Election Time- deadline reminder for newsletter

Dear G.D. 6 friends- the most important election of our lives (and this time-we mean it!) is only 9 days away.  During this time, our recommended candidates and legislative friends are fighting hard to stay in position so that they can continue to fight for public education.  Our state recommended candidates are:




Govenor- Jay Nixon
Lt. Govenor- Susan Montee
Attorney General- Chris Koster
Secretary of State- Jason Kander-Very important race. This office helps craft the language of ballots placed on voting ballots.
Treasurer- Clint Zweifel

For State Senator in our area: Kurt Schaefer.

For State Representatives in our area:
Stephen Webber
Chris Kelly
Ken Jacobs
John Wright
Ed Schieffer
Wayne Henke

Proposition B – The Tobacco TaxYES vote recommended.
Proposition E – Healthcare ExchangesNO vote recommended.

Constitutional Amendment 3 – Repeal of Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court PlanNO vote recommended.


The campaigns are calling to ask us to help with phone banking (calling like minded voters to make it to the polls) and door knocking.  I've done both, and will do so all this week.  Please take the time to help our friends of public education remain in office and or become elected to office.  Please help when you receive the call.  The race is close in ALL areas.  If you have further questions please feel free to contact DeeAnn Aull or Mark Jones at MNEA headquarters (1-800-392-0236).  Oh, and don't forget to vote Nov. 6!

The deadline for providing information about your local's activity is Saturday, Nov. 3rd.  Newsletter will be emailed out the 5 or 6th of November.

Looking Good-Feeling Good! A Few Reminders

Wow!  You'd think CMNEA was happy about something!!  Oh, that is right.  ONE WEEK AGO TODAY WE LEARNED WE BECAME THE EXCLUSIVE REPS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN THE COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT!  To be honest, it is still sinking in.

(From the back, left to right- Dean Klempke, Susan Jones, Renee Mottaz and CMNEA Pres. Susan McClintic. From the front left to right- Jennifer Black-Cone,Trish Redig (Your other G.D. 6 Board Member!) Melissa McConnell and yours truly- Monica Miller)

G.D. 6 Don't forget that TOMORROW is the deadline for registering rooms and ordering lunch for the MNEA Fall RA.  See our earlier blog for the details on registering for your room with Tan-Tar-A.  Go on the mnea website to order your lunch.  See you on Nov. 17!

G.D. 6 Pre-RA webinar will be on Tuesday, Oct. 23rd at 7:00 p.m.  You must register for the webinar, so please so so today.  Just go to the MNEA website to register.  It's Free!

From the MNEA website:

"I Can Do It"

 

Beginning Teacher Assistance Program

Teacher certification in Missouri requires participation in a Beginning Teacher Assistance Program. MNEA and Maryville University have teamed up to offer a meaningful and convenient way for beginning teachers to receive a certificate verifying completion of this requirement. Attendees will also become a part of the Missouri NEA Beginning Teacher Network.
The beginning teacher assistance program focuses on "I CAN DO IT," a classroom management program. Other topics include creating a professional teaching and learning plan and maneuvering the certification maze. Activities in this workshop focus on how to:

• have a smoothly flowing classroom,
• use effective rules/routines,
• deal with difficult behavior,
• build a classroom community, and
• improve home/school communication.
   

Attending this program fulfills the initial certificate and PC-I requirement for "participating in a beginning-teacher assistance program sponsored by a college or university." You must currently be teaching to attend this program. This session is not recommended for college students.
There is a non-refundable registration fee of $25 (MNEA members) or $50 (non-members). Space is limited. Register now to get your choice of locations. Contact MNEA Teaching & Learning at (800) 392-0236 or e-mail Becky Stewart (becky.stewart@mnea.org) for more information. 

Date & Time	Location	Registration Deadline
Thursday, Nov. 8, 20129:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m	Jefferson CountyTBC Venue 8721 Commercial Blvd., Pevely, MO	Nov. 2	Register now
Friday, Nov. 9, 20129:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m	St. Louis                                           Sheraton Chalet Westport Plaza 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis

 

Upcoming Dates and webinars!

G.D. 6- The MNEA Legal Rights and Responsibilities Webinar will take place today.  Visit http://www.mnea.org/Missouri/OnlineTraining.aspx  to register.  Remember, it is free!

Don't forget to register for the MNEA Fall RA.  This year's RA will take place Saturday, Nov. 17th at Tan-Tar-A.  Here is more information:

Tan-Tar-A Resort
494 TanTarA Drive
Osage Beach, MO
800-826-8272 or 573-348-3131

 

$100 per room (single, double, triple or quad)

Reservation deadline: October 19

Make reservations online at www.tan-tar-a.com (group code NEAF) or by calling either of the above numbers and informing reservations that you are with the Missouri National Education Association group.

RA packet will be posted on the MNEA website later this week.

 

Happy Monday and enjoy your week!

A Good Friend

Hello G.D. 6 friends,
Just as CMNEA was celebrating our historic win for our association to represent teachers at the bargaining table, we received word that a long time supporter and MNEA member passed away from her long fight with cancer.

