Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/85591
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE WEA President KATHY VETTER wonderful to get out and really listen to members and potential members about what they expect from their association. I hope everyone's school year is off to a great start. Mine has begun with a back-to-school tour of 18 different locals around the state, where I have attended new employee events and local association meetings. I have traveled over 4180 miles and have been to towns that I have never been to before, like Moorcroft and Clearmont. It has been great to meet members and potential members at their work sites and in their communities. I've talked to a lot of members about what is happening at the teacher accountability committee meetings, as well as the state of the Wyoming Retirement System. It was great to educate new employees about the benefits of joining the WEA and ways they can be involved. It was also state. I would like to visit yours! If you have an event planned for your local, please invite me and I will do my best to be there. I would also like One of my goals this year is to try to visit every local in the " One of my goals this year is to try to visit every local in the state. " to get into schools, not only to meet school employees at their work sites, but because after 30 years of teaching, I miss being in the classroom and working with students. To see pictures of the places I have visited turn to pages 14 and 15. As we all welcome the new school year, we need to remember that by working together, we can succeed in leading the education profession with a student-centered agenda that will provide the best possible education for all of Wyoming's students while ensuring the best possible working conditions for all education employees. With all of the attacks on public education, we need to step up and be the leaders in our profession. There are great things happening every day in classrooms and school sites around our state, so invite your elected officials, the media, and community members into your classroom or work location to see the great things you do every day. You need to step up and be that positive voice for children and public education in Wyoming. I look forward to working with you to lead the education profession into the future. "We listened to the members and heard that many are facing some financial difficulties," said Kathy Vetter, WEA President. In April, delegates attending Delegate Assembly voted to adopt a change in the formula that determines state dues. Instead of dues increasing by $28, delegates voted to change the formula so dues went down $27. The WEA has lowered the state portion of membership dues. There will be no change in the quality of services provided to WEA members, stressed Vetter. "We hope that an increase in membership will make up the difference in funding," said Vetter. She added that because of carryover in the budget, this is a way to give back to our members. Vetter encourages members to ask potential members to join our professional association. "We rely on the commitment of our members to continue positive change at every level in Wyoming public education. By working together, the WEA will continue to serve as the united voice for students and education employees." 4 BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 | WEAnews