Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/801759
SPRING 2017 | ADVOCATE 15 Around AEA F ollowing the success of the organizing training and field experience in Maricopa school district last year, AEA hosted another Organizing Institute. Members from Balsz, Roosevelt, Sierra Vista CTA, Nogales Education Support Professionals, Chandler, Tucson, and eSWAG participated in this three-day training. Participants learned about organizing strategies and tactics and then put these skills in to practice in a field experience at Phoenix Union high schools. In teams of two, these organizers spoke with Phoenix Union employees and asked them to join the Phoenix Union Classified Employees Association and asked current members to attend the next Association meeting. As a result, PUCEA gained new members and had a record number of people attend their general membership meeting. In addition, the organizers came away with plans for their local associations and a new confidence their ability to engage people in the Association. AEA task force and committee members got together at the beginning of the year for AEA Research Day, formerly called AEA Committee Day. Prior to the meeting, many AEA board members, staff, and members participated in the Women's Day march at the state capitol. AEA members then gathered at AEA headquarters to discuss the work of the Association, fulfill charges approved during the AEA Delegate Assembly, and make recommendations to the board of directors. The task forces and committees are listed below: • Government Relations and Legislative Action Task Force • Education Support Professional (ESP) Organizing Task Force • Instruction and Professional Development Task Force • Ethnic Minority Leadership Task Force • Social Justice Task Force • Compliance Review Committee • Elections Committee • Member Benefits Task Force • Finance and Revenue Committee • Resolutions, Rules, Constitution & Bylaws Committee • Rural Issues Task Force Organizing Institute: Round Two! Organizing Institute AEA Research & Policy Day