Barb Dozier was a member of the Rockwood NEA and served as board of directors for MNEA.  She also served on several MNEA state wide committees, with her love being the Human Rights committee.  She served on the Heritage Board in the St. Louis area as well.  I first met Barb when I was attending an MNEA RA for the first time.  I was new to the scene.  I was the ONLY one from Columbia, and I knew no one.  I felt like the new kid at school.  I had stepped outside of Tan-Tar-A to find which "cabin" was my room, when I saw a group of women walking up the steep hillside leading to the main building.  (Later, I would come to know each woman in the group, and they have become great friends and wonderful supporters of Columbia and G.D. 6).  From that group though, came a woman who walked right up to me and in a loud, cheery voice announced, "Hi!  My name is Barbara Dozier and I represent you on the board of directors.  Here is my card!"  She whipped out a white business card, thrust it into my hands and with a flurry, was off, talking loudly the entire time.  I looked at the card and saw that she was the Minority-at-Large representative on the MNEA Board. 

After that tornado of a meeting, Barb watched out for me.  She introduced me to other members from across the state and taught me how to network within the association.  During my terms as the CMNEA local president, she would call me from time to time to let me know about certain grants I should apply for to help my local, encourage me to join this committee or that meeting, and helped me to laugh at the ridiculous.  When I began to attend the National RAs, she again took my broken wing and helped me to fly through the maze of endless meetings, NBIs and protocol of the Representative Assemblies.  At night we prowled the streets and had much fun.  But what happens during the nights of the RA, STAY with the RA!

When we all went to Chicago last year for the RA, Barb did not attend.  We asked and were told that she had a family reunion that conflicted with the RA.  Not thinking anything of it, I shot her an email to say how much she was missed and that I would see her again at the MNEA Fall RA.  I did think it was strange that she did not email back, but then again-weren't we all busy?  At the MNEA Fall RA, I learned that she had a serious illness and she was taking time to heal.  Again I sent another email.  Again, nothing.  Time went on.  I learned through the MNEA grapevine that Barb had cancer but was responding well to treatment.  Because of her many doctor appointments, she retired early.  Ah, the answer as to why I was not getting emails from her.  The email I had for her was her school email and she was no longer in the system.  Through mutual friends I sent my words of encouragement.  In my mind, I knew my friend was getting better.  At the Spring RA last year, I heard that she was indeed better.  In fact, she was in remission!  I told myself that before the holidays, I would make arrangements to see my friend again and catch up with her.

So, as we all cheered, cried and celebrated the historic win Thursday night, I began to text and email anyone and everyone I knew.  On my list... Barb Dozier!  I would get in touch and share the news.  Then I received THE NEWS.  President Chris Guinther pulled me a side and told me that Barb and passed away Thursday afternoon. 

I've told myself since then that CMNEA had a special angel helping us that day.  Only Barb could pull those strings!  Lover of children, dogs, good times, laughter, and joy, I will always remember Barb.  CMNEA and G.D. 6, although Barb lived in St. Louis, she always thought of us in the Mid-West part of the state.  Oh, she would make fun of our "country" ways, but she knew the importance of the association and representing ALL teachers.  On one of those days when you see a bright rainbow reaching across the sky and a loud chatter of birds coming from the tree tops, think of Barb and raise a glass.  She would laugh loudly and enjoy.

If you knew of Barb and can attend the funeral, here is the information:

Services will be Tuesday, Oct. 16th - Wake/Visitation 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon

Funeral services at 12 Noon

Holy Metropolitan Baptist Church

1212 Academy Ave.

St. Louis, MO

Repast will be at Crave Church - across the street from Barb's house

The Human Rights Committee is making a contribution to the MNEA HOPE Fund in Barb's memory, and will accept additional donations for that fund at the Fall RA.

 

In the meantime, I will look for a photo of Barb and place it on the blog page soon.

CMNEA WON THE EXCLUSIVE REP. ELECTION!!  From the district email: 413 voters chose to continue with the current process and  520 voters chose to endorse CMNEA as the exclusive bargaining agent.

I cannot believe it, and the entire local is over the moon!  Special thank you to President Chris Guinther, Vice President Charles Smith, Ex. Director Ben Simmons, UD Steve McLuckie, past UD Don Salcedo, and current UD Kim Cosby for their leadership and help, and above all, THANK YOU to CMNEA President Susan McClintic for her outstanding leadership.

Now...we celebrate and REST for a bit! 

The Most Important Election in our District's Life!

Hello G.D. 6 friends!  Today was the day for Columbia Public School teachers to vote if we wanted Columbia MNEA (CMNEA) to be the Exclusive Reps in bargaining with the district, OR if we wanted to keep things the same with "Meet and Confer."  Voting ended about an hour ago, and the votes are being counted.  I will let you know how the vote goes!  Off to the watch party.  Wish us luck!

G.D. 6 Blog is Active!

G.D. 6- The LONG wait is over!  The first newsletter for 2012-13 is out!  Lots of information about the Fall RA is included as well as hotel reservations and the luncheon.  Information too about deadlines for California Casualty Literacy Grants (Due tomorrow!), voter registration and continuous membership roster.  PLUS- an article about our new Uniserv Director!

Check this blog for updates on news from our association and from the G.D. 6 area.  You may reach me by twitter: @bruinmill and email: mmill83@aol.com