Tel: 419-424-1708

Over 9,600 Members

September 2018

continued on page 2

NWOEA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/TREASURER

JOB POSTINGThe Northwestern Ohio Education Association

is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Executive Director/Treasurer for our association representing educators in Northwest Ohio. The Executive Director/Treasurer will work out of the district office located in Findlay, Ohio.

Candidate should have a strong background in accounting, technology, office management, and communication. Must be able to organize the publication and distribution of all district materials. Develops the budget and also prepares the payroll and files all quarterly and year end payroll reports. Also responsible for presenting a financial report to the Board of Director at scheduled meetings. Strong skills in current technology programs and applications is necessary. Expected to attend some events and meetings in the evening.

The starting salary is commensurate with experience and the position is without benefits.

Resumes should be submitted to Northwestern Ohio Education Association, 101 W. Sandusky Street, Suite 302, Findlay, Ohio 45840 by September 30, 2018. Or email resume to nwoea_center@sbglobal.net or fax to 419-422-3417.

Engage Grant Provides Funding to OEA Spring RA

The NWOEA Local Delegate Assistance to OEA Spring RA Engage Grant provides funding to reimburse up to $250 for overnight lodging and mileage to the OEA Spring RA for one delegate from a local that has not sent delegates to an OEA RA in the previous two (2) school years. Itemized receipts are required for reimbursement of up to $250. Any delegate interested in applying for this grant should submit a letter of interest including delegate contact information and local association president’s signature. Letters should be sent by March 29, 2019, to the NWOEA Center, 101 W. Sandusky Street, Suite 302, Findlay, OH 45840.

Over seventy local associations in the NWOEA district have not sent delegates to an OEA RA over the past two years. To encourage involvement at the state level, NWOEA is offering funding through the Local Delegate Assistance to OEA Spring RA Engage Grant. Delegates attending the RA’s elect officers, adopt budgets, approve governing documents, and set the policies that determine the direction of the Association. Locals that do not send delegates are forfeiting the rights they have as a member of a democratic organization.

Myers Appointed Interim Executive Director/TreasurerThe NWOEA Board of Directors approved the appointment of Tim Myers as the interim NWOEA

Executive Director/Treasurer. Tim will replace Joyce Wisebaker who retired as of August 31, 2018 after serving NWOEA for 11 ½ years.

As Executive Director it will be Tim’s responsibility to facilitate and coordinate the programs and activities planned by the NWOEA Board of Directors and district committees. He also will prepare and send out communications to NWOEA committees, local presidents, council chairs, and members. As NWOEA Treasurer, Tim will chair the Budget Committee, write checks, keep financial records, and prepare financial reports for the Board of Directors and auditors. He also has the responsibility of opening the NWOEA Center from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as well as attending NWOEA meetings and functions as needed.

June 1st Tim retired from teaching after spending his entire career as a science and computer teacher at Elida Middle School. July 14th was his last day as serving for two terms as the OEA Secretary-Treasurer. Tim has been a member of the Elida Education Association serving as the local Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, and President. His involvement at the district level started in 1992 when he accepted the role as a NWOEA Unit II Representative. The next year he was elected as the NWOEA Vice President and then from 1994 through 1998 he served as the NWOEA President. During his term as President he

Visit the NWOEA Website www.nwoea.org

facebook.com/NorthwesternOEA

To learn more about NWOEA, upcoming events, scholarships and grants

2

As we begin another school year, I believe it is time to reflect on the basic strategic priorities of our association and how we can apply these to our local associations throughout the year. The three strategic priorities of the Ohio Education Association are:

1. Build locals’ capacity to be more relevant to members

2. Leverage the image of education employees to build support for public education

3. Build OEA as a member resource for professional issues

Throughout the past year, we have focused a great deal on relevancy in response to the anticipated Janus vs. AFSCME decision. What does your local association do to make the union more relevant to your members? Maybe you have hosted more social events for your members and their families or involved more members in recent contract negotiations. Possibly, you have established more collaborative committees with your local Board of Education and administration. Can you

NWOEAPresidentJennifer Long

Back to Basicsidentify what the needs of your local members are and how you as a local association could meet those needs to make membership more relevant? Do not forget to communicate your WHY to your members…WHY we do what we do, WHY we exist, WHY we believe what we believe.

