Being at NEA-RA has been an incredible experience...inspiring, informative, energizing and fun. My special thanks to Sue Krivenko, from Rahway Middle School and first vice president of Union County Education Association, who encouraged me to come and served as a wonderful mentor to me as a first-time delegate and thanks also to Anjanette Highsmith also of RMS who so welcomed me. Thanks to everyone from the Union County delegation who were so friendly and helpful to this newbie. Thanks also to the Rahway Education Association and the NJEA for supporting my attendance.
I have become convicted of the importance of my being here and standing up with 8,000 other teachers for our students and ourselves during a time of so many political attacks on teachers and public education and budget cuts that harm all our children.
Oh, and today President Obama called in to address us.
Finally, I just tried to speak in support of a motion to refer to the appropriate committee a new business items about state teacher pension issues. However they took a vote and referred it while I was getting set up to call in to be recognized. It is significant for me to have this experience at the end of my first RA since my initial foray beyond the local level of the union came when I was selected to go to the annual meeting of members of the New Jersey Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund.
Final delegate count : 7986.
We adopted a budget and strategic plan that puts significant funds toward organizing to bring in new members and sends a greater proportion of money, 39%, back to state and local affiliates than ever before. These changes were accomplished through staff cuts and other changes.
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment