Newsletter for Uniserv Unit 1-M
Volume 5 Issue 6.………………………………….………………………………………………………………...…..January 2007
Retirement Seminars Scheduled
As mentioned in last month’s 1-Monitor, we will be hosting two ISTA Retirement Workshops at Oakwood Hall on the Manchester College campus in North Manchester on Tuesday, January 30th and at Tucker Career Center in Marion on Wednesday, January 31st. We scheduled duplicate sessions to provide greater date and distance flexibility for you. Each session will include a buffet supper beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the seminar to follow. Depending on the number of questions, we should be done by 7:30. We need to know numbers for the meal planning. Please contact Judy at 800-434-1175, 664-1244, or jsnowberger@ista-in.org by Tuesday, January 23rd.
Presidents Plus You Needs YOU!
ISTA’s annual kickoff of your legislative program involves a briefing for members and a member/legislator reception on Wednesday, January 24th at the Hilton Indianapolis, next door to ISTA Center. Registration begins at 3:30 with a briefing at 4:15. The reception is from 5:30-7:00. For planning purposes, please make your reservations through this office by January 16, 2007. This is your chance to continue your hard work for public education and public educators. Don’t let your past efforts go to waste.
CBC Scholarship Opportunity Renewed
Once again, your 1-M District Council voted to pay the double occupancy expenses—room, materials, and workshop fee—for one member from each local to attend the ISTA Collective Bargaining Conference, Friday evening and Saturday, March 2-3, 2007. Members may attend on Saturday at no cost, but we do request you reserve your place. This much respected conference is for veteran and novice negotiators, insurance committee members, and grievance committee members. Co-ordinate with your local leadership, if you plan to attend. To register, go to www.ista-in.org. Early registrants will be eligible for a grand prize drawing.
Teacher Tax Deduction Renewed
Due in large part to the efforts of NEA “cyber-lobbyists,” who contacted their Senators and Representatives, Congress voted to extend the $250 tax deduction for educators’ out-of-pocket classroom expenses for two more years. It’s time to dig out those receipts.
1-M Has a Webpage!
Thanks to NEA Director and Eastbrook computer teacher Rick Wright, 1-M has a webpage, complete with space for 1-M locals to post their WebPages. It has news of the unit, copies of the 1-Monitor, and contact information, as well as links to sites of interest to members. Check it out at http://ista1m.org. For information on how to contribute, contact Rick at RWright@ista-in.org or rwright@eastbrook.k12.in.us. Thanks to Rick for his efforts and willingness to keep it current.
Conner’s Corner
Recently, I read an optimistic article in The Nation about the mayor of Salt Lake City. The upshot was that with some forward thinking, energy, and active community participation, the city has addressed such issues as health insurance and environmental projections. The article focused on how city government can work if the people take a realistic view of the present and as a community work to make a better future. The keys to this success were progressive leadership and community activism.
Education and your work lives can take a page from that notebook. With people who are willing to look at what Public Education is doing right as well as identifying its shortcomings in an unbiased manner, and who are willing to work together to keep what is working and build solutions for improvement, you can be a part of true forward movement in Public Education.
NCLB is up for renewal. Originally, it was not developed by the above formula. It started with casting blame and a preconceived agenda to undermine public education. Unlike the last time, this time NEA has a seat at the table. But your help is still needed. Urge your Congressional Representatives and Senators to listen to people who know what is needed and what will not work. On the state level, we have an improved legislative climate but we still need you to participate in ISTA’s lobbying efforts by telling your legislators what your work life is like. Include the good as well as the “needs improvement.” Locally, you can help your local association bargain better contracts for you and to enforce those contracts better by giving support to your leadership in a manner that is visible not only to them but also to the school board and administration.
Unlike Salt Lake and other places on a positive march, your powers that be may need to know that you deserve to be a part of progress and have a stake in a better future. That’s one of the reasons the Association exists—to give you an avenue to work collectively for a better educational environment.
Happy New Year!
Val
Indiana State Teachers Association, 1800 North Wabash Road, Suite 203, Marion, IN 46952
765-664-1244, 800-434-1175