Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/195036
Vol. 34 No. 2 THE VOICE OF THE DELAWARE STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION October 2013 INSIDE Understanding Component 5: You are your best advocate Pages 6-7 DON'T PANIC n n n Bring the family to the Benefits Fair! Page 3 n n n Nominations to run for DSEA office due December 2 Page 11 n n n "Great School Great Communities" in high gear Page 14-15 ORGANIZE! Graphic courtesy of Wyoming E.A. That's what unions do T he illustration here may seem a bit extreme, but if we want to turn the tide, panicking or complaining or ignoring an injustice won't work. We all want every school to be great, every student to succeed. We want to make it happen. It's a fight worth having! A few people of similar backgrounds uniting around an issue doesn't impress so much. But people of different stripes, backgrounds and positions coming together to affect change- that makes people notice. That's why our diversity makes us stronger. Information is power Often we come together for information before we put together our plans of action. Information, after all, is power, and being an active union member puts you in the information loop. Information includes what you care about, what your views are. In this issue of ACTION!, you'll see our new Professional Development Series that kicked off this fall. The message from "Understanding Component 5" was as much about organizing as it was about understanding Component 5. It was about learning how to be your best advocate if your performance evaluation is not done properly or if you believe you have grounds to challenge the outcome. At the heart of any union is its Association Representatives, the people who maintain the information and communications network. The people who know you, and who organize you and your colleagues for action, and advocate for you when necessary . We held two Association Rep workshops in early Fall (see pages 12-13), and will be holding two more at our big fall training day, October 26 at Dover Downs, Union Skills for Members. Also on the schedule is Know Your Rights– something for everyone. Union members don't panic. They unite, get the best training and information possible, and organize!