90 th MEA Representative Assembly

Your Association 0 th 9

Representative Assembly May 19 & 20 | Portland Mariott Sable Oaks

The 2018 Representative Assembly will be held at the Portland Marriott Sable Oaks in South Portland on May 19 and 20. The RA is comprised of local association delegates from across the state and serves as the Association's highest governing body. The delegates will determine MEA's policies, programs, and budget for the 2018-19 year. MEA Officers – President, Vice President, and Treasurer will be elected by the delegates this year.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI. SECTION 3, PART A

CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 3. Terms of Office

The Officers shall serve no more than two (2) three two-year (3 2) terms to begin July 15. No officer shall be eligible to consecutively succeed himself/herself more than once for the same position.

Officers who will have completed fewer less than two one (2 1) years of a vacated seat will be eligible to serve two (2) consecutive three two-year (3 2) terms.

Officers who will have completed two one (2 1) years or more of a vacated seat are eligible to serve one (1) additional three two-year (3 2) term.

RATIONALE: An organization is healthiest when there is a fresh influx of new ideas.

Submitted by Patty Scully and Joyce Blakney The Structure & Bylaws Committee recommends “Ought Not to Pass”

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE BYLAWS

NEW BYLAW A proposal that all MEA Board of Directors have their own seat as a voting delegate and not need to take up one of a school district’s RA seats.

RATIONALE: RA provides an opportunity to introduce younger, newer members to what the MEA is and what the MEA does. RA delegates have a shortterm responsibility that provide a stepping stone to becoming a more active MEA member. It is inspiring to all that go. This will provide more opportunity for more members. Submitted by Government Relations Committee The Structure & Bylaws Committee recommends “Ought to Pass”

BYLAW ARTICLE IV. SECTION 4, PART B

BYLAW ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS Section 4. Succession and Vacancies

the office of Vice President or the office of Treasurer occurs, such vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting, which shall elect a successor to serve until the next meeting of the Representative Assembly. The Representative Assembly shall then elect a successor for the remainder of the term. In the event a vacancy occurs during the third second year of a term, the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting shall elect a successor for the remainder of the term.

RATIONALE: To align with the Constitutional change submitted. Submitted by Patty Scully and Joyce Blakney The Structure & Bylaws Committee recommends “Ought Not to Pass”

BYLAW ARTICLE VI. SECTION 1, PARTS A AND C

BYLAW ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES Section 1. Representative Assembly Committees

A. Resolutions Committee A Resolutions Committee of eleven (11) members shall receive resolutions and new business items from members, groups of members, and committees, and, after editing and reviewing those resolutions and new business items, shall present them to the Representative Assembly. Committee members shall be appointed for three-year (3) terms. When the Representative

Assembly Committee seats for Resolutions Committee are not filled with 11 members, the President shall assign MEA Board of Directors to the unfilled seats. Board of Directors appointments will be for one (1) year terms and may be

consecutive.

C.

Structure and Bylaws Committee A Structure and Bylaws Committee of eleven (11) members shall be appointed to study the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the Association and shall annually make recommendations, which may be in the form of amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules in order to more effectively achieve the purposes of the Association. The committee shall be responsible for continuous maintenance of an efficient and workable election procedure and shall, through an Elections Committee of five (5), be responsible for planning and conducting elections. The committee shall be responsible for apportioning RA delegate credentials among governance affiliates. Committee members shall be appointed for threeyear (3) terms. When the Representative Assembly Commit

tee seats for Structure and Bylaws Committee are not filled with 11 members, the President shall assign MEA Board of Directors to the unfilled seats. Board of Directors appointments will be for one (1) year terms and may be consecutive.

RATIONALE: The Resolutions Committee and Structure and Bylaws Committee should have 11 members on each. There is difficulty finding members to volunteer for the Committees. Having 4 Committee members on an important Committee is not in the best interest of the MEA. Board members will be utilized on Committees to provide additional voices to decision-making.

Submitted by Lois Kilby-Chesley The Structure & Bylaws Committee recommends “Ought Not to Pass”

BYLAW ARTICLE VI. SECTION 1, PART B

BYLAW ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES Section 1. Representative Assembly Committees

Strategic Budget Committee A Strategic Budget Committee of ten (10) members shall be appointed to include the Treasurer who shall chair the committee, seven (7) members appointed from the general membership (with at least three (3) of the seven (7) who are Representative Assembly delegates), and two (2) to be appointed from the Board of Directors. The function shall be to prepare, with the assistance of the Executive Director and President, the annual budget for presentation to the Board of Directors for transmittal to the Representative Assembly. Committee members shall be appointed for three-year (3) terms and Board of Directors members shall be eligible to serve on the Strategic Budget Committee only during their terms of office.

When the Representative Assembly Committee seats for Strategic Budget Committee are not filled with 10 mem

Skype MEA Pre-RA Overview Meetings for Delegates

Select the Pre-RA Overview Meeting (PROM) that is most convenient for you to learn more on issues that will be on the RA agenda and meet candidates for MEA elected positions.