What is the image of education employees in your local school district? Do you have the support of community members and parents? Do you have a respected voice with the local Board of Education? As a local association, you have the ability to change or improve the image of educators by advocating for your members and students, speaking up, and establishing positive, productive relationships with your local administration and Board of Education. These relationships can help to lead the changes necessary to move public education forward in your local district and across the state. It is also important to be knowledgeable about current legislative issues that affect the education profession. As we approach the election season this fall, be sure to know where the candidates stand on education and which support public education and respect public education employees.

Does your local association lead or plan the professional learning for your members? Are your members aware of the professional resources that are available through NWOEA,

OEA and NEA? At the NWOEA level, we have a Professional Development Committee that plans a workshop each fall with relevant sessions on a variety of professional issues. This workshop is free to all NWOEA members and will take place on October 23 at Perrysburg Junior High. NWOEA also supports workshops held by the Leadership Councils for members. At the OEA level, you can bring many free professional learning presentations to your local. OEA staff with expertise in a given area present these. Topics range from evaluation to special education to cultural competency. OEA also has a new program in which members and their families can earn an Associate Degree online with no out-of-pocket expense. To access more information on this program go to FreeCollege.OHEA.org.

May you find opportunities to focus on the basics of association membership and what it offers your members. What can you do this school year to make the work of the association more relevant, build the image of education professionals and public education and become a professional resource for your members? I hope each of you continues to advocate for your profession, your school, your students and public education. I wish each of you a positive, productive and inspiring year.

Myers Appointed continued from page 1

filled in for one year as the Interim Executive Director. From 1999 to 2006 Tim was a member of the NEA Board of Directors and served on the NEA Internal Affairs Committee and Program Budget Committee.

Tim recently retired from the State Teachers Retirement Board where he has been a member, vice chair, and chair. Throughout this time he has willingly presented many STRS sessions at NWOEA workshops and regularly contributed retirement updates for the NWOEA newsletter.

Looking for News about MembersIf you or someone in your local has recently been honored or has done something significant in the education

field, please contact the NWOEA Center at 419-424-1708 or email nwoea_center@sbcglobal.net for possible publication in the NWOEA newsletter, website (www.nwoea.org), or Facebook (facebook.com/NorthwesternOEA).

NWOEA Offers $1,000 Graduate Memorial Scholarship

Applications for the $1,000 NWOEA Graduate Memorial Scholarship are available to NWOEA members pursuing graduate study in the education field, excluding administration. This scholarship provides Northwestern Ohio Education Association the opportunity to assist members who are involved in their local and district associations and are pursuing their education goals in the field of teaching.

To obtain a copy of the application form, contact the NWOEA Center at 419-424-1708 or nwoea_center@sbcglobal.net or visit the NWOEA web site at www.nwoea.org. The deadline to submit the completed application to the center is Monday, January 21, 2019. Finalists will be interviewed on Thursday, March 7, 2019, and the recipient will be recognized at the NWOEA Representative Assembly on Thursday, April 11, 2019, at the High School in Bowling Green, Ohio.

3

Newsletter, September 2018

Local Service Award recognizes an individual for distinguished service to association work in his/her local and having local-wide implications. Up to three members per local may receive this award per year, and a member may receive this award every five years.

District Service Award-Active recognizes a member or group actively involved in education who has contributed distinguished service to association work on the NWOEA district level or having district-wide implications.

Promising Leader Award recognizes a member who within the first five years of teaching has shown initiative in his/her local association. Each local may nominate ONE member per year. A person may receive the award only once.

District Service Award-Retired recognizes a retired person who has remained active in association work and has contributed service on the NWOEA district level or having district-wide implications since retirement.

NWOEA Awards Honor Outstanding MembersDo you know a member in your local who deserves to be recognized for the contributions

he/she has made to the local association? Do you know a new teacher who has stepped forward to make contributions to his/her local association? Help these outstanding members get the recognition they deserve by nominating them for an NWOEA Service Award. Your local president will receive nomination forms in November, or you may contact the NWOEA Center at 419-424-1708 or nwoea_center@sbcglobal.net to have nomination forms sent to you. Forms will also available at www.nwoea.org.

