Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/48993
What we stand for Why are you a member of your union, your Association? Would you believe because of our Resolutions? I t's not the monetary discounts, it's not even the "protection." When you think about it, you're a member because the Association stands for what you stand for; its members believe what you believe about public education. If it didn't, discounts and legal protection wouldn't cut it. There are other organizations that can give you either one of those benefits. What are those beliefs? "We can them Resolutions," says Michael Bank, "and they're proba- bly the least known of our docu- ments, and yet they form the foun- dation of our by-laws, our budget, our policies, even our Legislative Priorities. They're really every- thing we stand for, including our rights to collective bargaining." This 63-page document, he says, is "…truly the backbone document of the Association." Bank is in his 21st year in educa- tion, currently a guidance coun- selor at Red Clay's Richardson Park Learning Center. He's been presi- dent of RCEA, a DSEA and NEA RA delegate, and is currently serv- ing on the DSEA Executive Board for the second time. Bank is also the new chair of the DSEA Resolutions Committee and represents Delaware on the NEA Resolutions Committee. The DSEA Committee will meet several times before the annual Representative Assembly to decide what changes (edits, additions, deletions) to bring to the RA delegates for their consid- eration next spring. "The first thing we do is look at what the delegates at the NEA Representative Assembly may have changed to the NEA Resolutions at the RA the pre- vious summer," explains Bank. The committee will review and compare language, looking for updates and revisions. "Then we look to see if our exist- ing Resolutions are reflecting cur- rent issues, what we're dealing with in education today." Resolutions define our beliefs and positions ... Resolutions are … "… formal expressions of opin- ion, intent, belief, or position of the Association. They shall set forth general concepts in clear, concise language, shall be broad in nature, shall state the posi- tions of the Association positive- ly and without ambiguity, and shall be consistent with the goals of the Association." DSEA currently has 202 Resolutions, organized into nine sections: • Serving as the state voice for education • Advancing the cause of educa- tion for all individuals • Promoting the health and wel- fare of children and/or students • Promoting professional excel- lence among educators Red Clay's Michael Bank wants more members to understand that they decide what we stand for, and what we believe in regarding public education - and we call them our Resolutions. Joining him on the NEA Unlike other DSEA committees and task forces, where members are appointed by the president, the Resolutions Committee is open to any member who wish- es to participate. The committee will meet several times in December. If you're interested in either joining now or perhaps next year, please contact Debbie Stevens, the DSEA staff liaison to the committee, at Deborah. Stevens@dsea.org. By way of example, he pointed to the Resolutions on standardized testing. "We are constantly looking at that wording and adjusting it." Other issues that weren't even part of the Association's Resolutions a few years ago include "alternative compensation," the role of student testing in teacher accountability, and electronic social media. He expects that the commit- tee will be taking a hard look this year at communication with stu- dents using social media. 6 Nov/Dec 2011 DSEA ACTION! Resolutions Committee is Patti Reid, who was recently appointed by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel as an ESP At-Large member of the Resolutions Committee. She came to his attention when she made a motion during a Resolu- tions Committee hearing which was voted on and adopted, affirming NEA support for ongoing profes- sional development for ESP mem- bers. Reid is a passionate advocate for ESP members, president of her local, the Capital Paras Assoc., and a special needs para at the Kent County Community School in Dover. She is a self-proclaimed pas- sionate voice for ESP members on the DSEA Executive Board, one of several ESP members. Adds Bank, "I hope that more members will take a look at our Resolutions. They really drive the work of our Association, of our DSEA staff, … because just about everything we do is rooted in our beliefs." • Gaining recognition of the basic importance of the teacher in the learning process, and other employees in the educational effort • Protecting the rights of educa- tional employees and advancing their interests and welfare • Securing professional auto- nomy • Promoting and protecting human and civil rights • Obtaining for members the benefits of an independent, unit- ed education profession. You can access them online at . To access the NEA Resolutions, go to . www.dsea.org www.dsea.org/About DSEA/HowDSEA Works.html 2011_ NEA_Handbook_ Resolu tions.pdf www.nea.org/assets/docs/