Last Week in the EPEA
Keeping members informed and engaged ... Oct. 15, 2018
MEMBER TEAM TRIVIA - NOV. 8 - SOCIAL AND MEMBER EVENT
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
1
How many in the State?
Under 300 of the approximate 88,000 members.
Despite Janus and the threats to our union we remain strong.
HOWEVER, EPEA currently has approximately 20-25 current POTENTIAL MEMBERS. These are either former fair share fee payers or new teachers to our system that are yet to commit to membership. That does have an significant impact on our budget in the loss of potential dues of $3200 in addition to other resources. That is the risk we face moving forward.
GRANTS
Last week Eric Herrmann (Ed MN field rep for the EPEA) and I were in St. Loius for an NEA Full Time Release time president training. If you recall EPEA received a 3 year grant to support the cost of our release time. NEA paid for this training and is contributing $22,500 this year towards the cost of our release time. Ed MN contributes another $5000. If you're interested in reading about our NEA Grant click here.
We've also been approved for an Education MN Crisis Grant. This will support EPEA goals around organizing and preparing for negotiations in the spring. We're borrowing approximately $30,000 to support benefits for members and engaging members around bargaining. You can read about that grant and our goals here. At the conclusion of a settlement EPEA will have a cost of 20% of the funds used for those efforts.
Both of these opportunities significantly support members, our budget, and keeping dues reasonable.
A LOOK BACK AT HISTORY
"You may ask, 'how will more technology help students when I already have a computer in my room?' The answer to this is the purchase of a significant number of Apple eMate300 personal knowledge tools. These small indestructible laptop-like computers will allow students to collect, analyze and share information and data like never before. With this large purcase, you as teachers will be able to use a classroom set anytime you want. The district will also purchase new equipment which will allow us to incorporate digital video into our students' learning."
There are so many correlations to today. I started in 1994 and remember that first experience with my Macintosh desktop box computer and those first staff and parent emails. That was long before the days of the inability to keep up on email. I don't remember eMate 300s. Look for the next look back in EPEA history.
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!
Your community has in person early voting open daily right now!
This is different than Absentee Voting - you just drop in and vote!
EPEA LOGO REDESIGN?
Many have a hard time deciphering the books and it doesn't transfer well onto a shirt or other products. Even a rough sketch of something can help get a design going. Send me your ideas.
Professional Development
There is also a Personalized Learning On Demand Schoology Course that offers content on Digital Integration, Rigor, AVID and many other resources.
On Demand Professional Learning: CODE: D53WJ-H9K6K
Private EPEA Email
EPEA now has an email you can use when you are concerned about privacy. For most all communications please continue to use my school email.
When you have a question about privacy and want to be sure your communication cannot be retrieved, use a personal device that is not on district wifi and send your message to epea.epea@gmail.com. Note: I am the only person reading email on that account.
Feedback?
Do you have other feedback on EPEA News?
Please contact me or any rep.
Your Reps
Allen Lundberg, Vice President
Adam Cooke, Treasurer
Cheryl Heaney, Secretary
Email: tom_baker@edenpr.org
Website: http://cedar-wmu.edenpr.org/epea
Phone: 952-975-7117
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/epeateachers
Twitter: @epea_teachers