
WEAC Organizing & Advocacy Institute – VIRTUAL
January 30 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Please join WEAC for the Virtual Organizing and Advocacy Institute on January 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. This event will celebrate successful membership recruitment and retention efforts by local affiliates and reinforce the need for those efforts to continue in Semester 2 of this school year. We will reinforce benefits of organizing and engaging members by sharing examples of successful organizing efforts across the state as well as tools to use in local efforts. We will also reinforce principles of advocacy and organizing for the common good related to economic security, collaboration, professionalism, social & racial justice. All members are encouraged to tune in and we hope you will bring a team from your Local to join you.
Schedule of Events:
10:00-10:45 Opening/Welcome: WEAC President Ron “Duff” Martin: Opening remarks, Local Membership Recognition
Bargaining & Negotiations: WEAC Executive Director Bob Baxter
Past efforts to organize on compensation & benefit issues VS. present efforts and approach
State Budget opportunities (Reopening of negotiation issues for locals, Health Insurance, Just Cause, Recertification elections)
Organizing Around Educator Effectiveness/Successful Example
WEAC Region 6 Staff Mendy Dorris—Organizing Around Compensation/Verona Example
10:45-10:50 Break
10:50-11:35 Breakout Session 1: Organizing Around Safe and Healthy Workplaces – WEAC Sec/Treasurer Kim Schroeder
This session will focus on organizing to make sure our workplaces are safe and healthy. From the state level to the local level, we will highlight what has been done and what steps to take next to advocate effectively during this time of the COVID pandemic so our students and members are as safe as possible.
10:50-11:35 Breakout Session 2: Organizing Around Professional Issues – WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen
Does your local have a seat at the table on professional issues like relevant, educator led professional development, Educator Effectiveness, student testing, student equity? Find out how to not only get a seat, but how to advance on professional issues that matter to your colleagues and your students.
11:35-11:40 Break
11:40-12:00 Closing and Key Takeaways—WEAC VP Peggy Wirtz-Olsen
Upcoming Involvement (State Supt. Race, WEAC RA, SLA)—WEAC VP Peggy Wirtz-Olsen
Membership Organizing (plans for Semester 2 Member recruitment efforts)—WEAC Sec/Treasurer Kim Schroeder
Please sign up to receive the Zoom Link to participate.