Winter 2016COMMUNIQUÉ

Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA • Adrienne M. Bowden, President

Why? To a mother of three, it’s a question that rings daily in my ears. Why can’t I go outside? Why doesn’t this work? Why do we have to go to school? And the list goes on, but the last one is a good question. Why do you go to school everyday? Why do you continue to be in the education profession? Why are you still a member of our union?

These are all questions that we should ask ourselves. In a time when our profession is constantly under attack, data collection is replacing teaching, out-sourcing is becoming the rule instead of the exception, teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers and

Why We Educate. Why We Care. Why We’re UNION!Adrienne M. Bowden (Pickerington EA), Central President

posting “why I decided to leave the profession” blogs, and resignation letters are becoming commonplace, what keeps you motivated to stay? In 2014, the national teacher-turnover rate was 16 percent (Boss, 2014) with one of our own locals reaching as high as 19 percent.

So why are you still here? As I listen to educators, I hear them state reasons about working with the kids, watching kids learn, and seeing kids grow-up and becoming good citizens. I think it is important to remember your reason for being in this profession, as times get tough.

We must keep focused on the ultimate goal! Once we reconnect with the reason we’re still in education, we must share our story with others. We always say that we are stronger as a union when we work together. To do this, we need to know each other’s stories, to encourage our colleagues, to support each other.

So why are you a union member? This may be an even tougher question. The common answer I hear is because someone handed them a form to sign on their first day of school. Whether that time was one year ago or thirty, the better question may be why are you still a member? What are the benefits of being an Association member?

Maybe for you it is the contract your local bargains for you, or the professional development opportunities provided to you. Central provides many professional development opportunities and scholarships for several OEA and NEA events. There are also many classes offered for free or at a discount through NEA Academy www.neaacademy.org. Maybe it is the OEA and NEA

Member Benefits www.neamb.com. NEA offers discounts on a variety of services, travel, and insurance. Some years, I have located enough discounts through NEA member Benefits that I have saved more money than I paid in dues!

Maybe it is just the people. Working together within our local, districts, state and national associations, we are strengthening our public schools and making the environment better for educators and the students we serve.

So why am I still in the education profession? Why am I a member of the union? The answer is simple; I’m in education because I love helping others learn. I love watching the students get a concept that took them several days to master. For me, being a part of a union that I have the ability to gain information to do my job as a teacher more effectively. Being a member provides the support of my fellow members when fighting for what was best for my students. I became a leader

continued on page 7

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Volume 44, Number 2 • Winter 2016

COMMUNIQUÉPublished four times a year as a service of

CENTRAL OEA/NEA, INC.947 Goodale Blvd.Columbus, OH 43212

Adrienne M. Bowden, President

Kevin Griffin, Vice President

Russell Hughlock, Communications & Organizing Coordinator

Editors Ann Eblin, Judy Furnas & Carla Noll

Fiscal Manager Tim Skamfer

Production Russell Hughlock

Design Pam McClung

Phone 614-222-8228

E-mail aa@centraloeanea.org

The theme of this year’s Representative Assembly was One Mission, One Goal, One Team.

The change of venue to the Voinovich Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds seemed to echo the overall message of our OEA Delegates and Leadership at the Fall Representa-tive Assembly. We came together to celebrate the hard work and successes our Union has accomplished during this past educational season and to gather strength and vision for the tough road ahead.

President Becky Higgins highlighted OEA’s success of spearheading laws that were passed to reduce standard-ized testing, telling the over 700 OEA Delegates that the experiences and stories she was able to relay from members were a powerful message to both Dr. Ross and Legislators.

The second positive movement led by OEA was the impact made by the Know Your Charter website, that shined a light on the dubious business of charter schools in our state, and led to a public outcry demanding legislative ac-tion.

She spoke about Superintendent Walter C. Davis of Wo-odridge Local Schools, and others, sending the Ohio De-partment of Education symbolic invoices for approximately 5 million dollars (Woodridge) requesting reimbursement of money that left their districts and went to failing charter schools.

Our President conveyed to members that when she con-ducts the business of OEA, she keeps members’ stories and ideals close. “When I go in to Dr. Ross’s office, you are all with me.”

