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Half Hollow Hills Teachers Association

GET INVOLVED!

Send us your form on the back of this page!

We, collectively are the Union, and we are 1200 strong!

Both our Contract and our Constitution are designed to give members a voice in our Union and in

District policy. Not only are they the backbone of a strong union with engaged members, but they are the

most effective vehicle we have for bridging the ideological and geographic divides between those who makepolicy and those who act on it.

When times are good, and when we feel too busy already, we have a tendency to let important groups likethese shrink and fade away. Then, we wonder where our voices went.

Before we begin the 2013-2014, we are aiming now to restore that tradition of voice and participation

through the following changes

1. We have reorganized and are re-establishing our standing Union committees.

2. Where needed, we are creating and continuing ad hoc committees, such as the APPR and

HHHTA Help committee (for members facing excess).

3. We are transitioning the leadership structure for these committees to offer the stipended chair

positions to building reps and the general membership. (Each committee will likely include

a co-chair from the Executive Board to serve as a liaison between the two groups.)

4. We will work with the District to restore committees that have fallen out of practice, and to

ensure that teachers are appointed to committees in collaboration with the Union.

5. We are establishing a Contract Committee to work with the general membership and the

Negotiations team in preparation negotiations for next year.6. Wherever and whenever possible, we are aiming to create these committees this year, so we

can come into the 2013-2014 school year ready to make it a positive one for our members.

Most groups will only need to meet a few times a year, but none of them can exist as committees of zero. So

if you like to throw a great happy hour once in a while, join our Solidarity (Public Relations) Committee. If

youre passionate about social justice or education issues, join our Political Action Committee.

If we allow the spirit of Activism to skip our generation because, unlike our parents or theirs before

them, we are too busy or too beaten to stand up for what we believe in, the fight will soon be lost.

It is not up to someone else to protect what we hold dear for ourselves!

The fate of public education, and so many other things we take for granted, is in our hands.

Join the fight. Join the party. We need both!

In solidarity,

Richard

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Name: ______________________ Bldg. ___________________ PLEASE RETURN BY June 1

SIGN UP TO GET INVOLVED FOR 2013-14!!!!

The story of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody could

do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.Somebody got mad about that because it was Everybodys job.

Everybody though Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldntdo it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody couldhave done.

The moral of the story:Nobody has to do Everything if EVERYBODY does something!

COMMITTEE Id like to get involved!Contract ReviewReview the contract, engage members in your school about their needs and

wants, make recommendations to the Negotiations Team, etc.

Education / Professional IssuesLend a voice and your leadership on major issues in what we do, from Staff

Development to the Common Core to the fight against High Stakes Testing!

ElectionsUnions are a proud emblem of the democratic process. Help ensure our members

have a voice in our collective vision and direction!

GrievanceProtect our working conditions by making sure that our contract is forever

upheld, and that future generations of our Union understand and can benefit from

all thats been built before us!

HHHTA HelpHelp us keep in touch with our brothers and sisters whove been excessed. They

are still a part of our Union! Share ideas for how we can support each other in

this time of need.

Health and SafetyHelp keep our schools safe for students and staff.

Political ActionThough its often behind the scenes, its Political Action that protects our

pensions, collective bargaining, and the Triborough Amendment. It uses

diplomacy and democracy to engage members, the general public and our elected

leaders to do whats right for our schools and todays generation of workers.

Solidarity (Public Relations) CommitteeThrough a Happy Hour. Create a buzz. Help us make each Homecoming better

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than the one before. All positive energy here, aimed at celebrating what we do

and bringing people together.