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Back To School 2015 | WEAnews 6 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Ron Sniffin WEA Executive Director rsniffin@wyoea.org Have you ever considered running to serve in the Wyoming legislature? Who better to advocate for the students of Wyoming than an active or retired education employee?! You know better than the average citizen how the actions of the legislature directly impact what occurs in the classroom. Take, for example, the tremendous amount of work the legislature is currently undertaking in regard to recalibration and accountability (see stories on pages 16-19). Running for office takes time, dedication and money. Fortunately, in Wyoming the resources needed typically do not compare to campaigns in more-populated states. If you are considering running for office, the WEA can help you explore your options. Keep in mind, though, simply being a WEA member does not guarantee WEA-PACE endorsement; you must go through the same process as all other candidates seeking office. The Wyoming Education Association Political Action Committee for Education (WEA-PACE) is the political action arm of the WEA. This PAC serves independently from the WEA. Members' dues are not used to support candidates. Several years ago a special fund was created within the WEA-PACE that is specifically intended to help WEA members seek public office. This fund is called the Educators as Politicians Fund and was created in honor of our friend and WEA colleague, Harold Bovee, after he passed away. Harold was the Central/NE Region UniServ Director, and was also the staff person assigned to help coordinate political action. We referred to him as "Election Guy," because of his passion for electing friends of education to office. Through the years, the WEA has consistently had members serving in the Wyoming legislature. Currently we have members serving in very prominent positions. With the primary election less than a year away, now is the time for YOU to consider running for the Wyoming legislature. Education employees are well-known in your communities. Of course, before deciding to run, you will want to check your school district's policy in this area. There is a lot to consider before deciding to run, with many questions that need answered before determining if this is the best choice for you. WEA is here to help you make that decision. We can connect you with resources that will help you determine whether now is the time to pursue an elected office. If you are considering running for office, please contact me so that we can start this conversation: Ron Sniffin, Executive Director, (800) 442-2395 ext. 104, rsniffin@wyoea.org q $100 Super PACEsetter q $50 PACEsetter q $20 PACE member q $_________ Bovee Fund q $___________ Other q I want to volunteer to help Here is my contribution to WEA-PACE Name ____________________________________________ Address __________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________ Send to: WEA-PACE, 115 E 22nd Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001