*ANY MEMBER CAN PLACE A NAME OR NAMES IN NOMINATION *AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL BE RECOGNIzED AT THE NWOEA RA

ON APRIL 11, 2019

2018-2019 RA’sNWOEA RA

Thursday, April 11, 2019Bowling Green High School

February 1, 2019 – Deadline to hold NWOEA Delegate &

Alternate elections

February 10, 2019 – Deadline to submit election results to

the NWOEA Center

OEA Fall RASaturday, December 1, 2018Ohio Expo - Cardinal Hall

Columbus, OhioOEA Spring RA

Friday and Saturday,May 10-11, 2019

TBD

October 10, 2018 - Deadline to hold OEA Delegate & Alternate

elections

October 15, 2018 - Deadline to submit election results to OEA

NWOEA Hosts Treasurer’s Workshop

Forty-three local association treasurers and leaders attended the OEA Treasurer’s Workshop hosted by NWOEA at the University of Findlay Alumni Memorial Union on July 23. OEA Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill presented the training with the assistance of Joe Cohagen, OEA Controller.

The level of experience of the treasurers in attendance ranged from no experience to that of twenty years. Mark explained proper procedures and legalities outlined in the 2018-2019 OEA Treasurer’s Manual. He also reviewed the criteria for OEA’s Fiscal Fitness Awards Program. This incentive program offered by OEA could award a local $2,000, if the “best practices” as outlined in the program are met.

2018-2019 NWOEA SERVICE AWARDSDEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AWARDS NOMINATIONS IS JANUARY 17, 2019

Local Treasurers Learn Electronic Bookkeeping

The NWOEA Quicken Workshop was held on July 23 in conjunction with the annual Treasurer’s Workshop. Using a University of Findlay computer lab, NWOEA treasurers were given a “hands-on” opportunity in the

use of the Quicken computer program as they recorded and summarized financial transactions. Tim Myers, NWOEA-R, was the workshop presenter.

Each treasurer was provided with a copy of the Quicken 2018 software through a grant from Region B. While participants experienced the usual frustrations and confusions of encountering new software, they gave high marks to the training on their evaluations and were enthusiastic about using the software to carry out their financial responsibilities for their locals.

Names of two attendees were drawn to win the 2018-2019 OEA portion of their dues paid by OEA. From left are Mark Hill, OEA Secretary-Treasurer; dues winners Alta Richter, Ottawa Hills, and Cheryl Chaffee, Fostoria; and Joe Cohagen, OEA Controller.

Tim Myers trains association treasurers to use the Quicken software to carry out their financial responsibilities for their locals.

4

2018 OEA Summer AcademyBy Jennifer Long, NWOEA President

Thirty-eight NWOEA members representing ten local associations attended the 2018 OEA Summer Academy from June 18-20 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. This year’s academy with the theme “Building Member Power to Lead Relevant and Visible Associations” incorporated a team approach in response to the anticipated Janus Supreme Court decision. Local teams consisted of three to five members, and each team was engaged in team planning and created a strategic organizing plan in response to an identified issue within their respective school district. OEA Staff led the academy participants through a series of team activities on day one and three of the academy. These team activities included identifying interests and issues, developing a collective why, creating a theory of change statement, creating strategies and timelines for implementing an organizing plan, and identifying who would help achieve the desired change. These team plans for organizing were finalized and presented at the conclusion of the academy.

On day two of the academy, individual team members participated in a content track. These tracks included: Collective Leadership and Student Success, Effective Association Communication, Inclusive Practices and Equity in Special Education, Local Leadership Development, Political Action, Powerful Practices to Lead the Profession, Restorative Practices, Trauma Informed Practices, Unlocking Your Leadership Potential (Early Career Educators) and Unlocking Your Local’s Potential. The individuals then brought back to their teams the information they had gained from the content track they attended.

Jonathan Juravich from Olentangy Local Teachers Association and Ohio’s Teacher of the Year gave the keynote address. Before dinner on opening night, several OEA endorsed candidates addressed the academy participants including Rich Cordray, candidate for governor. Following the academy dinner, the OEA District Leaders Council held a Reverse Raffle FCPE Fundraiser. This new fundraiser raised approximately $5000 for the Fund for Children and Public Education.

This year the NWOEA Professional Development Committee was able to offer scholarships to five locals to cover the cost of registration and lodging. NWOEA also hosted a District dinner on Tuesday night at Barley’s Underground Restaurant with nearly 40 members in attendance.

2018 NEA Representative AssemblyBy Jennifer Long, NWOEA President and Delegate at the NEA RA

Over 300 delegates from Ohio joined 6,200 delegates from across the United States at the NEA Representative Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 2-5. Delegates represented NWOEA from ten local associations and the retired members.

