The Connection

I cannot believe it's already April! Be sure to vote on or before Tuesday April 2nd. You can check out the statewide list of union recommended candidates HERE. March was filled with a lot of work on turning out the vote for referendums in De Pere, Seymour and Luxemburg Casco! In the last five years educators have become so much more active in endorsing school board candidates and referendum. It's amazing to see educators step up in this way and have a hand in shaping our communities.

As we gear up for the fall election, keep in mind that WEAC will be hiring members to activate our pro-public education voters. We are looking for people interested in talking with their fellow educators and turning out the vote for upcoming referendums in November! If you’re interested in learning more about this program and how it can support the goals of your local union, please respond to this email!

In Solidarity,

Kristin Lytie

WEAC Director

• April 2 Final day of Voting for Pro- Public Education Candidates and Referendums
• April 3 WEAC Pre-RA @ 6PM via Zoom
• April 7 Strategies & Tools for Anti-Racist Instruction
• April 9 Power of One Kick Off Training 4:30 via zoom
• April 11 Coordinated Bargaining - Fair Pay Now
• April 14 Creative Assessments
• May 4, 2024 Region 3 Rep Assembly-In Person at the WR3 Office

WEAC/NEA is building the 2024 summer outreach program, training members – among the most trusted messengers to communicate with undecided voters – to talk about education and other key issues through a canvass program running in July and August. Member organizers commit about 20 hours a week and are compensated for their time, in addition to receiving a mileage stipend. Interested? Email Tiffany Reindl, WEAC Public Affairs, reindlt@weac.org.

Region 3 hosted the member led workshops on equity in our schools, Equity Ambassadors, the weekend of March 15th. It was amazing to see our office filled with over 60 union members all interested in learning more about creating better public schools! Becoming an Equity Ambassador is an opportunity for Wisconsin’s public-school employees to be a part of the movement to advance racial and social justice work in public schools and dismantle the structural, systematic racism that exists in our public institutions. We hope to see you at the next sessions. Be on the lookout for future dates!

Power of One is a yearly membership drive that rewards members for strengthening their union. Every union member that recruits a new member is entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card. From April to June we share best practices on identifying the right people to ask, how to make the ask and celebrate our wins! Join us for the kick off on Tuesday April 9th at 4:30 via zoom to learn more about the Power of One! RSVP HERE.

Can't make the kickoff but want to be included in updates about the Power of One? Register HERE.

BLUE-Retired offers:

• opportunities to advocate for public school educators and children
• action to protect your WRS retirement
• WEAC Savers Club for food, travel, and entertainment savings
• $1 million liability insurance while working in a bargaining unit position or volunteering in schools
• financial planning services
• retirement accounts
• join BEFORE you retire with a one-time fee for LIFETIME membership