OEA Fall Representative Assembly - One Mission, One Goal, One TeamSoozie Hetterscheidt (Olentangy TA), OEA board of Directors & Diane Vanetino (Olentangy TA)

The 2015 Fall RA also debuted a new voting format similar to that of the NEA RA. OEA Units voted in specific 15-min-ute blocks of time, which allowed for a more streamlined and faster paced RA. The only item on this RA’s ballot was NEA Director #2, which was won by Sophia Rodriguez from Coldwater Teachers Association.

The Legislative Committee presented the RA with the ef-forts of a year-long commission to update OEA’s Legislative Policy. This new format aligns with NEA Legislative Policy format and removed archaic and redundant language. Cen-tral members Brittany Alexander and Mary Kennedy were successful in amending the policy to oppose sanctions and/or penalties against students, education professionals, schools and districts; as well as supporting the rights of parents in opting their children out of standardized testing.

The Executive Director of OEA, Sheryl Mathis, presented the delegates with the results of a survey conducted in an effort to stay in front of the impending United States Supreme Court decision, Friedrich’s vs. California Teachers Association, that is expected in June 2016. Director Mathis went on to explain that retaining our collective power in the wake of an unfavorable Supreme Court decision will require OEA Members to engage in strong relationships with other members, young and not so young, with a new sense of collaboration and urgency. She expressed the need for versatile communication between all members. “Our job is to make sure that your colleagues at work un-derstand what’s at stake and that they value the represen-tation they now have and appreciate the relevance of the union to our members.” President Higgins has called an Emergency Summit of all Local Presidents on January 30th to address and plan for this upcoming storm.

President Bowden & Vice President Griffin with the Central FCPE award

Brittany Alexander (left) with Mary Kennedy (right) amending OEA legislative policy

OEA President Higgins addresses the assembly

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The goal of the Emerging Leaders Program is to give participants the tools they need to be successful in discussing education and union related topics with colleagues, friends, and family. The program is in-tended to be flexible so we can meet the needs of our members. Here is the agenda: • January 21 - Getting to know each other, the struc-ture of Central, the value of membership, promoting the profession through social media.

• February 23 - ESSA, Using the NEA Message Triangle, FCPE

• March 10 - The Charter School Fail, OTES Do’s and Don’ts

Are You an Emerging Leader? We’ve Got a Program for YouKevin Griffin (Dublin EA), Central Vice President

We’re Recruiting Members to Become Education Advocate Leaders

• April 19 - Income In-equality and the national attack on unions.

• May 19 - Defined Ben-efit retirement systems, Connecting the dots for the greater good - Educa-tion, issues, stakeholders, society, the future, your role.

If you’re interested, please contact Kevin Griffin at kevin.griffin@centraloeanea.org

I’d also encourage you to sign up with someone else from your local - the more the merrier. Let’s be honest; it’s always easier walking into a new environment with a friend right? But when you leave... You’ll have a few more.

Hall of Fame AwardMary Kennedy ~ Hilliard EA

Lifetime Achievement AwardJoy Bock ~ Groveport-Madison EATerry Selby ~ Lakewood TA Presidents Club AwardDiane Ballard ~ Gahanna-Jefferson EACharles Burkhart ~ Hilliard EATodd Dygert ~ S.C.O.P.E.Derrick Ehlen ~ Westerville EAWendy Fafata-Roberts ~ Gahanna-Jefferson EALori Gudde ~ Bloom Carroll EAKelly Modlich ~ Westerville EAJason Saiter ~ Dublin EA

Central OEA/NEA will provide a $100 stipend to each local Education Advocate Leader. Each local can have up to three Education Advocate Lead-ers: one each to represent primary, immediate, and secondary educators or one to represent the dif-ferent classifications in a classified local, SCOPE or Higher Ed.

To apply to become an Ed-ucation Advocate Leader, members can apply on-line: www.centrloeanea.org/ealSee page 8 for training dates and venues.

A member who attends one of the listed trainings will receive a $50 stipend.