From July 1-5, delegates attended morning caucus meetings of the Ohio delegation where they heard from various candidates from the NEA Executive Committee and voted on caucus positions for the Constitution and Bylaws amendments and new business items to be brought before the Representative Assembly. Before the start of the RA, NWOEA delegates and their families attended a lunch cruise on the Mississippi River as part of a joint NWOEA/NCOEA/ECOEA/EOEA/SWOEA District Day. Thanks to Val Heban, the Executive Director at ECOEA, for planning the event for the five districts to enjoy.

Throughout the four-day assembly, the delegates considered 129 New Business Items, nine Legislative Amendments, and seventeen amendments to the NEA Resolutions. Thirteen amendments to the NEA Proposed Policy Statement on Community Schools were brought before the delegates for debate and consideration. They also voted on five Constitutional Amendments and four Bylaws Amendments and elected five new members to the NEA Executive Committee including Ohio’s own Hasheen Wilson, who was re-elected to the position of ESP At-Large for a three-year term.

Delegates were motivated and inspired by the words of NEA President Lily Eskelsen García and NEA Executive Director John Stocks, reminding delegates to remain “fierce fighters” in the wake of the Janus vs. AFSCME decision that was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court less than one week before the start of the Representative Assembly. John Stocks encouraged us to build our strength through coalitions with non-members, parents, community members and students. On the final day of the RA the “Red for ED” movement was highlighted and all delegates wore red to show their support of this movement to encourage change across our nation. The Red of ED movement began in West Virginia last February and has spread to Oklahoma, Kentucky, Colorado, North Carolina and Arizona. Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning of Washington; ESP of the Year Sherry Show, a special education paraprofessional from Alaska; and the first time Higher Educator of the Year Loretta Ragsdell addressed the delegates.

A highlight of this year’s NEA Representative Assembly was when President Eskelsen-Garcia shortened her address at the beginning of the RA and turned the stage over to David Hogg, survivor of Parkland High School shooting that occurred on February 14. David along with other students have been very outspoken regarding common sense gun laws and advocating for safer schools for all students. He encouraged delegates to speak up, stand strong and most of all VOTE as that is how real change will take place across our nation.

Front row from left: Jennifer Mayo (TAWLS), Brenda Ames (Elida), Jennifer Long (McComb), Jennifer Gent (TAWLS), Angela Dittman (Findlay) Back row from left: Dan Greenberg (Sylvania), Amanda Dyer (Kenton), Becky Conklin (Evergreen), Tim Myers (Elida), Jerry Oberhaus (Liberty Center), Rhea Young (TAWLS), Stephanie Myers (Pandora-Gilboa), Carrie Crawford (Bowling Green)Not pictured was Don Traxler (NWOEA-R)

Nineteen first-time OEA Summer Academy attendees were among the NWOEA members at the district dinner at Barley’s Underground Restaurant.

5

Newsletter, September 2018

Just before Christmas, the Teachers Association of Washington Local Schools (TAWLS) gave all 570 kindergartners in the district a copy of the book, There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow. Each book was labeled with a sticker indicating that the books were purchased with funds from TAWLS and NWOEA. Inside each book was a bookmark indicating that TAWLS wishes for parents to foster a love of reading with their child over the holiday break.

Bellevue Education Association (BEA) members (from left) Sue Eastman and Cynthia Raifsnider manned the association’s table at the Community Halloween parade to pass out treats. PR Grant money was also used to sponsor elementary children on community sports teams whose uniforms displayed the BEA logo, to hang a sign with the association’s logo at the Little League Field, and to run a half-page ad in the Fall and Winter Athletic Booster Programs.

McComb Teachers Education Association hired a local artist to work with association members and student art club members to create inspirational art in the bathrooms. The messages encourage students to foster kindness to one another, find self-strength, use positive thinking, and promote anti-bullying.

For over 25 years members of the Rossford Association of Classroom Teachers have marched in the annual Rossford Halloween parade, but this year they did so while proudly wearing their new black t-shirts printed with the school mascot and full association name for all to see. Members also wore their association t-shirts with jeans on Fridays to help the school raise money for local charities and to also promote unity among the association members.

Gibsonburg Teachers Association President Kim Nye along with other members of the Association headed out into the community to personally make special deliveries to graduating seniors with a yard sign announcing that “A GHS Senior Lives Here!”

Public Relations Grants Fund Local ProjectsEach year NWOEA offers Public Relations (PR) Grants to provide up to $500 for local associations to fund public relations and

professional development projects. 2017-2018 grant recipients used their funding in a variety of ways to unite members, to increase the association visibility in the community, and/or to show the district and the community that the association is committed to support and encourage students both in and outside the classroom.