These meetings begin at 4:30 p.m. and participants must register in advance to receive a link to the Skype meeting. All attendees can choose to use the link to Skype in, or to use the Skype phone number and join as a conference call.

Tuesday, April 24 Wednesday, April 25 Thursday, April 26 South Portland/Skype Augusta/Skype Bangor/Skype

For those unable to attend, a video will be available.

For information, call 1-888-622-4418, extension 2218 or email lheaney@maineea.org

bers in the assigned categories, the President shall assign MEA Board of Directors to the unfilled seats. Appointment made to Board of Directors to fill open seats will be for one (1) year terms and may be consecutive.

RATIONALE: The Strategic Budget Committee should have 10 members. There is difficulty finding members to volunteer for the Committees. Having fewer than 10 members on an important Committee that is making budget recommendations is not in the best interest of the MEA. Board members will be utilized on Committees to provide additional voices to decision-making.

Submitted by Lois Kilby-Chesley The Structure & Bylaws Committee recommends “Ought Not to Pass”

BYLAW ARTICLE VI. SECTION 2, PART F

BYLAW ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES Section 1. Standing Committees

F. Education Support Professional (ESP) Committee An Education Support Professional Committee of eleven (11) members shall advocate for ESP involvement in the Association and educational and training programs designed to advance ESP related issues. Committee members shall be appointed for three-year (3) terms except in the first year. In the first year 4 individuals will be appointed for three- years (3), 4 individuals will be appointed for two-years (2) and 3 individuals will be appointed for one-year (1) to ensure staggered terms.

RATIONALE: The Education Support Professional (ESP) Committee is beyond the first three years of its existence and the wording no longer applies.

Submitted by Lois Kilby-Chesley The Structure & Bylaws Committee recommends “Ought to Pass”

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STANDING RULES

STANDING RULE 2, SECTION 5, PART B 5

STANDING RULE 2, ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION 5, Campaigning

B. Definitions 5. Written Material Distribution by a candidate or designee of written and/or printed materials shall constitute a legitimate campaign activity, and actual expenses thus incurred must be reported. All written/printed materials must indicate the source (i.e. signed by the candidate or candidate’s committee). All campaign

materials must carry an identification of their source and sponsorship (i.e. paid for by the candidate or their committee).

RATIONALE: To clarify language required on printed campaign materials.

2018 PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS New, Amendments and Deletions

1 - New C

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes in the development of a comprehensive approach to provide interventions for students before mental health issues emerge as threats to school populations.

Rationale: There must be comprehensive social services and mental health services available for our most troubled students. Submitted by: Lois Kilby-Chesley, Coastal EA

2 – New C

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes all students must attend safe schools to optimize learning. To that end, the MEA believes schools must have adequate funding for security, adequate funding for mental health staff, a weapon free environment, and trained educators who recognize and report students in crisis.

Rationale: Having secure schools with all educators trained to recognize “red flags” in addition to mental health professionals in every school, will help alleviate student and staff anxiety regarding safe schools. Submitted by: Lois Kilby-Chesley, Coastal EA

3 – New C

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes school property and buildings must remain gun-free, with the only exception made for trained law enforcement officers. Our primary focus as educators must remain the education, safety, and general welfare of students and staff. At no time should parents, students, educators, or others be encouraged, permitted or required to carry firearms on school property.

Rationale: MEA must ensure that we meet the education, health and safety needs of educators and students in our workplace environments. We must protect our students from laws that weaken prohibitions of firearms on school property. The cost of training and maintaining armed teachers, and the detrimental psychological impacts on staff and students is contrary to the primary responsibility of an educator to teach and a student to learn. Submitted by: Lois Kilby-Chesley, Coastal EA, Statewide Bargaining Committee, Donna Longley & Belinda Saucier, Committee CoChairs, Tom Walsh, Falmouth EA

4 – New E

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that all transgender students should be able to use the bathroom or locker room of the gender with which they identify.

Rationale: This would put us in line with State law. Submitted by: HCRCA Committee, James Ford, Committee Chair

5 – Proposed Amendment of C-21 living wage to all employees as determined by the MIT Living

Wage Calculator. (Adopted 2004; Amended 2006) Rationale: In an effort to clarify the difference between a living and livable wage for employees. Submitted by: ESP Committee, Jamie McAlpine, Committee Chair

2018 PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS ITEMS

1.RESOLVED: That the MEA will support legislation that protects students in schools including but not limited to: increased funding for school security, more restrictive weapons laws, increased funding for mental health professionals, and red flag laws that require professionals to report possible student crises.

RATIONALE: MEA needs to have direction from the RA to prioritize school safety as a top tier priority. Quality of Learning Goal, Objective #3: #3. Ensure adequate funding and resources for all public schools. Government Relations and Funding Goal, Objective #1: #1. Increase the level of MEA member involvement in the legislative and political action program. Working Conditions Goal, Objective #1: #1. Ensure workplace environments to meet the health and safety needs of educators and students. Submitted by: Lois Kilby-Chesley, Coastal EA Estimated budgetary impact: $0

2. RESOLVED: That the Maine Education Association will provide professional development on school climate and culture as they impact teaching, learning and school safety.