A list of criteria for receiv-ing the Education Advocate Leader stipend follows.Mandatory Criteria:• Communicate with the Political Action Coordina-tor (PAC), local president, and members on political issues• Contribute to the OEA Fund for Children and Pub-lic Education• Attend at least one OEA phone bank or canvass• Attend an Education Advocate Leader training session• Attend a Central event. Examples: Central Winter Leadership, Lobby Day, Legislative Dinner, etcStrongly recommended:• Play an active role in local election activities• Attend an area meeting

Fund for Children and Education Award Winners

Executive Club AwardBrittany Alexander ~ Hilliard EAMark Brugger ~ Westerville EAZachary Casperson ~ Groveport-Madison EAJillian Cross ~ Hilliard EANorris Cummerlander ~ South-Western EATimara Garner ~ Westerville EATerri Goldring ~ Worthington EAJames Grannis ~ Westerville EAElizabeth Kelly ~ Delaware City TASoozie Hetterscheidt ~ Olentangy TADavid Miller ~ Worthington EABruce Moore ~ S.C.O.P.E.Nicole Richardson ~ Hilliard EACynthia Sayers ~ Hilliard EASharon Strock ~ Worthington EABetsy Tefend ~ Delaware City TAPhilip Terry ~ Delaware City TAJennifer Walker ~ Lancaster EA

The following Central members were honored with FCPE awards at the OEA Representative Assembly:

Congratulations to all our winners – and a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who contributes to FCPE.

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Jan 232016

CENTRALOEA/NEA It is time we teach young people

early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

Maya Angelou

Conference

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On November 6, Central’s delegates to the OEA RA gathered at the Columbus Airport Marriot for the All-Area Meeting and Delegate Briefing.

The break-out sessions included a New Delegate Orientation led by Amy Grittani of Southwestern EA, “Bully Free, It Starts With Me” led by Cheryl Williams of Dublin Support, and “Say the right thing to the right person” led by LRC Sarah Drinkard. Sarah’s session focused on the differences between members of various generations and how to effectively communicate and organize with each.

After the breakout sessions, Central OEA/NEA President Adrienne Bowden welcomed delegates and Vice President Kevin Griffin introduced the movie “Rise Above the Mark,” which highlights the attack on public education in our nation as politicians continue to champion anti-public education legislation promoting charter schools and vouchers.

On behalf of the STRS board Mark Hill of Worthington EA provided a stable and cautiously optimistic report regarding the future of our retirement system.

OEA President Becky Higgins reported that State Superintendent Dick Ross is retiring at the end of 2015. President Higgins has met monthly with Dr. Ross and has most recently lobbied him for strong charter school accountability. Be sure to stay updated on this issue by visiting www.knowyourcharter.com.

OEA continues to be involved in organizing Youngstown EA as a CEO is slated to take over the district in 2016.

Becky also shared great news from Election 2015 that 85% of school levies passed statewide and 13 of OEA’s 16 endorsed candidates won seats on local school boards.

OEA Secretary-Treasurer Tim Myers shared that OEA is experiencing stable membership with a slight increase for the first time in several years.

Janice Vaughn of Springfield EA reported on behalf of the OEA Board of Directors. She previewed highlights of the December 5 Representative Assembly, including the new venue at the Voinovich Center, a review of OEA Legislative Policies, and a new voting procedure.

Robin Jeffries of Columbus EA reported on behalf of the NEA Directors. The NEA Board of Directors will be hard at work for the rest of 2015 lobbying on Capitol Hill for the successful reauthorization of ESEA, increased funding for public education in 2016 for higher education and child nutrition, professional development for educational support

professionals during the workday, and working to elect Hillary Clinton after the Board of Directors endorsed Secretary Clinton for the 2016 Presidential Election.

The delegates had a productive evening and enjoyed time together advocating for public education and celebrating recent successes.

Central’s All-Area & Delegate BriefingDavid Schottner (Bexley EA), Central Area 5 Representative

OEA President Becky Higgins addresses the delegation

Amy Grittani giving new delegates some RA orientation

A packed house of delegates and local leaders attended the All Area & Delegate briefing

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Members of Small Locals—You Too Can Attend the NEA Convention!Members of small local associations (225 or fewer mem-bers) can attend the 2016 NEA Convention in Washing-ton, DC through a grant from Central OEA/NEA.

