jeff orvis, neieu unit president - isea · 9/3/2016 · 5 2017-2018 neieu executive board members...
TRANSCRIPT
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W hen you start to look at this newsletter, you may be thinking that we made a mis-
take and sent something from two years ago. You may remember that I was the
unit president then, and yes I am back for another term.
For those who don’t know me, I am an Instructional Coach at Waverly-Shell Rock. I am
the president of the Northeast Iowa Education Unit (NEIEU). You, whether you know it or
not, are a member of NEIEU. This is the organizational structure between your local asso-
ciation and the state. UniServ (“UniServ” is short for “Unified Service”) units have two
main purposes: Service and Governance.
When an issue arises that you or your local needs help with, service is provided by a UniServ Director. We have
two directors in Northeast; Shelly Staker and Kevin McDermott. Shelly works from the Waterloo office and
Kevin from Dubuque. Linda Alderson provides office support for us too. These folks are our experts for negoti-
ations, grievances, recertification, licensure, training, and so many more things. Some of the problems that
they help us with have never been listed on a job description because they come completely out of left field. We
ask that they be contacted after seeking help from your local first, so they don’t get overwhelmed by issues that
can be handled close to home. Governance is our voice at the table. I am part of governance. NEIEU has a
president, president-elect (Vice President), secretary, treasurer, a delegate to the state executive board, sub-
unit representatives, and committee chairs. In April of each year, many of these positions are open for election
and any member can run. The electorate are from all of the approximately 50 locals who send representatives
to the NEIEU Spring Representative Assembly. These are often the local presidents and others who attended
the state delegate assembly a few weeks prior, but the local president can send any local member. Sub-unit
representatives communicate with local presidents and are our representatives at our monthly NEIEU meet-
ings. We plan trainings, share what issues are coming up across locals, and discuss the impact of legislative
issues and how we should react.
I hope when you read this newsletter, you see your members being recognized. I hope you read those remind-
ers about licensure and ethics. I hope you see the value in what NEIEU does for you. When asked, please con-
sider offering your time and talent.
Volume 42, Issue 1
September 2017
Northeast Iowa Education Unit
The Voice
Jeff Orvis, NEIEU Unit President
“Great leaders inspire greatness in others.”
Anonymous
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Recertification
W hat is recertification? Recertification is a new election process whereby all employees that are part of the
bargaining unit (whether members of the association or not) must actually vote to retain the association as
the certified bargaining representative for purposes of negotiating the Master Contract and consultation with the dis-
trict concerning the handbook and teaching/learning issues.
W hy does our local need to hold a recertification election? The legislation passed in 2017 requires a
recertification election to establish the association’s legal ability to remain the bargaining agent for the Mas-
ter Contract. Elections need to take place approximately one-year before your contract expires.
W hat does it mean to vote YES? Voting YES to recertify means the employee (you) wishes to maintain the
current bargaining agent (Your local association/ISEA) as representatives for the Master Contract. This vote
has nothing to do with joining the association. All employees of the bargaining unit must vote — association members
and potential members. Failure to vote in this election is a NO vote.
W hat recertification is not: Recertification does NOT affect your association’s ability to remain an active
local association, or to provide members with access to representation and legal services.
Why Does Your Membership Matter?
M embership is essential because a united voice is important. ISEA is up to the challenge because our chil-
dren, families and profession are priorities!
ISEA advocates for and with members when:
Contracts and board policies change (Bargaining has not ended — it has changed):
◦ Leaves, salary, transfer and prep time
◦ FAIR Evaluation procedures, class size and reduction procedures
◦ Career advancement and equal treatment for all employees
◦ All other working conditions
Assistance plans should be monitored
Chapter 102 allegations are made
Licensure or parental complaints are filed
Disciplinary actions may be taken
Member and administrator issues surface
Liability coverage is needed
Professional development opportunities are needed
A voice in the legislature is a seat at the table
Working to build local, state and national community coalitions
Advocating for students and public education
Members have access to a wide variety of discounts through NEA Member Benefits, receive support and
representation from ISEA staff statewide and locally, have access to professional development
courses needed for licensure through the ISEA Academy and receive professional publications with
important and practical information about the profession.
