Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/195036
Assoc. Rep I Training builds confident ARs Association Representatives are vital Just as people in education and social service make a difference in the lives of students, ARs make a difference in the lives of their members. vital part of our Association operations are the Association Representatives (ARs). They are the conduit between you, your local president, DSEA and NEA. Their job revolves around two important areas: membership/organizing and advocacy . And this is a busy time of year for these volunteers. They are assisting your local president or leadership team with the important work of confirming membership information where you work, as well as asking potential members to join your Association. And this is a great time to share your thoughts with your AR about the new year and any concerns you may have with your work environment, and to ask questions about your Association. It's also a great time to offer to help. There's bound to be some task, big or small, that fits your time and talent. DSEA's field staff, the people we call UniServ directors, are busy providing training for these ARs so that they will be more confident and successful. Pictured here are photos taken at two Association Rep. I trainings. Your AR is your first point of contact if you are having work-related issues. This can range from concerns in your classroom or work area, to termination. Keep in mind: if the situation appears serious, the AR will contact your local association president who in turn may contact your UniServ director. We value our ARs and couldn't function without them. If you are interested in becoming an AR, please talk to your current AR, your local Association president or your DSEA UniServ director. A www.dsea.org Association Representatives are the face of the union for most members. Pictured here are Melissa Dimartino (left) and Paulette Brittingham-Stevens, both ARs for their colleagues in Caesar Rodney E.A. Dimartino teaches English Language Arts at Caesar Rodney High School and Brittingham-Stevens is a special education teacher at Nellie Stokes Elem. School. Elena Brenner of New Castle County Vo-Tech and David Hogan of Brandywine participate in an activity that tests their knowledge of the structure of NEA and DSEA. Brenner teaches various English classes at Delcastle High School (see page 2) and Hogan teaches mathematics at Concord High School. Heather Straup of Smyrna and Billy Smith of Caesar Rodney work on the characteristics of highly effective unions and highly effective Association Reps. Straup is a special education teacher at Clayton Elem. School and Smith is a paraeducator at the John S. Charlton School, an ungraded school serving students in Kent County ages two to twenty-one, challenged by autism and moderate to severe and profound cognitive and physical disabilities. Every participant receives a copy of "Welcome to the Union," one of the best quick reads we've found that explains why unions exist and how they operate; members' union rights and responsibilities; your contract; what a grievance is; basic labor law; if you get into trouble; and your role in the union (www.unionist.com). Pictured here is Lacey Brown, a special education teacher at the Sussex Consortium/ Lewes School in Cape Henlopen. Tawanna Prophet, of Caesar Rodney E.A. and Ed Dougherty, president of Sussex Tech E.A., discuss recruitment strategies that work. October 2013 DSEA ACTION! 13