Notes from MNEA February Board Meeting

Board Meeting February 2, 2013

 

The Board observed a Moment of silence for Vito Maniaci. Vito passed away this week.  Parkway School District has established a scholarship fund:

 

Vito Maniaci Professional Development Scholarship Fund

699 Big Bend

Manchester, MO 63021

 

Kudos:

·         California Casualty has awarded several awards for Literacy throughout the State.

·         The MNEA Engagement Center has been very successful in dealing with member’s issues.

·         One MNEA family opted to forgo giving Christmas presents and gave the money to the HOPE fund.

 

Audit Report: The MNEA Board and the Budget Committee received a clean report from the Auditor. The Board voted to accept the report.

 

Executive Director’s Report: 

·         Columbia has started bargaining their first contract.

·         The move to electronic fund transfer as a means of collecting dues is still extremely important.

·         Districts should continue to explore the use of Direct Deposit to MNEA for collecting dues.

 

Legal Report:

The Supreme Court of Missouri has ruled that employers have a requirement to bargain in “good faith.”  Employers have to develop a framework for bargaining and they have to recognize the rights of employees to select an exclusive representative.

 

The Board voted to maintain dues at the present levels for Student MNEA, MNEA Retired, MNEA Retired Life, and MNEA Pre-Retired.

 

Keep watching your Legislative Updates for up-to-date information on what’s going on in Jefferson City.

 

The Board discussed possible changes to MNEA standing committees. There are possible bylaw changes.

 

The Board voted to recommend that the Ballot Issue Crisis Fund be extended for another year. The final vote will be taken at the Spring RA. The Board vote was unanimous.

 

The 2013 Legislative Platform is on the Members Only section of the MNEA website (Tools You Can Use).

 

SALT training dates will be the weeks of July 16-19 and July 22-25. Locations will be determined at a later date.

 

 

To Do List:

·         Remind members about the May 31^st HOPE Fund fundraising event.

·         Voting for RA delegates is ongoing and will continue till March 1.

·         Candidate forums- NEA Director Feb 4, Vice President Feb 13, and President Feb 20.

·         Register at the MNEA website

·         A new Speak Up session has been scheduled for Feb 12, new members (those who have fewer than 5 years of service) at 4pm, and veteran members at 7pm.

·         Continue to talk about EZ-PAY. Email Karen Struemph with concerns and questions.

 

 

Spring RA is at Tan-Tar-A on April 19-21.  This is MNEA’s 40^th anniversary. There will be a dinner on Saturday night, and NEA President, Dennis Van Roekel, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets will be $40. Registration will be on the MNEA website.

 

RA packets will be online March 8. No postcards will be sent.

 

Soar With the Eagles and Horace Mann nominations are due March 7. Our goal is to have at least one nominee in each category from all Governance Districts.