ATA Weekly
March 24th, 2023
BARGAINING
WHY I BELONG TO ATA
This week's spotlight is Jennifer Lankford, a VAPA Teacher at various elementary sites. Jennifer was asked, "Why do you belong to ATA?" See her response below.
Interested in sharing what ATA means to you? click here
ATA - RETIRED SPOTLIGHT
In 1973, when I started my career, I was approached at the new teacher welcome meeting by the then president of ATA, the late Michael Lauder. His pitch was to get me to join ATA. Little did he know that was exactly what I was going to do as I came from a union family. I became a rep about 8 years into my career and pretty much was involved with ATA from then on. I knew how important being part of a union is and learned how those who came before me made Alhambra a great place to work. The early days of the Association built a sturdy foundation not only for pay and benefits, but very good working conditions. When I became President of ATA in 2002, I was able to meet almost every member, see how they were impacting the lives of our students, and learn of the creative ways they were motivating those same students. During the first year of my presidency, which the support of nearly all members, we were able to pack a Board meeting and call the Board on a violation of the Brown Act, saving the district and our employees millions of dollars. That became the turning point for an active Political Action Committee within ATA. And each and every year, I’m thrilled to see the involvement of our members in this endeavor.
Gloria Tauson
ATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
On March 21st, the ATA Board of Directors met with our CTA staff, Liz Pinkava, and Kelly Iwamoto, CTAs Region 3 Organizing Chair. The group worked on creating a shared understanding of what it means to be a strong chapter so we could develop a written plan for the next school year that results in a stronger union with increased participation. The goals of the meeting were to:
- Strengthen team solidarity
- Establish goals and priorities
- Solidify roles and responsibilities
- Build Member Engagement Calendar/Timeline
- Build leadership capacity
As a part of the training, members of the BOD discussed two organizing strategies to assist our Association in achieving our shared goals. Constant Organizing Goals (COGs), the foundation of strong locals, are often used as a basis for effective planning and evaluation of programs and actions. Building Action Teams (BATs) are networks of unit members in a site. BATs, reps, BOD, and leaders help people stay informed, build units, and maintain membership.
Educators throughout the state have demonstrated the importance of maintaining strong unions. While we currently have (relatively) good relationships with District personnel and the Board of Education, it's important to note that things can quickly change. In order to win and defend a strong union contract and build a stronger union, every member in every corner of our Association needs to be involved.
NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY STATE ELECTION RESULTS
Thank you for being so supportive!
NEA MEMBER BENEFITS
You are entitled to $1,000 free life insurance as a dues-paying member. Log onto neamb.com to add your beneficiary.
THE LGBTQ+ SAFETY IN SCHOOLS GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN HONOR OF GUY DEROSA
- The grant program will support groups, projects, and presentations that promote understanding of and respect for LGBTQ+ persons.
- The scholarship program will support self-identified LGBTQ+ members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of LGBTQ+ educators as role models in our public schools.
Deadline: May 31, 2023
https://www.cta.org/for-educators/scholarships-awards/lgbtq-safety-in-schools
ETHNIC MINORITY IDENTIFICATION & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (EMEID)
Applications for the 2023 - 2024 EMEID Program opened on February 17, 2023. Applicants will be notified by May 13, 2023. Members selected to the program must commit to attend the EMEID Orientation on Saturday, July 22, 2023, as well as the Emerging Leaders track at CTA’s Summer Institute held Sunday, July 23, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Deadline: April 7, 2023
CALL FOR EL EDUCATORS
THE STANDARD - SPECIAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR NEWLY HIRED CTA MEMBERS AND DISTRICT TRANSFERS
Newly hired CTA members or those who changed districts1 have a special opportunity to enroll in CTA-endorsed Voluntary Disability and Life insurance plans without answering health questions when applying for coverage within 270 days of starting work at the new district. Members already enrolled in CTA-endorsed plans can continue their coverage at the current level during this opportunity or choose to add or change coverage to options offered below.
Here’s what this exclusive enrollment opportunity offers:
- CTA-endorsed Disability insurance coverage for members
- Up to $400,000 of CTA-endorsed Life insurance2 for members
- Up to $50,000 of CTA-endorsed Life insurance for spouse/domestic partner2, 3
- Additional $5,000 of CTA-endorsed Life insurance for spouse/domestic partner and each dependent child2, 3
Members must apply within 270 days of starting work at the new district to take advantage of this special enrollment opportunity.
Members can learn more at standard.com/cta/newhire.
1 District transfers may continue their current level of coverage with The Standard when applying within the first 270 days of starting work.
2 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.
3 Each option of Life insurance for spouse/domestic partner or dependents may not exceed 50% of members Life insurance coverage.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We've reserved the patio area.
Stop by and join us.
Plenty of outdoor seating is available.
PLEASE RSVP TO THE WHO DINNER BY APRIL 3rd FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
April 4
- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
April 11
- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
April 21
- ATA Happy Hour (4:00 pm, location TBD)
April 25
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
April 30
- ATA's 4th Annual Read Across America (11 am, Alhambra Park)
CONTACT US
Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/