ECOEA ...the link between your local and the Ohio Education Association
As one of our 8,000 members of a local association within the six counties served by ECOEA (Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas or Wayne), you are automatically a member of the East Central OEA District. We provide professional development, conferences, and scholarships that are open to all members.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Don't wait until it is too late to prepare for your retirement! Start educating yourself now at our Winter Workshop featuring STRS, SERS, and NEA Member Benefits. All sessions on Zoom, Saturday, January 28, 2023!
ECOEA FALL ROUNDTABLE
A LEGAL UPDATE-
We were pleased to host our largest crowd with 83 registered guests from 25 different locals at the Hartville Kitchen on Monday, October 24. After our traditional turkey dinner, and of course, pie, Attorney Rachel Reight gave an outstanding presentation on current cases that may affect you in your workplace. She also addressed pre-submitted questions that were on the minds of attendees.
We also heard from OEA Vice President Jeff Wensing, Mandy Wagner from Wooster EA, Election 2022 OEA Member Advocate, Guy Kendall-Freas from NEA Member Benefits, Bobbi Jo Steffy from California Casualty, and Kathleen Purdy, OEA-Retired, Also on hand were our four Member Ambassadors from OEA ONE.
We were delighted to give our "door pies" winners delicious Hartville Kitchen pies. Deb Wiley of North Canton EA was the lucky gas card winner in the drawing by California Casualty. We hope to see YOU there next year!
ECOEA Five Star Awards 2021-2022
ECOEA annually recognizes those local associations that are most engaged in the activities of the district.The six criteria include having a full slate of officers, reaching 5% or more participation in the OEA Fund, having delegates attend the ECOEA and OEA Representative Assemblies, participating in scholarship and grant opportunities, attending ECOEA sponsored events, and having representation in the governance of ECOEA.
This year two locals achieved 6 of the 6 criteria, with 10 locals reaching 5. Each of the 12 local associations will receive a certificate of recognition along with a $100 award for the use of the local. Congratulations to our Five Star Locals!
ECOEA DAVID AUGUSTA UNIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Each fall ECOEA provides three scholarships of $500 to members who are enhancing their skills through professional development. The scholarships are awarded by lottery drawing, one scholarship per ECOEA voting unit. The scholarships are awarded by reimbursement after the successful completion of the course, workshop, or other professional development. The PD must be completed by August 31, 2023.
Congratulations to the following members for being our Unit Scholarship winners for 2022!
  • Unit 1-Melissa Sugalski, Tuslaw Classroom Teachers' Association
  • Unit 2-Megan Mullet, East Holmes Teachers' Association
  • Unit 3-Heather Fields, Canton Professional Educators' Association
Local Associations who elected and sent delegates to the ECOEA RA in the 2021-2022 year are eligible to apply for grants up to $500 to use in their community to enhance the image of the association.
The following local associations were awarded PR Grants of $500 for their grant projects. Congratulations to:
  • Alliance Education Association, Michael Rossetti, President; Jason Dotson, Grant Writer, for their project Alliance EA Supports Sports
  • East Holmes Teachers' Association, Megan Mullet, President, Kari Kaufman, Grant Writer, for their project EL Literacy and Home Language Connection
  • Education Association of Orrville-Jodi Rice, President and Grant Writer, for their project Home for the Holidays
  • Triway Education Association-Melissa Radich, President and Grant Writer, for their project Light Up Shreve 2022!
Congratulations to these local associations for supporting community projects through our PR Grant program!
ECOEA SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE
OEA ADVOCACY & ORGANIZING INSTITUTE
  • Registration for the OEA AOI opens November 15, 2022.
  • Registration website is OEA AOI Registration
  • AOI is February 9-11, 2023.
  • Cost to attend AOI is $100 which include two nights lodging at the Columbus Hyatt, conference meals and registration sessions and materials.
  • ECOEA scholarships of $50 per member will be paid to the Local Association following confirmed attendance at AOI.
  • Open to all members who wish to advance their personal skills, association knowledge and involvement.
  • One ECOEA scholarship per local prior to January 15 deadline.
  • ECOEA scholarship deadline is January 15. after which all unused scholarships will be distributed to remaining applicants first come, first served by local, round 2, round 3, etc.
  • Social event on Friday night, February 10.
CLICK ON THE POSTER TO REGISTER FOR THE LAST CLASS IN THE
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM FALL 2022 SERIES
OFFICE CHAIRS LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME

