Congratulations! You have just been elected to be the president of your local association. This is exciting, but often times, also scary. This toolkit is designed to get you started down a path to success in your new role.
The president is responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the local association. A willingness to serve in a collaborative manner is necessary in order to work effectively with co-workers and administrators. The president is the visible leader of the local and serves as a spokesperson with the school district, news media and other groups.
The president’s primary responsibility is to oversee the operation of the local. The president must ensure that the functions of the local are being carried out by the appropriate committees and members.
The president’s key source of support from WEAC starts at the Regional level with staff and leaders who can offer advice and assistance. These folks can help you with local issues like recertification, meet and confer, disputes between members and the district, and non-renewals. They can also help you with on-going training needs throughout the year and offer you other training opportunities at the state and national level.
Thank you for stepping up to lead your local association. While you may not have all of the answers right now, you will learn and grow in this role. Don’t forget that although sometimes you feel like it, you are not alone and there are many of us who can help with your questions. Don’t hesitate to ask.
Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, WEAC Vice President
wirtzolsenp@weac.org, 608-276-7711 Ext. 289