Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/56088
How the president sees it Real strength comes from engagement, not numbers There Is Power in a Union is the title of two different union songs - one written in 1913 by renowned organizer Joe Hill, and another in 2005 by singer/songwriter Billy Bragg. Bragg's first verse ends with "But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand - there is power in a union." T hese words ring true for me right here, right now in Delaware. I speak with NEA leaders from across the country. My Pres. Jenner explains that the reasons we are not like other states is due to our union stewardship. fervent wish: May we never be faced with the complications and dilemmas that our union brothers and sisters from other states contin- ue to confront. What do we have that they do DSEA ACTION! (USPS 010111 ISSN 01995413) is the official publication of the Delaware State Education Association. ACTION! is mailed 7 times a year, (September, October, combined Nov/Dec issue, February, March/April, June and July) at DSEA headquarters located at 136 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901. Telephone: 302-734-5834, or toll-free: 1-866-734-5834. Our Wilmington office may be reached by calling 302- 366-8440. Subscriptions are included in membership: $2.32 a year for teachers and $1.19 a year for ESPs. Subscriptions are $5 per year to those ineligible for membership. Periodical postage paid at Dover, DE 19901. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DSEA ACTION!, 136 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901. President FREDERIKA JENNER Vice President MIKE HOFFMANN Treasurer KAREN CROUSE NEA Director MARY JO FAUST Exec. Director HOWARD WEINBERG Editor PAMELA T. NICHOLS Program Assistant SUSAN W. KELLER not?We enjoy close working rela- tionships with our state Dept. of Education, many state legislators, our Lt. Governor, and with our Governor and his staff. We recog- nize shared interests, encourage dialogue and problem-solving, and value the contributions of all par- ties in our combined efforts to sup- port public education and school improvement. Contrast this with union/gover- nor relationships in neighboring states or with legislative turmoil in Arizona, Wisconsin, or Ohio. Anti- union measures seeking to ban col- lective bargaining, limit rights to unionize, and forbid payroll deduc- tions of union dues consume valu- able union resources like time, energy, and finances. DSEA is able to conserve and utilize these for more productive ventures. Be sure to see "Can Educators Save the Middle Class?" in this month's y. How is it that we are so lucky? I contend that it is not luck—it is not coincidence. I attribute our current standing to stewardship—to the care, consideration, and years of responsible relationship building. Our position has been rightfully earned over time. Yet, it could be lost in the blink of an eye, with the casting of a few votes. Unions have long alleged that we have strength in numbers. More accurately, our numbers represent potential. Real strength comes from member engagement. Genuine power comes directly from member action—both individual and collec- tive. It is essential that we all understand our roles in this grand union. My responsibility is to lead DSEA's efforts to inform, advocate for, and inspire member participation at all levels—from the mundane to the dramatic; from reading DSEA e-mails, to communi- cating with legislators, to attending a rally. It is especially important for us to engage and motivate newer mem- bers. We've had extraordinary suc- cess in signing up new members. They are important to DSEA; how- ever, DSEA must stay important to them. Our existence and continued successes depend upon members' contributions beyond dues. There are plenty of ways that members Leading the way. . . T his month we salute Lisa Beckman, mem- bership chair for the Capital Secretaries Assoc. She is a secre- tary at Dover High School, where she has worked for six years. She says she became involved with CSA to learn more about DSEA; school representation among the officers of CSA; and "… to get to know the people I work with." can validate their union commit- ment. Members and leaders need to consider and plan for DSEA action and involvement. More member activity = standing stronger togeth- er = increased union power. All 62 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this November. The Governor and Lt. Governor will campaign for re-elec- tion. Another election relevant to educators will be the office of Insurance Commissioner. Elections on the national level are equally important. Both Sen. Carper and Rep. Carney are run- ning for re-election. Member involvement in identifying, sup- porting, and electing pro-education candidates is indispensable. There are other easy actions for any member: contributions to DSEA's and NEA's Funds for Children and Public Education; helping your local with a referen- dum; this spring's school board elections; on-going member recruit- ment at your own job site; or their new hire orientation in August; and, giving an hour or two of your time to help maintain the power of DSEA during the upcoming politi- cal season. I knew the moment I entered pub- lic school employment that politics played a major role in the life of public school employees. I never hesitated to take a stand, to offer support, to take action for what I knew was right for our students, our schools, and our communities. Join me. The time is right. The time is now. There is power in a union. What accomplishments as a leader are you the most proud of? I'm most proud that our local has reached 100% membership. What do you hope to accom- plish in the short or long term? My short and long term hopes are that we always keep our mem- bership at 100%, getting more of our members involved in meet- ings, events, gatherings, etc. What do you think is your local Association's biggest challenge this year? Again, member involvement. Frederika Jenner President frederika.jenner@dsea.org Check out her blog, Does Experience Count? at Moving? og in at tion there. It's easy, and saves you a stamp or a phone call. Thanks! L 2 February 2012 DSEA ACTION! www.dsea.org and edit your contact informa- NEA Toda experiencecount.wordpress.com. org http://does www.dsea.