Gently used conference chairs. We have replaced our conference chairs in the ECOEA office and would like to find a good home for these eleven chairs.
Please call the ECOEA Business Manager at (330) 499-8587.
California Casualty Athletic Program Grants
OEA Members! California Casualty's Thomas R. Brown Athletic Grant Program is back and will award $1,000 grants for school athletics programs. Apply Today for this very popular association member benefit. Applications for this year will be accepted through January 15, 2023.
The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant was established to provide support for K-12 public schools negatively impacted by reduced budgets. Partnering with education associations for over 70 years, California Casualty understands the importance of music and arts education for children. Pictured is East Palestine EA member Laura Spanos who was presented a check for $250 from California Casualty rep Beth Nagy as part of their Music & Arts Grant program. Congratulations, Laura!
OHIO EDUCATOR NIGHTS AT THE CAVALIERS
Join us at the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ohio Educator Appreciation Night on February 11th vs Bulls. Every educator that purchases a ticket for the game on 2/11 will have the opportunity to participate in our post game layups on the court after the conclusion of the game. The National Teacher of the year Kurt Russell will be recognized during the game. All who attend will be entered to win a Cavaliers signed item, as well as exclusive fan experiences such as participating in the players cheer tunnel, watching pregame warmups, and photo on the court. We will be offering special group discounted tickets for all educators for several other games throughout the season (December 16th vs Pacers, March 17th vs Wizards, and March 31st vs Knicks).
ECOEA Delegate Briefing-
We are delighted to report that there are 72 delegates from ECOEA from 22 different local associations elected as OEA Delegates. This includes three retired delegates from the ECOEA district elected in a state-wide retired election. Congratulations to all delegates!

In preparation for the OEA Fall Representative Assembly, ECOEA held a Delegate Briefing on Zoom on Saturday, November 19. OEA elected delegates from the ECOEA district heard Senior OEA Board of Directors member Karen LInch, Wooster, EA, present the details of the upcoming RA which will be held in-person in Kasich Hall at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, December 3, 2022. OEA President Scott DiMauro and OEA Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill. ECOEA Public Relations Grants, Five Star Locals and Unit Scholarships were announced by Scholarships Committee Chair Heather Zuniga, Malvern EA, and Vice President Julie Holderbaum, Minerva LEA.

Chairperson Victoria Freday, SCEPTA, of the Elections and RA Planning Committee, announced the Expiring Terms and nominations process for the ECOEA Spring Representative Assembly. Nominations open January 1, 2023. For ECOEA Officers and Executive Committee positions and ECOEA Reps to OEA Committees, a member may self-nominate or nominate another member by filing a Letter of Intent with the Business Manager during the nominations period which closes March 1, 2023. In order for a candidate to have their name on the ballot, the Letter of Intent must be filed. No nominations will be taken from the floor of the Representative Assembly except for those positions that have no candidate.

Members running for the OEA Board of Directors or an OEA statewide position must file the appropriate Declaration of Candidacy by the deadline with OEA.
For questions or assistance with this process, please call or email the ECOEA Business Manager (contact information at the end of the newsletter).

There were 31 delegates and 15 guests in attendance at the Delegate Briefing. Sixteen local associations in ECOEA were represented. We hope to see all our delegates at the OEA RA on Saturday, December 3.
OEA ADVISORY COUNCIL REP REPORT
OEA Advisory Council Representative to the ECOEA District Kathleen Purdy shared the OEA-Retired display at our recent ECOEA Legal Update.
All three OEA Retired delegates were in attendance at our ECOEA Fall Briefing held on Saturday, November 19. We look forward to seeing Kathleen, Carol, and Ed in Columbus at the OEA Rep Assembly!
OEA AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS-
OEA has a variety of awards, scholarships, and grants available to members to recognize and promote public education. You can explore the list here or visit the OEA web page. Scholarships are available for members, students, ESP members working on an education degree, and more!
Applications must be received by January 17, 2023, unless otherwise specified.
The East Central Ohio Education Association officers and staff:
Julie Nelson, North Canton EA, President
Julie Holderbaum, Minerva Local EA, Vice President
Juliann Doerschuk, Canton Professional EA, Recording Secretary
Valerie Heban, OEA-Retired, retired, North Canton EA

Website: ecoea.ohea.us
Phone: (330) 499-8587
Office: 129 Easton St. NE, Suite 103, Canton, OH 44721
Per ECOEA Policy 3.6 Access to Financial Reports-the monthly Executive Committee financial report is available to any member upon request.

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