December 16, 2016 
Hello all,

I've spent some time since November 8 contemplating how I will spend my time in 2017. I quit the Optimist Club - not, ironically, because I don't feel optimistic - but because I want to be sure I'm spending my time on issues I really care about, issues that seem threatened in the next four years. So, I doubled down on my involvement in Literacy Green Bay and have volunteered at Casa Alba, an organization that acts as a resource clearinghouse for Latino immigrants.

I also joined Citizen Action of WI. It's an organizing "cooperative" with a Northeast branch starting up right now! Members pay dues ($20/month) and get to choose the issues that are important to them, joining teams of like-minded folks to concentrate on issues in their own communities. When I joined, I was invited to fill out a survey to indicate my interests. Immigration reform was not on the list, but I put it under "other." Now I'm hoping to see others sign up with me. Together we can accomplish quite a bit! I can contribute to affecting the change I want to see.

Are you feeling overwhelmed about the number of National issues we face? Not sure a march on Washington, or Madison even, is for you? Not sure what a march accomplishes? How about working together to affect change in your very own neighborhood? Take a look at Citizen Action of WI - maybe this is just the fix you need to start 2017 off right!

Contact Rebecca Derenne for more information at rebecca.derenne@citizenactionwi.org or 920-389-1768.
 
Peace
--Kathy Rohde
Regional Director

What's YOUR Best Story?
 
  
7 WEAC Members Earn New National Board Certification

Seven WEAC members, including our very own West DePere EA member, Natalie Buhl, have just joined the ranks of those holding National Board Certification, considered the gold standard in teacher certification. Another 75 Wisconsin educators renewed their national certification this year.

Read On

  Congratulations Natalie!!!
  
 
Professional Development
Region 3 Members Are Golden

All WEAC Region 3 members are Gold Tier members of the Quality Educator Initiative (QEI), a free benefit that costs non-members $125 in the first year and $75 every year after that.
 
QEI helps members write their PDPs, find review team members, navigate the approval and verification processes online, and get help when they need it. Gold Tier members get benefits other QEI members don't, including the opportunity to take the QEI writing course for free, and tap into professional support through the 1-2-1 Remote Connect and Priority Member Assistance programs. 

Contribute!
blanket
6th Annual Blanket Collection - January 5 - 31
 
Please help those in need by donating new & gently used blankets for distribution to area shelters and agencies.  Last year's drive collected 2385 blankets and other items for distribution to Brown County programs that serve homeless and low-income individuals. Blanketing Brown County will have collection sites throughout Brown County including all Green Bay Fire Stations, as well as WEAC Region 3.
 
Region 3 Locals - this could be a great PR project for your Local! Set up a collection box today!
 
For additional info call 920.593.4773, or see flyer
 
Collection put together by: Greater Green Bay Labor Council
Community Services Committee

Grants - Scholarships - Fellowships - Deadlines
Deadline is February 1 for Two $1,000 ESP Scholarships

The deadline is February 1, 2017, to apply for one of two new one-year scholarships that will be awarded to WEAC Education Support Professional (ESP) members for study at either a two-year or four-year accredited institution of higher education.

 

Registration Now Open for WEAC Professional Issues Conference

Registration is now open for the 2017 WEAC Professional Issues Conference, March 3-5 at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. This conference focuses on the most important lever in improving our schools: building the knowledge and skills of educators. In addition to a wealth of workshops, keynote speakers are State Superintendent Tony Evers and Mark Denning, who is nationally recognized as a leading educator, lecturer and curriculum specialist in American Indian history and culture.

Register Now
 
$5,800 College Scholarships Available for Children of Union Members  

The children of WEAC members who plan to become Wisconsin teachers are eligible for scholarships of $1,450 per year for four years of college or university study. WEAC awards four scholarships per year to high school seniors in Wisconsin.
 
The deadline to apply is February 1, 2017.
 
Application forms and more information about the scholarships can be found  on the WEAC website.
 
Attention New Educators

Upcoming WEAC Listening Sessions 
 
We want to hear from new educators! WEAC leaders will be conducting listening sessons for all new educators on these dates: January 12 near Beloit; January 17, Fond du Lac; January 18, Racine-Kenosha; January 24, Hudson; January 25, Brookfield; January 26, Madison.  READ ON 

Member Benefits
New Games Added to Milwaukee Bucks Discount Program 
 
We have added several new games to the Milwaukee Bucks TicketPASS discount program. WEAC members are eligible for these special deals. Upcoming games include January 2 versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, January 6 versus the New York Knicks, and January 23 versus the Houston Rockets. In addition, the Bucks have a special offer for the December 20 game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers: Get an Adidas Players Jersey T-Shirt and a ticket for $49 (a $95 value).

Read On 

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