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Northeast Iowa Education Unit
Waterloo Regional Office Dubuque Regional Office
203 E. Tower Park Drive 3430 Dodge
Suite A Suite 15
Waterloo, IA 50701 Dubuque, IA 52003
Phone: 1-800-378-6851 1-800-378-6297
Phone: 1-319-287-8021 1-563-556-1692
Fax: 1-319-234-1740 1-563-556-1693
Shelly Staker [email protected]
Kevin McDermott [email protected]
Linda Alderson [email protected]
New Address? Please let us know
ASAP
Please remember to notify our
office as soon as possible if you
have a change of address. You
may call us at (800) 378-6851 or if it is more
convenient, the information may also be
e-mailed to Linda at [email protected].
T he following suggested activities will help ensure a smooth start to your school year and avoidance of conflict at a
later date.
If you have earned credits for lane advancement, file transcripts in accordance with required policy and
timelines.
Review your personnel file. Make a list of its contents. If inappropriate items are contained therein, immedi-
ately notify your Association Rights chairperson. Make periodic reviews of your file throughout the year.
Once published, check the seniority list for accuracy. If there is an error, seek immediate correction.
Verify that your salary and other conditions of your individual contract are in compliance with
the Master Contract. Your first paycheck should be compared to the contractual amount so that any errors can
be corrected immediately.
Check to be sure that you are enrolled in the insurance(s) you want—
especially if your employer has changed insurance carriers or your family status has
changed.
Be certain that your building orientations include information on: procedures to
use in case of student injury, specific dos and don’ts in discipline, and a complete ex-
planation of evaluation procedures and criteria.
Start your own personnel file. Include your teaching certificate, copies of college transcripts, documentation
of any awards, commendations or honors you receive, records of seminars, workshops or conferences you attend,
letters of reprimand or praise, copies of correspondence to or from school administration or parents, written sum-
maries of any out-of-the-ordinary incidents such as disciplinary actions you’ve taken, student accidents or stu-
dents’ notes you’ve intercepted, and any other items related to your employment.
If you begin having difficulties with an administrator, parent, or community member, start a daily log. Record
all items that could be related to (future) charges against you. Include dates, times, and brief descriptions of inci-
dents and/or witnesses.
As You Start the Year
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I t’s time to pat yourself on the back for being
active in your community!
Tell us about your association involvement
in your community and WIN!
Entries will be reviewed by the NEIEU Public Rela-
tions Committee and one winner per month will be
chosen. The monthly winner earns a Subway gift cer-
tificate!
All monthly winners are entered to win the “Best Asso-
ciation Activity of the Year.” One yearly winner re-
ceives $100 for their association.
HOW?
Submit a brief summary and/or send newspaper clippings
of Association activity within your community.
SEND TO:
Linda Alderson
ISEA Waterloo Office
203 E. Tower Park Drive, Suite A
Waterloo, Iowa 50701
Toot Your Own Horn!
Reminder!
Y ou can review and confirm your NEA Com-
plimentary Life Insurance beneficiaries by
visiting the NEA Member Benefits Website at
http://www.neamb.com/insurance/nea-
complimentary-life-insurance.htm. Once there you need
to log in and/or register and from there you can check
and/or change your beneficiary.
Also, NEA Member Benefits (www.neamb.com) offers a
number of programs to assist you!