To Apply for NWOEA PR GrantsThe NWOEA Public Relations (PR) Committee invites you

and your local association to receive some of your NWOEA dues dollars back in the form of an annual NWOEA Public Relations Grant. These grants are designed to allow locals that wish to enhance the image of their association among members and/or within the community an opportunity to receive funding to finance public relations projects.

Grant applications for the 2018-2019 school year have been sent to local presidents and are posted on the NWOEA website at www.nwoea.org. The PR Committee will evaluate applications and approve grants up to $500 until a total of $5,000 has been awarded. Locals awarded a grant will receive half of the approved funding immediately to provide money upfront before starting a PR project. Upon verification of attendance at required RA’s and NWOEA events, receipt of all documentation, and evidence of a successful Fund for Children and Public Education drive, the remainder of the grant money will be mailed within twenty days.

Deadline to submit Public Relations Grant isNovember 2, 2018

Vacancies on NWOEA Board of Directors

Unit II Representative term ending August 31, 2019At-Large Education Support Professionals Representative term ending August 31, 2019 At-Large Minority Representative term ending July 14, 2020OEA Board of Directors, Unit I term ending July 14, 2020

If interested, send a letter of intent bySeptember 14, 2018 to the

NWOEA Center, 101 W. Sandusky St.,Suite 302, Findlay, OH 45840

or nwoea_center@sbcglobal.net.For more information call 419-424-1708.

To do something positive to get out its name, the Elmwood Education Association provided a “snack station” in each hallway for families during parent-teacher conference week in November. The snack stations were stuffed full of a variety of goodies and water bottles bearing the name of the Elmwood Education Association.

NWOEA Fall Workshop Registration

Tuesday, October 23, 2018 Perrysburg Junior High School 5:15 – 5:45 Registration 550 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551 5:45 – 6:45 Dinner No Cost to NWOEA Members 7:00 – 8:30 Break Out Sessions Registration Required by October 15, 2018

Brief Legislative Update will be given during dinner by Scott DiMauro, OEA Vice President

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

A. Technology as a Learning Accelerator - John Mansel-Pleydell, NWOCA West Instructional ServiceWhere are you on your technology journey? Let's go further together! In this session attendees will explore avariety of strategies to integrate technology into their classrooms.

B. Who You Calling a Newbie? - Todd Jaeck, OEA Membership ConsultantTo better ensure that our Early Career Educators survive and thrive, we must deepen our connections to eachother and to the fundamental reasons that we do this work. In this session, we will discuss strategies that willhelp energize and strengthen our profession. This session is designed for Early Career Educators (0-7 years ofexperience).

C. Engaging Members post Janus - Angela Dittman & Becky Biesiada, Co-Presidents of Findlay EAAs our public education world is evolving and being potentially impacted by the Janus decision, it isimperative that we engage our current members along with potential members. In this session we will discussopportunities to effectively engage members as we strive to recruit and retain our members as we moveforward following the Janus decision.

D. Shopping With NEA Member Benefits - Presenter TBDBring your own electronic device as you embark upon a live shopping trip to the NEA's virtual mall NEAClick and Save. Here attendees will explore the more than 700 merchants which provide exclusive savings toNEA members. Discover how you can save lots of money shopping not only during the upcoming holidayseason but any time of the year.

E. When Can I Afford to Retire...or will I Just Die at My Desk? - Guy Kendall-Freas, NEA Member BenefitsThis presentation increases members' awareness of their retirement system, their pension payout options,healthcare costs, and more. Participants will be able to determine if they are on the right track in theirretirement preparations and, if not, what are their options, including sheltering severance pay and purchasableservice credit.

Attendance at this NWOEA Workshop will count as one of the two attendance requirements for 2018-19 PR Grant-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NWOEA Fall Workshop Registration Form

Name___________________________________ Local Association _____________________________________No Abbreviations

Address_________________________________________________________ Phone_______________________Street City State Zip

Circle ONE session choice: A B C D E

List any dietary restrictions ______________________________________________________________________

Email address for registration confirmation__________________________________________________________

Return registration form to NWOEA Center, 101 W. Sandusky St., Suite 302, Findlay, Ohio 45840Online registration available at www.nwoea.org Questions?? Call 419-424-1708

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018

NWOEA Fall Workshop