.
 
Finally, here is the link for those wishing to sign up to participate in the program this fall.

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

Follow state budget updates at weac.org/budget


Public Listening Sessions Scheduled on ESSA Plan

Listening sessions on the state's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan will be held June 12 in Pewaukee, June 15 in Tomahawk, June 16 in Oshkosh, June 19 in West Salem, June 19 in Milwaukee, and June 27 in Madison. The listening sessions are conducted by the Department of Public Instruction and will feature short presentations with information about Wisconsin's ESSA plan followed by guided discussions. The listening sessions are one way to get teacher voice into decisions about the future of education. It's also critical to get involved in your local school district to shape policy - the new law requires educators to be at the table. Find out more.

Don't Miss!



WEAC's National Board Jump Start Training is July 24-26 at UW-Eau Claire

Jump Start is an intensive seminar geared for teachers pursuing National Board Certification who intend to submit components in the 2017-18 school year. This professional development opportunity has been designed by NEA members who are Nationally Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). Over the years these union members have worked with thousands of candidates across the country assisting with component entry.

In the Jump Start seminar you will be provided with important information about the certification process, time to examine component and assessment center requirements, the opportunity to plan how to meet requirements as well as time to collaborate and gather resources needed to pursue your certification. All of this in a supportive, constructive, and collegiate environment. Find out more and register now.

ETF
Live Webinars Scheduled for June

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 about any of the following sessions. 
  • Buying Service
  • Retirement Annuity Options
  • Variable Fund
  • WRS Benefits: New & Mid-Career Employees
Member Benefits
Special Noah's Ark Waterpark Discount for WEAC Members

WEAC is again partnering with Noah's Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells to offer a special discount for WEAC members in 2017. The WEAC member daily ticket admission is just $23.99 + $1.62 tax = $25.61, a discount of $19.21 off the retail gate price. (General parking is $15, and VIP parking is $20.) This online only benefit program offers not only exclusive savings, but allows you to "print and go" so you have your ticket in hand when you get to the park with no waiting in the line to purchase tickets. Noah's Ark is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Find out more and purchase your tickets now!

Will your retirement plan last a lifetime?

What do you think the chances are you'll live to age 75? 85? How about 90? It's higher than you think. How would your plans for retirement change if you knew you were going to live to 100?

When planning for your retirement years, you'll be better prepared if you understand the role life expectancy should play on your savings decisions.


Find AAA Discounts for WEAC Members

CLICK HERE
Schedule It!
 
Click HERE to see our Region 3 Calendar. It includes WEAC and Region 3 governance meetings, Professional Development events, and many other workshops, meetings, and events sponsored by our office.

Here's the other stuff:

 

  


WEAC Region 3
800-472-5582
rohdek@weac.org
www.region3.weac.org