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California Casualty Athletic Grant Benefits Arizona High School An Arizona high school has been THIS IS AEA Continued from page 23 awarded a $2,000 grant to boost their athletic programs, thanks to the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant initiative. They join 58 other high schools from across the country sharing a $75,000 grant pool for struggling athletics programs. In response to the grant from Career Transitions Advisor/Special Olympics Head Coach, and AEA member, Michelle Piacenza, Cortez High School will use the funds for the Special Olympics athletic programs to replace outdated equipment and uniforms for the student athletes. Shrinking state education budgets, pressure on schools to focus efforts on academics, and diminishing funds for athletics inspired California Casualty President and CEO Beau Brown to establish the grant program in honor of his father – Chairman Tom Brown, a lifelong athlete and avid supporter of youth athletics. For more information about the Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program, visit www. CalCasAthleticsGrant.com. California Casualty has been Arizona Education Association's trusted source for home and auto insurance products since 1982. Front row Michelle Piacenza and 3 of her student athletes (from left to right): Samantha Hall, Coach Piacenza, Jeneiva Stoneham and Team Captain Rhonda Harrison. Back row: Jo Erikson, Jill Strandquist and George Shapcott of California Casualty, and AEA President Andrew Morrill. Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas, California Casualty is a 98-year-old company providing auto and home insurance products, and others, to educators, law enforcement, fire fighters, and nurses in 44 states. Learn more at www.calcas.com. 2 10 Reasons to Belong to AEA 1. Local Action • Through your local association, you are part of the negotiations process with your school district. 2. Information • AEA is your best source of accurate, timely, education information. 3. Lobbying • AEA is recognized as the single most effective voice for school employees and students at local school districts, at the Arizona legislature, and in Congress 4. Professional Development • High-quality workshops, seminars, and training sessions on education topics are offered to members at a discount. 5. Networking • Through the members-only section of the NEA website (www.nea.org), members can meet online to get news, share ideas, and find solutions to problems. 6. Public Relations • AEA shares the story of 24 Fall 2012 ❘ AEA Advocate public education from the members' viewpoint with media across the state, and through public school support campaigns. 7. Legal Assistance • AEA's Help Desk provides fast, easy, and expert assistance to members' questions about employment concerns. 8. Liability Insurance • If you are sued over something that happens while you are on the job, AEA's liability insurance will provide you with an attorney and $1 million in coverage for any judgement against you. 9. Representation • Whenever decisions about teachers and students are being made, AEA is there representing educators. 10. Discounts • Click & Save offers many discounts on services and merchandise to members. 2