Tulsa Metro Zone D

of the Oklahoma Education Association

My name is Brian Berg. I am a proud OEA member and math teacher for students with disabilities at Union High School. I am honored to step into the role of Zone Director for Tulsa Metro Zone D (TM-D), following in the footsteps of Frank Brazwell--who served as President of the Union Support Personnel Association (USPA) on and off for over two decades--and the extraordinary educators who have served the Zone and their members in leadership roles over the years.

As TM-D Treasurer since 2020, I had the responsibility of maintaining zone records and, in my efforts to preserve our records digitally, I discovered documents dating back to the 1950s. I believe we cannot move forward until we know where we've been; and we, the leaders and members of this zone and the Oklahoma Education Association, come from a long line of advocates who accepted the profound trust placed in us as the voice of education professionals. In the upcoming year, I hope you join me in combining our efforts with our colleagues across the metro area to continue this deep-rooted and far-reaching mission.

As we enter a new school year, we owe a huge thank you to the 2022-2023 Executive Board for their commitment to breathing new life into our zone after the COVID-19 pandemic created distance between us as we poured our efforts into surviving and adapting to the many changes each of our districts and institutions faced. These dedicated board members volunteered their time to reestablish our zone as an organization that has the full capacity to fulfill our purposes for our member locals. The board's collective organizing efforts ultimately renewed our most significant funding pathway so that we have the capability to effectively fund our vital work.

As I look ahead to the upcoming year and the challenges we face in being the best education professionals we can be for our students and communities, I am reminded of Helen Keller's maxim: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Our zone is comprised of nearly a thousand members from Sand Springs, Tulsa Tech, Union, University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University, and Tulsa Community College. There is tremendous power in the size of our membership and the many talents our members bring to this organization. Through our collective action, I am confident we can fulfill our promise of supporting our member locals in furthering our profession.

I hope you will take some time to read and learn more about how you can be involved in the zone. I am excited for the possibilities we can accomplish together and I'm committed to communicating with you along the way. I am thrilled to be working with such an exceptional group of leaders in the years ahead.

Gratefully,

Brian Berg

Zone Director, Tulsa Metro Zone D

Oklahoma Education Association

[email protected]

[email protected]

(918) 346-0269 (cell)

Who: All members are welcome to attend and participate.

What: Zone Meeting

When: Monday, August 7 at 6:00 pm (estimated to end within an hour)

Where: Zoom

Why: We will accomplish the following tasks:

• Nominate and elect a new Executive Board
• Review and file Annual Treasurer's Report
• Make and consider budget proposals
• Begin planning for the upcoming year
• Updates on OEA goings-on

Our first meeting of the new year is a critical one, as this is when we will elect a new Executive Board. According to our Operational Guidelines, our zone's Executive Board is composed of president and vice president (or president-elect) of each of our member locals (or up to two members of each member local that does not elect a president and vice president) in addition to TM-D representatives to the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education (FCPE) Council and the officers of the board.

Offices for election on August 7 include Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. All active members of our zone are eligible to run for office and may attend the August 7 meeting to do so. Officers serve for three year coterminous with the TM-D Zone Director; this term ends July 7, 2026. Officers are elected by secret ballot of the members present at the meeting.

I highly encourage you to consider taking on this level of involvement within the zone. If interested, you can read about the job duties of each office at the end of this email. Nominations take place at the beginning of the meeting or you can complete the following nomination form. If you plan to run for office but cannot attend the meeting on August 7, please complete the nomination form and prepare a short statement that you would like read aloud at the meeting.

The members of our Executive Board work to fulfill the purposes of the zone:

1. Assist member local associations in promoting membership at the local level;
2. Promote attendance and involvement at local, state, and national events; and
3. Provide grants for local affiliates to accomplish work that improves the OEA.

There are some responsibilities that every elected officer maintains:

• Attend and actively participate in meetings.
• Plan events, programs, and services.
• Review and amend governing documents.
• Maintain a fiduciary responsibility to the zone in decision making.
• Joint management and oversight of bank accounts.
• Authorize checks in absence of the Zone Director.
• Ensure resources are used effectively.
• Enhance strategic, long-range planning.

In addition, each office has specific duties and obligations.

• The Vice Chair assists in development and execution of events, programs, and services planned by the board; and performs the duties of the Chair and conduct business of the zone if the Chair is absent or unable.
• The Treasurer maintains the financial records and accounts of the zone; assures the submission of financial reports; develops the annual budget; and prepares any funding information necessary for implementation of organizational goals.
• The Secretary ensures the accurate recording, maintenance, and safekeeping of documents related to zone business; prepares and makes readily available recorded minutes to the board; and keeps records of all zone activities.