Upcoming Events (Rough Draft)
OCTOBER:
1 Membership materials due to NEIEU Office
5 Partners in Learning meeting
11 NEIEU Executive Board
20-21 ISEA ESP Conference, Hotel Savery, Des Moines
21 ISEA Bargaining Conference, Des Moines Marriott
NOVEMBER:
6 Certified Bargaining Training, ISEA Waterloo Office
8 NEIEU Executive Board
13 Classified Bargaining Training, Fayette Public Library
15 Certified Bargaining Training, Starmont HS Media
DECEMBER:
7 Partners in Learning meeting
8-9 ISEA Executive Board
9 NEIEU Executive Board/Christmas Party,
Bills Smokehouse, Independence
JANUARY:
5 ISEA Retired Members Committee
19-20 ISEA Legislative Conference
20 TLC Committee
FEBRUARY:
2-3 ISEA Executive Board
14 NEIEU Executive Board
MARCH:
14 NEIEU Executive Board
APRIL:
6 ISEA Executive Board
6-7 ISEA Delegate Assembly
18 NEIEU Executive Board
19 NEIEU Spring Representative Assembly
MAY:
9 NEIEU Executive Board
12 ISEA Executive Board (conference call)
15 ISEA Retired Members Committee
National Education Support Professionals Day
N ational ESP Day honors and recognizes the contributions
education support professionals (ESPs) make to public
education. It is a time to support and show respect for ESPs,
who are equal and essential partners in public education. Na-
tional ESP Day is the Wednesday of American Education Week.
This year it will be November 15, 2017. If you want ideas on
how to recognize ESPs and to celebrate, NEA has produced a
guide that has been used over the past several years “A Guide to
Celebrate National Education Support Professionals Day.” Any
member or local can look at the guide on-line at www.nea.org/
esp and order them from [email protected].
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2017-2018 NEIEU Executive Board Members
Name Title Local E-mail
Jeff Orvis President Waverly-Shell Rock E.A. [email protected] or [email protected]
Janelle Meyer-Smith Vice President & ESP
State Rep MFL MarMac E.S.P. [email protected] or
Lori Lee Secretary Retired [email protected]
Steve Bunn Treasurer Oelwein C.E.A. [email protected] or
Roberta Hass ISEA Executive Board
Rep M-F-L MarMac E.A. [email protected] or
Ronda Rathe Sub Unit A Rep Dunkerton E.A. [email protected] or
Stacey Brandt Sub Unit B Rep Sumner-Fredericksburg
E.A.
Steve Larson Sub Unit C Rep Decorah E.A. [email protected] or
LuAnn Bolsinger ESP Rep Ed-Co C.A. [email protected] or lu-
Jaci Feuss Sub Unit A Cedar Falls E.A. [email protected] or jaxflutter-
Lori Thurm Sub Unit B Wapsie Valley E.A. [email protected] or
Linda Monroe Sub Unit C Postville E.A. [email protected] or klmon-
Barb Renz ESP Rep Nashua-Plainfield E.S.P. [email protected] or
Kristie Brincks Leadership Chair New Hampton E.A. [email protected] or
Pam Schmidt BBTLE Chair Retired [email protected]
Dennis Pagel Contract
Advancement Chair New Hampton E.A. [email protected]
Barb Havlik Government
Relations Chair Retired [email protected]
Jim Young Membership Chair Cedar Falls E.A. [email protected] or jycap-
Craig Harrison Public Relations Chair Oelwein C.E.A. [email protected]
Deb Turnball Resolutions Chair Retired [email protected]
Joyce Amber Retired
Membership Chair Retired [email protected]
Julie Williams Contract Maintenance
Chair Retired
Vee Barnard Multi-Cultural Chair Cedar Falls E.A. [email protected] or
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Take Charge of Your
Professional Growth
Y ou want positive growth mindset in your
teaching? You want to design personalize
professional development? You want reflective
practice in your teaching? Then National Board
Certification is the plan for you. All of this and
more is accomplished when you go through
this process. And if you don’t want to be alone,
invite others in your district to join you as a
team that helps each other and holds each oth-
er accountable to the process. And better yet
ISEA has support classes to help you through
the process for credit that can be offered close
to home with instructors that have completed
the National Board Certification process and
are National Board Certified. Contact Bert Hass
at [email protected], Liz Fox at
[email protected], Melanie Wirtz at
[email protected], or Pam Schmidt
at [email protected] for more information. NEIEU representing at the NEA
Representative Assembly
Mike Beranek at Johnson's Restaurant & Reception
Hall at NEIEU Fall Leadership/Membership Rally.