DSEA Action!

Leaders Weekend Reflect, retool, renew There was no training, no skill-building, no workshops. Yet, Leaders Weekend was one of the best DSEA events ever, many said. I t was a time to reconsider, refo- cus and rethink who we are, where we've come from, and what that all means for making us effective as local unions. Words like solidarity and unionism put new light on the weekend's work of fig- uring out what needs to be done to build more effective unions. There was lots of self-assessment about their locals, their members, their own leadership and the cul- ture of their local. There was time to share those insights with folks from other parts of the state. On Friday night, participants gathered – with popcorn – to watch together the movie, , about a high school student who first tries to unionize his father's factory – unsuccessfully – but then does mobilize his fellow students to protest their lack of a voice in their school. Who wouldn't want to go to a high school dance whose theme is "Social Justice?" Both funny and moving, it is not a documentary, but a professional, full-length movie available from Netflix, an addition to your list of great Union Movies. Using the book (second edition) by Paul F. Clark, partici- pants were led by DSEA staff through some global as well as specific considera- tions regarding what makes a strong union, where a majority of members embrace unionism, feel empowered and are able to make their working condi- tions better. To access information about the weekend, including the Power Points that guided the reflections and discussions, log in at , and then go to About DSEA and click on Unions. The direct link is . NEA's Earl Wiman: "We don't blame the troops for the trouble in Afghanistan, or police for crime" "This has been a great weekend to reflect on how we can be better. Awesome!" - Donna Fesmire, Wm. Penn High School, Colonial E.A., Association Rep "Super job, as usual!" - Clay Beauchamp, membership chair, Lake Forest E.A. During the final session, local leaders gather by school district to discuss their specific union roles as they recommit to unionism. Pictured here are Liz Skinner (speaking) and Joyce Shaffer from Colonial. "The best line was 'You don't get a pig to gain weight by weighing it.' Testing will not increase learning!" - Jeannette Wilt, mathematics teacher, Brandywine High School, PAC chair and Sr. AR for BEA 12 October 2011 DSEA ACTION! gave an insightful - even humorous at times - speech on Saturday about the state of unionism in this coun- try, especially after last November's election. "Do you blame the troops for the E trouble in Afghanistan? Do you blame the police for crime? I don't blame my pastor for my sin! So why are we blaming the people in the schools when the school does not meet an arbitrary benchmark? We should be applauding that cafeteria worker who asks the child his mul- arl Wiman (above) of Tennessee, recently elected to the NEA Exec. Committee, tiplication tables; or the bus driver who asks about homework!" He then referenced the map of the United States (see page 7), showing how many state associations lost all or part of their collective bargain- ing rights including, in some states, the ability to use payroll deduction to collect dues. "But, what has hap- pened is that we are more energized than ever, working in solidarity with other state worker unions, moving public opinion about employee rights to collectively bar- gain." See Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll results on page 10. The powerful raised fist was used to bring participants back from reflections and conversations. www.dsea.org Building More Effective Unions www.dsea.org The Trotsky DSEA/Unions.html www.dsea.org/About

• Cover
• 2% raise begins 1-1-12
• Local presidents gather
• There's a war going on, here, in this country
• Be ready for retirement
• We're on the radio