The Brea Olinda Teachers Association started the 2018-19 school year with incredible momentum! We have had added many new leaders and are accomplishing more than ever for this time of year.

In addition to representing members, hearing and addressing member concerns, striving to continually improve working conditions, and bargaining our contract, this year BOTA is making member engagement a priority. It is our goal to empower all members to feel ownership of our association. We want you to know that BOTA has your back!

Here are some highlights of what we've been working on so far:

• Taken on the enormous task of updating member records and contact information so that all members are fully informed.
• Established the BOTA Bulletin to educate members on the inner workings of the association, highlight member benefits, events, conferences, member achievements, and more.
• Hosted a successful Membership Benefits Open House with NOCUT to help members take full advantage of the benefits available to them.
• Created monthly BOTA Bashes to provide an outlet for members to engage with one another in an informal, supportive, and fun atmosphere.

Stay tuned for more updates. If you have ideas, let us know! We welcome your participation. We are stronger together!

Some of the most notable changes to the contract include the following:

• 2.5% increase to the salary schedule as well as extended day pay
  
• Increases in multiple stipends
• New catastrophic leave bank
• Changes to the teacher evaluation process including a new evaluation rubric, a new "exceeds expectations" column, and a new "improvement plan" to for teachers who need assistane in meeting district standards.
• New language to allow job-shares for elementary general education teachers.

The CBC reports that the negotiations process was "cordial" and both parties worked well to address our respective needs.

Thanks to the CBC committee for your time and hard work negotiating on our behalf!

• Laurie Brown - Co-Chair
• Jennifer Collier - Co-Chair
• Catherine Albee
• Tom Arntson
• Samantha Greiner
• Bill Madden
• Pattie Romero
• Jim Rogers - CTA Staff

In 1975 the United States Supreme Court in the case of NLRB v. J. Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251 (1975) upheld a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision that employees have a right to union representation at investigatory interviews. These rights have become known as the Weingarten Rights.

If you find yourself in a precarious position with an administrator, know your rights! You can put a stop the conversation until your union rep is present! Invoke your Weingarten Rights by saying the following:

CTA's highest governing body is the State Council of Education. Meeting four times a year, the council's nearly 800 delegates elect the three state-level CTA officers and the CTA Board of Directors. Council also sets forth CTA policy, develops legislation, and makes recommendations in general elections.

State Council delegates are elected at the local level by secret ballot, and serve up to 3 three-year terms. Delegate allotments are proportionate to the number of members in a chapter or group of chapters. Each delegate is assigned to a committee on which they work together on specific education-related issues. Some of the committees represented include but are not limited to: Assessment and Testing, Budget, Civil Rights in Education, Credentials and Professional Development, Curriculum and Instruction, Political Involvement, Professional Rights and Responsibilities, Retirement, State Legislation, and Teacher Evaluation and Academic Freedom.

CTA State Council is made up of educators like you and me. It is this group of leaders, not the officers, who directly set the course for our organization.

The CTA Member Benefits app features CTA-endorsed insurance, financial services, discounts, and more.

The My Deals app makes it easy for you to get discounts at restaurants, stores, amusement parks, travel, and more. Just download the app, register using your member ID (found on your membership card and on your California Educator magazine), and find deals! Search for a specific discount, or have the app find nearby deals based on your location! Start saving now!

If you have any topics that you would like to see covered in the BOTA Bulletin, please contact Glenda Bartell, BOTA Secretary.