RATIONALE: In light of continuing and increased incidents of school violence, districts require training and tools to develop stronger school communities. Working Conditions Goal, Objective #1: #1. Ensure workplace environments to meet the health and safety needs of educators and students. Submitted by: Instruction and Professional Development Committee, Rebecca Cole, Committee Chair Estimated budgetary impact: $2000.00

3. RESOLVED: That the MEA support legislation that addresses the negative impact on students due to the legislative requirements of the proficiency-based diploma mandate.

RATIONALE: Restricts schools from having a challenging curriculum that is flexible and meets the students’ needs. Quality of Learning Goal, Objective #5: #5. Ensure all schools have challenging curriculum that is flexible, innovative and complete. Submitted by: Statewide Bargaining Committee, Donna Longley and Belinda Saucier, Committee Co-Chairs Estimated budgetary impact: unknown

4. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports legislation that ensures teacher-led certification committees in all school districts as existed in Chapter 118 of the Rules for the Department of Education.

RATIONALE: MEA recommends that all school districts have a certification committee to avoid the possibility of a single person making a decision about your credential and by doing so, causing you to lose your job in a manner that would do an end run around just cause. This

would avoid even the appearance that the superintendent is using certification to remove a teacher from their job rather than going through the evaluation process. Quality of Learning Goal, Objective #2 and #4: #2. Ensure all schools have fully qualified educators committed to students and their learning. #4. Promote highly skilled and collaborative professional leadership. Working Conditions Goal, Objective #2 and #6: #2. Ensure workplace environments for all educators and students are free from discrimination and oppression. #6. Increase the control that educators have over their professional development/in-service. Submitted by: Statewide Bargaining Committee, Donna Longley and Belinda Saucier, Committee Co-Chairs Estimated budgetary impact: unknown

5. RESOLVED: That the MEA review the policy regarding the use of MEA buildings for committee meetings.

RATIONALE: The committee functions more efficiently and effectively in face-to-face meetings. The inefficiencies of technology and the limitations of the virtual environment greatly reduce meeting time. MEA as an Organization Goal, Objective #5: #5. Continue the process of planning strategically. Submitted by: Statewide Bargaining Committee, Donna Longley and Belinda Saucier, Committee Co-Chairs Estimated budgetary impact: unknown

6. RESOLVED: That the MEA investigate annual marching in the Portland Pride Parade as well as similar events in other regions of the state.

RATIONALE: Participation in such events will improve and increase MEA’s public visibility as well as help MEA to recruit younger members who are particularly drawn to social justice causes. MEA as an Organization Goal, Objective #2, #3 and #4: #2. Increase members’ level of grassroots participation. #3. Increase MEA’s influence statewide. #4. Expand the capacity of local associations to advocate for their members. Submitted by: Tom Walsh, Falmouth EA Estimated budgetary impact: unknown

7. RESOLVED: That the MEA investigate as part of every MEA committee meeting providing each committee member with a list of open committee spots identified by district.

RATIONALE: This will allow committee members to more easily reach out to members in their districts to recruit new committee members using one-on-one conversations, the most effective method for improving member engagement. MEA as an Organization Goal, Objective #2, #3 and #4: #2. Increase members’ level of grassroots participation. #3. Increase MEA’s influence statewide. #4. Expand the capacity of local associations to advocate for their member. Submitted by: Tom Walsh, Falmouth EA Estimated budgetary impact: unknown

8. RESOLVED: That the MEA investigate as part of every conference evaluation survey asking attendees to name three members they will commit to personally inviting to the next conference and then follow up with them when registration for the next conference opens to remind them to invite the members they named.

RATIONALE: This will encourage conferences attendees to take an active role in the health and vitality of the MEA while also promoting future conference attendance. MEA as an Organization Goal, Objective #2, #3 and #4: #2. Increase members’ level of grassroots participation. #3. Increase MEA’s influence statewide. #4. Expand the capacity of local associations to advocate for their member. Submitted by: Tom Walsh, Falmouth EA Estimated budgetary impact: unknown

9. RESOLVED: That the MEA investigate creating email listserv groups for local presidents (for example: district-k-presidents@mea.org) to communicate with each other without

being required to disclose their personal email addresses.RATIONALE: This will facilitate communication and relationship building between local leaders while promoting a greater exchange of ideas and a wider pool of resources to help strengthen local associations. MEA as an Organization Goal, Objective #2, #3 and #4: #2. Increase members’ level of grassroots participation. #3. Increase MEA’s influence statewide. #4. Expand the capacity of local associations to advocate for their members. Submitted by: Tom Walsh, Falmouth EA Estimated budgetary impact: unknown April 2018 • www.maineea.org 31