May 14, 2021
Hello friends,

We had another successful Region 3 RA on Saturday, May 8th. Our Region 3 President, Nathan Ugoretz, led the conversation for local leaders who attended virtually. We also had special guest Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, our WEAC Vice President, who shared exciting news with us about her candidacy for WEAC president. The Calumet Co. Dems Co-Chair, Stacy Rudig, Heather DuBois Bourenane of the Wisconsin Public Education Network, Deb Dassow, the chair of the 6th CD Democratic party and Oz County Dem Party Chair, also joined us to discuss volunteer opportunities to elect candidates that support public education, the state budget and how important our voices are.

Our Region Vice President, Jackie Baumann, gave us an update from the Organizing Committee and all the exciting work they did over the year including Winter Recharge, the upcoming Region 3 Roundtable and the 15 new members we've brought on with the Just One campaign!

The budget for next year was approved and included an emphasis on organizing programs and a no dues increase.

Region 3 Executive Committee Leadership remains the same with Nathan Ugoretz, President, Jackie Baumann, Vice President. Re-elected to the treasurer position was Chris Heller, and Secretary position, Sarah Weyenberg. Zone A has a new leader - Karla Rastall, Marinette EA, and Zone B's new leader is Natalie Buhl, West DePere EA. Zone C will continue to be lead by Melissa Anderson, New London EA; Zone D North, JamieLynn Teska, Southern Door; Zone D South, Aaron Juhl, Chilton EA; and Zone E, Rebecca Letter, Sheboygan EA. The Zone F leadership role remains vacant.

Our Region 3 board still needs an ESP at Large leader. Representing the views and voices of support staff in our union is so important. If you are a support staff union member, I encourage you to reach out to your director to discuss how we can make our ESP locals stronger.

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie, Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
All Meetings Virtual

June 9, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM

June 10, Zone B Meeting, 4:30PM

June 22, Tuesday, Zone A Meeting, 3:30PM
LEND A HAND IN HOWARD SUAMICO
Distance
We all want to finish the year together safely. Educators in Howard Suamico are concerned that the safety protocals in their schols may be threatened due to parent pressure. That's why the Howard Suamico Education Association is rallying all our allies concerned with the health and safety of students, educators, and our community as a whole.

Sign this statement of support to let the HSSD know you appreciate the district's commitment to safety and you hope it continues.

If you are able to do so safely, please attend the HSSD board meeting on May 17th at 5:30pm. The meeting will be held at the District Office: 2706 Lineville Rd. Please wear RED FOR ED to show that you support HSSD's continuing use of Covid 19 mitigation strategies, specifically face coverings. Tie a RED FOR ED ribbon around the antenna of your vehicle. This visible support will let your community know that you support HSSD's continuing use of Covid 19 mitigation strategies.
New contracts will issued by May 15th. While we know you are excited to turn it in, please be sure to read and review it to see if there are any changes. Some districts are adding language stating that they now have the power to lay off and non-renew outside of the timelines defined by state statute.

School budgets are secured and planned the year before so to say a district suddenly does not have the funds to keep staff on for the full school year feels disingenuous. Rather, this feels like an attempt to retract their commitment to you as an employee. Especially since so many of our districts have Fund 10's in the millions of dollars.

Even though this concerning language exists in a few contracts, we have not seen districts act on this language yet. However, it's a lot easier to remove something from your contract before it's formally put in. Once the language exists in your contract for a few years, it is a lot more difficult to remove.

If you see negative changes in your contract:
  • Contact your union leadership and Region 3 Director
  • Hold off on signing them
  • Have a union meeting
  • Education Advocacy. ICYMI, WEAC's latest Education Advocacy Update featuring bills taken up by the Assembly and Senate during floor sessions Tuesday is here.
  • Voucher Expansion. WI Examiner did a great job of outlining how the GOP intends to go wild on voucher expansion in the 2021-23 state budget. Read more.
MAKING EARLY ENROLLMENT WORK FOR YOUR UNION
Potential members are now able to join their local association and pay nothing until September 2021 (receiving up to 5 months free)!

Early enrollment excludes representation for disciplinary issues, but it's a great opportunity for interested parties to learn more about who your local union is and what you're working on!

From April to May members who bring on Just One new member to their local will be entered for a chance to win one of up to 10 $50 gift cards! Below is information about the Just One Campaign! Contact your director for forms or questions about the join online feature!

A membership drive that utilizes early enrollment while rewarding current members for their organizing efforts! 

WE'VE RECRUITED 15 NEW MEMBERS!
10 members will win a $50 gift card just for asking coworkers to join the union!

As we’ve all come to learn, sometimes it’s Just One person that can light the spark and move people in a new way. Region 3 is inviting locals to have a friendly competition and get “Just One” new member between April 1 and May 31, 2021. New members who join in April and May via Early Enrollment will pay nothing until September 2021 (receiving up to 5 months free). The members who recruit people will have a chance to win a $50 gift card.
PROGRAM ENDS MAY 31ST
THERE'S STILL TIME
Want to be part of the update emails and strengthen your union with the Just One Campaign? Fill out this FORM. 
2021 NEA Representative Assembly
June 30 - July 3, 2021

The 2021 NEA RA will again be held virtually 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.
Plan now to attend WEAC’s flagship leadership training, Summer Leadership Academy, Monday, July 26-Wednesday, July 28 at St. Norbert College in De Pere.
Annual Labor Day Family Picnic
Monday, September 6

Mark your calendars for the return of the Annual Labor Day Family Picnic on Monday, September 6, 2021. Celebrate what our members meant as essential workers to our community to help people make it through COVID-19. Tickets are available by calling 920-432-0053.

The AFL-CIO is asking for funds to help sponsor the Labor Day Family Picnic. Please make checks payable to AFL-CIO Community Services, c/o Greater Green Bay Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay 54302.

Volunteers are also needed to help work the event. If you want more information or to get involved, please call 920-432-0053 or join them at their next committee meeting on Thursday, May 20, 5:30PM at the Labor Temple in Green Bay.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.