--- Submit an NEA Small Local Grant application. The ap-plication is on the website: www.centraloeanea.org

--- Your local association MUST conduct an election for NEA delegates by March 31, 2016 and submit results by April 10, 2016. Locals with fewer than 75 members will need to “cluster” with other locals. See Ohio Schools OEA Member Resource Guide for details.

Central OEA/NEA has budgeted up to $10,000 for these grants, with the number of grants based on the dollar amount OEA awards its delegates.

Criteria/funding amounts for grants: • First-time delegates/first-time locals = 100% • First-time delegate/repeat local =83% • Repeat delegate/repeat local = 63%

If applications do not meet the total money allocated, then those delegates being funded at less than 100% will be funded up to 100%.

Join OEA-R & Central RetiredMary Binegar, Central Retired Advisory committee chair

Retirement may be far away, within a few years, or already a reality. No matter where you are on this continuum, you need to join NEA/OEA/Central Retired. Joining now locks the price of your lifetime membership. Word has it, NEA will be raising the cost of lifetime membership by $50 next fall. Joining now also allows an easy transition of your NEA member benefits at retirement.

When you retire, you leave your job, not your profession. In order to stay connected and informed, members receive the NEA and OEA magazines, Communiqué and the Central Retired newsletter. Additionally they receive occasional email updates about issues or events critical to public education. Our members stay politically involved by attending rallies, lobby days and other events. Many help mold future teachers through the Intergenerational Mentoring Program. Serving on Central committees or attending social events allows members to stay in touch with their association friends.

Stay involved and join our retired association now. For more information, please contact Mary Binegar (binegm@aol.com).

OEA Minority Leadership Training ProgramThe OEA Minority Leadership Training Program (MLTP) targets ethnic minority members who have an interest in Association activities and leadership roles.

When: April 22-23, 2016

Where: OEA Headquarters Building - Columbus, OH

For more information and to register, please visit www.centraloeanea.org. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay.

to help other members realize their strength and power as a professional.

I’m a member of the union because unions helped build this country and make it great. It’s our Association that supports our members and creates a better working environment for them, this in turn ultimately makes a better learning environment for our students. This will lead to a great public school for every student. That is why I am an educator! That is why I am a union member!

Why We Educate, Why We Care. Why We’re Union! continued from page 1

In this issue2 OEA Fall Representative Assembly - One Mission, One Goal, One Team

3 Are You an Emerging Leader? We’ve Got a Program for You

3 We’re Recruiting Members to Become Education Advocate Leaders

3 Fund for Children and Education Award Winners

4 OEA/NEA Diversity Conference

5 2016 Leadership Conference

6 Central’s All-Area & Delegate Briefing

7 Members of Small Locals - You Too Can Attend the NEA Convention!

7 Join OEA-R & Central Retired

7 OEA Minority Leadership Training Program

Central OEA / NEA

OEA/NEA Diversity Conference

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBUS, OHPERMIT No. 204

CE NT RA L O EA/NEA, Inc.947 Goodale BoulevardColumbus, OH 43212

COMMUNIQUÉ

OEA Fall Representative Assembly

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2016 Leadership Conference

Registrations for all events are available on Central’s website at www.centraloeanea.org

Jan 23 Central Diversity Conference at the Central Office

Feb 8 Area 3 Meeting at the Simon Kenton Inn

Feb 9 Area 4 Meeting at the Watt St. Tavern

Feb 10 Area 2 Meeting at The Warehouse, Marion

Feb 17 Area 5 Meeting at the OSU Golf Club

Feb 25 Area 1 Meeting at Shaws Restaurant

Mar 10 Presidential Debate Watching Party at Central HQ

Mar 16 Area 5 Education Advocate Leader Training at Central HQ

Apr 18 Area 3 Education Advocate Leader Training at Kenton Ridge HS, Springfield

Apr 18 Area 2 Education Advocate Leader Training at Berlin Twp Meeting Hall, Delaware

Apr 19 Area 1 Education Advocate Leader Training at Pickerington Library

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Fund for Children and Education Award Winners