Chuck Herring, Uniserv Director
Deb Larson, MEA Intern
Harriet Poch, Uniserv Associate Staff
WHERE’S CHUCK?
| Jan. 12 |
-Alpena ESP I Executive Committee
Meeting (APS Offices) -Dual enrollment meeting– ACC Faculty, Atlanta EA & Superintendent (Atlanta) |
| Jan. 13 |
-Meeting in Lansing -Alpena ESP II Crisis Committee Meeting (MEA Office) -14A Coordinating Council Meeting (MEA Office) |
| Jan. 14 | -Alpena EA Bargaining Team Meeting w/retired staff (MEA Office) |
| Jan. 15 | -NMEA (BJ’s – Gaylord) |
| Jan. 16 | -14A President/Coordinating Council Delegate Workshop – all day (ACC) |
| Jan. 19 | -MEA Offices closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| Jan. 20 | -Alpena
ESP II Crisis Committee Meeting (MEA Office) -Alpena EA Special Ed Issues Meeting (MEA Office) |
| Jan. 21-23 | -Preparation for Alpena ESP II Fact-finding |
| Jan. 24 | -Alpena ESP II Fact-finding (Granum Theater, ACC) |
| Jan. 27 | -Alpena EA Calendar Committee Meeting (MEA Office) |
| Jan. 28-29 | -Pre-Retirement Workshops (MEA Office) |
| Jan. 30 | -Lake Superior State University Presentation (Sault Ste. Marie) |
| Feb. 2 | -Travel to Dearborn (p.m.) |
| Feb. 3-6 | -MEA Training, State-wide Staff Meeting & Bargaining/PA/PR Conference (Dearborn) |
| Feb. 10 | -14A Coordinating Council Meeting (MEA Office) |
FYI
This Friday (16th) your association leaders and your superintendents will be meeting with our legislators to discuss education and all that it entails (money, testing, etc.). Sadly, we have been "stood up" by our State Senators Tony Stamas and Jason Allen. This office contacted these gentlemen in mid-September after our first Coordinating Council meeting. Since our first written attempt at contact, Harriet has made numerous calls to their respective offices only to be put off. So being the diplomat that I am "supposed to be" it was decided to have our Lobbyist Dave Michelson contact the two prior to my sending a poison pen letter. The excuse given to the Lobbyist was that we did not support them in their last election so there seemed to be no need to speak with us now. I was incensed! To feel that there is no need to meet with us because we had recommended Andy Neumann and Mike Estes is ludicrous. I am suggesting to your leadership and superintendents that they let both legislators know how they feel about this and would strongly recommend each of us to do the same! I don’t think asking a representative to visit constituents and discuss education should require proof we voted for or contributed to their campaign!
On the positive side, Matt Gillard has accepted our invitation and will be discussing education legislation, dollars and cents, and brainstorming about "new ways" to help our local districts to survive.
WORK KEYS TESTS
The scores required to receive "highly qualified" certification are: Applied Mathematics – Level 4, Reading for Information – Level 4, Writing – Level 3.
BARGAINING REPORT
Unsettled: Alpena ESP II, ACC-ESP, Hillman EA & ESP, Johannesburg-Lewiston ESP, Rogers City EA & ESP
Settled: Johannesburg-Lewiston EA & Mio ESP
Getting ready to bargain: ACC Faculty Council, Alpena EA, Atlanta EA, Mio AuSable EA, Posen EA & ESP
Bargaining teams will be surveying the locals for your input on contract negotiations. Fill out the form, volunteer to help or get on the bargaining team. The loudest complaints about bargaining come from those who do not participate. Don’t allow yourself to be labeled. Everyone knows who contributes to the solution and who contributes to the problem.
This will be Deb’s last few weeks in the office. WOW! Where did the eight months go!? Deb has been there for many of you. Feel free to stop in and tell her. She’s a big "softy"! Her last day will be Saturday, January 24th and first day back in the classroom in Bellaire will be Monday, January 26. She has been an asset to this office and will be a great Uniserv to the council that hires her!
HAPPY TRAILS
It is time for me to ride off into the sunset and go back to Bellaire where I will return to my library media specialist position at Bellaire Public Schools. My last day in this office will be Saturday, January 24. It has been an enjoyable 8 months here on "the Sunrise Side." Whether it was office protocol or providing service to members, I feel the MEA internship has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my professional career. I have enjoyed going to the bargaining table, problem-solving on the phone, meeting with members on issues, intervening on their behalf, and attending 14A events. Thank you for your patience and the opportunity to learn the ropes alongside the best Uniserv director and secretary in the state, Chuck Herring and Harriet Poch. After 23 years as an MEA member, I know quality people and services when I see them. Chuck, Harriet, and you too, members, have welcomed me into the routine of the 14A office, allowing me to acquire experience through true "on the job" training. You have prepared me well to serve in my own Uniserv position sometime in the near future. So farewell, 14A members. I wish you well at the bargaining table and in your classrooms or job assignments. I will leave you with Frequent Phrases I heard in the 14A Office during my internship, also known as "Herringisms:"
Frequent Phrases Heard in the Alpena MEA Office
GOOD BYE DEB, WE’LL MISS YOU!
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